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It is possible, but my Grandfather died in 1974, its possible his death got missed. It would be nice to find out it was him in 1939

Just gone back through my records, I have Thomas and Catherine in 1901 at 30 Barry Road, then at 75 Tonna Road in 1911.

Thomas and Catherine were boarders at 30 Barry Road Pontypridd in the 1911 census so Thomas was not with his parents. They have a 4 month old son David Thomas Richards with them.

30 Barry Road is the home of a Josiah Prout and his family.

Kath. x

You say you have accounted for everyone on the 1939 register except your grandfather Trevor. Could he have been at home on leave from the RAF and he is the closed record?

Kath. x

Thanks Erika for that, him Mum was Eleanor Evans.

I agree it is strange.

I just felt that it was strange that the amendment on the birth date on the 1939 register should have used the "QDA" code for Warwickshire.

When a marriage date is added to the register it often gives the code for where the marriage took place, so I assumed that giving the QDA code with the birth date amendment must mean that that was where the birth took place.

All very strange!

Kath. x

RICHARDS, THOMAS EVANS
GRO Reference: 1877 J Quarter in MERTHYR TYDFIL Volume 11A Page 542

I have just checked again all Thomas's children, there are 9. I have accounted for them all on the 1939 register (none at Tonna Road) with the exception of my Grandfather, Trevor, who was in the RAF.

I have Thomas's birth certificate which states he was born 28 May 1877, Aberdare.

According to his marriage certificate to Catherine 25 Dec 1900 his Father was David Richards, his Mother was was Eleanor Evans, from his birth certificate. I got stuck here a bit because I think Eleanor died and David them married a Martha Evans. You did help me out a bit here a few years ago, but I couldn't prove much as David Richards was such a common name, but at the time of Thomas's marriage Thomas was living at 30 Barry Road/Terrace, Pwllgwaun, Pontypridd. Not sure if David was at the same address. I did purchase some marriage certificates for David. Cant remember what they said off hand, but I can easily get to them.

Can I ask who you have as Thomas Richard's parents and where he was born?

The reason I ask is that on the 1911 census Thomas Richards is transcribed as being born 1876 (which would usually mean born 1875) in Aberdere.

However on the 1939 register he has given his birth date as 28th April 1877 which has then been amended to 28th May 1877 and QDA in brackets after this date. QDA is the code for a birth in Warwickshire and this is the only birth that would fit that date and code:-

First name(s) THOMAS
Last name RICHARDS
Birth year 1877
Birth quarter 2
Registration month -
Mother's maiden name Smith
District Birmingham
County Warwickshire
Country England
Volume 6D
Page 176
Record set England & Wales Births 1837-2006
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records

Kath. x

No problem Kath. I am grateful for any help.

My mistake about the area of birth and marriage I posted but it was the only one that seemed likely time wise.

If he took in another lady you are not likely to be able to get the record opened as you are unlikely to find her name.

Kath. x

I have Kath, I have all their birth, marriage and death certificates, and I know who all their children are, I am in touch with most of them.

My theory was that as he was a ladies man, he took another lady in when Catherine died in 1930. I thought Maggie was going to be the answer.

The above birth and parents are in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, not Bridgend, Wales.

Whoever the closed record is - he/she is connected to Thomas Richards, by virtue of the fact the the record must be Schedule 183, sub no 2

Have you accounted for the rest of the family in 1939? Is there a child who could still be living at home?

You would need to know who the other person was and produce their death certificate before you could get the record opened.

My mother was originally a closed record but she died in 2003 and I had to provide details of her death before I could get the record opened.

Kath. x

There is this POSSIBLE birth for Frederick W. Norwood:-

First name(s) FREDERICK W
Last name NORWOOD
Birth year 1914
Birth quarter 1
Registration month -
Mother's maiden name Thomas
District Bridgnorth
County Shropshire
Country England
Volume 6A
Page 983
Record set England & Wales Births 1837-2006
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records

which would then suggest that these could POSSIBLY be his parents:-

First name(s) FREDERICK W
Last name NORWOOD
Birth year 1914
Birth quarter 1
Registration month -
Mother's maiden name Thomas
District Bridgnorth
County Shropshire
Country England
Volume 6A
Page 983
Record set England & Wales Births 1837-2006
Category Birth, Marriage, Death & Parish Records

The times and places seem to fit.

Kath. x

Thanks Erika, Maggie is probably a red herring then. Pity because I thought I had solved the mystery of who the other person was as a closed record with Thomas, I still cant think who that could be, and I have asked the family. I think my next step would be to see if there is any way to get the record open.

I know the house was quite big, in fact I have seen it, it is terraced and it had a basement/cellar, probably big enough for plenty of people, but there were quite a few of them.

Its just very strange that no one has ever mentioned another family living there.

Maggie is Schedule 182, sub no 1
Thomas is Schedule 183, sub no 1.

SO...............separate households as far as the officials were concerned

And, as she was listed first, it's more likely that the home was that of Maggie and her husband

They were not there on 30 Dec 1910 when one of my Grandfathers sisters were born. But there were there on the 1911 census.