William Howells born 1811

[MyHowells]

I have traced my ancestors through all census and am stuck.  My gggfather was William Howells and married Margaret James in Dyffynog church 1832.
It states that he was living in Llanfiangel at that time. All census refer to Heol Senni.
I know the house he handed down  the generations to my Grandfather and sold by him in 1951 was in owned (according to wills and Tax letter) to have belonged to his father and grandfather before William born 1811 him.
Does anyone have any knowledge of tracing houses?
I have a photo of the house which has two dates on it.
The house is now owned by Hampshire CC.
The Howells appear to be difficult to trace in this area  
Any help would be great

[garfydd]

i have sent you a letter but now find you on google.  How far back do your ancestors own the cottage Birchgrove  at Heolsenni?
Do know the names of all the owners? Your Wm.Howell marr. the d/o John James=Jane Powell. Thomas Howell di. 1814, left £1542, Tir Mihangel and one "cottage".  He was a member of the Senni R.C. community. I suspect that your Wm. had a different father-will do a search.
Garfydd

[MyHowells]

Hi Garfydd 
 Many thanks for the imformation you sent , I am so pleased about it.
I did not know the parents of Margaret James not been able to find out the parents of GGG Grandmother. She was knon in foke lore of that time.
When I wrote to the church many years ago they said there was no info on her parents.She was born in Llywel 1806. Since your message I have found an entery for a John James and Jane Powell for a marriage on 07 Sepr 1793, I hope this might be them. Are you able to tell me how you knew they were her parents?
Wm Howells was the last named owner of the cottage in Heol Senni its a big house and I think because of the two dates on the front that it was extended to make two cottages at the time(Birchgrove is its modern name around1900)
I have a letter to my GG GF John Howells from the Legacy offce asking him if Wm Howells will had been proved and for the names of both His Gfather and GGfather I found an entry for Wm H but they refer it to folio no180 so cant get any further

[MyHowells]

Many Thanks Garfydd have just received your letter. Wm died Feb 12 1891 Hirwaun after losing Margaret 1887,left the house to children was rented out until my father adviced my Grandfather to sell in 1951 as it had been rented out for 60 years Ann his daughter left her share to her sibling as she was single and well off owning many houses in Hirwain John (now I see where his name came from) left it to Jennet his wife she skipped her son and left it to Grandpa John Howells he sold in 1951 for £557.10
William is present in Heol Senni until 1881 census (exept 1851 where he is in Swansea as road builder and Margaret is with children in Pantygelynor).
The late Jonathan Davies told me handed down tales and that she was a secretary in Brychgoed chapel. Yes I have taken photos of the grave after cleaning many years ago
I did not get any info all those years ago of Margaret but did at that time have info on Williams family.Cant beleive she was one of 11 children will try to look it up
Thanks

[garfydd]

dear christine,
Mgt.James chr. Cefnarthen, she uses(to some extent) her parents' chr. names for her issue=a common Welsh pattern post 1810. The 11 children idea came from one of her sister, still live post 1900(a Brecs&Rads. interview).
Thomas Howell died 1813 had the full name Thomas Howell Rees Havard. Do I understand you do not know who owned "Birchgrove", before 1900?
The house is not descibed in the "buildings of Defynog" I have been recorded at Aberystwyth, will send the address.
Garfydd

[MyHowells]

Thank you for your reply. Sadly I do not know the owners name before Wm
Howells only the existence of 2 generations hence my brick wall.
Where would I be able to get a copy of the paper on sister of Mag James?
Would I be able to order online?
So Thomas Howell was really a HAVARD confusing.
f only I could have got hold of that entry in the duty registers but alas I failed

[garfydd]

dear myhowells,
to access the deeds pre 1900 try the current owners. I have found public organisations to be helpful. Could be expensive-you visit their archive or employ a lookerup. For pre 1858, the other recourse would be the Great Sessions-difficult to say the least.
Your Thomas Howell is possibly the son of Howell Powell & Barbara.  Birth year is O.K. & your Thos follows the Welsh patronymic tradition.
I know nothing about online ordering but doubt whether all the regional newspapers have been computerised. There at least 3 libraries which have Brec.&Rads. collections=
Colindale, N.L.W. & poss. Brecon Lib.
I have it on an email thing but do not know how to transfer it. I still work from primary sources.
Garfydd

[MyHowells]

Thank you Garfydd for your advice,I did try to get help from the new owners a few years back but will try them again. Dont worry about the email thing will try to visit for a copy of news letter. Not sure about Thomas Howell being mine.
Only know for sure that William Howells 1811 is GGG Grandfather , Could he too have used the  welsh patronymic tradition Could he have had a father surnamed Powell ? Was that done much in dyffynog at that time.
If I have any info that would help with you research for yourself or anyone elses please feel free to ask (certs etc)
Regards

[MyHowells]

Accordind by family WILLS the house Birchgrove was owened by William Howells until 1891 jointly by his children until 1896 then owned by John Howells till 1919 Jennet Howells till 1924 and John the grandson until 1951.