forum.ferndale-wales.co.uk

Hello, I am new to this forum. I live in the United States. My grandmother was born in Ferndale. Her name was Elizabeth Owens. Her parents were David and Mary (Prothero) Owens. In the 1881 census I can find them in the Mountain Huts. In about 1882, my great-grandfather moved to America leaving his family behind until he could earn enough money for them to move to America. I do not know if he traveled with other family members or alone. My search is to find his family information (mother, father and any others.) My grandmother and her mother, brother Thomas and sister Emily moved to America in 1884. They were living in Aberdale with Mary's parents on Victoria street. Mary's mother was Amelia Rosser, Wife of William Rosser. I am in contact with family from the Prothero line. (William was Mary's second husband.) William was a butcher in Aberdale. My grandmother spoke of a brother she had to leave behind named William who was to ill to travel with them. In the 1891 census there is a William Rosser living with Amelia and William that fits the birthdate of my William Owens. Any help with this family will be helpful. While in Wales a few years ago I did not have time to come visit this area.
Thanks for any help.
Jane

Hey welcome to the forum Crazyteacher I'm sure somebody round here is going to help you out with your quest, but can be difficult after several generations - if only 10 year census could be accessed for every recorded year! Tell us a bit about yourself and the USA side of your family

My mother is still living. She is 95 years young. Grandma married another Welshman, John Winfield Jones. His father moved to America in 1856. John W.'s father was John Evans Jones, son of Thomas and Mary Evans Jones. My grandfather's mother was Sarah Watkins. She was the daughter of William and Winifred Pugh Watkins. So as you can tell our Welsh line is pure on my mother's side.
I still have family there in Wales. I have been to Wales to visit them. (Prothero side)
I have been told that David's father's name was Thomas and that his mother was Elizabeth. I don't know anything else about them. I do not know if David had any brothers or sisters. I would assume that they lived in the area. I do know a story that Uncle Tom told of the night David took off for America. I do not know if it is true or not as Uncle Tom loved to tell stories.
It is unfortunate that I was so young when my grandmother passed as I never got to ask her all the questions that I want answers to now. She always was proud of the fact she was from Wales and would speak of how beautiful she remembered it to be.
Aunt Emily was born July 26, 1876 Ferndale. Uncle Tom was born Oct. 16,1874 in Cwmbach(?). Lara or Sara was born 1873 also in Cwmbach I believe. We have little information on her. She passed in June of 1880 in Ferndale area.
They also had a son named Rees that was born in America. He passed when he was 4 months old. They also had a son William, born Nov. 9, 1878 in Wales. I know that he was ill and we have not been able to trace any thing about him. David's Bible notes a date of death, however since Uncle Tom had the postcard that talked of William and grandma talked of her brother William and how they left him behind because he was so ill I do not know if that is a death date or the time they gave him to Amelia and William Rosser. (I do have a postcard from someone in Wales telling my Uncle Tom that William was still very ill. However I could not read the signature.) David worked in the coal mines in South Danville. David and Mary (Prothero) Owens settled in a town called Grape Creek Illinois. Their children, Thomas and Emily both married. Thomas did not have any children, however he did raise the son and granddaughter of his wife. Emily had 8 children, who had many more. As far as this line in America goes, we all know each other and remain in contact.
My mother had 2 sisters and 1 brother. She is the only one still living. My mother's sister Selma passed at the age of 3. Her sister Ethel died due to complications of childbirth. Her brother Glenn married and had 3 daughters. One of them has passed on. My mother had 3 daughters. My oldest sister passed away in 2000. My younger sister has 2 children. I have been married to my husband Ron for 39 years. We have 4 children, All grown, and 7 grandchildren. I taught school for 34 years. I am a certified public accountant. I am using that degree, practicing accounting now that the children are all grown.
I received my undergraduate work from Tennessee Tech University, and master's degree from University of Tennessee, Knoxville Tennessee campus.
I also wish they would do census every year. In America the first censuses only recorded the male head of household name and then how many people were living in the household by age and sex.

In the 1881 Census I found the following information about Owens that could be from the same area, since they are listed alike I am assuming they are from the same area...
Wright Owens , Head, England and Wales Census, 1881, birth: 1839 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
spouse: Agnes Owens
children: Richard Owens, Agnes Ellen Owens, Wright Owens, Owen John Owens
Agnes Owens, Wife, England and Wales Census, 1881, birth: 1841 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales

spouse: Wright Owens
children: Richard Owens, Agnes Ellen Owens, Wright Owens, Owen John Owens
Richard Owens
Son
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1865 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: Wright Owens
mother: Agnes Owens
other: Agnes Ellen Owens, Wright Owens, Owen John Owens

Agnes Ellen Owens
Daughter
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1875 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: Wright Owens
mother: Agnes Owens
other: Richard Owens, Wright Owens, Owen John Owens

Wright Owens
Son
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1867 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: Wright Owens
mother: Agnes Owens
other: Richard Owens, Agnes Ellen Owens, Owen John Owens

Owen John Owens
Son
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1871 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: Wright Owens
mother: Agnes Owens
other: Richard Owens, Agnes Ellen Owens, Wright Owens

David Owens (This is my family)
Head
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1849 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
spouse: Mary Owens
children: Thomas J Owens, Emily Owens, Elizabeth Owens

Mary Owens
Wife
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1855 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
spouse: David Owens
children: Thomas J Owens, Emily Owens, Elizabeth Owens

Thomas J Owens
Son
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1874 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: David Owens
mother: Mary Owens
other: Emily Owens, Elizabeth Owens

Emily Owens
Daughter
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1876 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: David Owens
mother: Mary Owens
other: Thomas J Owens, Elizabeth Owens

Elizabeth Owens (My grandmother)
Daughter
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1881 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: David Owens
mother: Mary Owens
other: Thomas J Owens, Emily Owens


Elizabeth Owens
Mother
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1853 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
child: William Banner
other: Arthur Banner, Mary A Banner, Eunice M Banner, Nicholas Banner, Mary Owens, Edward Owens...

