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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Glamorganshire => Wales => Glamorganshire Lookup Requests => Topic started by: quirk_cantwell on Tuesday 14 October 08 23:03 BST (UK)
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Can someone find William Donovan c 1831-1837 Ireland in the 1861 and maybe the 1851 census married to Mary c 1827-1841 Dale Pembrokeshire with children;
Catherine c 1855 Aberavon Port Talbot ,
Ann c 1857 Aberavon Port Talbot
Mary c 1859 Aberavon Port Talbot
John 1861 Aberavon Port Talbot
Margaret 1863 Aberavon Port Talbot
In 1871 they were living at 12 Maesteg Row Cwmdu Maesteg
Thanks
Shauna
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Hi Shauna
1861
RG9. p. 4081 Fol. 44 Pg. 38
Mountain Row, Aberavon
DONOVAN
William head M 34 Cordwainer B. Ireland
Mary Wife M 34 B. Pembroke, Dale
Catherine Dau 7 B. Glamorgan, Aberavon
Ann Dau 4 B. ~ ~
Mary Dau 2 B. ~ ~
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Lol you got there first mum, so I have deleted mine ;)
Ambers
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Two pairs of eyes are better than one, Ambers ;D
Can't see William in Wales in 1851 and there are too many in England ;D
Can you spot him then ?
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Not yet.
Ambers
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Thanks M44 and Ambers,
The reason I wanted the earlier censuses is because the 1881 census doesnt match up with the ages.They are at 12 Company Row RG11 5327/61pg51 which I think is Maesteg Row but a different name. I went through every address in 1881 in Cymdu and could not find Maesteg Row.
I have no idea where Ginmede is (where Ellen was born in the 1881 census). I think Mary is still at Maesteg Row in 1891 and possibly 1901 if someone could find her it might help clarifying her birth age as I dont have the details
Thanks for your help
Shauna
PS: Possible deaths William Donovan SeptQ 1885 Bridgend Dist age 52=1833
Mary Donovan DecQ 1901 Bridgend Dist age 66=1835
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I rmember reading about Company Row - I'm sure my grandfather has a book with some of the old streets/pubs that have since vanished from Maesteg.
Maesteg Row certainly still exists, but I can't remember off-hand if the name changed. I would doubt that the current one is the same as it is all fairly modern council housing (I say fairly modern, probably 1950's), but I think there may still be a few older terraced houses incorporated on one side.
I'll have a dig through some of the old books I have on the area when I get home (in work) - I have a good one on the Irish in Maesteg (The Shamrock and the Leek by Gerald McCormack). I'll see if any of your names come up in it - I know a lot of my guys do, including a brilliant picture of my gt grandfather and his brother in law dressed up and on horseback for the St Patrick parade.
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Thanks halfasheep,
Maesteg Row seemed to exist in 1871 and 1891 but it is the 1881 where it seems to disappear unless I have got it wrong. It would be fantastic if you could find anything on the family. My children are from the Connolly line. William and Mary 's daughter Mary was the one who married into the Connolly family . This is what I have put together so far on her family.
JEREMIAH CONNOLLY and MARY DONOVAN
BIRTH: Jeremiah (Jerry) Cork, 1841-1846 Cork Ireland
MARRIAGE: September Q 1877 Maesteg to Mary Donovan
DEATH: Jeremiah Connolly December Q 1887, aged 41
CHILDREN:
1. Mary Connolly MarQ 1879 Measteg married Stephen Maloney DecQ 1898 Maesteg
2. John Connolly b 20/11/1880 Maesteg m Louisa Jarret Davies MarQ 1904 Maesteg (This my line)
3. Stephen Connolly, March Q, 1883 Maesteg. He may have married Mary Ann Thomas
4. William Connolly, June Q 1885 Maesteg
5. Catherine Connolly, September Q 1887 Maesteg “was this Cassie??”
Fingers crossed something shows up.
I really appreciate your time
Cheers
Shauna
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If you use Google Maps and put in the postcode as CF34 9DX, it should put the arrow on the terraced houses that have probably been there since at least the turn of the century (if not longer).
