(William) Paul Davis (Davies) married Elizabeth Price at Ross on 14.10.1860. They had 8 children, including my Great Grandfather Henry, the second youngest. With the help of this site (and Findmypast) I’ve details on most of the others, but have been struggling with Sarah Ann Davis (baptised 3.7.1862 in Ross) and George Davis (baptised 5.3.1864 in Ross).

Sarah Ann is on the censuses of 1871 and 1881 at home in Ross, but no trace after that, other than a possible death in either 1920 or 1921 in Ross (FOD records).

George marries Hanna Matilda Keyse in Ross on 22.12.1891 (FOD record) with his brother and mother as witnesses. George’s residence at the time of his marriage is transcribed as "Cwmity Very Monmouth" (Can anyone explain?). No trace after that.

I’ve searched with their father as either William, William Paul or Paul, as his name is different on baptisms, weddings and censuses. Obviously I’ve checked Davis and Davies and also multiple ways of spelling Keyse.

With William seemingly in Monmouthshire in 1891 has he disappeared over the border to Wales? Although my Great Grandfather Henry was born in 1873, he was in London on the 1891 census aged 17, so had he followed his elder brother and/or sister to the big city?

Any thoughts or suggestions will be very helpful.
Mike

Just started looking at the General Register Office - GRO INDEX (ticked the button for variations of surname etc)

so far....

Name:

DAVIES, Annie

Mother's Maiden Name: KEYSE

GRO Reference: 1893 - M Quarter In BEDWELLLTY - Volume 11A - Page 85

Found these - may be this is the same family

DAVIS Alice - mother's maiden name: KEYSE
GRO Reference: 1900 M Quarter in Westbury on Severn - volume 06A - Page 311

DAVIS Elizabeth - mother's maiden name KEYSE
GRO Reference: 1901 J Quarter in Westbury on Severn - volume 06A - Page 299

DAVIES Edith Minnie - mother's maiden name KEYSE
GRO Reference: 1898 D Quarter in Gloucester - Volume 06A - Page 265

(until check with census - not sure if this is the same parents etc.

1901 Census, West Dean
Broadwell Lane End

George DAVIES - aged 30 - Collier Tipper above ground on top - born Tresis Monmouth
Mary A DAVIES - 27 - born Llantilo, Monmouth
Edith M - daughter 1 - born Lidbrook, Gloucester

getting my Minnie/May confused

Just in case...... this is the 1911 census, for Broadwell, Coleford

Geoge DAVIES - aged 39 - Haulier - born Tregare Monmouthshire
Mary Ann GARDNER married (crossed out and Boarder 38 -
Edith May - school, born West Dean Coleford
John Edward - 9
Joseph - 5
Richard - 2
Benjamin - 2 months

I shoulld have checked with Public Member's Tree on Ancestry first....

There is a tree (but whether it's correct)

1901 Census, Peterstow, Herefordshire

Wellands Cottages

George DAVIES - 34 - General Labourer - born Walford Hfds
Matilda - 33 - born Yatton
Charlotte - 4 - 3
Annie - 1 - born Peterstow

1911 Census

DAVIES

George - 44 - General labourer - born Ross Herefordshire
Matilda - 48 - born Ross, Herefordshire
Charles - 13
Annie 11 -
Leonard - 9
Stephen - 7 (GRO INDEX has a mother's maiden name as: GOULD)
William - 5

Thanks for all of these, but with regards to George Davis he was baptised in Ross, his census entry of 1871 states Ross and in 1881 I've seen a George Ross in Hereford as a labourer/militiaman with a birthplace of Ross.

Its from his wedding onwards I'm stumped.

Looking at GENUKI Monmouthshire

There is a Cwmtillery which says to look at Aberystruth

Thanks MP, but this one is proving difficult.

I also wonder now whether at the wedding of George and Matilda in 1891 their residences were described/transcribed the wrong way round? Alton Court in Ross was the Davis family home, so maybe it was Matilda who was from Cwmity Very Monmouth (whereever that may be).

