Forest of Dean FHT Forum - William THOMAS b c 1805 - Ross (?)

William THOMAS b c 1805 - Ross (?) (reply)

unknown — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:54:04 +0000

Thanks, that's the census I'm working from.

I agree it looks as if Mary's place of birth is Shifnal but as her date of birth seems to be circa 1824 I don't think the baptism you have found is hers. Another complicating factor is that in 1861 and 1871 her pob is shown as Blackrod, Lancashire - which is nowhere near Shifnal! All very confusing but shows why I am anxious to find out more about this couple prior to 1851 and satisfy myself that my assumptions/deductions are correct.

I have Priscilla's birth certificate but it is in George that I have the direct interest. Unfortunately on every census he is shown with a slightly different pob and with such a relatively undistinguished name it could be quite difficult to trace his birth record.

William THOMAS b c 1805 - Ross (?) (reply)

m p griffiths — Mon, 23 May 2011 07:56:08 +0000

Looking at the 1851 Wales Census

William THOMAS age 46 - born Boss, Herefordshire
Mary THOMAS (nee SMITH) age 27 - Born Salop, Shefmals (which could possibly be Shifnal)
George THOMAS - age 4 - born Monmouthshire, Bedwelty
Priscila THOMAS - age 1 - born Langattock

On the Church of Latter Day Saints, there is a Mary SMITH, born 13 March 1814 at Shifnal - parents William & Eleanor

The THOMAS family appear to be in Bedwelty, Monmouthshire, when George was born.

William THOMAS b c 1805 - Ross (?)

unknown — Mon, 23 May 2011 05:11:47 +0000

I realise that, strictly speaking, this is out of area but I see that the Ross records are being transcribed so hope someone may be able to assist.

In 1851 William Thomas (46), a miner, is living with his wife, Mary, and family, in Llangattock. His pob is shown as "Boss", Herefordshire. I am working on the theory that this is a distortion of "Ross". Mary is a widow in 1861.

The birth certificate of his daughter reveals that his wife's maiden name was Smith. GRO records show only one William Thomas/Mary Smith marriage - at Glasbury, (Hay district) 1847. The two names do appear together in Merthyr Tydfil in 1848 but this couple did not marry each other. The father of William Thomas is given as Richard Thomas, labourer.

I am looking for the baptism of a William Thomas, circa 1805, s/o Richard, at Ross both to confirm my findings to date and possibly to enable me to go back a further generation.

I have seen a William Thomas (35) man servant, Hill Cott, Walford, in 1841, but have no way of knowing if this is relevant.

Any help or advice would be much appreciated.