Census Update

 

The 1921 census was finally released in January

The article published in Bay last March, followed the residents of Cae Banc at the time of the 1911 census, we can now see who is in residence in 1921. You may remember that number 1 Cae Banc is home to Lesley and Simon and is headquarters to Bay.

None of the houses are numbered in this census, so it was worked out using the 1911 census to establish the house numbers. Research was carried out using both Ancestry and FindmyPast websites.

No. 1 – In the 1911 Census Margaret Davies aged 70, a gardener and two lodgers, Jane Richards, 58 and 18-year old William Richards are in residence. A decade later, Margaret now 80, is a gardener on her own account. Living with her is her 38-year old son, George, whose occupation is listed as labourer with mother, he is also married. So, where was George in the preceding years, and who is his mysterious wife? We have to turn back to the 1891 census when George, then aged 13 is living with his family at No.1. By 1901 George is a stoker on board RN Niobe stationed at Gibraltar; all British Royal Ships, wherever they were stationed at the time of any census, listed all the crew. At the time of the 1911 census, George is listed as being 33, his occupation is listed as Coal Miner Hewer and he is a boarder residing at Resolven, Neath.

Was there a mistake when the 1921 census was filled in with his age? In regards, to his wife, she remains a lady of mystery!

What became of Jane and William Richards? In 1921 they are living at 38 Argyle Street. William is 27, and a bread baker employed by Mr. W. R. Trafford, Baker and Jane now 67, is a charwo-man. It was very common for people to be living at an address and then move on to a further address, but in this instance Jane and William were living at 38 Argyle Street at the time of the 1901 census. Why the move to Sketty in 1911?

No. 2 – Here, we have the widowed Sarah Edwards, 64 and her lodger Elizabeth Emily Bond, aged 48. Elizabeth is listed as a charwoman.  Both Elizabeth’s daughters are domestics. Marjorie Jane aged 17, is employed by Mr Quick, 11 Grosvenor Road and Florence May, 15, is employed by Mrs Davies, 13 Vivian Road.

No.3 – The Evans family home. Head of the family is Thomas, 57. He is listed as a gardener of his own account, a change from a warehouse-man in 1911. Wife Elizabeth, also 57 is a fruiter of her own account, but working at Swansea Market. Two of the children, Richard and Margaret have moved on. The rest of the children Thomas, 30, copper worker/copper splasher; Gladys, 29, fruiter; Mabel, 25, housework; Lilian, 23, dressmaker and Winifred, 20, house-work still live at home.

No. 6 – Rees family home. Head of the family, William, 53. His occupation is listed as an engine fitter employed by Messers Vivian & Sons Ltd., Hafod, but out of work. Wife, Martha, 51 carries out home duties. Still at home are the two previously listed children, Martha, 19, day work girl, employed by Mr Rosser. Llewellyn George, 14, gardener employed at Mr King’s Garden, Tycoch. Born since the previous census is Beatrice May aged 7, who attends the local school.

What happened to aunt Maria Carrington? By this time 1921, Maria, 71, who had been for a number of years a patient at the Poor Law Institution, Tawe Lodge, Mount Pleasant. By the end of the year, Maria is dead.

No. 7 – Hale family home. This is still a large family of 9. Eli, 48 and wife, Rhonda, 49.  Eli, along with his sons, Ernest, 20; William, 17 are currently out of work having worked at Pacific Fuel Co., East Docks. The other son, Reginald, 19 is a mason labourer employed by Harding Contractors, Uplands. The other children, two have been born since the 1911 census, Hilda, 15; Eli, 13; Irene, 11 and Leslie, 5. The last three are still in school.

The only change in Cae Banc, is number 5.

No. 5 – Morris Downing, the Naval Pensioner died September 1918. Son, William, now lives with his wife, M, at 44 Hopkin Street. His occupation is a tube finisher out of work having been employed by British Mannserman Tube Works. With the family not living there at 5, it could be either one or other families listed over at the time of 1921.

Rachel Howells and her young family. Rachel, 34 and children, William, 14, employed to help out at the Bake House, Tom Rice, Sketty; Clifford, 11; Stanley, 10 both in school and Phyllis, 2. At the time of the 1911 Census, the Howells family, were residing at Tycoch Road Nurseries. Where is the husband? William Henry, 36. His occupation is draper’s warehouseman, employed by Lewis Lewis & Co, Drapers. He is residing at his sisters, at 3 Gerald Street, Hafod.

Or is it Richard H. Jones and his young family?

Richard, 30, his occupation is hawker green-grocery employed by M. Barrett, Wholesale Fruiter. His wife Annie, 22 and son, Richard H, 2. There doesn’t seem to be any information of Richard senior’s whereabouts at the time of the 1911 Census.

NB: It’s plain to see from all these men who are classed as out of work that this is the start of the Great Depression

The next article regarding Cae Banc will look at the residents at the time of 1939.

Copyright - Bay Magazine, February 2022