You will see that Maesteg Row is almost ''J'' shaped (albeit on it's side), and the terraced houses are on the North side of the road. The more modern council houses are on the South and East.
Like I say, when I get home I'll dig out the books, particularly on the Irish - any idea what religious denomination they were? I have an old book on the Catholic Church and adjoining school as well celebrating their centenary, so possible they may turn up in there too.
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Thanks halfasleep,
I will see if I can google it. Cant help you with the original Irish religion . I know John's son Stephen John Vernan Connolly who is my kids grandfather married into a very strong Cof E family so religions may have changed. John and Louisa are the only ones I am 100% sure abt until I get some certificates. I know his father came from Cork so he was possibly Catholic.
Sorry I cant give you more answers.
Kind regards
Shauna
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Not too much of a big deal - just thought it may be an extra avenue to explore - I'll have a look through in case anyway.
I've also just bought a book for the war memorial in Maesteg, so I have a full list of WW1 and WW2 causalties - I'll look through that too and see if any matches come up for your names - fairly common, so possibly going to have some false positives, but may be of some use all the same.
Will post again tonight at some point
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8)
Have just been playing on the map. I can see that from Maesteg Row to Coytraherne Cottages (where Jerry and the family were in 1881 before moving back to Maesteg Row) is abt 10 mins drive or a rail trip . Do you know how close the mine was to Maesteg Row?
Too many questions, sorry
Shauna
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No that's fine - which mine though? I dread to think how many there were in the area at that time, but assuming that the Maesteg Row I've told you about is the same, you would have been in walking distance of at least two that I can think of off-hand, but there were a good 20 mines operating in the Llynfi Valley around that time!
Not sure what dates they operated from, but you had Saint Johns (look at Maesteg Row as your centre point on these):
North to Bridgend Road, and then follow that westerly until you see Maesteg Rail - north of that you can see some blank brown and green land - that's the old site of St Johns.
East to Christopher Road - I'm almost certain there were another one or two mines on the hillside behind this road - unsure of the names.
Follow the same Bridgend Road South until you see Mill View. There was another mine in that area - quite a big one from memory.
South onto Bethania Street. Follow that south and you can see Bethania Close. Continue south past that road, and there is an unnamed road shaped (vaguely) like an ''S''. There are fields either side of that road where it adjoins Bethania Street. The field to the south of that road had a mine on it as well - not sure if that was called Oakwood Pit or Garth Pit though.
And there were countless others all around the valley, but from memory, these would have been the closest.
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Forgot to ask as well. I've not got access to the Census in work, but do you have any idea of what other streets came before and after Maesteg Row/Company Row on the census returns? May give you (and me)a better idea of where the road were located
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Thanks for the info on the mines :)
In 1901 John Connolly was living with his sister Mary now married to Stephen Maloney at 8 Maesteg Row. Louisa's parents Thomas Davies and Mary Hannah were living in Arbertillery in 1891 but when Thomas dies Mary Hannah marries Adam Williams and they are living at 17 Maesteg Row in 1901. In 1881 Jerry Connolly and Mary are living at 2 Coytaherne Cottages Cwmdu but when Jerry dies in 1887 she moves back to 14 Maesteg Row. In 1901 she is married to James Colston and is living at Iver Ter Cwmdu. In 1871 Mary and William Donovan are at 12 Maesteg Row and I think they are still therein 1881 but it is called Company Row. After William dies in 1885 Mary I am told is still at 12 Maesteg Row in 1891 and maybe 1901. If I am right abt Company Row in 1881 there were Donovan families living at 5, 4, and 14 Company Row but I havent as yet worked out if they are related to William.
I hope this isnt too confusing
Cheers
Shauna
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These are the name matches I have found in the local books - whether any are your lot, I don't know, so up to you to see if they're your lot! :-
No-one with the surnames Connolly or Donovan listed in WW1 and 2 casualties.
Following from The Shamrock and the Leek
Some random names from baptismal register (Our Lady & Saint Patricks - catholic) volume 1 (covering 08/04/1874 to 31/12/1875):
Anastasia Donovan
Ann Donovan
St Mary's and St Patricks Maesteg - school register 07/06/1909 to 14/06/1910:
Patricia Donovan - 5 Maesteg Row - born 1905
John Donovan - 33 Golden Terrace - born 1904
This is aken word for word - hope you enjoy!
