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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Monmouthshire => Wales => Monmouthshire Lookup Requests => Topic started by: Taffia on Monday 27 January 20 00:06 GMT (UK)

Title: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Taffia on Monday 27 January 20 00:06 GMT (UK)
Hi, have been researching my Dad's history. I have since found out on other sites that there could be possible a fee marriages connected to my Dad.
His name is Leslie Watkins mother maiden name Hunt
He was born Dec 1937.
Marriages are in 1953 to a Rees
1954 to Robbins
1959 to a Davies
1961 to Palmer (confirmed discovered a half sister 😊)
Thank for any help with trying to decipher if these all are my Dad
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: rosie99 on Monday 27 January 20 08:18 GMT (UK)
The only way you will be able to confirm is to buy the marriage certificates. 
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: KGarrad on Monday 27 January 20 09:42 GMT (UK)
Between 1900 and 1950, just in Bedwellty Registration District, there are 6 births of a Leslie Watkins ;D
Expanding the search to Monmouthshire finds another 28 such births!
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Taffia on Monday 27 January 20 11:01 GMT (UK)
Thank you both for the replies 😊.
Very kind of you. As you can imagine to a newbie like me its a bit daunting trying to fathom out which info is relevant to our family
All the best and thanks again
Pam
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: KGarrad on Monday 27 January 20 13:29 GMT (UK)
I agree with rosie99 - the marriage certificate is essential ;D

With common names, like Watkins in Wales, you need all the clues you can get.
Marriage Certificates will maybe give you ages of bride & groom, names of fathers and their occupations, and groom's occupation.

Then it's over to 1939 National Register and/or censuses.

1939 National Register has a Leslie Watkins, born 1937, in Alexandra Road, Abertillery?
He's with a Rees Watkins and 6 others.

Potential marriage:
March qtr 1926
Bedwellty Registration District     vol 11a, page 179

Watkins, Rees
Hunt, Ruth
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Taffia on Monday 27 January 20 14:13 GMT (UK)
Thanks. That's my Dad born Alexander Rd in 1937. His parents were Rees and Ruth. Will try and narrow it down which marriage certificates to get otherwise will be an expensive researcg 😂.
Appreciate all the help
Pam
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: KGarrad on Monday 27 January 20 14:29 GMT (UK)
According to 1939 Register, Rees Watkins was born in 1900.

So 2 possibilities, from GRO Index Search:
    WATKINS, REES        (Mother's Maiden Name:) NURSE     
GRO Reference: 1898  M Quarter in PONTYPRIDD  Volume 11A  Page 505
   WATKINS, REES        OWENS     
GRO Reference: 1899  S Quarter in BEDWELLTY  Volume 11A  Page 79
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Taffia on Monday 27 January 20 15:29 GMT (UK)
Thanks again 😊. I been informed Rees was born in Birmingham and mothers maiden name Stephens. My g.Grandmother came from Cinderford. Seems I have family all over 😲. A lot of info to digest and finding out a half sister.
A search on BDM shows 4 marriages to Leslie Watkins. Just curious if I have more siblings to discover.
Again thank you from the heart on help and info been given
Pam
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: KGarrad on Monday 27 January 20 16:05 GMT (UK)
There is no sign of a Rees Watkins, mother's maiden name of Stephens on the GRO Index search?
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: cbcarolyn on Monday 27 January 20 16:15 GMT (UK)
There are some newspaper articles with Leslie Watkins, might help the puzzle, may not be your man:

Dec 15 1967 Leslie Watkins of Alexandra Road, six bells - he was a witness to a crime

23 April 1965 funeral of Mrs Edith Mary Adams (56), mourner at her funeral Leslie Watkins Brother, was a Doll Watkins sister in law

9 Dec 1960 funeral Edith Mary Watkins (78) long list of Watkins

19 April 1957 Funeral Rees Watkins (55) 88 Alexandra Rd, six bells husband of Ruth, mourners Theo, Ken, Trevor, Melvyn, Eric, Leslie and David sons, brothers Wilf & Norrie - there are others listed too.

