Thank you to both Arlene and Sue for replying to 'my e-mail of desperation'
concerning the above. Sorry for the delay in replying, but your helpful e-mails have given
me much to ponder on before replying.
However, firstly I would like to extend my condolences to all those who have lost loved
ones as a result of Hurricane Katrina, and to offer my best wishes to all survivors and
their families. I hope the position on the ground improves very quickly.
Arlene,
Thanks for reminding me about naming a second child after the death of a predeceased
child. It is something to consider, as Taid Owen did exactly that in his own marriage.
Your second point is also very interesting. Thanks.
Sue,
Thanks for the additional information that you have supplied. I will try to answer your
questions in the order of the 4 e-mails received.
[1] The spelling of OWEN with or without an 's' seems to have been
interchangeable within our family. My father and I were registered at birth as OWEN. I
also have copies of his signature in which he used the surname OWEN. Unfortunately, I have
no original documentation higher up the line, as probably census details were completed by
an enumerator, and birth, marriage and death certificates were completed by officials as
they are today; and local Registrars, when supplying copies of documents to us, sometimes
have to make inspired guesses as to handwriting.
In the official certified copy marriage certificate dated 8th. December 1868, of Owen
Owens and Ellin Griffith which I obtained from the Local Registry, Owen Owen's father
is written in as David OWENS. In the photocopy of the original church record of marriage
that I have, I would second guess his father's name to be David OWEN.
In the GRO certified copy marriage dated 22nd August 1887, Owen OWENS' father is
definitely spelt as David OWEN, and Ann OWEN's father is definitely spelt as David
OWEN. These again are only third party documents. Indeed the name of Ann on the
certificate is Ann OWENS but her signature is written down as Anne OWENS. In the August
23rd. 1885 Baptismal records for the children, the details for Ann are Ann OWEN. Just to
confuse the issue further, in the Baptismal Record for my Taid and his two sisters, he is
referred to as John Henry and not Thomas Henry. In the 1891 census for Newborough the 3
children are referred to as OWENS presumably after the head of the family.
[2] May I reply to this e-mail after I've checked some more information
[3] Thomas Henry OWEN married in Rhyl in 1906. His Army Discharge papers indicate that
he served in the army between 1916 - 1918. I have his two War medals which have the same
serial no. as his Discharge papers, i.e they cross reference with one another. On the
marriage certificate, his father's name is given as " Thomas Owen deceased, a
seaman". Initially, I made the assumption that Thomas Owen deceased was Taid's
father. Now, I just don't know. If Taid was illegitimate, perhaps he didn't wish
his bride to know, and concocted an imaginary name for his father.
I find it strange that I cannot find any birth certificate for the three siblings despite
dates of birth for all three being recorded in the school records.
The only relevant facts that I can remember about Taid are that he served in the army
during the 1914-18 war and the village of Newborough was always in my mind, and this was
confirmed in the 1901 census for Rhyl, then Flintshire, when he was staying with relatives
in Rhyl, and his birthplace was given as Newborough. I also seem to recall that he 'd
had an unhappy childhood. As he died in 1955, my memories are hazy to say the least. My
father died in 1961. What was the name of his father, and was this the same for his two
siblings, I just don't know.
[4] I confirm that the only entry for Lily OWEN in the 1881 census is the one for
Holyhead. I can find no relevant entries for Lily Owen or Owens in the 1901 census.
I have obtained a GRO certified copy death certificate for a 'Lily OWEN' who died
on the 2nd. February 1895, aged 14 years. Her death was in Bangor across the Menai Straits
from Anglesey, but the Informant neither knew the rank or profession of the deceased. This
would be about the correct age, but for which Lily OWEN? I don't know where this Lily
Owen is buried.
I will reply to e-mail No. 2 as quickly as possible.
Many thanks,
Jim
Rhyl
03.09.05.