Genealogy Chat

Thanks Crista - should have done that first (duh!!) lol Have posted on the trying to find, but if anyone is reading this and recognises any of these names.... DAVIES Ernest Ivor b.approx1873 Newent married to Clara (surname unknown) b.approx 1867 W Davies b.approx 1862 d.1878 Violet May Davies b.1910 d.1994 married name WEBBER Sheila Davies sibling of Violet married name TURNER also K E Davies Henry Davies (just names at this stage, no other info known) Thanks Sarah

Sarah, Why not post names and details here. Perhaps someone can help. Crista

Good luck with your search! Only 30 years, eh??? :~)

Thank Lisa - that really helps :o)) It also fits in with info I have suggesting one of my ancestors died in the Abercarn Colliery disaster in 1878 (aged just 16) My 'coal hewer' would have been too young at that time to be working the coal face, but I know he died sometime between 1910 and 1940, so only 30 yrs to look through lol.

Hi Sarah: I can't help you with your original question, but I found this online: "...According to the return 'coal miner' was not a sufficient description, and the authorities required "coal hewer" to be inserted as the occupation of a man that worked underground, and at the coal face." "One of the enumerators had much difficulty to instil into the mind of a miner's wife that he was obliged to obtain this information. She informed him, "I tell thee he be a coal miner." "Yes," said the meek and patient enumerator, "but is he a coal hewer?" "Na, then, dost tha' think I know anything about hewers now?" "But," said the official, "does he work underground and get coal?" "Oh," said the old lady, "tha's trying to be funny. Didn't I tell thee he was coal miner now? What dost tha think that a miner does - get his pay for nowt like some o' thee chaps?" This lady was evidently not in the know, or she would not have made the last remark, but Mr Enumerator only smiled and entered upon the paper "coal hewer."

Hi I've tried BMD but there's no record of a marriage on there, and there are dozens of possible birth records so I'm struggling to narrow it down without at least being able to check a marriage date (bet this is sounding familiar to alot of people!! lol) On one of my strands I have approx birth dates for both parties, can work out the marriage to within 15 years (!) but cannot narrow it down enough to find the maiden name of the wife. So far I've searched 1837.com, looked at the 1901 census, keyed in the names on google, and am now trawling though familyhistoryonline....and all I've got for my effort so far is blisters on my fingers lol. And can anyone tell me what a 'Coal Hewer' was?? Maybe I should go to bed and look at this again tomorrow when I'm less frustrated lol. Thanks anyway Sarah

I've only recently started my research and I've got as far as names for my gt-grandparents but I'm a bit stuck as to where to look now. has anyone any tips on how to find siblings for my grandparents and/or gt-grandparents - I found at least 1 definite new family member, and 2 other possibles, but am not sure how to find the links. Marriage details c1900 don't show the spouse name on 1837.com, so I can't see how to confirm the details?? Any hints gratefully received :o) Thanks Sarah