Seth Owens
Head
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1854 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
spouse: Mary A Owens
children: Catharine A Owens, Elizabeth Owens, Sarah J Owens

Mary A Owens
Wife
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1857 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
spouse: Seth Owens
children: Catharine A Owens, Elizabeth Owens, Sarah J Owens

Catharine A Owens
Daughter
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1875 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: Seth Owens
mother: Mary A Owens
other: Elizabeth Owens, Sarah J Owens

Elizabeth Owens
Daughter
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1877 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: Seth Owens
mother: Mary A Owens
other: Catharine A Owens, Sarah J Owens

Sarah J Owens
Daughter
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1881 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: Seth Owens
mother: Mary A Owens
other: Catharine A Owens, Elizabeth Owens

John Owens
Head
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1831 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
child: James Owens
other: Anna Williams

Benjamin Owens
Head
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1834 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
spouse: Ruth Owens
children: David Owens, Thomas Owens, Idris Owens, Gwilym Owens

David Owens
Son
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1867 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: Benjamin Owens
mother: Ruth Owens
other: Thomas Owens, Idris Owens, Gwilym Owens

Thomas Owens
Son
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1873 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: Benjamin Owens
mother: Ruth Owens
other: David Owens, Idris Owens, Gwilym Owens

Idris Owens
Son
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1875 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: Benjamin Owens
mother: Ruth Owens
other: David Owens, Thomas Owens, Gwilym Owens

Gwilym Owens
Son
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1878 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: Benjamin Owens
mother: Ruth Owens
other: David Owens, Thomas Owens, Idris Owens

Thomas Owens
Head
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1843 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
spouse: Mary Owens
children: Mary A Owens, Elizabeth Owens, William Owens

Mary Owens
Wife
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1851 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
spouse: Thomas Owens
children: Mary A Owens, Elizabeth Owens, William Owens

Mary A Owens
Daughter
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1876 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: Thomas Owens
mother: Mary Owens
other: Elizabeth Owens, William Owens

Elizabeth Owens
Daughter
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1879 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: Thomas Owens
mother: Mary Owens
other: Mary A Owens, William Owens

William Owens
Son
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1881 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: Thomas Owens
mother: Mary Owens
other: Mary A Owens, Elizabeth Owens

Eliza Owens
Wife
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1848 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
spouse: James Owens
children: May Ann Owens, Catherine Owens, Elizabeth Owens, Marrian Or Marria Owens, Sarah Ann Owens, James Owens, Rosina Owens

Catherine Owens
Daughter
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1871 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: James Owens
mother: Eliza Owens
other: May Ann Owens, Elizabeth Owens, Marrian Or Marria Owens, Sarah Ann Owens, James Owens, Rosina Owens...

Elizabeth Owens
Daughter
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1873 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: James Owens
mother: Eliza Owens
other: May Ann Owens, Catherine Owens, Marrian Or Marria Owens, Sarah Ann Owens, James Owens, Rosina Owens...

Marrian Or Marria Owens
Daughter
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1874 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: James Owens
mother: Eliza Owens
other: May Ann Owens, Catherine Owens, Elizabeth Owens, Sarah Ann Owens, James Owens, Rosina Owens...

Sarah Ann Owens
Daughter
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1876 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: James Owens
mother: Eliza Owens
other: May Ann Owens, Catherine Owens, Elizabeth Owens, Marrian Or Marria Owens, James Owens, Rosina Owens...

James Owens
Son
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1878 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: James Owens
mother: Eliza Owens
other: May Ann Owens, Catherine Owens, Elizabeth Owens, Marrian Or Marria Owens, Sarah Ann Owens, Rosina Owens...

Rosina Owens
Daughter
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1881 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: James Owens
mother: Eliza Owens
other: May Ann Owens, Catherine Owens, Elizabeth Owens, Marrian Or Marria Owens, Sarah Ann Owens, James Owens...

Sarah Owens (Owen)
Wife
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1855 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
spouse: Charles Owen
children: Richd Owens (Owen), Ellen Owens (Owen)

Richd Owens (Owen)
Son
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1875 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
father: Charles Owen
mother: Sarah Owens (Owen)
other: Ellen Owens (Owen)

David Owens
Boarder
England and Wales Census, 1881
birth: 1843 Wales
census: 1881 Llanwonno, Glamorganshire, Wales
other: Thomas Lewis, Mary Lewis, Margaret Lewis, David M Evans, Joan Bassett, William Bassett

Hi, Llanwonno was used a registration district around the years you've listed. My maternal grandmother had a school certificate with 'Llanwonno' on it. Ystradyfodwg is another name you may see on lists and that is basically Ferndale/Blaenllechau area as well. The names of the streets is what will determine whether your ancestors lived in Ferndale or Blaenllechau. Having said that, one set of my paternal grandparents and their two grown up children lived in three places known as 'Underhill Cottages' which I've never been to work out where they were. Family research is fascinating, pity there was never a 'fly on the wall' in those days that could have talked.
Brian