Dear List,
My ancestress Jane OWEN was married to Lewis Evans in Llanidloes in 1832. She was baptized
there on April 25th 1809 the daughter of Richard and Bridget Owen. Unbelievably, there are
TWO marriages in Llanidloes of a Richard OWEN to a Bridget either of which could be that
of 'my' Jane's parents. The first was in 1798 where the bride was a Bridget
DAVIES, the other was in 1808 where the bride was a Bridget Swancott. I personally think
that the 1808 marriage is most likely to be that of Jane's parents but have no proof
or actual evidence for this 'hunch'. The 1841 census has in noway helped, rather
it has caused further confusion as there is only one Richard (60) and Bridget (55) OWEN
with their daughter Mary (bap. 1817) but also an Elizabeth OWEN aged 9. She was baptized
in 1832 in Llanidloes the daughter of Richard and Mary Owen. This Richard, his wife and
family appear on the 1841 census and he is aged '45'. This other family is clearly
that of the Elizabeth living with Richa!
rd and Bridget but the younger Richard cannot be the son of the elder Richard yet there
must be some link between the two households because of young Elizabeth OWEN. None of this
helps to explain who Jane Owen's parenst were. I hope that someone else can help to
sort out this confusion.
Best wishes
James Phillips-Evans