Genealogy Chat

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Hi All Where did they all go ? I have been tracing a connection to my Gtx2 Grandmother Mary Grubb (nee Meats). I have found the Meats family on the 1901, 1891, 1881, and 1871 Census’ However they all disappear in 1861 ! I’m using Ancestry, I’ve tried searching for different combinations i.e. First Name only with birth details, variations on Meats, Meets, Mates, etc but to no avail. In 1871 they are listed in Aberystruth Monmouthshire as; Francis Meats abt 1816, Herefordshire, Head Ann Meats abt 1822, Hay, Breconshire, Wife Mary Meats abt 1846, Herefordshire, Daughter Charles Meats abt 1852, Monmouthshire, Son John Meats abt 1858, Monmouthshire, Son Hugh Meats abt 1863, Monmouthshire, Son Aurthur Meats abt 1864, Monmouthshire, Grandson Emma Meats abt 1865, Monmouthshire, Daughter Ada Meats abt 1867, Monmouthshire, Granddaughter Esther Meats abt 1869, Monmouthshire, Granddaughter George Meats abt 1871, Monmouthshire, Son Looking at the births of Francis and Ann’s children I would expect to find them in Monmouthshire. Has anybody any suggestions where to try next ? As always all help very gratefully received….P

I have tried looking for this family for you without success. I looked up the births of the Meats children and could not find John or Hughs birth details. Perhaps if you could find Hugh's certificate it would give his home address. Charles birth registered at Abergavenny. Good Luck Irene

Thank you so much Irene for taking the time to look, at least you've confirmed I'm not going mad. I think a birth Certificate may be the only way I am going to find them. Thanks Again ... P

Paula - some people are definitely missing from the 1861 census on ancestry. Have you seen the state of some of the pages? It may just be that the page they should be on is in too bad a condition to transcribe. Hope that's not it, though! Kate.

If I can't find a person on a census - and I know they should be there - after I've checked obvious variations as you have, I start thinking more broadly. Perhaps Meats has been mistranscribed as Neats or Weats? If you have a less common first name and a definite place/year of birth, you could try searching on that. nell

Paula, Is this Mary on 1861 England census ? Mary Meats b Leominster, Herefordshire 1842 Gen Domestic living Leominster Herefordshire 1861.RG9/1831 p11 f 54. Have tried rest of family to no avail. I have whole families mis transcribed - usually down as part of the previous household - despite being clear to read. Elaine x.

Hi Paula, I too have two missing families on the 1861 but they are there on the 1851& 71,81,& 91. So frustrating!!!!! Hope you find them. Jenny

I looked for a family and found they had been transcribed as the heads middle name for the surname. Looking at the image the surname was missing too.Only found them by ages and place of birth. Margaret

Thanks for all the replies. Elaine - I did come across this Mary previously - but worth another look. Do you think I might find them on the electoral roll? Will they have this at the local records office ? Thanks again…P