I thought there maybe a marriage announcement

1957 there is a death of Mr Rees Watkins husband of Ruth Alexandra Road.
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Taffia on Monday 27 January 20 16:48 GMT (UK)
There are some newspaper articles with Leslie Watkins, might help the puzzle, may not be your man:

Dec 15 1967 Leslie Watkins of Alexandra Road, six bells - he was a witness to a crime

23 April 1965 funeral of Mrs Edith Mary Adams (56), mourner at her funeral Leslie Watkins Brother, was a Doll Watkins sister in law

9 Dec 1960 funeral Edith Mary Watkins (78) long list of Watkins

19 April 1957 Funeral Rees Watkins (55) 88 Alexandra Rd, six bells husband of Ruth, mourners Theo, Ken, Trevor, Melvyn, Eric, Leslie and David sons, brothers Wilf & Norrie - there are others listed too.

I thought there maybe a marriage announcement

1957 there is a death of Mr Rees Watkins husband of Ruth Alexandra Road.

Hi, the 1967 article is my Dad and the funeral of Rees. I have a lot of googling to do thank you. Also Rees's mam was a Rhesa Stephens from Cinderford who later remarried a Roberts
Pam
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Mabel Bagshawe on Monday 27 January 20 18:44 GMT (UK)
There is no sign of a Rees Watkins, mother's maiden name of Stephens on the GRO Index search?

WATKINS, REES
mmn        STEPHENS     
Q1 1902  SOLIHULL  Volume 06D  Page 617
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Taffia on Monday 27 January 20 18:51 GMT (UK)
😁😁, thank you
Pam
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Ladyhawk on Monday 27 January 20 19:24 GMT (UK)
There is no sign of a Rees Watkins, mother's maiden name of Stephens on the GRO Index search?

WATKINS, REES   mmn        STEPHENS    
Q1 1902  SOLIHULL  Volume 06D  Page 617

Is this your G.Grandmother from Cinderford on the 1911 & 1901 censuses?

free index from familysearch
1911 census https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X7P3-WG5
Rhesa Watkins   Head widow   39    Cinderford, Gloucestershire
Archie Watkins   Son   18   Cinderford, Gloucestershire
Stanley Watkins   Son   16   Abertillery, Monmouthshire
Morgan Watkins   Son   13   Abertillery, Monmouthshire
Wilfred Watkins   Son   12   Abertillery, Monmouthshire
Rees Watkins   Son   9   Birmingham, Warwickshire
Mornington Watkins   Son   6   Abertillery, Monmouthshire

Mornington WATKINS mmn   STEPHENS
1905  J Quarter in BEDWELLTY  Volume 11A  Page 81

1901 census https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XS8M-YS7
Albert Watkins   Head   Male   57   Much Birch, Herefordshire
Jane Watkins   Wife   Female   51   Little Dean, Herefordshire
Beatrice Watkins   Daughter   Female   18   Cinderford, Gloucestershire
Rhesa Watkins   Daughter-In-Law   Female   29   Cinderford, Gloucestershire
Archibald Watkins   Grand Son   Male   8   Cinderford, Gloucestershire
Stanley Watkins   Grand Son   Male   6   Abertillery, Monmouthshire
Morgan Watkins   Grand Son   Male   4   Abertillery, Monmouthshire
Wilfred Watkins   Grand Son   Male   2   Abertillery, Monmouthshire

to view the above links from familysearch you will have to sign in and create a password it's free to do so

Rhosa Stephens Age:   19 Relationship:   Servant
Birth Place:   Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England
1891 census Piece:   1936 Folio:   130
Residence Place:   Bath, Walcot, Somerset

Rhesa Stephens
Registration Year:    Dec 1892
Registration district:   Westbury on Severn Volume:   6a Page:   486   
married either
Charles Thomas Jones or
Oliver Watkins

