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I was wondering if anybody could help me. My wife's great grandfather, George Astbury Davies was born in Cefn Bychan, Ruabon in 1866. His father was William Davies (b1848) and his mother was Agnes Astbury (b1847). At some time he moved to North Staffordshire where he married Lizzie Viggars Bostock in 1890. I have copies of both his birth and marriage certificates. However I cannot find out anything about him from when he was born until he got married or even anything about his parents after he was born. We have a family story of George and his brother William coming to Staffordshire to work in the mines, but that is all.
What I am trying to find out is when George came to Staffordshire and what happened to his parents. Did either of them die when he was still young? was there a remarriage? I can find nothing. I have looked in Staffordshire, Denbighshire, Shropshire, where his mother was born and his parents were married and Pembroke, where his father was born.
Has anybody got any suggestions.

Ro.W

His marriage certificate should state if his father was deceased at that time, or not. What info does it give?

Just to try to locate them for us helpers ref

View image
1861 England, Wales & Scotland Census Transcription
Church Street, Wombridge, Wellington, Shropshire, England

Print household transcription Household Members
First name(s) Last name Relationship Marital condition Gender Age Birth year Occupation Birth place
George Astbury Head Married Male 45 1816 Ironstone Miner Shifnal, Shropshire
Jane Astbury Wife Married Female 44 1817 House Keeper Shifnal, Shropshire
Henry Astbury Son Unmarried Male 16 1845 Engine Fitter Shifnal, Shropshire
Agnes Astbury Daughter Unmarried Female 13 1848 Scholar Shifnal, Shropshire
Emily Astbury Daughter Unmarried Female 6 1855 Scholar Shifnal, Shropshire
Alfred N Astbury Son Unmarried Male 4 1857 Scholar Shifnal, Shropshire
George Astbury Son Unmarried Male 1 1860 At Home Shifnal, Shropshire
Hannah Porter Servant Unmarried Female 22 1839 Servant At Beer House Wellington, Shropshire
Elizabeth Astbury Servant Unmarried Female 20 1841 Servant Shifnal, Shropshire
James Davies Lodger Unmarried Male 18 1843 Coal Miner Shifnal, Shropshire
Thomas Luter Lodger Unmarried Male 20 1841 Waggoner At Coal Pit Tibberton, Shropshire
George Cadman Lodger Unmarried Male 22 1839 Coal Miner Dawley, Shropshire
Sarah Astbury Visitor Widow Female 65 1796 - Shifnal, Shropshire

1871 England Census about George A Davies
Name: George A Davies
Age: 5
Estimated birth year: abt 1866
Relation: Son
Father's Name: William Davies
Mother's name: Angas Davies
Gender: Male
Where born: Cefn, Derbyshire, England
[Denbighshire]
Civil Parish: Newcastle under Lyme
Ecclesiastical parish: St George
County/Island: Staffordshire
Country: England
Registration district: Newcastle Under Lyme
Sub-registration district: Newcastle under Lyme
ED, institution, or vessel: 16
Household schedule number: 103
Piece: 2834
Folio: 37
Page Number: 18
Household Members:
Name Age
William Davies 28 born: Pontesbury, Shropshire,
Angas Davies 23 born: Priers Lee, Shifnal, Shropshire
George A Davies 5
William R Davies 2 born: Madeley, Staffordshire
John Henry Davies 6 Months

Wiliam was born in Staffordshire so the family must have moved between 1866 and 1869.

Shropshire baptisms Transcription
Print individual transcription View image
First name(s) Agnes
Last name Astbury
Birth year -
Baptism year 1847
Baptism date 27 Jun 1847
Denomination Anglican
Place Priorslee
Father's first name(s) George
Mother's first name(s) Jane
Mother's last name -
Residence -
County Shropshire
Register type Baptism
Register date range 1830-1867
Archive reference P224/A/1/2
Page 42
Record set Shropshire baptisms
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records
Record collection Births & baptisms
Collections from Great Britain

Brother William in 1911?

