Searching for the Davies family

[Velma Dinkley]

I have just got back into contact with a second cousin on my dad's paternal line and have just realised that I haven't really looked into the family of the great grandmother we both share :o

Her name is Mercy Maria Davies born in 1875 in Hampshire.

Here she is in 1881 with her parents http://search.ancestry.co.uk/browse/...ln=Davies&st=g

When she married my great grandfather, Gilbert Eldridge, in Arlington, Sussex, on 2nd Sept 1895, her father's name is given as William James Davies, Coachman/gardener.

Here's her parents in 1901 http://search.ancestry.co.uk/Browse/...lfriston.ALL.4.

I think I've found her mother Mercy's death in Eastbourne (where Mercy & Gilbert lived) in 1908.

William James is James W on the 1901 census, so it appears that he uses both names.

Please can you help me find William J or James W Davies in the census returns for 1851/1861/1871 as I can't find him, as well as his marriage to Mercy and her birth please. Also I can't find Mercy junior (born 1875) in 1891???

Many thanks for your help!

[Karen S]

There is a Mercy David born Portsmouth living in Sussex on the 1891. When you look at the image it says Davis.

[Velma Dinkley]

That's her!! Thanks Karen

I think she must have met my great grandfather when he came to decorate the house (he was a house painter!) :D

Just got to find her elusive parents now -

William James/James William Davis b c1845 Buxted, Sussex
& Mercy -?- b c1847 Wilton, Wiltshire

[Karen S]

Marriage Mar 1875 in Portsea to a Mercy Spicer, on freebmd.

[Velma Dinkley]

Ahhh that's brilliant, thanks Karen - I kept searching on there and couldn't find anything.

I did however find a Mercy Spicer born in Wiltshire between 1846-1848, so least that confirms her now...

[Karen S]

There is a William Davis with mother Mary, in Buxted on the 1851. The age I think ties in with his mother on the 1881 or 1891.


Did you see that someone has Mercy Spicer in a tree on ancestry.

[Velma Dinkley]

Just found the 1851 image, thank you. Did try Davis earlier, but nothing came up

Also found the marriage

Hadn't seen the contact on Ancestry.

[Velma Dinkley]

This is brilliant - I'm tracing Mercy Spicer back through the census returns... found her in Portsea in 1861

Her mother was a schoolmistress!

[Velma Dinkley]

Just found William James' parents James & Mary in 1861 & 1871, but no sign of him...

[Elaine ..Spain]

Not a lot of help - but one to consider for Mercy junior in 1891

http://search.ancestry.co.uk/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&rank=0&gsfn=&gsln=dav*s&sx=&f1=&f2=&f4=&f18=Female&f12__n=&rg_81004011__date=1876&rs_81004011__date=2&f27=&f14=sussex&f15=&_8000C002=&_80008002=&_80018002=&f7=&f8=&f9=&gskw=&prox=1&db=uki1891&ti=5538&ti.si=0&gss=angs-d&pcat=UKICEN&fh=6&h=11581556&recoff=1

[Elaine ..Spain]

In the 1881 census William's mother is living with them - Mary Davies, born c 1817, Warbleton, Sussex

That would match in with the following:
Ancestry 1851 census
Ancestry 1861 census
Ancestry 1871 census

William appears on the 1851 census, but unfortunately disappears for the 1861 & 1871.

[Elaine ..Spain]

Struggling to find what happened to William in 1861/1871 and a marriage to Mercy.
I think you might need the BC of one of the children for MMN

Births Sep 1875
Davies Mercy Maria
Portsea 2b 458

[maudarby]

Possibly marriage
William James DAVIS & Mercy Spicer 1875 Mar qtr Portsea.
In 1861 a Mercy Spicer born c1847 born Yevant Wiltshire, parents John & Maria living in Portsea Hampshire. Yevant is the birthplace given by Mercy Davies in 1881.
Moggie

[Elaine ..Spain]

Well done Moggie - not sure how I missed that!

[Elaine ..Spain]

1851 census for Mercy, with parents John & Maria
Ancestry 1851 census

[Velma Dinkley]

I don't know how this happening Elaine, but I've just realised that I have 2 threads going on this, even though I only posted one last night... I'm totally confused!! :p

Anyway, I'm just merging the two of them... I'm sorry that some of the queries were solved last night... :o

[Elaine ..Spain]

No problem - kept me busy for a while! :D

[Velma Dinkley]

I'm cross with myself for not researching this branch before, but then there's so many to do...