Lewis/Davies marriage Hirwaun 1847 and another William (General)

by mrsbruso , Thursday, December 16, 2010, 23:39 (5095 days ago)

I sent for eleven certificates from the GRO. They were supposed to arrive before November 25. The first arrived today.

Background: Mary Ann Clarke (b. 1852), daughter of Richard Stephen Clarke(b.1820) and Sarah Ann Vining, married William William Lewis at Viney Hill on Christmas Day, 1872. He was born in Hirwaun on 14 March, 1850. According to the certificate which arrived today, his parents were married at Hirwaun, 13 March 1847. William Lewis Lewis' father was . . . Lewis Lewis, and Ruth Davies' father was . . . William Davies. (A mason, rather than a collier, shoemaker, labourer or cooper . . .I guess there's a bit of diversity in the family tree after all.)

The lack of surprise: The one relative whose identity I did not know prior to receiving this document is Ruth's father . . . who turns out to be another WILLIAM. Why am I not surprised? (In one set of records for the Welsh side of my family, they mention that the famiy was Welsh rather than English speaking. Is there a reason the name would have been recorded as "William" rather than "Gwilym"?

In one document my g. grandfather, William is described as a "coal rider". Can anyone tell me specifically what a coal rider does? I've looked at several mining websites but it's either so incredibly obvious they don't feel compelled to discuss it, or they mention that it's related to the coal seams themselves and relates to geology rather than an occupation.

Thanks.

Sandra