1911 England Census about William Davies
Name: William Davies
Age in 1911: 42
Estimated birth year: abt 1869
Relation to Head: Boarder
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Newcastle, Staffordshire
Civil Parish: Newcastle under Lyme
County/Island: Staffordshire
Country: England
Street address: 6 Waterloo Buildings, Newcastle Under Lyme
Marital Status: Widowed
Occupation: stone Miner
Registration district: Newcastle under Lyme
Registration District Number: 359
Sub-registration district: Newcastle under Lyme
ED, institution, or vessel: 11
Household schedule number: 122
Piece: 16412
Household Members:
Name Age
Robert Smith 26
Sarah Ann Smith 24
Gladis M Smith 4
George Smith 2

William Davies 42
John Davies 16
Sarah Davies 11
Elsie Davies 8
Nellie Davies 6

(5 children all living)

1881 England Census about William Davis
Name: William Davis
Age: 39
Estimated birth year: abt 1842
Relationship to Head: Head
Spouse: Agness Davis
Gender: Male
Where born: Pontesbury, Shropshire, England
Civil Parish: Audley
County/Island: Staffordshire
Country: England
Street address: Halmerhend
Marital Status: Married
Education:

Employment status:

View image
Occupation: Coal Miner
Registration district: Newcastle Under Lyme
Sub-registration district: Audley
ED, institution, or vessel: 4
Neighbors: View others on page
Piece: 2702
Folio: 90
Page Number: 22
Household Members:
Name Age
William Davis 39
Agness Davis 33
George A. Davis 15
William R. Davis 13
Emily Davis 8
Mary A. Davis 6
John H. Davis 2
Ada S. Davis aged 1 week

Source Citation: Class: RG11; Piece: 2702; Folio: 90; Page: 22; GSU roll: 1341647.

Or maybe this one?

1891 England Census about William Davies
Name: William Davies
Age: 22
Estimated birth year: abt 1869
Relation: Boarder
Gender: Male
Where born: Madeley, Staffordshire, England
Civil Parish: Audley
Ecclesiastical parish: Audley
Town: Halmer End
County/Island: Staffordshire
Country: England
Street address:

Occupation:

Registration district: Newcastle Under Lyme
Sub-registration district: Audley
ED, institution, or vessel: 4
Neighbors: View others on page
Piece: 2151
Folio: 80
Page Number: 13
Household Members:
Name Age
Isaac Corns 30
Agnes Corns 30
George Corns 6
Albert Corns 3
Elizabeth Corns 1
George Johnson 26
William Davies 22

...............................

1901 England Census about William Davies
Name: William Davies
Age: 32
Estimated birth year: abt 1869
Relation to Head: Head
Gender: Male
Spouse: Martha Davies
Birth Place: Madeley, Staffordshire, England
Civil Parish: Audley
Ecclesiastical parish: Audley St James
Town: Halmer End
County/Island: Staffordshire
Country: England
Street address:

Occupation:

Registration district: Newcastle under Lyme
Sub-registration district: Audley
ED, institution, or vessel: 4
Neighbors: View others on page
Piece: 2582
Folio: 102
Page Number: 44
Household schedule number: 233
Household Members:
Name Age
William Davies 32
Martha Davies 29
Garnet Davies 7
Gwendoline Davies 6 Months

.........................................

1911 England Census about William Davies
Name: William Davies
Age in 1911: 42
Estimated birth year: abt 1869
Relation to Head: Head
Gender: Male
Birth Place: Madeley, Staffordshire
Civil Parish: Longton
County/Island: Staffordshire
Country: England
Street address: 17 Lennox Rd, Normacot, Longton, Stoke On Trent
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Coal Miner and Hewer
Registration district: Stoke upon Trent
Registration District Number: 361
Sub-registration district: Longton
ED, institution, or vessel: 21
Household schedule number: 295
Piece: 16608
Household Members:
Name Age
William Davies 42
Martha Davies 39
Garnet Davies 17
Gwendoline Davies 10

????

