I am helping my father in law with his family tree. So far we have got back to Thomas Brookes, baptised Bream 1885, son of Thomas and Mary - http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?mode=page&id=2

Thomas Jnr went on to marry Tessa Cammila Sellaway and we have found the baptisms of their children and their 1911 census record - which fits what we know about the family from living memory.

What we are struggling on is finding any more about the parents; Thomas and Mary. We know they had more children:

William Brookes, 31 Aug 1887, Bream, son of Thomas and Mary of Blaenavon and Lydney
May Brookes, 29 Nov 1893, Bream daughter of Thomas (collier) and Mary
Elizabeth Ann Brookes, 29 Nov 1893 daughter of Thomas (collier) and Mary

However, seeing as they were having children 1885-1893 we cannot find any sign of the family i.e. Thomas, Mary and children on the 1891 census or 1901 census. Without this we cannot find out when Thomas Snr was born and trace the family back further to the 1881 census and beyond.

Am hoping someone here as come across the family or can otherwise asssist.

Any help appreciated.

They are on the 1891 Census, in Llangeinor, Glamorgan

If you search, for a William born 1887 - with parents Thomas & Mary - (both the Welsh and English Census) - this is one way of finding them.

1891 Census, Wales
Blaenavon, Monmouthshire

BROOKES

Thomas - age - 31 - born Clent, Worcestershire
Mary - 38 - born Bream, Glos
Thomas - 5 - born Blaenavon
William - 4 - born Blaenavon
Edith - 1 - born Brelycymer
Elizabeth PROSSER, age 22, Visitor, born Blaenavon
William GIBBON - age 34, Lodger, born Pucklechurch, Gloucestershire

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1861 Census, Clent, Worcestershire

BROOKES

Thomas -22 - Groom, born - Worc. Mathon (Parents William & Sarah, who according to the 'net' moved there, from White Ladies, Aston)
Mary - 24 - born Worc. Charleton
Thomas -1 - born Clent
Edward - 4 months - born Clent

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1851 Census, Worcestershire, Clent (also there on the 1861 census- surname spelt BROOKES)
Lower Clent

BROOKS

William - 38 - Ag. Lab, born Worc N/K - Born White Lady Aston - 1861 census)
Sarah - 34 - born Worc. Lady Aston
George - 14 - born Mathon (listed on Åncestry on the 1861 census as George BROOKER - age 24, in Warley Salop)
Ann - 11
Ellen 8 - born Staffordshire
John - 5
Henry - 4
William - 8 months *******

1861 Census, Worcestershire, Lye

Pedmore Road

Joseph STEVENS - 38 - Chain Maker, all born Worcester
Mary STEVENS - 39
James STEVENS - 16
Ellen STEVENS - 10
Willliam BROOKS, Nephew age 11

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There is a BROOKES Public Members' Tree on Ancestry

William BROOKES married Sarah STEVENS - 24 June 1834 - All Saints Church, Worcester

Sarah STEVENS - christening 24 December 1815, White Ladies Aston - also on CLDS - parents John & Mary STEVENS

http://www.forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?id=6022

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Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster & Hereford Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>

Many thanks for all the help. It makes sense with Blaenavon mentioned on the baptism records. Looks like the famiy lived and worked there but returned for baptisms at the Mother's place of origin.