1881 Census,
Herefordshire
Ross
District 3

Brookend Street

KEYSE

James - 63 Head, Gardener : born, Gloucester Gorsley
Mary - wife - 55 - Shoemaker's Shopwoman - born , Hereford, Hampton Bishop
Jane - daughter - unmarried - 21 - Shoemaker's Shopwoman - born Hereford, Ross
Charles - son - 19 - Shoemaker Fitter - born Hereford Ross
Hannah M KEYSE - grand-daughter - 11 - Scholar, born Gloucester

1891 Census
Ross
Allpire? Terrace

Charles KEYS - 28 - Shoemaker Cutter, born Ross, Herefordshire
Mary KEYS - Head - Wid - 64 - born Hampton Bishop

Hannah M Sollar ???? Niece - 20 - born Gloucester ******

There is a Public Members Tree on ancestry - which gives her the daughter of Richard SOLLARS and Emma SOLLARS (nee KEYSE)

Is Hannah Matilda - daughter of Emma KEYSE???

1861 Census Ross (Ancestry - has a mixture of surnames)

James REYER - 40
Mary REYER - 31
Emma KEYSE - 10
Henry KEYSE - 8
Jane KEYSE - 7

Emma KEYSE - christened at Ross on Wye - 1 Mar 1851 - daughter of James & Mary

Thanks MP,
I'll try and use this background information to help, but I'm still no nearer to tracking either Sarah Ann Davies or her brother George Davies after 1881.

I think George is in Abertillery in the the 1901 census. Listed as married but a boarder. Coal miner. Born in Ross. Age is correct.

If you have Ancestry access this is the link:

https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageviewer/collections/7815/images/MONRG13_4935_4937-0297?t...

Otherwise Abertillery, district 19, page 63.

--
Peter

Brilliant Peter, progress made.

That certainly appears to be him, and from that I've now found him on the 1911 census in Peterstow, just outside of Ross where he is now with his wife Matilda and five children.

It's difficult to see the wood for the trees sometimes, what with the occasional name mis-spelling/mis-pronunciation, the varying dates of birth/baptism and various ages etc., but we've got there in the end.

Now to refocus on Sarah Ann Davies.

I spoke to soon, it's another George and Matilda Davies on the 1911 census!

The ages for Sarah in the 1871 and 1881 census would have her born 1863/64 so I'm questioning the baptism record for 1862. Do you have a birth record?

--
Peter

Actually, my bad, the 1871 census age ties in but the 1881 census doesn't. But maybe OK depending on exactly when she was born.

--
Peter

No baptism record. I've been working backwards and forwards from the marriage details of 1891 in Ross obtained from this site. I'm sure that is right based on the location (as the family are all there) and also the witnesses having the names of his brother and his mother. I did wonder whether their residences were mixed up as Alton Court (cottages) are where the Davies family lived.

There is a birth record that matches so I think you're correct.

Third quarter of 1862
DAVIS Sarah Ann Ross 6a 417

--
Peter

There's a possible marriage

Name:
Sarah Ann Davies
Event Type:
Marriage
Event Place:
Ross, Herefordshire, England
Registration District:
Ross
County:
Herefordshire
Registration Quarter:
Jul-Aug-Sep
Registration Year:
1893
Volume:
6A
Affiliate Line Number:
147
Possible Spouse:
Thomas Holmes

--
Peter

Ancestry

Sarah Ann DAVIES (father William Paul DAVIES)

Married 25 December 1883
Saint Martin, Herefords, Hereford

Alfred EVANS (father: John EVANS)

On later census returns.

1891 Census

Kensington, London, St Johns and St James

30 Adair Road

EVANS

Alfred - 31 - Railway Engine Drive born Herford St Martin
Sarah - 28 - born Hereford Ross
Sarah - 6 - born Ross
Gertrude - 3 born Ross

Because Alfred is a Train Driver - he moves around

1901 Census

Glamorgan
Llantrisant
ALL
District 03

Cowbridge Road

Alfred EVANS - 41 Railway Engine Driover, born Hereford St Martin
Sarah A - 38 -born Hereford, Ross
Sarah E> 16 born St Martins
Alfred J P - 2 born Glamorgan, Cardiff

1911 Census, Middlesex, Willesden

21 Harley Road, Willesden N.W.

EVANS

Alfred - 51 - married 27 years - Engine Driveer G W Railway - born Hereford, Herefordshire
Sarah - 48 - 3 children born alive 1 dead, born Ross, Herefordshire
Gertrude - 23 - Milliner - born Hereford
Alfred J - 12 - School, born Cardiff, Glam Wales.

Hi guys, great stuff.