It looks as if Rhesa Watkins remarried

Rhesa Watkins.  Spouse Surname:   Roberts
Registration Year:   1912
Registration Quarter:   Oct-Nov-Dec
Registration district:   Bedwellty
Volume:   11a Page:   287
Thomas Roberts

and her death

Rhesa Roberts Death Age: 83
Registration Date:   Jun 1954
Registration district:   Bedwellty. Volume:   8c Page:   65
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Taffia on Monday 27 January 20 19:33 GMT (UK)
WOW, thank you Ladyhawk! Thats my family. Rhesa did indeed marry an  Oliver.
Everybody has been amazing in the help
Pam
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Ladyhawk on Monday 27 January 20 19:36 GMT (UK)
Can't post details of the 1939 register but if you have access you'll find Rhesa Roberts in Abertillery, Monmouthshire with her husband and one of her sons

Edit to add in 1939 son Wilfred Watkins also living in Abertillery with his wife and child
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Ladyhawk on Monday 27 January 20 19:41 GMT (UK)
Not sure if this is son Stanley as mother names given as Theresa

Stanley Watkins of 25 Glendwr St, Abertillery Monmouthshire enlisted age 23
Royal Tank Corps, Regimental Number:   311040
Theresa Watkins   shown as his Mother

Edit same address as 1911 c with mother Rhesa
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Taffia on Monday 27 January 20 19:53 GMT (UK)
Thanks, will add all this info to my (not so) little notebook
I think a visit to library is needed 😊
Pam
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: cbcarolyn on Monday 27 January 20 20:15 GMT (UK)
wrong.....
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Taffia on Monday 27 January 20 20:19 GMT (UK)
Thanks, sadly that does not seem to be my Leslie Watkins. Thanks for the info though.
Pam
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: cbcarolyn on Monday 27 January 20 20:37 GMT (UK)
I have removed the links
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Taffia on Monday 27 January 20 21:01 GMT (UK)
Wow o wow, 1st pic is my Uncle and other 2 articles are if my Aunty engagement and sadly my Grandads inquest.
Thank you very much
Pam
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: cbcarolyn on Monday 27 January 20 22:26 GMT (UK)
british newspaper archive is available for free in some libraries, so might be worth a look.  Once you have visited the newspaper page, you can view it at home.

Log in and have a search and see what you can find.
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Taffia on Monday 27 January 20 22:36 GMT (UK)
Thanks, three guesses where I am headed tomorrow. Am overwhelmed with all the help given.
Thanks
Pam
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: cbcarolyn on Monday 27 January 20 22:41 GMT (UK)
you can register at home for free, and search and bookmark, then in the library you can visit the pages. In our local libraries you can take your own device or use theirs, and unlike ancestry you log into your own BNA account at the library.
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Taffia on Monday 27 January 20 22:47 GMT (UK)
Thanks ☺️
Pam
Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Ladyhawk on Tuesday 28 January 20 10:04 GMT (UK)
Taffia

There is a public tree on Anc*y with some details of the Watkins family has

Leslie WATKINS
Born1 DEC 1937 • Abertillery, Monmouthshire, Wales
died 29 JUL 1994 • Bangor, Gwynedd
2 marriage references 1961 & 1970

parents named as
Rees WATKINS
born January 1900 • Builth, Breconshire
died Apr 1957 Bedwellty, Monmouthshire

This is the death reg of  Rees

Rees Watkins Death Age:   55. Birth Date:   abt 1902
Registration Jun 1957 Bedwellty Volume:   8c Page:   60

Ruth HUNT
born 1 NOV 1905  Bedwellty, Monmouthshire
died  Unknown

7 Siblings mentioned

some details on the tree are private

I will send you a message via the personal message system with a few more details

Death reg not on the tree for Ruth

Ruth Watkins Death Age:   82 Birth Date:   1 Nov 1905
Registration Sep 1988 Blaeneau Gwent Volume:   28 Page:   147

Title: Re: Watkins Bedwellty marriage help
Post by: Taffia on Friday 07 February 20 18:21 GMT (UK)
Thank you to all that has helped me, especially Ladyhawk 😊. Have booked a few more sessions at local library.
I have family from Abertillery to Birmingham and Gloucstersire
Pam