As some of you may know, I have been hunting for a birth
record for my Owen WILLIAMS born about 1842 in Llanddwywe/Dyffryn but am
beginning to wonder if I am the victim of patronomics.
On a recent visit to Barmouth I discovered a headstone at nearby
Llanddwywe Church for Hugh, who died 1868 aged 25, son of Owen & E.
WILLIAMS from Henborth . Also on the same headstone was Ellin WILLIAMS who
died 1884 aged 75 (presumably Hugh's mother but no sign of Owen, his
father). This
encouraged me to go looking for the family on the Llanddwywe censuses.
I think I have found the right family in 1851 and 1861 in Llanddwywe but am
puzzled at the various changes in surnames, particularly as Ellen appears
to keep her RICHARDS surname until 1871 whilst, in 1861, her sons are now
WILLIAMS.
1851 Llanddwywe Is Y Graig (North Lodge - not far from Henborth)
HO107/2511/491/13
Owen RICHARDS (33) Head, b Dolgelly
Ellin RICHARDS (41) Wife, b Llanenddwyn
Owen RICHARDS (8) son, b Llandenddwyn
Hugh RICHARDS (6) son, b Llandenndwyn
1861 Llanddwywe (Castelmoelrhion (?) next door to Henborth) RG9/4321/32/5
Ellen RICHARDS (53) b Llandendwyn - but I haven't a hope of reading her
'condition' Help please!!
Can't find any sign of her husband in 1861, as Owen RICHARDS or WILLIAMS so
maybe he is dead?
Hugh WILLIAMS (14) son, b Llandenddwyn
Griffith WILLIAMS (9) son, b Llanddwywe
Can I assume Owen RICHARDS, son, b abt 1842 has become WILLIAMS? Why
would the boys have changed their surnames?
1871 Llanddwywe (Castelmoelrhion)
Ellen WILLIAMS (61) widow, b Llandendwyn
Anne WILLIAMS (88) mother (unmarried but I presume they mean widowed), b
Llanddwywe
If anyone can shed light on this puzzle, I'd be delighted!
Lizzie
Australia