1891 England Census about Agnes Bailey
Name: Agnes Bailey
[Agnes Davis]
Age: 42
Estimated birth year: abt 1849
Relation: Wife
Spouse's Name: Luke Bailey
Gender: Female
Where born: Shifnal, Shropshire, England
Civil Parish: Horton
Ecclesiastical parish: Horton
Town: Horton
County/Island: Staffordshire
Country: England
Street address:

Occupation:

Registration district: Leek
Sub-registration district: Leek
ED, institution, or vessel: 22
Neighbors: View others on page
Piece: 2186
Folio: 167
Page Number: 13
Household Members:
Name Age
Luke Bailey 31
xxxx Agnes Bailey 42
xxxx John H Bailey 12
xxxx Ada S Bailey 10
Garnett Bailey 7
James A Bailey 2



Marriages Dec 1885 (>99%)
xxxxx Bailey Luke Newcastle L. 6b 130
xxxxx Davies Agnes Newcastle L. 6b 130
Howson John Ernest Newcastle L 6b 130
Salt Myra Edwards Newcastle L 6b 130


Same family in 1901:-


1901 England Census about Agnes Bailey
Name: Agnes Bailey
Age: 52
Estimated birth year: abt 1849
Relation to Head: Wife
Gender: Female
Spouse: Luke Bailey
Birth Place: Shifnal, Staffordshire, England
Civil Parish: Horton
Ecclesiastical parish: Biddulph Moor Christchurch
Town: Biddulph Moor
County/Island: Staffordshire
Country: England
Street address:

Occupation:

Registration district: Leek
Sub-registration district: Leek
ED, institution, or vessel: 25
Neighbors: View others on page
Piece: 2625
Folio: 66
Page Number: 17
Household schedule number: 2
Household Members:
Name Age
Luke Bailey 41
Agnes Bailey 52


and also in


1911 England Census about Agnes Bailey
Name: Agnes Bailey
Age in 1911: 63
Estimated birth year: abt 1848
Relation to Head: Wife
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Shifnal, Shropshire
Civil Parish: Horton
County/Island: Staffordshire
Country: England
Street address: Biddulph Moor, Nr Congleton
Marital Status: Married
Years Married: 25
Estimated Marriage Year: 1886
Registration district: Leek
Registration District Number: 362
Sub-registration district: Leek
ED, institution, or vessel: 16
Household schedule number: 93
Piece: 16649
Household Members:
Name Age
Luke Bailey 53
Agnes Bailey 63
James Alfred Bailey 22
Harry Davies 8 - Grandson Birth Place: Macclesfield, Cheshire

There is a full Will, as stated on the probate record


England & Wales, Death Index, 1916-2007


Name:George A Davies

Birth Date:abt 1867

Date of Registration:Mar 1940

Age at Death:73

Registration district:Newcastle under Lyme

Inferred County:Staffordshire

Volume:6b

Page:223





England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966


Name:George Astbury Davies of 139 West View Villas, Heathcote Rd, Miles Green, Bignall End

Probate Date:12 Apr 1940

Death Date:10 Feb 1940

Death Place:Staffordshire, England

Registry:London, England

To Frederick William Bostock, retired colliery Banksman £470

Thank you all for your replies. How did I miss those entries!! Probably because of the different spellings. But you have given me something else to think about. I have the marriage certificate of William Davies and Agnes Astbury and this states that William's father was Robert Davies who was a blacksmith. The only Robert Davies who was a blacksmith I could find was from Pembroke Dock, so I might have been following the wrong family line!! I will investigate, but I'll be grateful for anyone else's thoughts.

