Looking for Ward Family Members

KrysUS · Looking for Ward Family Members

I tried to email the familyhistory email box on the abertillery.net site, but it was full, so here goes.

I am coming to Wales for a few days in the beginning of September 06 and am hoping to learn more about my grandfather and maybe meet any family members or at least find his old family home if it is still there.

Here is all the information I have. My grandfather's name was William Edgar Lawrence Ward. He was born November 5, 1908. He came to America April 6, 1925. I don't know his father's first name. His mother was Agnes. We are unsure of her maiden name. It might be George or Ledbetter. She was born February 15, 1884 in Sinderford England. I believe she had 9 siblings that remained in Wales or England. If anyone knows of this family or is part of this family I'd love more information or would like to meet in September.

Thanks.

Carolyn

Hi Krys,
Do you have any other information?

Were any of these people from Abertillery? A good number of people migrated to this area from Cinderford in the 1900's but also to other parts of South Wales or Blaenau Gwent.

KrysUS

Thanks for responding!

Unfortunately, I don't have any more information. Can you believe that my grandmother turned down the offer to bring the family Bible back with her on one of her trips? I'd have all the info I'd need. The only person I'm sure was from Abertillery is my grandfather W.L.E. Ward. That's according to his passport I have. He listed Cinderford on his mother's (Agnes) death certificate as her place of birth. As far as I know they were in Abertillery or the general area until they came to America in 1926. I don't know for sure Agnes's siblings also moved to Wales from Cinderford or not. I'll see if my grandmother has any letters or any other info about Agnes, but I doubt it.

Carolyn

[size=18]I found a birth record for:

William Edgar L. Ward
Born Oct-Nov-Dec 1908

Registration district: Bedwelty
County: Monmouthshire

Also a marriage record between:

William Cornelius R Ward 1907 Jul-Aug-Sep Bedwelty Monmouthshire

Agnes Sylvena George 1907 Jul-Aug-Sep Bedwelty Monmouthshire

Hope this helps. [/size]

KrysUS

This is wonderful. Thank you so much. We never knew my GG Grandfather's name and were uncertain of Agnes's maiden name. How exciting! What is the registration district? Is that a neighborhood or a town? Do any of those records contain an address? It would be great to come back with a picture of his childhood home.

Carolyn

The registration district is Bedwelty, Tredegar which would also be the census district for Aberystruth as it was known then, which covered the Abertillery area.

If you ran a search on the 1901 census online for Monmouthshire it may give you the census details for Cornelious and Agnes George if they were living there at the time. If not run the same name search for England.

Unless some kind person online is able to do his look up for you.

KrysUS

Is there a website that you know of for the census?

Carolyn, this is a wonderful start. Where did you find this information?

Carolyn

http://www.ancestry.com/search/ Free BDMAncestry.Com free searchable database

http://www.census.pro.gov.uk/ 1901 census
Name search free but pay to view census page

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp

Church of the Later Day Saints (Morman) 1881 Census
All searches and household records free.

http://www.1837online.com/HomeServlet
Searches free again pay to view but not expensive.

KrysUS

Thanks for all your help. I'll try these out.

Is there anything I should make a point to see when we stop in Abertillery?

Carolyn

All Depends on the results of your search and where you intend to stay, how long you intend to stay, whether you have transport. All will limit the time in which you have to spend sightseeing, transport is not that good in this area. There are some lovely places to visit.

I would make a priority for:

The place where they lived, maybe the Church/Chapel where they married and include a visit to the local museum to see the conditions in which they lived and what the town was like in the 1900's.

Best Wishes, and Good Luck with your searches.

helens

Did you find them in the census? If not, I think I have found Agnes from 1891 to 1901 moving from Cinderford to Wales after her mother remarries. Let me know and I can send you the links.