''Chapter One - rural to industrial
Mary Colston - My father-in-law, Jeremiah Connolly, was killed at the iron works at the Forge, Maesteg in 1877, leaving a wife and six children. Mrs Connolly had no compensation and had to go to work at the iron works earning ten shillings (50p) per week. She was there for five years until the works closed. She was then given parish relief of five shillings (25p) per week.''
Apart from the year of death being out by ten years, and possibly adding a sixth child (you seem to have five), I wonder if this is your ancestor?
Little bit about Maesteg Row:
''There were lodgers in every house in Maesteg Row when I was a child. At the top of the street was a long flat raised stone seat known as the 'rodney stone' which could seat about 12 people. This was a common meeting place for the residents who were nearly all Irish people. We were a close knit community and the street was also known as ''paddy's arcade''.
And the book also confirms that Maesteg Row was formally known as Company Row - I suspect it is the street I have pointed out to you, although from speaking to my grandmother, it has changed considerably since she was a child.
Sadly, my eyes are burning after eight hours in front of the computer screen in work, several hours watching the TV, and now pulling all this together after the mrs FINALLY got off the computer - hope some of this is useful - more than happy to see what else I can find if you provide the info - my time, sadly, is limited, but if you can locate a grave (or give me an idea where they're buried), I can certainly attempt to locate it and e-mail a photo across. if I get time, I'll get a photo of Maesteg Row for you as well.
Chris
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You posted while I was typiing my masterpiece - it does appear that the Mary Colston who did the piece for the book is speaking about your relative. I'll have a dig through again tomorrow night - have to get to bed soon!
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:D You are a champion Chris and I am so grateful for your time. The information is a wonderful help. Supposedly there were 6 children from Jerry and Mary however I was unable to find Helen or Annie as the family story goes. When I get the cert. to confirm my info I may have some more questions but I will leave you in peace for the moment.
Many, many thanks you have been a great help and I appreciate your time , I know how precious it is
Sleep well ;)
Shauna
PS: Looking at your info more closely the death date for Jeremiah throws me somewhat and the fact that the writer Mary Colson says it is her father in law. That means this would be Jeremiah's dad, Jeremiah?
When was the article/book written?
There are only 3 deaths I can find.
Jeremiah Connelly aged 41 DecQ 1887 Bridgend Dist (this one seems to be mine)
Jeremiah Connoly aged 51 MarQ 1877 Bedwelty Dist
Jeremiah Connolly aged 65 JunQ 1877 Cardiff dist.
Only the certs, can give me the answer now
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From memory (back in work now) the book was written in the late 1990's (Mr McCormack is still writing, yet I'm sure he's in his 80's or 90's now - he's currently doing one on deaths in the local mines). It's quite possible that the 1879 date is out by ten years as it is over 100 years after the event!
I was wondering about the Colston statement - I wonder if it's been transcribed incorrectly? I'm pretty certain the Colston's are still in Maesteg (unsure about Mary), but I'm pretty certain that they are freinds with my tgrandparents, and possibly some of their children were in school with my mother - I certainly recognise the surname. I have to pop into my parents tonight anyway, so I'll have a word with my mother and give my gran a ring later tonight - I may be able to get you some contact details if you haven't already got any - let me know and I'll see if I can get some addresses for you.
Will reply again tonight - all the best - glad I could help a little anyway (even if it may have confused the issue further!)
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You are very kind Chris,
you are right Mary Colston is a little confusing because as far as I have worked out she was Jeremiah's husband and her maiden name was Donovan. Hopefully I havent got it all wrong. I suppose there is a chance that Jeremiah did have a dad Jeremiah but it will take a while to discover that as I am not the one that is related to the family in England who will be purchasing the certificates. Perhaps as it was so long ago the Colstons that you know may not know the connection with the Connolly or Donovan family. John Connolly's family moved to Pontypridd dist after 1906 and then most of them ended up in England as far as I can work out.
Time will tell what the full story is.
