Missing man on the 1841 census - Price Edwards

[Matt R]

Hello chatters,

I'm after some help please in locating my 4 gt grandfather, Price Edwards. Censuses from 1851 and 1871 state that he lived in Ebbw Vale with his wife Sophia and their children (Jane b1845, Elizabeth b1850, Thomas b1854).

Price married Sophia (nee Thomas) in Dowlais, Glamorgan in 1844 and had previously been married to Anne Hall, who died in Nantyglo in 1840. However, I am having trouble finding Price as a widower on the 1841. He gives his birthplace as Merthyr consistently and his year of birth ranges from 1812-1816. He married Anne in 1835 in Blaina and it's there she was buried after she died in August 1840.

I'd appreciate some fresh pairs of eyes in hunting for Price on the 1841 as I have just been through the Nantyglo 1841 and cannot find him there. Ancestry isn't bringing up anything obvious either. His father was allegedly Thomas Edwards, and on Price's marriage to his first wife Anne in 1835, one of the witnesses is a Jane Edwards, perhaps a sister or his mother.

If anyone can absorb my insanity as I tear what's left of my hair out  looking for Price, I'd appreciate some help please.

Kind regards,
Matt.

[CaroleW]

Were there any children born to the first marriage?

[hanes teulu]

Have you checked for Census returns missing from the '41 Census? For example Glamorgan ( at FindMyPast)

[Matt R]

Hi both, thanks for posting!

CaroleW: I've not found any children for the Edwards/Hall marriage and I've checked the GRO indexes for Edwards mms Hall births from 1837-1840. I can't see any baptisms on Ancestry either so unless they did have one/some who passed in infancy, I am doubtful.

hanes teulu: Great shout re: the missing entries for Glamorgan. It's possible but it would be very unlucky as he and his family are also missing from he 1861 (Dowlais). He should, however, in theory, be in the Nantyglo area. I guess it depends when between 1840-1844 he moved from Nantyglo/Blaina to Dowlais.

[hanes teulu]

Whenever I think of missing Census records "Dowlais '61" always springs to mind - wonder why?

That he might be missing from more than 1 census is not "unlucky" - simply another instance of "s*d's law"?

What do you expect to learn from the '41 Census (if found) that you don't already know? 

[AlanBoyd]

Possibly him in Dowlais, 1843

25 February 1843: Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian

Price Edwards, haulier, Dowlais, was charged by Ann Williams, of the same place, widow woman, with committing a common assault on her person, on the 18th inst. It appeared in the evidence that complainant had commenced the assault. but that it had escaped her memory when she applied for the summons. The case was therefore dismissed. and complainant ordered to pay costs.

[Matt R]

Whenever I think of missing Census records "Dowlais '61" always springs to mind - wonder why?

That he might be missing from more than 1 census is not "unlucky" - simply another instance of "s*d's law"?

What do you expect to learn from the '41 Census (if found) that you don't already know?

Sod's law is definitely what it is! But I was/am hopeful that, should be be located in 1841, that he might be residing with siblings or even a parent. All I know of him is what he stated on his marriage certificate in 1844; that his father was Thomas Edwards. There is a relation named Jane too but the commonality of the Edwards surname in the area presents problems I'd hoped the census might - just might - resolve.

[Matt R]

Possibly him in Dowlais, 1843

25 February 1843: Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian

Price Edwards, haulier, Dowlais, was charged by Ann Williams, of the same place, widow woman, with committing a common assault on her person, on the 18th inst. It appeared in the evidence that complainant had commenced the assault. but that it had escaped her memory when she applied for the summons. The case was therefore dismissed. and complainant ordered to pay costs.

Blimey Alan, thanks for that. In all likelihood this is the same man. There aren't many with that name in Wales at all, despite the fact he is still hard to pin down. I'd find it difficult there were two in Dowlais unless one is a relation. Thanks as despite searching newspapers for him previously, this had escaped my discovery!

[Cas (stallc)]

1871 census Price and family have a boarder named David Edwards age 20 in household born Breconshire. Tracing back looks likely this family.

1851 - Vaynor, Breconshire
Piece   2459, Folio   756, Page number   27
(Merthyr Tydfil registration district)

Edward Edwards Head, 48, Monmouthshire
Jane Edwards, wife, 48, Glamorgan
Jane Edwards, 9 Daughter
Rees Edwards 5 Son
David Edwards   8 Mo Son, Cefn, Breconshire, Wales

Long shot but maybe a family connection.

Cas