Dear List,
My ancestress Ann Harris was born in 1839 in Garndiffaith to James Harris (collier) and
his wife Margaret Bevan. James (x) and Margaret (signed) were married in Llanwenarth
parish church in 1836, both said to be 'of this parish'. I don't have the 1841
details for James, Margt. and Ann but I do have Ann's entry in the 1851 census for
Blaina. She was living with a Walter Bevan, his wife Mary and their children (as well as
an Ann Prosser - said to be Walter's daughter - who was a witness to Ann Harris'
1860 marriage). Ann is said to be a 'cousin' to the head of the household, i.e.
Walter Bevan. However, considering Walter's age (38) I think that Ann was actually his
niece (I believe the term cousin was interchangeable then). He was born circa 1813 and I
guess that Ann's mother was born circa 1810-16 so she and Walter were therefore
probably brother and sister. I have found Walter Bevan's marriage to Ann Jones and his
father is named as Walter Bevan so I presume that Margaret wa!
s also the daughter of Walter Bevan senior. James and Margaret Harris seem to have both
died before 1851 (prematurely) as there is no trace of them on the 1861 census either. The
only record that I have of them is Ann's 1839 birth certificate. Crucially, Walter
Bevan's birthplace is given as Llanbedr, Breconshire. Llanbedr is a small village on
the Breconshire border with Monmouthshire near places like Gilwern, Crickhowell and
Llangenny. The PRs for Llanbedr (and Llanwenarth) have revealed no baptisms for a Walter
or Margaret as children of Walter Bevan so I'm a bit stuck. Seeing as Margaret was
married in nearby Llanwenarth parish (just over the Mon. border and the parish in which I
live) I think that the family are to be found somewhere in this area in the cluster of
parishes around Llanbedr and Llanwenarth. Any ideas anyone?
Best wishes
James Phillips-Evans