Dont work too hard
Cheers
Shauna
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It's quite possible - if this Mary Colston has advised that the Jeremiah who died in 1879/1889 was her father-in-law, then this would suggest that she was born around the turn of the century herself (if not a little earlier). I know Mr McCormack researches his books over the course of years, so that statement itself could have been ten years old at the time of publishing, and Mary could well have been into her later years - it may be mistranscribed, a slip of the tongue on her behalf, or posisbly even a completely different family.
Like you say, the death certificate should hopefully clear things up. Am actually going to get back on with my work now ;)
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Gidday Chris,
Sorry to bother you again but I am reading it differently from you. If Mary Colson is the daughter in law of Jeremiah in the article ie 1877 then the only way it fits is if one of the Jeremiahs who died in 1877 was my Jeremiahs father. If the article is correct it means Jeremiah who died 1877 must have come from Bedwelty or Cardiff but went to Maesteg to be near his son.
As you say we cant really go any further until I get some confirmation from the certificates.
Have a good one and thanks again for your time
Shauna
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I'm quite confused to be honest. If she was the daughter in law of Jeremiah Connolly who died in 1879, then really, her surname should also be Connolly as she would have married one of his sons?
I assume (and you're really going to need some certificates here!) that Mary Colston is in fact the Mary Donovan who was married to Jeremiah Connolly, who then died, and then subsequently married James Colston? Am I reading this right? It's even more complicated than my lot who didn't believe in using a lot of different christian names and marrying their in-laws (causing lots of confusion).
If this is correct, then your Jeremiah's father could well have also had a father of the same name (who died in 1879 rather than 1889), and you may well have now gone one step back!
But this would suggest that she provided the author with this information about 20 to 30 years before he wrote the book as she was born circa 1859?? I'll speak to my gran - she's usually fairly reliable (after my grandfather corrects here), but you'll owe me for the hours of rambling she'll put me through!
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I've also located some Colstons in Maesteg - I'll have to PM you their details or the moderators will have a fit ;D
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Hi,
I'm in the William Donovan - Mary Connolly line (or at least I think I am!).
I have a copy of a report in the Western Mail, 10th Dec 1887, re the demise of Jerimiah. The reply page doesn't seem to want to allow me to attach it but, if you would like a copy we can exchange email addresses.
Kevin
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A little more info came to hand that hopefully might help someone find William Donovan in the 1841/1851 census. He was living at Charles St Aberavon when his daughter Mary was married in 1859. He was a cordwainer. This must have been just before he moved to Mountain Row, Aberavon where he was in 1861
Fingers crossed this helps find him
Shauna
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I am Jeremiah Connollys Great Great Grandaughter, my great grandmother was Mary Connolly who married Stephen Maloney in 1898 at the Catholic Church Maesteg.
Jeremiah was killed tragically in Llwydarth carrying pig iron where he fell and died of his injuries.
His wife was Mary Donovan (my great great grandmother).
She later remarried to James Colston who lodged at her address and she had further children.
What is interesting is that the 'Colston' name does not exist - James allegedly left England and changed his name from Appleby to Colston after seeing Bristol Colston Hall on route to Wales.
I am researching my tree but stalling with Jeremiah due to the Irish connection.
My great great great grandfather William Donovan was also Irish so again stalling.
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Hello Adey, :)
Great to make contact. How very interesting abt the Colston name. It makes it very unique.
We are definately connected to the same family as is the rootschatter Vandkgene above who descends from Catherine Connolly Mary's sister. He has a lot more info than I have and was very helpful. Discovering when the Connollys came to Wales is a hard one. My family story is that he was a ferryman from Cork but whether it was Jeremiah or his father I do not know. I will send you a PM with what I have but you may like to contact Vandkgene as well.
