Need help tracing birth Rachel Thomas, or her parents, Llangynwyd, Llangyfelach

[shawnfbrown]

Rachel Thomas married John Hughes, 22 Nov 1854, Parish Church Llangynwyd, County Glamorgan. Rachel residence Craig y Bedw Cottages, Llani Higher.  Father listed John Thomas, laborer.  John Thomas was witness, so alive in 1854.  Banns stated both Rachel and John were of the parish.  1871 Census for Rachel (Thomas) Hughes listed birthplace Llangyfelach, age 36, so DOB approx. 1835.  I've tried Findmypast.uk for census 1851 Glamorgan for John Thomas on premise that 1854 marriage was located in parish of bride, and maybe father John Thomas lived in Glamorgan 1851.  some results showed John Thomas as tinman, smith, collier and no Rachel of correct age in household.  I found a Rachel Thomas as servant with probable sister Elizabeth age 14 in 1851 census Llangyfelach in household Daniel Wiliams.  Tried tracing Rachel's birth 1835 +/- on findmypast, but data starts 1837.  any help or advice welcome. 

[Mabel Bagshawe]

There's a possible in Llangyfelach in 1841 [spelled Llangafelach on Ancestry]. Address might be Pen yr Erw Vawr

Piece 1419, folio 17, p4

John Thomas       30   Ag lab
Hanna Thomas    35
Mary Thomas         9
Rachel Thomas    5
Susanah Thomas     1

[Mabel Bagshawe]

1851 - Ty Mawr, Llangyfelach

Piece  2465, folio 71, p3

John Thomas    57  labourer b Llangyfelach
Hannah Thomas 50 b Bettws, Carm.
Susanah Thomas    11      b Llangyfelach
Richard Found      7 Foster Son b Oystermouth



Susannah Thomas,    Minor
Father     John Thomas, labourer
Address: Llan: higher. Mitcalfe St (?)

Thomas Beynon, full age, miner
Father David Beynon, farmer
Nant-fyllon Cottages

Marriage Date    6 Nov 1858 Llangynwyd

They're in Llangynwyd in 1861 - Susannah b Llangyfelach. 1871 - moved to Aberdare

[Mabel Bagshawe]

1861 - Llangynywd
Piece 4082, folio 39, p35

John Thomas    68    general labourer b Llanguick
Hannah Thomas  60  b Bettws, Carm

[shawnfbrown]

thank you Mabel. 

The marriage of Susannah Thomas 1858 looks interesting.  Rachel Thomas' marriage 1854 listed her residence as Craig y bedw Cottages in Llani Higher.  The marriage info you have lists a similar residnece for Susannah--Llani Higher, same occupation for father John Thomas as laborer.  Do you  have any more details on that record by any chance that I could use to order from GRO?

If 1861 census for parents John Thomas and wife Hanna are correct, do you have suggestion to research death of those parents?

[Mabel Bagshawe]

It's Llan : higher not Llani   (llan basically means parish in welsh) - i.e. the residence is in the top end of the parish

The image of Susannah's marriage reg is on Ancestry - I've given you all the details earlier, except the witnesses Thomas Griffiths and Thomas Morris

Hannah is a widow in 1871 living in Dyffryn Cottages Llangynwyd Higher. By 1881 she's moved over to Pontrhydyfen

there's a possible burial for Hannah

Hannah Thomas
Age    95
Burial    15 Dec 1894   Llangynwyd,
Address   125 Ystrad Road, Ystradyfodwg

Can't obvoiusly see her on 1891

Now have confirmation it's her  - given her great age there's a newspaper report (in Welsh) 
https://newspapers.library.wales/view/3117396/3117400/72/hannah%2BOR%2Bthomas

DEATH OF AN OLD WELSH WOMAN
It is our role to record the death of  Hannah Thomas, aged 95. She died in the home of her daughter Mrs Rachel Davies, 125, Ystrad Road, and her husband Benjamin Davies, on the evening of Wednesday 12th. Another daughter is Mrs Anne Williams, wife of  Thomas Williams, Clydach, Swansea, aged  71 and another child is Mrs Hannah Jones, wife of David Jones, Pontyberem. The departed was married to the late John Thomas, Carmarthenshire. he was buried in Llangynwyd Church near Maesteg  26 years ago. The old lady wished to be buried in the same grave as him, which took place last Saturday.  A service was held before leaving the house by Rev D. C. Owen. She joined the Independents in her early years and she kept her faith uninterrupted to her grave


Rachel Hughes nee Thomas appears to have remarried - she's on later censuses in Ystrad with Benjamin, and both Hughes and Davies children (right age, and from Llangyfelach)

[shawnfbrown]

Your newspaper article find is fantastic!  Yes I have already confirmed Rachel had remarried. She and her second husband were buried in the same plot as her first husband.  You have really helped me along.  Thank you. 

I’ll read through it all more closely later and reply if I need more help.

Shawn

[shawnfbrown]

i checked 1891 census for Rachel Davies and husband Benjamin, but no Hannah Thomas living with them.

The newspaper article tells us about another daughter Anne, age 71, so birth 1823.    She would have been 18 at 1841 census, so out of house, maybe married to Thomas Williams. 

Also, article says Hrs. Hannah Jones has another daughter, wife of David Jones.  If marriage you located earlier for Hannah Thomas, which appeared to be correct for this family, perhaps Hannah's first husband Thomas Benyon, miner, died and she remarried.

The death date for John Thomas 26 years ago and his burial place is helpful. 

Do you have a suggestion on locating parish records for burial for John Thomas at Llangynwyd Church?

Do you have a suggestion on how to research the chapel Hannah Thomas may have belonged to in Ystradyfodwg?  Maybe via Rev. D C Owen...

Thanks again-- i was starting to give up hope on extending this line of the family.

[Mabel Bagshawe]

It was Susannah Thomas who married Thomas Beynon. She seems to have died in 1880, in Aberdare