Peeping into countys past a century ago (From Western Telegraph)

Peeping into countys past a century ago

THE countys 1901 census is now available for public viewing at the Pembrokeshire Record Office.

While internet access to the 1901 census is still denied to the general public, the Record Office has been able to purchase it for Pembrokeshire on microfiche.

Whether you are researching the history of your house, compiling your family tree or making a study of the local history of your community, the census can provide a fascinating insight into Pembrokeshire 100 years ago.

In Haverfordwest, Bisley Munt the jeweller - born in Winslow, Buckinghamshire - was living with his family in Hill Lane, while in High Street, Thomas Baker the saddler was established at what was to become Bakers Shoe Shop.

At the Quay, 55-year-old W. G. Skinner was the innkeeper at the Bristol Trader. The master of the Haverfordwest Workhouse was William Webber Hall, originally from Rosemarket. In Victoria Place, Edwin Arthur John ran a bookshop with his unmarried sister, Martha.

In Tenby, the Bishop of Bombay, James Maclutchin - born in Scotland - and his wife were lodging at No. 6 The Norton. Just outside Tenby, living in a van, was Robert Rowell or Powell, a steam roller driver, aged 33, originally from Pontrilas in Herefordshire. Interestingly, he could speak both Welsh and English, although he was born in England.

Bloomfield, Narberth, was occupied by John Williams from Brighton, Sussex, and his cousin, Christopher Jenkins from Gowerton, Glamorgan. At the Lord Nelson Hotel in Milford Haven, there were no guests, but the hotel manager was Alfred Keeping from Portsmouth. Castle Hall was occupied by Thomas R. Oswald from London, his wife Wilhelmina from Ireland, four children, one niece and six servants.

In Hubberston, Telegraph Cottage was home to Handel Nicholls - described as barrack warden, Army Services Corps, and originally from Westerleigh in Gloucestershire - his wife, daughter and a lodger, James M. S. Farr, who was clerk of works for the Royal Engineers.

At Dale Castle, only one person was in residence on the night of the census (Sunday, March 31st) and this was the gardener, Henry E. Shorney, a married man of 50, born at Cannington, Somerset. Not far away at St Brides Mansion, the census lists the occupants as Grace Elizabeth, Baroness Kensington, her three sisters, brother, two cousins and 16 servants - from housekeeper and butler to scullery maid and footmen and including a nurse and coachman.

A gamekeeper, Alexander McTaggart from Duns in Scotland, was living at Keepers Cottage, Martins Haven, with his wife and two young sons. Their lodger was William Richards, a soldier and rabbit trapper. In St Davids, Police Constable William Morris from Llandissilio lived in Goat Street, and the chemist in Cross Square was Albert David from Laugharne in Carmarthenshire.

At Fishguard Harbour, the Convivium, a coasting ketch from Beaumaris, was manned by William Hughes, master, his mate, an able seaman and a cook.

In Fishguards New Smyth Street (named after John Smyth the maltster, originally from Veryan in Cornwall) dwelt an ostler, charwoman, laundress, mason, carpenter, farm labourer, grocer, tinplate worker and retired slate quarry worker, among others.

The Pembrokeshire Record Office can be found at the Castle in Haverfordwest and is open from 9 am to 4.45 pm Monday to Friday (closed 4.15 pm on Fridays). The Record Office will also be open on Saturday, April 6th , between 9.30 am and 12.30 pm, but will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday. Microfiche readers can be booked in advance by telephoning 01437 763707.

CAPTION St Brides Mansion: Occupied a century ago by Baroness Kensington, her three sisters, brother, two cousins and 16 servants