Find Ancestors

I am trying to find my Great Grandfather born about 1874 in Merthyr, South Wales. I have found him on the 1911 census but have not been able to find him on any earlier census returns. On the 1911 census for place of birth he just put "S Wales" and "Merthyr" has been added later - possibly by the enumerator.

Arthur's date of birth has been calculated from his age given on the 1911 census and his marriage certificates - but this is his data and I have discovered that I have to treat anything given by him with a pinch of salt.

I have both his marriage certificates.

On the first marriage certificate he married Alice Richardson on 31 August 1901 at the Baptist Chapel in Leigh, Lancashire. Arthur gives his occupation as coal miner and gives his father as William Jones, a fitter.

Alice died in 1910 just after giving birth to my Grandmother and Arthur remarried in August 1911 to a Sarah Howley (widow of a Mr Gibbons). On that certificate Arthur gives his father's name as Arthur, a fitter.

Family stories say he had a sister, Sarah, and a brother, John. They may have been half-siblings to Arthur. We would not be surprised to find he had a previous wife, legal or common law, in Wales. There may even be children.

The family have no other information about where Arthur came from or any details of his background at all.

Should anyone have any information I would love to hear it!

Many thanks,

Helen