Watkin William Hughes (St Briavels)

[donpaul75]

Hi Listers,
I am completely stuck on this ancestor. I know he was born in St Briavels,
Gloucestershire in 1852. He married an Elizabeth Mingay in 1879 at the
Registrar General's Office, Elizabeth St, Sydney.Then they both jump off the
face of the earth. They did have my great grandfather Watkin Gwynne and
Gertrude and Norah but I don't know how he came to Australia or where or how
he died.
Does anyone know how to find out death and how they came to Australia.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Donna

[verclare]

Just looking in NSW I can find the births of Gertrude and Norah but not Watkin Gwynne.
However there was a birth of a Watkin Hughes to Edwin and Frances at Hillston in 1879. This baby died the same year at Hillston
So who is this Watkin Hughes recorded on the register of the Randwick Asylum in 1887age 8 yrs 6 months admitted by the mother Mrs Elizabeth Hughes of 81 Pyrmont Street. Reason for admittance Father died, mother in delicate health.
This Watkin Hughes is discharged in to the care of his mother Mrs E Hughes of Burwood on 9 May 1889 age 9 2/3 (8 months?)

[verclare]

There is a death of a William Watkins Hughes in Melbourne Victoria 1887 age 35 reg no 11044.
His mother was emma but his father John? However it depended on what the informant knew.
The age is correct and this also matches up with Elizabeth being back in Sydney and young Watkin being admitted to the Randwick Home.

[Lizzy9]

1871 Census, living St Briavels, all children born St Briavels

John J Hughes 42, farmer of 20 acres, born Grosmont, Monmouthshire, Wales
Emma Hughes 44, born Fintern Abbey, Monmouthshire, Wales
Watkin W Hughes 19, Blacksmith
Mary Gertrude Hughes 14, Servant
Charles Henry Hughes 12
Julia Ellen Hughes 10
Dennis Gwen Hughes 8
Jane Blanch Hughes 6
George Lawrence Hughes 3

RG10 Piece 5297 Folio 7 Page 8 (Crown copyright, in care of TNA)

He obviously travelled to Australia between 1871 and 1879

[Lizzy9]

There is a death of a William Watkins Hughes in Melbourne Victoria 1887 age 35 reg no 11044.
His mother was emma but his father John? However it depended on what the informant knew.
The age is correct and this also matches up with Elizabeth being back in Sydney and young Watkin being admitted to the Randwick Home.

Parents names fit with the 1871 census posted above.

[Lizzy9]

1861 Census, living St Briavels, Gloucestershire. RG9 Piece 3979 Folio 5 Page 4 (Crown copyright, in care of TNA)

John Gwynn Hughes 34
Emma Hughes 37,
Walkin Wilm Hughes 9
Mary Gertrude Hughes 4
Charles Henry Hughes 2
Julia Ellen Hughes 7 MO

[donpaul75]

This information is great. I have the details of him going to the randwick Institute but couldn't find anything at all on death. I wouldn't be surprised if he did die when he was 35, all the men in my family have died young from heart disease. How could I find out how he got to Australia, I realise that it was between 1871 and 1879 but I can't find him anywhere on the online records. I greatly appreciate all the time that you guys have spent looking for me. I started doing my family tree when my dad died and this is the only line I don't know. typical!