Thread: Birth Certificates

I have been researching my family tree for about six months. I am having trouble finding my grandmother's family. She was Welsh and unfortunately has a very common surname - Evans. On her marriage certificate her name is Margaret Ann Evans and in 1894 her age is 26 years and her father is Lewis Evans a blacksmith. From the census I know she was born in Celynin - Civil parish - Dolgelley Merionethshire Wales. My problem is that I have to make a calculated guess to find when her birth was and there seems to be several Maragaret Evans born around about this time in Dolgelley Wales. I keep sending off for birth certificates but they come back with the wrong father. Is there an easier way of doing this?

Hi Minnie, Do you have the 1871 census?



Margaret's father is listed as widower and the youngest child is age 2, therefore Lewis's wife must have died between 1869 and 1871, which should give you something to work on, there are a couple of possible marriage records. I searched years between 1864-67 and the possible brides were Margaret Humphreys or Anne Owen. If you can establish who Margaret's mother was this will help you in ordering the right certificate.

Incase you don't have it, this is the 1871 census record



Dolgelley Merionethshire



Evans family

Lewis/head/wid/26/smith

Mary/wid/52/maid servant

Margaret/dau/4

Lewis/son/2

John/servant?/17/smith

Evan/servant?/15/smith

Hi Minnie,



If you are unable to find the right GRO index you can phone the records office giving the information that you have. You know her father's name and occupation. You also know where she was born and approximately when. You now have two possible mother's which can be crossed checked against a Margaret and Lewis. You may have enough information already for them to find her birth certificate. There will be a charge for this but it will be worth it to get the right one. Good luck.

Hi Slizzy,

Thank you for your quick response. I do have the 1871 census but it was very good of you to look it all up for me. Thank you for also giving me the names of possible brides for Lewis Evans - that was a big help!

Originally Posted by Starlight

Hi Minnie,



If you are unable to find the right GRO index you can phone the records office giving the information that you have. You know her father's name and occupation. You also know where she was born and approximately when. You now have two possible mother's which can be crossed checked against a Margaret and Lewis. You may have enough information already for them to find her birth certificate. There will be a charge for this but it will be worth it to get the right one. Good luck.

Hi Starlight,

Thank you for your help. I did not realise the records office would do this for me.