The problem I've found with the 1871 census is basically there are two entries for Annie Prosser but neither as being born in 1863.  One has a birth year of 1857 and the place of birth Pontnewynydd, which at first glance doesn't appear to be that near to Blaenavon.  The other's birth year is 1868 and recorded simply as Monmouth.  So "your" Annie's birth year is right in the middle of these two!  From experience the years entered on census records can vary a few years either way (I've found mainly upwards) and on that basis I'd GUESS the correct one, if either, would be the 1868 Monmouth. 

 

The only sure way of locating the correct parents would be to obtain a marriage certificate for Annie & Robert, but at this stage you may not wish to do this.

 

Perhaps you'll think about the above and let me know your thoughts.

 

Kay

Manager

Hi Kay

 

The mother of Robert Clarkson 1858 was Barbara Pearson wife of Lawrence Clarkson 1829

 

I am almost certain that this Margret Davis is Mother of Annie Prosser

Hi Kay

 

How would I go about searching and obtaining a marriage certificate

 

Thanks Jim

Hi again Jim

 

Ah yes that's right, I remember now from your Clarkson message about Robert's parents - my apologies.

 

So, on that basis, perhaps we should follow the line that the person writing the census form on the census night should have written mother-in-law, instead of mother, as relation to head of the household - these errors certainly do occur.  On that basis I will search for Annie, with mother Margaret which may give us some good pointers.

 

Let me try that before you apply for a marriage certificate in the hope we can save you the cost of that.

 

However, the details you would need for the marriage certificate of Robert Clarkson & Annie Prosser are as follows:

 

Surname	First name(s)		District	Vol	Page
Marriages Jun 1886   (94%)
CLARKSON	Robert		Cockermouth	10b	783
PROSSER	Annie		Cockermouth	10b	783

 

 

Have you ever applied for a certificate of any sort before?  It's quite straightforward but if you need help with this part, please do let me know and I will endeavour to explain step-by-step how to go about it.

 

Meanwhile I'm going to look for Margaret Davis with daughter Annie.  As usual, check back soon.

 

Kay

Manager

I think I've found something Jim!  I'll list what I've discovered on the 1871 census - see what you think:

 

Margaret Prosser b: 1823 Llanallgo, Breconshire - Head - Widow

Mary Prosser b: 1850 Llanwenarth, Monmouthshire - Daughter

Benjamin Prosser b: 1857 Llanweanarth, Monmouthshire - Son

Ann Prosser b: 1863 Trevethin Monmouthshire - Daughter

John Davies b: 1816 Llanarth, Carmarthenshire - Lodger - Rail Man

 

Residence:  No 6, A Row, Trevethin, Monmouthshire and the ecclesiastical parish is Blaenavon (the very place where Annie is recorded in later censuses).

 

Now my GUESS is that Ann is the same person as your Annie and that Margaret Prosser went on to marry John Davies.

 

Kay

Manager

I'm afraid I can't find Margaret Prosser/Davies or John Davies  on the 1881 census so I'm not certain if they were married by that time.  However I've found four records of marriages of Margaret Prosser to John Davies:

 

Marriages Mar 1871   (>99%)
Prosser	Margaret		Neath	11a	608
Marriages Sep 1878   (>99%)
PROSSER	Margaret		Pontardawe	11a	661
PROSSER	Margaret		Swansea	11a	676
Marriages Mar 1887   (99%)
PROSSER	Margaret		Merthyr T.	11a	639

 

 

It could of course be any of the above but gives a rough approximation of when the couple were married. 

 

I'm going to see if I can find Margaret on the 1851 census in the hope of finding who Annie's father may have been.

 

Kay

Manager

Yes I found what I think is the correct family on the 1851 census (at the moment I can't find them on the 1861) and there is mention of an older child too.  Here's what I've found:

 

John Prosser b: 1824 Llanelly, Breconshire - Head - Shingler in Forge

Margaret Prosser b: 1827 Llanelly, Breconshire - Wife

Eliza Prosser b: 1848 Llanwenarth, Monmouthshire - Daughter

Mary Prosser b: 1850 Llanwenarth, Monmouthshire - Daughter

 

I'd say this is the correct family and we've found Annie's parents - John Prosser and Margaret. 

 

Perhaps you'd let me have your thoughts and feelings on this one and I'll see if I can find anything more for you.

 

Kay

Manager

Hi Kay

 

What can I say. Ol' Sherlock Holmes would be using your slueth services if he was around. Fantastic work and even more importantly my sincere thanks. I will anxiously await any more info you uncover.

