Genealogy Chat

Can anyone give advice on how to trace my Great Grandfather?
I joined Genes over 10 years ago and in some places I am back to the 1690's, but with the Davies clan I am stuck.
My Great Grandfather was William Ernest Davies. I can't find him before his marriage in 1893.
His son, my Grandfather Thomas Harold Davies was born May 1901 in Birmingham, son of William Ernest & Frances Maria Davies (nee Walker)
On the 1911 Census William age 41 lists his birth place as 'Montgomery', current address Saltley, Birmingham.
In1901 the family were living in Aston, Birmingham and William gives his age as 34, birth place 'Wales'.
The marriage certificate of William & Frances married in Birmingham 1893 gives his age as 27, names William's father as Thomas Davies, and that's where I'm stuck.
How do i find William born either in Montgomery or Montgomeryshire or Wales, with a year of birth of either 1866, 1867 or 1870?

Name David Davies
Event Type Census
Event Date 1871
Event Place Guilsfield, Montgomeryshire, Wales
Enumeration District 19
Gender Male
Age 0
Relationship to Head of Household Son
Birth Year (Estimated) 1871
Birthplace Guilsfield, Montgomeryshire
Entry Number 6
Affiliate Image Identifier GBC/1871/5631/0139
HOUSEHOLD

ROLE

GENDER

AGE

BIRTHPLACE

Thomas Davies Head M 34 Guilsfield, Montgomeryshire
Mary Davies Wife F 28 Meifod, Montgomeryshire
Mary Davies Daughter F 5 Meifod, Montgomeryshire
William Davies Son M 4 Guilsfield, Montgomeryshire
John Davies Son M 2 Guilsfield, Montgomeryshire
David Davies Son M 0 Guilsfield, Montgomeryshire

this could be his birth but its monmouthshire

Births Dec 1866 (>99%)
Davies William E Newport, M. 11a 164

Welcome to the boards Jan

The family in 1911 - married 18 years, 7 children born and living.

1911 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
92 Anthony Road Saltley B'Ham, Aston, Warwickshire, England

First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Sex Occupation Age Birth year Birth place
William Davies Head Married Male Gasworker 41 1870 Montgomery
Fanny Davies Wife Married Female Domestic 35 1876 Worcester
William Davies Son Single Male Apprentice Bodymaker 17 1894 Bham
Alice Davies Daughter Single Female Weaver 15 1896 Bham
Arthur Davies Son Single Male Paperseller 14 1897 Bham
Rose Davies Daughter Single Female School Girl 11 1900 Saltley Bham
Harold Davies Son Single Male School Girl 9 1902 Saltley Bham
May Davies Daughter Single Female School Girl 8 1903 Saltley Bham
Evelyn Davies Daughter Single Female - 4 1907 Saltley Bham

Can you give all details from the marriage certificate please?


1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
111, Adderley Road, Aston, Warwickshire, England

First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Gender Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
William Davies Head Married Male 34 1867 Builders Laborer Wales
Fanny Davies Wife Married Female 27 1874 - Lye, Worcestershire, England
Ernest Davies Son Single Male 7 1894 - Birmingham, Warwickshire, England
Alice Davies Daughter Single Female 5 1896 - Birmingham, Warwickshire, England
Rosa Davies Daughter Single Female 2 1899 - Birmingham, Warwickshire, England

I wonder about this William Davies in 1891 - Constitution Hill and Aston are next door to each other and it would put him in the right place to have met and married in the Aston area. Not that it helps find his family perhaps, but Frederick George is also from Montgomery

1891 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
Constitution Hill, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England

First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital status Gender Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
Frederick George Head Married Male 35 1856 Refreshment House Keeper Montgomery
Lizzie George Wife Married Female 30 1861 - Westbury, Shropshire, England
William Minney Boarder Single Male 23 1868 Carpenter Olney, Buckinghamshire, England
William Clarbull Boarder Single Male 21 1870 Carpenter Bedford
William Davies Cook Single Male 22 1869 Cook Domestic Montgomery <<<<<<<<<<<<<
Fanny Taylor Waitress Single Female 21 1870 Waitress Stourbridge, Worcestershire, England
Fanny Jones Servant Single Female 19 1872 General Servant Domestic Worcestershire, England

I'll let Jan know how to find her replies :-)

Hi everyone, sorry work took over there for a while and I couldn't come back. Wow, some great advice here, I will have a read, thank you. Cynthia thanks for the how-to-find- advice, I used it!
Marriage certificate was witnessed by William Pound and Mary White. On the marriage certificate, Father of William (Thomas) is named as a road surveyor.
I can find the family AFTER the marriage, but I can't find William BEFORE his marriage, there are just too many William Davies from Wales! I reckon that William the chef could be the right one Greyghost, interesting, thank you. I wonder why he moved all the way to Birmingham.
I am grateful for the help and if anyone has any more ideas, I would love you to add a comment thank you.
XXX :-)

Do you know where and when William died and what age was given then and occupation? If he was alive in 1939 his correct DOB could be on the 1939 Register which might help pinpoint him. If alive then, do you know where he was living?

Might he have served in the Forces at any time?

I haven't found his death record, not sure how to start with no date to work on.

Hi, my one month membership expires today which will probably stop me using the board. Until the next special price offer, thanks again for the help. X