Watts

[LESMO]

Can anyone help me trace my grandfather please.
I always understood that he was born in STOGUMBER Somerset in 1865. His christian name was James. He became a Salvation Army Officer and later married Alice Mary Boyce of London. They were married at Pontypridd (South Wales) 24/12/1892 in the Methodist Chapel. He had a sister Emma who lived in Penygraig. .Many Thanks

[Arranroots]

Hi Lesmo!

I can't find a couple that match your description.

I wonder if you know anything more about them?  Do you have the marriage certificate - it would give father's names and occupations?

Was James' full time occupation that of Salvation Army officer?  I can find a James married to an Alice, but the places of birth are wrong.  It is probably easier to start with the later censuses and work back, so I am guessing we should be looking in Wales for those?

Finally what children did they have and when?  If we can find them in 1901 it would help a lot.

More questions than answers, sorry! 

kind regards, Arranroots 

[LESMO]

Hello.
Many thanks for your contact. I don't have a lot to go on. My G/Dad James (Henry) Watts was born in Stogumber 1865. He wasn't a Salvation Army Officer for long. He married my G/Mother who was born in London.(Alice Mary) 1/6/1872. They married Christmas Eve 1892 in Pontypridd Methodist. He died 20/9/1944 at Caerphilly and she died 19/9/1961 in Cardiff. Known children, all deceased are:- Alfred, James, Alice (Cissie) and Rose Maud, my mother. Mum was born in London 6/10/1905. She died in Cardiff 18/4/1985. I don't know if this is of any help, but please accept my grateful thanks for trying.
Good Luck.
Les

[suffolk*sue]

Can you tell us James (Henry) fathers name from the marriage cert, if you have it.  I can't see any obvious candidates in the 1871 census.



 

[LESMO]

Hello!
Thanks for your contact. No I do not have the certificate but I have always understood his name to be JamesThanks a lot.
Les

[Arranroots]

I'm struggling too - an occupation and the dates of birth of the children would help a lot.

See how eager we are to help??  

[Arranroots]

Hi again Les

freebmd appears to have your mum's birth

Rose Maud WATTS
December quarter 1905
Hackney Volume 1b  Page 471

If you send for the certificate it will give your grandparents full names and grandfather's occupation.

Any idea when they moved to/ from Wales?

Arranroots 

[Valda]

1901 census RG13 227 folio 54
145 haggerston Road Hackney  London 
Henry J Watts 32 Somerset, Head  Married Painter
Alice M Watts 28 Shoreditch, London, Wife
Alice M Watts 2  Hackney, London, 
Henry J Watts 2 Hackney, London   
Eliza Boyce 62 Shoreditch, London, Mother-in-law  Widow Canvas Sail maker

Regards
Valda

[Valda]

1881 census RG12 2357 folio 33
Kingswood, Stogumber, Somerset
Josua Watts 57  Monksilver, Somerset, Head  Married Highway labourer
Susan Watts 47  Stogumber, Somerset, Wife  Married
Sarah Ann Watts 19 Stogumber, Somerset, Daughter 
Henery Watts 13 Stogumber, Somerset, Son 
Thomas Watts 10  Stogumber, Somerset, Son 
Rosey Watts 8 Stogumber, Somerset, Daughter 
Alace Watts 7 Stogumber, Somerset, Daughter 
Willie Watts 1  Stogumber, Somerset, Son

Regards
Valda