Two members of my family Richard (b 1809) and Esther Jenkins (b are residence of Clearwell at the time of the marriage in 1837 and 1844 respectively. Their partners are also from Clearwell.

Both Richard and Esther married at Ganarew, Richard to Susannah (wife of the deceased brother of Richard) and Esther to Thomas Williams. Thomas williams died about 1854. On the 1861 census Esther is living with Henry as husband and wife (I cannot find a marriage to Henry) Richard was a widower, first wife Mary Birt died in childbirth.

I have found a record on the Hereford landowners site which may indicate that Richard held some land in the Whitchurch/Ganarew but cannot put any logical reason to why both Richard and Esther chose to marry at St Swithins Ganarew.

The parish record for the marriage of Richard and Susannah correctly states his father as Peter (Stonemason) but Susannah declares her father as Timothy.Neither Richard or Susannah declares themselves as widowed.

Susannah's father is Walter, a Farmer from Cwmcarvan (Trealy Farm) The children from Susannah's marriage to James (The brother of Richard) are with their grandfather at Trealy farm on the 1841 census.

Thomas and Esther Williams have a daughter Elizabeth abt 1844.Elizabeth died within one month of her birth. Our transcripts of the parish records indicate the chapel as Newland, IGI as St Pauls (Parkend) yet they appear to be living at Berry Hill.

Can anyone suggest why the marriages between Richard Jenkins and Susannah Jenkins plus the marriage between Esther Jenkins and Thomas Williams took place outside of their home parish?

Also can anyone suggest why Elizabeth the daughter of Esther (nee Jenkins) and Thomas Williams was buried at St Pauls/Newland when they apparently were living at Berry Hill.

Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.

As an aside both Richard Jenkins and his father Peter are recorded as insolvent debtors in 1841

Kind Regards

Tony Jenkins