 

Thanks Again for you great work

 

Jim

Good morning Jim

 

Thank you very much for your message - always glad to hear we've been helpful and I will certainly press on and see if I can find more for you.

 

Kay

Manager

Hi again Jim

 

I'm now looking for the marriage of John Prosser and Margaret.  I'm working on the basis they would have been married shortly before the birth of Eliza, their first child in 1848.  I've found some entries for births as follows:

 

Surname	First name(s)		District	Vol	Page
Births Mar 1847   (>99%)
Prosser	Elizabeth Mary		Hereford &c	26	195
Births Dec 1847   (>99%)
PROSSER	Eliza		Abergavenny	26	23
Births Mar 1848   (>99%)
PROSSER	Eliza		Monmouth	26	85
PROSSER	Elizabeth		Abergavenny	26	55

 

 

Of course it could be any one of the above but my GUESS is that it's the Mar 1848 Monmouth which is correct.

 

Now, if that's right the marriage record which would fit quite nicely is as follows:

 

Surname	First name(s)		District	Vol	Page
Marriages Dec 1846   (>99%)

 

Jones	Margaret		Abergavenny	26	32
Prosser	John		Abergavenny	26	32

 

I'm only working on the basis of dates and area you understand.  There are other entries for births of Eliza Prosser and marriages of John Prosser and Margaret but these seem to be the ones that fit.  What are your thoughts??

 

Kay

Manager

Having been looking for John on the 1841 census I've come across two entires which could be possible.  Here are the ones I've found:

 

 

The first entry:

 

William Prosser b: 1776 Breconshire - Farrier

Mary Prosser b: 1781 Breconshire

Lewelin Prosser b: 1816 Breconshire

Margaret Prosser b: 1821 Breconshire

John Prosser b: 1823

William Trew b: 1836 Breconshire

 

The second entry:

 

John Prosser b: 1791 Breconshire - Farrier

Elizabeth Prosser b: 1796 Breconshire

John Prosser b: 1821 Breconshire

William Prosser b: 1821 Breconshire

Mary Prosser b: 1826 Breconshire

Thomas Prosser b: 1828 Breconshire

Jennet Prosser b: 1833 Breconshire

Roger Prosser b: 1836 Breconshire

Elizabeth Prosser b: 1840 Breconshire

 

 

Now, here's my thoughts.  We have to bear in mind on the 1841 census we get less information than the later censuses - ie, it doesn't record the Head or relation of each individual.  It also doesn't give us the occupation of each adult in the family, only what we have to assume as the Head. 

 

The first entry all looked very possible on the basis William, we presume the Head, is recorded as Farrier and in the later censuses your John is working in a Forge - often sons continued the occupation of their father (not always of course).  My reservation about this one however is that John is not listed as being born in Breconshire - unlike the later censuses where we have found him.

 

The second entry also looks possible on the same basis that John b: 1791 is presumed Head is also listed as Farrier.  In this entry all members of the family are recorded as having been born in the county of Breconshire.

 

Now, based on the above, would you like me to follow back and see if I can find anything more on John's parents - and if so, which set??  William & Mary or John & Elizabeth?

 

I'll wait to hear your feelings on this before I go further.

 

Kay

Manager

 

 

Hi Kay,

 

Thanks so much for the info. The second entry appears to be the most likely info to search.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Jim Clarkson

My thoughts too Jim.  Leave it with me and I'll have a look to see if we can push back any further.  Check back soon.

 

Kay

Manager

Hello again Jim

 

Bearing in mind John Prosser b: 1821 was the first child of John & Elizabeth I've been looking for a marriage record which would fit.  The only one which has presented itself for a year and area appropriate is as follows:

 

JOHN PROSSER			Pedigree
	Male		Family

Event(s):
	Birth:
	Christening:
	Death:
	Burial:

Marriages:
	Spouse:	ELIZABETH JONES	Family
	Marriage:	20 MAY 1817   Merthyr Cynog, Brecon, Wales

We see the Jones surname appearing again here but bearing in mind we are looking in Wales, this isn't surprising.   Let me know what you think.   I'm going to see if I can find a birth for John now. Kay Manager

Hmm, this is a little inconclusive to be honest!  I've found two possibles, one based on the year of Christening (1792) and the other on the spouse mentioned (Elizabeth Prosser).  Here they are:

 

John Prosser			Pedigree
	Male

Event(s):
	Birth:
	Christening:	18 APR 1792   Llanfihangel Cwmdu, Brecon, Wales
	Death:
	Burial:

Parents:
	Father:	John Prosser	Family
	Mother:	Ann James