Need help finding parents of Abraham Williams

Question

I am requesting help finding the birth parents of Abraham Williams born in Merioneth, Wales in 1853.

I found his Christening record showing his parents were David Williams and Elizabeth. From there, I am at a standstill because there are so many David Williams and I don’t know the maiden name of Elizabeth.

My confusion is David Williams. In one census it shows he was born in Talyllyn and another in Llanwrin.

I am new to researching my Welsh ancestors and would love some help on his profile.

Answer 1

I wouldn't worry too much about the difference in birthplace, different people probably talked to the census takers, but I would look for christening records in both towns.  The records for the Tal-y-llyn church still exist (at the Powys Archives) so you might be able to find David in them if you can get there since they aren't digitized.

My second great-grandparents were married at the Tal-y-llyn chuch in 1847 and they brought a copy of their marriage record with them to America so I know their fathers' names, but it's no help to me because one was an Evans and the other a Jones, the two most common Welsh names, followed, of course, by Williams.  

Some people were still using patronymics in the early 19th century, so your David's father might well have been actually named William something.  It's hugely frustrating!

Comments

Thanks for your comment Kathie.

I did find a Christening record for Abraham, Catherine, and Richard who were all children of David and Elizabeth.

No such luck so far in figuring out the maiden name of Elizabeth yet.

It would be wonderful if I was closer to the Powys Archives. Sadly, it's not in the budget right now.

Answer 2

FamilySearch has his mother as Elizabeth Dorning. Abraham Williams (1853–Deceased) • Person • Family Tree • FamilySearch although both parents have been mixed up with people in Wisconsin, USA.

If you search for Abraham William on https://www.gro.gov.uk/ there is one born 1853 in Dolgelly registration district with the mother's maiden name of Davies. This is the registration district for Llanegryn which shows as his birth place in the 1881 census. 

Comments

I am leaning more towards the 1851 census for Llanfihangel-Y-Pennant with David, Elizabeth and daughter Catherine. 

I think the people who put in the information for David Williams in Racine, WI had good intentions on family search   however, if Abraham was born in 1853 in Wales, he would be in the 1860 census in Racine. Instead, Abraham is living with his parents David and Elizabeth, sister Catherine, Richard, and Jane. 

Based on this, I believe that the 1851 census above is Abraham's parents and sister. 

Thank you for looking Samatha. I really appreciate it. 

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Hi Kate, there are several trees on Ancestry that have his mother as Elizabeth Mary Davies born 1827.