Ro.W

In 1871 and 1881 census William gives his place of birth as Pontesbury, Shropshire so have you considered this one:-

1851 England Census about William Davies
Name: William Davies
Age: 10
Estimated birth year: abt 1841
Relation: Son
Father's Name: Robert Davies
Mother's name: Mary Davies
Gender: Male
Where born: Pontesbury, Shropshire, England
Civil Parish: Pontesbury
Phillimore Ecclesiastical Parish Maps:
View related Ecclesiastical Parish
County/Island: Shropshire
Country: England
Street address:

Occupation: (of father) BLACKSMITH

Registration district: Atcham
Sub-registration district: Condover
ED, institution, or vessel: 2f
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 57
Piece: 1990
Folio: 337
Page Number: 14
Household Members:
Name Age
Robert Davies 36 (1815) born: Buckley, Shropshire
Mary Davies 32 (1819) born: Pontesbury, Shropshire
Thomas Davies 19
John Davies 11
Edward Davies 6
William Davies 10
Samuel Davies 8
Robert Davies 6
Maine Davies 1
Sarrah Davies 69 (1782) born: Pontesbury, Shropshire Mother-in-law

Maybe relevant?

Samuel Davies
England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
christening: 3 January 1845 PONTESBURY,SHROPSHIRE,ENGLAND
father: Robert Davies
mother: Mary

John Davies
England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
christening: 20 July 1834 PONTESBURY,SHROPSHIRE,ENGLAND
death: 27 February 1842
father: Robert Davies
mother: Mary

Edward Davies
England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
christening: 27 December 1835 PONTESBURY,SHROPSHIRE,ENGLAND
father: Robert Davies
mother: Mary

Samuel Davies
England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
christening: 11 July 1841 PONTESBURY,SHROPSHIRE,ENGLAND
death: 3 March 1842
father: Robert Davies
mother: Mary

Sarah Davies
England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
christening: 7 April 1843 PONTESBURY,SHROPSHIRE,ENGLAND
death: 18 November 1843
father: Robert Davies
mother: Mary

William Davies
England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
christening: 19 January 1839 PONTESBURY,SHROPSHIRE,ENGLAND
father: Robert Davies
mother: Mary

James Davies
England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
christening: 28 December 1851 PONTESBURY,SHROPSHIRE,ENGLAND
father: Robert Davies
mother: Mary

Jane Davies
England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
christening: 4 March 1854 PONTESBURY,SHROPSHIRE,ENGLAND
father: Robert Davies
mother: Mary

Looks to be same 1851 family in 1861:-

1861 England Census about William Davis
Name: William Davis
Age: 21
Estimated birth year: 1840
Relation: Son
Father's Name: Robert Davis
Mother's name: Mary Davis
Gender: Male
Where born: Sponsbury, Shropshire, England
Civil Parish: Darlaston
Ecclesiastical parish: Darlaston St George
Town: Darlaston
County/Island: Staffordshire
Country: England
Street address:

Occupation: Iron Miner Stone

Registration district: Walsall
Sub-registration district: Darlaston
ED, institution, or vessel: 11
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 159
Piece: 2010
Folio: 83
Page Number: 29
Household Members:
Name Age
Robert Davis 47 now gives place of birth as:- born: Buckley, Flintshire, Wales (occupation Blacksmith)
Mary Davis 50 born: Pontesbury, Shropshire
Thomas Davis 28
William Davis 21
Samuel Davis 16
Robert Davis 13
Maris Davis 11
James Davis 9
Jane Davis 7

and also 1871

1871 England Census about Robert Davies
Name: Robert Davies
Age: 57
Estimated birth year: abt 1814
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Mary Davies
Gender: Male
Where born: Buckley, Flintshire, Wales
Civil Parish: Darlaston
Ecclesiastical parish: Darlaston St George
Town: Darlaston
County/Island: Staffordshire
Country: England
Registration district: Walsall
Sub-registration district: Darlaston
ED, institution, or vessel: 16
Household schedule number: 48
Piece: 2956
Folio: 102
Page Number: 8
Household Members:
Name Age
Robert Davies 57 Blacksmith
Mary Davies 57
Mary Davies 21 (unmarried)
Jane Davies 17 (unmarried)
William Davies 9 Months Grandson

Thank you again to Catherine. You seem to have found the right family. It also fits in with the information I have on William's marriage certificate where his place of residence is stated as St Georges.

Ro.W