Yesterday I received some 34 Cheshire Digest volumes! Took
awhile to read them all. But in the end a possible clue emerged.
Of particular interest is the 13 December 2004 message by new
lister Paul Hughes. He was asking about a Zachariah HUGHES born in
Runcorn in early 1800's.
We are researching a Japheth HUGHES, born February 1826 in WALES.
He too has an unusual name, which makes it easier to find him in some
records. Might he be a brother or other relative of Zachariah HUGHES?
Japheth HUGHES married Maria WILLIAMS in 1852 at the Independent
Church in Chester, Cheshire, England. Witnesses were Isaac JONES and
Eliza WILLIAMS.
Japheth was 26 years old, a bachelor, working as a joiner, living
on Weavers Lane in Chester at the time of his marriage. His father was
listed on the marriage record as John HUGHES, a farmer.
Maria was 24 years old, a spinster, no occupation listed, living
on Queen Street in Chester at the time of her marriage. Her father was
listed as Henry WILLIAMS, butcher. Census records in United States
indicate Maria WILLIAMS was born May 1829 in WALES.
Japheth HUGHES and his wife Maria WILLIAMS had a son Henry John
Hughes born in 1853 in Chester. Their address was given as Queens Park,
Chester on this birth record. Japheth was listed as a joiner.
Japheth HUGHES, his wife Maria (spelled Mariah on some records),
and their young son sailed from Liverpool in 1854 for the United States.
(Do not know at this time if any other relatives also came to America.)
They settled in Ohio where eight daughters were born into the family.
The first of these daughters was Eliza, born about 1856. Japheth and
Maria lived in state of Iowa at time of the 1900 census. Their son Henry
and a daughter Jane (Jennie) later lived in the state of Nebraska. Only
a few details are known on the other daughters.
******
Japheth HUGHES and Maria WILLIAMS were apparently living in
Chester at the time they married. A search on the 1851 census in the
areas of the street addresses in Chester did not show them or their
fathers. What would be the next step in trying to find them on the 1851
census? Would it be possible to find them with their parents in Wales on
the 1841 census records?
I live in the United States. At this time I am limited to online
research when trying to find out more about the families of this couple.
Can you help in any way?
Ruth Ann Baker