Yes, the mysterious William Frederick Clarke!!! He is one of my very big brick walls. On the 1881 – 1911 censuses he insists that we is born in the city of Oxford in about 1853, although his date of birth from other records (marriage & death certificates etc) show he could have been born anytime from 3/10/1850 - 5/4/1853. His marriage certificate names his father as Stephen Clarke, a farmer or farrier, but I (or actually we – about 4 of us cousins have tried at various times) have never been able to track down a birth certificate or baptism record that matches. There’s no sign of him in the censuses before 1881 either – having tried every combination of Clarke, Clark, Clerk, Clack etc etc etc!! We know he was in Cardiff by 1876 when he married, then he’s easy to follow. Family legend has it that he had a brother who was a jockey? ran away from home when he was young?? went to work on Nelson’s ship HMS Victory as a powder monkey??? and gave the brass plaque that read “Here Nelson fell” to one of his children???? (it really does get a bit ridiculous towards the end!!).
Once in Cardiff, he was a Stonemason & Bricklayer working on the building of the big power station chimneys and St Donat's Castle.
Really hope one of you out there has a connection & knows of his parentage!!
Many thanks all.
Once in Cardiff, he was a Stonemason & Bricklayer working on the building of the big power station chimneys and St Donat's Castle.
Really hope one of you out there has a connection & knows of his parentage!!
Many thanks all.
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