Research Forum

Hello all,

It’s been a while since I last posted here, but I thought this might be of interest.

I’ve been researching my grandfather, Stanley Walter JONES (b. 1908 – d. 1987), who was born and died in Weston-super-Mare. For years, I believed I had his history fully mapped out—until recently, when the 1921 census became available on Ancestry.

To my Dad’s surprise, the census revealed that Stanley and his sister were residents at the Müller Homes in Bristol. Curious, I reached out to the charity that holds their records, and they kindly sent me everything they had. It turned out to be quite a treasure trove!

But then, things got interesting…

Among the documents was the wedding certificate of Stanley’s parents, Walter Alvan JONES (b. 1879 – d. 1925) and Beatrice Eleanor COSH (b. 1886 – d. 1915). However, there are some glaring discrepancies that make me wonder—were these simple mistakes, or was something being concealed?

1. The Groom’s Name: His actual name was Walter Alvan JONES, yet on the certificate, his first names are reversed (Alvan Walter JONES). A clerical error? Maybe. But then…
2. His Occupation: The certificate lists him as an Insurance Agent, yet all my other evidence strongly suggests he was a house painter.

3. His Father’s Name: The certificate states his father was Tom JONES (deceased). However, my research indicates his father was probably William Walter JONES (b. ~1856 – d. 1908), meaning:

• "Tom" may not have been his father at all.
• His real father was still alive at the time of the wedding.
• There’s no record of a Thomas/Tom JONES in my family tree from that period—so who was he?

On the bride’s side, her name is recorded as Eleanor COSH, despite Eleanor being her middle name.

Everything else on the certificate aligns with my records, so I’m confident it belongs to the right people. However, Beatrice would have been heavily pregnant at the time of the wedding—could this have influenced these inconsistencies?

Curious to hear your thoughts! Has anyone else encountered similar oddities in marriage records?

Hello, I took advantage of the 'free' Newspaper weekend - and I'm now hoping for any advice on the following dodgy activities of my gtgt and my gtgtgt grandfathers. I know this family were fishermen, ferrymen and occasionally stone dealers living in Uphill from at least 1850s and that Abraham was declared bankrupt in 1869.

The Western Gazette June 16th 1865

Abraham Pople, (aged 41), and William Pople, (aged 20), were charged with unlawfully and wilfully taking or destroying a quantity of fish, worth 1s. in certain water at a place called Bar Hang...in Uphill Bay, the private property of J H Smyth Pigott, Esq...Abraham was fined 10s and costs; William Pople was discharged.

 So does anyone know if there likely to be any other surviving evidence about this case please?

Thanks!

Hello everyone - I have a 'brick wall' which I am currently dismantling Death Certificate by Death Certificate!!

My 'brick wall' Aunt died in 1993 aged 95 - she was a long time resident of Bristol.

Her Death Certificate shows her resident at 'Inglenook' 61 South Road, Weston super Mare.

Does anyone know if the South Road address was a nursing home way back in 1993?  Google maps does not help much and the current large houses appear to be converted into flats now.  

Thank you for reading.

Rosalyn Wade.  

Do any members have any personal or family connections, memories or information, esp. any old photos, of Hill Road, Weston - super - Mare?

If so, I'd love to hear from you as I've been researching the history of Hill Road, the houses and former residents as part of a research project in the style of 'A House Through Time'.

I live in Hill Road so any contributions would be welcomed and acknowledged.

thanks in advance for any contact

Keith Graham

This is a very long shot and I hope it is OK to post.

My sister and I have for many years maintained the gravestone of our matenal grandparents in Portbury churchyard. 

We have also maintained the gravestone of our maternal grandfather's brother and his wife, which is next but one to our grandparents.  We have maintained this second gravestone as we have always known there are no close relatives until......

........suddenly a few weeks ago two bunches of flowers (seemingly quite purposefully placed) appeared on the gravestone of our grandfather's brother.  We are at a loss to know who placed them there.  Are there relatives out there working on their family history and came to find the grave?

Appealing here I know is a long shot but have you placed flowers on Auntie Jessie and Uncle George's grave?

If you  are you a distant relative my sister and I would love to hear from you. 

The full names are below .....so fingers crossed

Our grandparents are Charles and Lillie White

The gravestone we are interested in is for George Henry and Jessie Ada White who died in 1947 and 1953 respectively.

Thankyou for reading.

Rosalyn Wade

Does anyone have any information of an umbrella shop around James Street around 1881 please

Than-you