I'll check this all out, but I like the engine driver connection. One of Sarah Ann's younger brother's was Henry (my Great grandfather) and he was a footman/domestic servant in Marylebone on the 1891 census when he was just over 17 years of age. I often wondered what took him to London at such a young age, but presumably it was because his sister and brother-in-law were already living there.

Henry wasn't a footman for long because on 19.12.1891 (when he'd just turned 18), he changed jobs and started at Paddington Station working as a cleaner for GWR, and eventually becoming an engine driver and relocating to Bristol.

It looks like you've answered more than I asked for so very many thanks.

1881 Census, Herefordshire, Ross

Brookend Street

Alfred EVANS aged 21, is lodging with Frances MAPP and his family. Alfred is a GWR Locomotive Fireman.

There are 'some' Alfred EVANS - Railway Records for an Alfred EVANS - working for the GWR - but have a look

Birth date on each is given as 27 October 1859, and places, Paddington, Newport, and Hereford.

Thanks again MP.

I printed off the 1881 census with Alfred Evans last night. It transpires that the address is <5 minutes walk from where Sarah Anne Davi(e)s lived on the 1881 census, so it has all fallen into place.

Now to get the GWR records. They didn't prove that difficult for Henry my Gt. Grandfather, so hopefully I'll have success again.

Cheers for all the help.

"Cwmity Very Monmouth" (Can anyone explain?).

Year: 1891
Month: Dec
Day: 22
Grooms_Surname: DAVIES
Grooms_Forenames: George
Grooms_Age: 27
Groom_Condition: Bachelor
Grooms_Occupation: Miner
Grooms_Residence: Cwmity Very Monmouth
Grooms_Fathers_Surname: Davies
Grooms_Fathers_Forenames: William Paul
Grooms_Fathers_Occupation: Engine Driver
Brides_Surname: KEYSE
Brides_Forenames: Matilda
Brides_Age: 21
Brides_Condition: Spinster
Brides_Occupation:
Brides_Residence: Alton Court
Brides_Fathers_Surname: Keyse
Brides_Fathers_Forenames: Charles
Brides_Fathers_Occupation: Labourer
Licence_or_Banns: Banns
Date_of_Banns:
Signature_or_Mark: Both sign
Witness_1: Alfred Davies
Witness_2: Elizabeth Davies
Other_Witnesses:
Officiating_Minister: W Clifford Aston Curate
Event: Marriage
Memoranda:
Notes:
Register_Reference: BW 14/7
Page_Number: 42
Parish_Chapel: Ross on Wye

Almost certainly a transcription of hand written Cwmtillery – South Wales mining valley with family links to the FoD. Just off the A467. I suspect Bedwellty would be the Registration district

1881 Albert Place, 2, Green Street, Hereford
George Davis Lodger Single Male 17 1864 Labourer militiaman Ross, Herefordshire, England

1901 17, Oxford Street, Abertillery, Bedwellty,
George Davies Boarder Married Male 37 1864 Coal hewer under Ross, Herefordshire, England

Instinct points towards Emigration at this point

Wife Hannah M SOLLARS/KEYES ?

1851 New St Swan Terrace Ross
James Keyse Head Married Male 30 1821 Groom Madley, Herefordshire, England
Mary Keyse Wife Married Female 28 1823 - Marden, Herefordshire, England
Emma Keyse Daughter - Female 0 1851 - Ross, Herefordshire, England

1861 New St Ross
James Rojee Head Married Male 40 1821 Domestic servant groom Ross, Herefordshire, England
Mary Rojee Wife Married Female 31 1830 - Ross, Herefordshire, England
Emma Rojee Daughter - Female 10 1851 Scholar Ross, Herefordshire, England
Henry Rojee Son Unmarried Male 8 1853 Scholar Ross, Herefordshire, England
Jane Rojee Daughter - Female 1 1854 - Ross, Herefordshire, England

1861 Holwood Green, Dymock
Richard Sollas Head Married Male 40 1821 Labourer Worcester, Worcestershire, England
Hannah Sollas Wife Married Female 42 1819 - Dymock, Gloucestershire, England
Jane Elizabeth Sollas Daughter - Female 13 1848 Scholar Dymock, Gloucestershire, England
Richard Sollas Son - Male 10 1851 Scholar Dymock, Gloucestershire, England
Alfred James Sollas Son - Male 6 1855 Scholar Dymock, Gloucestershire, England

