Jan,
Thanks for the further detail. I think I can help you with one of your
points, if not with the other.
The 1851 entry for William Morris as a servant - I couldn't for the life of
me make head nor tail of Toip Tesern nor Tesern Toip,
so I looked on
ancestry.com to see the original and I can see how difficult
it would have been to make it out. However, when you
know what it might be you can see it is actually Tafarn Trip, a farm on the
part of the parish of F(f)estiniog which borders on the parish of Maentwrog,
the other side of the river. It isn't an inn (at this period at least)
despite the fact that the meaning of the word tafarn is a pub or inn.
The 1861 entry is more difficult. I had a look at this as well and agree
with you that the surname definitely isn't Morris and does looks like Manuel
(with ditto for his wife and son). Maybe someone else would also have a look
for a further opinion? The first name could be Rice (as your other evidence
seems to imply) or Rich. The farm name though is definitely Pandy'r ddwyryd.
As you said before Elizabeth Morris is lower down on the same sheet at
Penyglanau.
All I can suggest is some theories:
1. This was a period of surnames still establishing themselves in this
parish. Although 1861 is comparatively late remember that Rice would have
been born at the turn of the century and originally followed (either from
choice or how he was called by others) the patronymic system. In 1861 when
the enumerator asked his name he maybe went back to the old form, or maybe
he was known in speech in the area by this form and the enumerator just took
it to be his proper name. This still happens in this area in speech today.
If so, there is a good likelihood that Rice Morris's father was Manuel (or
Emanuel) Morris. The patronymic system would lead him to take a second name
of Manuel whereas the English surname system would make it Morris. If this
is true, ignore my previous suggestion of a relative called Morris Owen when
I had thought Morris may have been the patronymically influenced surname.
2. An off-the-wall alternative suggestion, ready to be shot down. Manuel may
have been the wife's maiden name and the enumerator had a blank of memory
when he went to write it down. This isn't very likely though since his wife
came from Llanelltyd and locals may not have known her family origins.
By the way, there was a family called Emanuel in the area in the late 20th
century but I know nothing of their origins.
One more tiny step ahead?
Best wishes
Rhian
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jan J." <jnrose(a)webtv.net>
To: <WLS-MERIONETHSHIRE-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2006 9:44 PM
Subject: [MER] Maentwrog farm spellings? MORRIS family
Hi Rhian,
THANKS for helping me with the spelling of the farm names and your offer
to research further for me. What is the correct spelling for in 1851
Toip Tesern? and in 1861 Pandgrddug?er.
Here is the transcription that you requested: 1861 Wales Census
Civil Parish: Maentwrog; County: Merionethshire; Country: Wales Source
info: RG9/4325; Registration Dist: Festiniog; Sub-Registration Dist:
Festiniog ED 8, Folio 32, page 8, household # 46, GSU # 543269 Farm:
Pandgrddug?er
MANUEL, Rose - head - Mar - 57 - Farmer of 40(?) acres - Merionethshire,
Maentwrog
Jane - wife - Mar - 62 - Merionethshire, Llanellltyd
Abraham - son - Un - 17 - Merionethshire, Maentwrog
Note: If you look closely at Rice/Reese's name it is Rice and not
Rose, but the MANUEL is pretty definite - it sure isn't MORRIS. If
you enter Jane looking for their daughter, the telling clue was Jane
(1800) place of birth and son Abraham.
Many THANKS :) in advance,
Jan Jordan <jnrose(a)webtv.net>
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