Cheers
Shauna
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Greetings to previous posters of info on William Donovan. I just found this resource so I'm a RootsChat newbie. I am also a descendant of William and Mary Donovan, thru their daughter, Catherine. William is my G-G-G Grandfather. I just now discovered this connection because I received his daughter Catherine's death certificate. I know it's been awhile, but is there anyone out there still monitoring this chat regarding William?? Shauna, Mum44, Ambers, quirk_cantwell, halfasheep, or adey??? I hope, I hope. William & Mary Donovan's daughter Catherine Donovan married Michael Donovan (I think the correct registration was in Bridgend, Glamorgan, Wales, Q4, 1872). Regarding the 1881 Wales Census, Glamorgan, Gwmdu, Dist 10 showing William & Mary Donovan living at 12 Company Row (which I now understand was previously called Maesteg Row, so thanks tons for that info). Also living with them is their daughter, Ellen, age 3, born Ginmede (I still haven't figured that out...any help with Ginmede??). Well, William & Mary Donovan's other daughter, Catherine (my G-G Grandmother) was living just a few doors away at 4 Company Row with her husband Michael, & kids Mary C (my Great Grandmother), Ann, John, Ellen, & Michael. Boarding with them is a John & Mary Donovan (unknown connection so far). At 5 Company Row, Michael Donovan's parents, John & Mary Donovan & married daughter, Mary Coleman. The Michael & Catherine Donovan family immigrated to Pittsburgh, PA, USA in May, 1889. Have more info, but out of room for now, hope to make a connection!! TinaBW
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Well firstly welcome to the board TniaBW.
I hope you saw that I'm not actually related to the Colstons/Donovans, but simply live in Maesteg (or at least did - I'm just over the hill now).
Maesteg (Company) Row was traditionally where all the Irish immigrants lived.
The Coleman surname also rings a bell - not sure why though. Gwmdu is actually Cwmdu as well by the way ;D It would be in the Bridgend district for birth, death, and marriage registration
My offer stands to scan and e-mail you some parts of the book I refer to if you want? You'll have to send em a PM (personal message), but I think you have to make at least three posting for it to activate on your account.
So long as everyone else who posted previously still uses the same e-mail address on their profile, then they should all get alerts about your posting on this subject, so you may have a few new messages shortly!
Chris
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Hi Chris! Thanks for the reply. I am very excited to meet my first friend from Wales!! I have been tracking my direct family lines and started noticing that several of these lines (Donovan, Shea, Flaherty, O'Leary, Marshall, & Powers) were born in Ireland, immigrated to Wales, and then later immigrated to the USA where they all settled in Pittsburgh, PA (near where I live). Yes, of course, you are right about the spelling Cwmdu (my typo error). Do you know or have any info on the city of Ginmede thing? Several of us have been wondering about that one. I also have another question...I found a 1851 Wales Census record for my family, there was a listing for my relative's name as "Michael". In the 1861 Wales Census for the same family, there was a listing showing the name "Miles". The dates match up so I'm wondering if it is possible that "Miles" might have been a nick-name for "Michael"?? Have you ever heard of the name "Miles" being used as a nick-name for "Michael"?? Lastly (for now), if you don't mind another....many of my family is from Merthyr Tydfil & Dowlais. Forgive my ignorance, but is Cwmdu, Maesteg, Merthyr Tydfil, & Dowlais all in Glamorgan Co??? Is Glamorgan Co the same as Glamorganshire Co? I'm confused! Thanks for any info, TinaBW
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Back home now - I think I've figured out Ginmede. On the Mormons 1881 site, it states that Ellen was born in Maesteg!!! Not entirely sure where Ginmede has come from though ;)
Regarding the connections to the other Donovans boarding with them, that's going to require a lot of research I suspect.
As previously mentioned on this thread, the street they lived in was basically all Irish. My lot (also Irish), ended up marrying boarders, they boarded with other families who were distantly related, etc.
I'm sure one of your other relatives involved in this thread will be of more help there!
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You posted as I was typing away, so here goes again. Always nice to chat and help someone on the other side of the pond - got my Buckley's scattered to the four corners of the USA (Alaska, Florida, LA, and New York, including another in Colorado somewhere - God bless Facebook!).
Funnily enough, some of my Buckley family descendents ended up in Pittsburgh, but moved back to New York (they originally arrived in 1925).
Locations - Merthyr Tydfil and Dowlais are a reasonable distance from Maesteg and Cwmdu (Cwmdu is essentially next to Maesteg, a small hamlet (not sure if hamlet is quite correct though)).
