ELIZA CHARLES b ~ 1828 Pontypool, Mons

[Bookman]

I have a marriage certificate for Eliza Charles, 13th April 1850 - married John Jones in Merthyr Tydfil. Her father was John Charles (cabinet maker). I have census records for her from 1861, living in High St Merthyr.

I am trying to find a connection back to Thomas Charles of Bala (1755-1814). I know that Thomas Charles had two sons (Thomas Rice Charles and David James/Jones Charles). I have some details about Thomas Rice's offspring, but there seems to be one son missing - perhaps he is the link. Equally, I can find no offspring for David James. If there is a link to Thomas Charles then it seems lime;ly that John Charles (Eliza's father) would be a grandson? of Thoams Charles.

Please can anyone help?

[Wobbley]

I am not sure you have this ?

http://yba.llgc.org.uk/en/s-CHAR-DAV-1812.html

Brian

[Bookman]

Thank you Brian for that link. I have already made extensive use of the DWB and constructed a sizable family tree around Thomas Charles of Bala from it alone. It is an amazing family and I would love to find a connection into it. I was quite surprised to find that David Charles II, nephew of Thomas Charles, married Sarah Charles, the grand-daughter of Thomas Charles. Is this sort of marriage unusual?

Do you know anything about the practicalities of researching genealogy at the National Library of Wales in Aberystwyth?

Regards

Tony

[Wobbley]

It would be nice to know who's mentioned in the will ?

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=247633&queryType=1&resultcount=1

Brian

[Bookman]

Brian

Many thanks - I've just followed your link and seen Thomas Charles' will. It is a facsimile of the original - handwritten, so it's going to take a while to figure it out.

How did you do it? I've wanted to find people's wills but I don't know how to do it.

KInd regards

Tony

[Wobbley]

Hi Tony
I have never had to apply for a will, because my family it seems was dirt poor !
(Agricultural Labourers) in Wiltshire.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/browse-refine.asp?CatID=6&searchType=browserefine&pagenumber=1&query=*&queryType=1

I am unable to find Eliza Jones in the 1861 Census. Could you tell me how old she was in the Census and marriage cert Please, and is her name Eliza or Elizabeth ?

Brian

[Bookman]

Hello Brian

Thanks for your prompt reply. Eliza Charles (22) married John Jones (24) on 13th April 1850 at Pontmorland Chapel in the district of Merthyr Tydfil in the counties of Glamorgan and Brecon, under the rites and ceremonies of Calvinistic Methodists. Her father was John Charles (cabinet maker).

In the 1861 census in the parish of Merthyr Tydfil, at 109 High Street she is recorded as Elizabeth Charles (35) wife of John Charles (37), with children: John (8), Miriam (5), Elizabeth (3) and David (1).

However Elizabeth's age changes with each census, suggesting that she was probably not 22 when she married - could she have been under age (whatever that was in those days). She also appears in censuses in 1871, 1881 and 1891. I think she appears in a census in 1851 when she appears to live with her father (one year after she was married). That was in the parish of Aberdare in the district of Merthyr Tydfil, at 106 Aberaman Road (?) - her father being a cabinet maker which agrees with the marriage certificate.

I must say, I find it encouraging to have someone else involved in this, making very useful suggestions and pointers. Thank you.

Kind regards

Tony

[Ladkyis]

If she married John JONES in 1850 why is she the wife of John CHARLES in 1861??

[Bookman]

You are absolutely right, Elizabeth Charles married John JONES and in the 1861 (and subsequent) census she is recorded as Elizabeth JONES wife of John JONES.

Thank you for being so eagle-eyed - it can cause awful confusion when these little slips happen.

Regards

Tony