Marriages Mar 1868 (>99%)
KEYSE Emma Ross 6a 633
Sollars Richard Ross 6a 633

Births Dec 1870 (>99%)
Sollars Hannah Maria Gloucester 6a 261

Child Surname Child Forename Mother's Former Name Year District Office Register Entry
SOLLARS Hannah Maria KEYSE 1870 Gloucester Gloucester, St John the Baptist 17 430

Gloucestershire Police records
Warrant Joined Name Age Height Occupation Where born Highest Rank
2246 13-7-1870 SOLLARS Richard 21 5ft 9 Labourer Dymock, Glos Constable
Resigned 10-1-1872

1871 Harmony Cottage, Wheatenhurst
Richard Sollars Head - Male 20 1851 - Dymock, England Policeman
Emma Sollars Wife - Female 20 1851 - Ross, England
George J Sollars Son - Male 2 1869 - Gloucestershire, England
Hannah M Sollars Daughter - Female 3 months 1871 - Gloucestershire, England

1871 Brookend Street, Ross
James Keyse Head - Male 56 1815 - Gloucestershire, England
Mary Keyse Wife - Female 43 1828 - Herefordshire, England
Henry Keyse Son - Male 18 1853 - Herefordshire, England
Jane Keyse Daughter - Female 11 1860 - Herefordshire, England
Charles Keyse Son - Male 9 1862 - Herefordshire, England
Mary Ann Keyse Daughter - Female 4 1867 - Herefordshire, England

1881 Brookend Street, Ross
James Keyse Head Married Male 63 1818 Gardener Gorsley, Gloucestershire, England
Mary Keyse Wife Married Female 55 1826 ((shoemakers shopwoman)) Hampton Bishop, Herefordshire, England
Jane Keyse Daughter Single Female 21 1860 Shoemakers shopwoman Ross, Herefordshire, England
Charles Keyse Son Single Male 19 1862 Shoemaker fitter Ross, Herefordshire, England
Mary A Keyse Daughter Single Female 14 1867 Dressmakers apprentice Ross, Herefordshire, England
Hannah M Keyse Grand daughter Single Female 11 1870 Scholar Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England

1881 Mona Court, Kingstone, Hereford
George Ackrill Head Married Male 62 1819 Retired chemist m.p.s. Worcestershire, England
Hannah Ackrill Wife Married Female 69 1812 - Worcestershire, England
Emma Sollars Servant Married Female 30 1851 Domestic servant Ross, Herefordshire, England

1891 Alpine Terrace, Smallbrook Rd Ross,
Mary Keys Head Widow Female 64 1827 - Ross, Herefordshire, England
Charles Keys Son Single Male 28 1863 Shoemaker cutter Ross, Herefordshire, England
Hannah M Seller Niece Single Female 20 1871 Niece - Gloucestershire, England
Charles J Blake Boarder Single Male 30 1861 Ironmonger Ross, Herefordshire, England

is this the same Hannah Maria / Matilda ?
Deaths Jun 1959 (>99%)
SOLLARS Hannah M 88 Eastbourne 5h 229

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

Hi Slowhands,

Apologies, but I’ve only just seen your latest reply.

Thanks for the detail, but I’m still confused and need to digest all of this. My queries though are:
The marriage of 1891 details Charles as “Matilda’s” father. However, the 1871 Census in Wheatenhurst would suggest that Richard is her father?
Why is Hanna M listed with a surname of Sollers in 1871 and then Keyse in 1881 and Seller in 1891? Is it because her parents have split up? Certainly at 3 months she is living with her parents (Sollars) but in 1881 and 1891 she is living with grandparents and then her auntie, and reverted to her mother’s maiden name of Keyse and then Seller.

The 1891 Census has Hannah M Seller living in Ross with her auntie, but 8 months later her marriage details state that Matilda Keyse is living with her grooms parents at Alton Court in Ross?

Do you think we are talking about the same person?

We have a census entry in 1901 for George Davies (married but not with his wife and boarding) in Abertillery, occupation
“Coal hewer”. Nothing after this date for either, so your potential idea of emigration is worth investigating. Alternatively he (they?) may have moved to coalfields elsewhere, so Yorkshire/the North East? No luck with finding Matilda Davies from 1901, but then I’ve been looking for Matilda Davies, not Keyse or Seller/Soller.

Regards

Mike