All would have been classed as Glamorgan back then, but the counties have all gone bonkers here since - I'm not sure how it works anymore in all honesty! I still say Mid Glamorgan, but others would say Bridgend County (for Maesteg).
The Irish (as a generalisation) largely emigrated to South Wales and Liverpool around the time of the potato famine (they generally start to appear in numbers from 1851 on). It wouldn't surprise me if almost all your descendents lived within a 15 mile radius of Maesteg/Llangynwyd - they seemed to congregate here because of the coal industry. They seemed to have landed in Swansea/Briton Ferry, and Maesteg was en-route to most of the other valleys.
And always feel free to post up requests on this site - I can guarantee that 99.9% of the time, someone out there will know the answer, or will likely be related to you ;D
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Genius! Thanks, for the clarification of cities, counties, & I'll correct Ellen's birth location to Maesteg. Looks like you are in London Time Zone, is that correct? I'm in the Eastern Time Zone, USA. I placed a "clock" on my computer desktop showing "London Time" !! :D
Any suggestions for expanding the "reply box" size. Seems like I have a very limited amount of space to reply before I run out of characters. This site "limits" how much I can type. Maybe because I'm I "newbie??
Yes, you're right. I will work on the "boarding" Donovans at a later date. That's going to take some digging & I don't think they are in my "direct" line (but you never know, right?). Think the "boarding" extended relatives accounts for my Catherine Donovan marrying Michael Donovan ;)
I'm still working full time during the day, but I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated your response, help, & suggestions.
TTYL, TinaBW
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Not a problem at all - this is how it works on here. I've had far more help than anything I've been able to do for people. It's a very two-way street here. I will take photo's of local graves where people want one, and other's will do the same.
That's the thing with genealogy, you're often taken well away from your locality - my ancestors (generally) are at least all from the UK, but that can still seem like a million miles away if you're unable to travel due to work, etc
The beauty of Rootschat is that you have a lot of like-mided individuals living in the area your relatives came from (or still live in without you knowing about it). Whilst I may not have access to a lot of databases, I'm pretty mobile (when I'm not working), and have a reasonable amount of local knowledge.
No idea about the reply boxes - just split the reply (although this can get confusing if two people are trying to post at siimlar times!).
London (or Greenwich Mean Time) is correct - the UK has one time zone (I think....) - about 9pm here at the moment.
Anyway, happy hunting - feel free to drop me a PM if you need anything specific about the Maesteg/Cwmdu area (such as photo's, graves locating, etc) and I'll see what I can do for you
Chris
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Hi Tina or distant relative!
I am still trying to get to the bottom of the Donovans, I wish I had the time to do more research.
In relation to the msg on ancestry re Mary Dononvan, I did a census search on Dale Pembrokeshire and there was a Mary Davies there same year of birth. Incidently I am in Maesteg but did visit Dale on Marys trail in the summer and it is a beautiful place.
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I can't wait to see it! It's my dream to visit Wales someday. I fear it's in the distant future, based on work schedule & the economy. I can tell you that you would not believe how much Pittsburgh looks like Merthyr Tydfil. I will have to use "Google Earth" to check out Maesteg & Dale! :)
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The postcode (zipcode) for Queen street is CF34 9YN. It is a reversed L-shaped street, with houses in one part, and a lane that only has the library in it. If you look North-East along the house street (roughly), number 7 is on the right
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Hi,
I'm in the William Donovan - Mary Connolly line (or at least I think I am!).
I have a copy of a report in the Western Mail, 10th Dec 1887, re the demise of Jerimiah. The reply page doesn't seem to want to allow me to attach it but, if you would like a copy we can exchange email addresses.
Kevin
Kevin, Jeremiah Connolly was my great-grandfather and if at all possible I would very much like to have a copy of the report you have from the Western Mail. I am not able to PM you as I'm new but hope you can get back to me.
Martin
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HI Martin
As Jeremiah was my great great grandfather I have this report on ancestry, are you on there, it is a public tree.
Have you any pics of Mary Connolly?
Angela
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.... I am not able to PM you as I'm new but hope you can get back to me.
Martin
You have now made 3 posts so should be able to send and receive personal messages (PMs) :)
See Help-Page: http://www.rootschat.com/help/pms.php