James Hawker - born c1825 Forest of Dean (General)

by tfoley, Saturday, September 18, 2010, 04:08 (5186 days ago)

Hi, I am new to this forum and have reached a brick wall with my great great grandparents James Hawker and Louisa Jones. Any information or guidance on how I can find their births in Gloucester would be appreciated.

They were married in Monmouthshire in 1863. The parish is unreadable but looks like St.???? could be a 'T' or 'F' and ends in an 'n' or 's'. I have looked at the Parish names but cannot find one that might fit. James was living in the same unreadable parish name. Louisa was living in the parish of Caerwent. James was a mason. James's father was Thomas, a labourer. Louisa's father was William Jones, a labourer. Their marriage certificate is recorded under the name "Haker". The witnesses included Eliza Williams and John Jones. All made their mark.

Louisa died in 1890 in Cardiff age 52 which indicates a birth date of 1835. (The 1881 census shows this as 1838) James died in 1893 in Cardiff age 68 years. James was a Mason/Journeyman/Greengrocer in Holes, in Cardiff. His death certificate showed he died 13 July 1893 in Cardiff Wales aged 87 years. There is an amendment to the DC which states his true age was 68 years and signed by two daughters Laura and Edith. This gives his birth around 1825 not the 1806-1810 as the census records indicate.

I cannot find James or Louisa in the 1841, 1851, 1861 or 1871 census in Gloucestershire or Wales. My great grandmother, Rhoda born in Cardiff in 1865, cannot be found in the 1871 census. She married in Cardiff in 1888 and emigrated to Australia.

In the 1881 Wales Census James and Louisa (recorded as Elizabeth) are there with daughters Laura (Lora)(13) and Edith (2). Louisa She gives her age as 46 (1835). James gives his age as 71. James and Elizabeth show they were born in Gloucester. The children in Glamorgan

In the 1891 census James is recorded with his daughters Laura age 21 and Edith age 12. James gives his place of birth as Forest of Dean, Gloucester.

Researching this family has been made more difficult with the variances in ages.

Any assistance greatly appreciated