RootsChat.Com

Thank you all for your replies. John Matthews's birth was registered in the Neath district in 1917. He was the son of James Matthews and Hannah Matthews (nee Evans). John had a few siblings, one being Catherine, born in 1921.

As I mentioned in my first post, John went to live in South Africa and, I believe, married a girl from that country. I don't have the name of John's wife, but they had three children. Their names being Charmaine, Cheryl and Gwynfryn.

I haven't done any research on the Bottral/Bottrall/Botrills for quite a while, but when an email turned up in my in box yesterday, it awakened my interest. While I am not a direct descendant of Bottrell's, I have found two in my family tree, and will explain below:

My Great Great Grandmother was Susan Mathews. Susan married a Richard Bone in 1857, or there about (I need to check the exact date). Susan was born in St Just in Cornwall c 1840, as was her mother, Mary Matthews, nee Blackwell.  However, on the 1861 census it shows Susan Bone, married, living with her mother and brothers, but no sign of Richard Bone.

This is the census for 1861, for Susan and her family:

Mary Matthews age 64  Mother
Joseph Matthews  Head  age 23 (Status given as "married" but she is still using her maiden name)
Jane Matthews Sister age 26
Henry Mathews Brother age 17
Susan Bone  age 20
WILLIAM H BOTTREL age 4 Nephew
ELISABETH F BOTTREL age 2 Niece
John Williams age 29 Boarder

The question is, whose children are the Botrells? As they are the niece and nephew to the head, who happens to be Joseph Matthews, could they be Jane Matthew's children, or another sibling of Joseph and HIS siblings?

Ten years later, William and Elizabeth Bottrel show up again on the 1871 Census. This time they are staying or living with their "grandmother" Elizabeth Thomas.

As for Susan Matthews, my 2 x G Grandmother, she remarried John Davies in Neath in 1965. Technically she was a bigamist, as her first husband, Richard Bone was still alive at that time. Richard Bone also remarried in 1866 to a Tinklin/g. Richard then emigrated to Australia with his family, sometime after 1871.

What what I  would like to know is, do you have any knowledge regarding the above Bottrels in my family tree? I would be extremely grateful if you could put some flesh on these Bottrel bones.

Regards


 

I spoke to my mum today, to let her know that Gitto's children are still alive and well. Mum is of that age, now, where she doesn't surprise easily, but she was fascinated to know about Gitto's decendents. As I've mentioned, mum remembered her Aunty Mary (Gitto's mum) saying "oh my Gitto. He went away to Australia". Although mum wasn't even born when Gitto left for Canada, her Aunty Mary's words have stayed with mum all her life.

At the moment, I don't know who Evan is. If he's a Welsh decendent, then I will probably be able to work it out, eventually. But Gitto's wife was also British, but I believe she was born in England. I have noticed from the shipping records, that Katherine Louisa often sailed to Canada and back again. If you know, it would be interesting to know why this was the case. please feel free to ask any questions about Gitto's family, and as I've already mentioned, I will do my best to answer then. For the record, do you have a photograph of Gitto? I would love to see one of him.

Regards

How fascinating. It said on "Gitto's" shipping record that he was going to Canada to live with his Aunt, a Mrs Jones. It also said he was going to work as a buther there. I would love to know more about Gitto's life in Canada, so any information you can provide, or if there's anything you want to know about your ancestors, just ask, and I will do my best to answer. Once again, thank you for replying to my request

This is all I can find on a W T Davies:


DAVIES, W T
Rank:Lieutenant
Date of Death:13/04/1918
Age:25
Regiment/Service:South Wales Borderers
 6th Bn.
Grave ReferenceSp. Mem. A. 1.
CemeteryLOCRE HOSPICE CEMETERY
Additional Information:
Son of Mary Davies, of 26, Triangle, Mountain Ash, Glam, and the late William Davies.