George JAMES of Prendergast, Haverfordwest

[MacadamiaNut]

Hi all,
I have hit a roadblock on my research and I need some help please! My great-great-great grandfather is George James, a blacksmith, born about 1836 somewhere in Pembrokeshire. His wife is Hannah (don't know her maiden name), born about 1829. I see him in the 1861 census in Prendergast with Hannah and children Thomas b.1848 (probably a stepson); Caroline b.1856; Mary Jane b.1858; Ann b.1860; and Anne Phillips b.1860, a nursling. They seem to have moved around, since George, Hannah and Thomas are listed as born in Pembrokeshire; Caroline was born in Glamorgan; and the younger children are born in Haverfordwest. I see what is probably other family members living in the neighboring houses, but I can't connect any dots. In the 1871 census, some of the younger children seem to be living with a Mary Parry, and the now-grown up nursling Anne Parry.

The surname James is so common in Haverfordwest that I can't isolate anything to even order a birth certificate, and no marriage records show up for George and Hannah. I gather from reading up on Pembrokeshire that this might mean they were married in a non-conformist church. I don't really know how to proceed, without just ordering lots of birth certificates to find the right one

I'm hoping someone has this same family in their tree, or can suggest a way to search the non-conformist registers. I see Orielbenfro has transcribed records, but not sure if they cover the area of Haverfordwest.

Thanks for any suggestions!
Jo

[Orielbenfro]

If Thomas (surname unknown) is a stepson then you appear to suggest that George James re-married to Hannah after the birth of Thomas, the mrge would appear to  be between 1848 and 1856. The only mrge to fit is George James to Hannah Lewis in 1853 in one of the parishes covered by the H’west Registration District.
I am just rushing out the door on my way to the R.O., so will have a quick look to see if I can assist further.
Rgds
Orielbenfro
ORIEL a welsh window on a surname

[Orielbenfro]

The following is a few minutes research I did at the R.O. for your George James ;

As we know George & Hannah et al., lived at 3 Deccans Row Prendergast in 1861, however I have been unable to establish any reference to the baptism of any of the children in any parish in or surrounding Haverfordwest.

1871 Caroline declares she was born in H’west not Glamorgan as per 1861, but alas still no baptism for her. What of May Parry the widow, I searched Prendergast and found a baptism of Annie Parry to Isaac and Mary Parry of Deccan Row a Labourer baptised 19 May 1865 at Prendergast, as we know baptism date has no relationship to date of birth, so this could well be the Annie shown in the 1871 Census with mother Mary Parry, but what of the “Neice’s”.

I mentioned in my previous that I believed your George James mrd Hannah Lewis in the H’west Reg District, in 1853, however that mrge does not appear at Prendergast, I thought about this and decided to have a look at H’west St Mary and there I found a George James Blacksmith mrd Hannah Lewis in 1853. I have a jpeg of the mrge parish entry (exactly the same as the mrge certificate), so if you want a copy let me have your email address by P.M. only and I can forward it to you, saving a few quid.

So it would now appear that Mary Parry nee’ Lewis and Hannah James nee’ Lewis are probably sisters, there are two mrge’s of Isaac Parry to Mary Lewis in 1851, however neither took place at St Mary or Prendergast, and the biggest problem is I have been unable to establish the death/burial of an Isaac Parry in or around H’west or Prendergast pre 1871, however he may well have died up the valleys for which there are a number listed Free BMD.

What of your George James (son of Thomas James a Blacksmith), in 1851 I think you have two choices George (born Llangwm) resides at Martletwy aged 15 son of Thomas & Ann James born at Llangwm and Carew resepectively, however George is shown as an apprentice tailor, did he change his trade in the next 10 years ?? Doubtfull, but the only other that comes to mind is George James aged 13 years residing at The Blacksmith Shop Llanarth Mons the son of Thomas & Ann James aged 58 & 52 respectively Thomas being a Blacksmith.

There I had to leave it and turn to my Military Headstone research.

I hope the above is of some assistance to your research.

Rgds
Orielbenfro
ORIEL a welsh window on a surname

[MacadamiaNut]

Wow, thank you so much Orielbenfro 

To clarify, the reason I thought Thomas was a stepson is based purely upon the small age difference between him and George James (12 years) and the fact that Hannah is older, so may either have been married before, or had a child out of wedlock. I will search for Isaac Parry's death or burial with the clues you have given me.

I will PM you my email address, but thank you so, so much for your excellent help! 

Cheers,
Jo