Selina Taylor Merthyr Iron Puddler's daughter born in FRANCE

[clansman68]

Hi all,



My Great-Great Grandmother was Selina Taylor. She married Henry Matthews, was widowed, and remarried my Great-Great Grandfather Evan Williams in Middlesbrough in 1871.



Both the Williams and Taylor families originated from Dowlais / Merthyr.



However, unlike her siblings who were born in Wales, Selina is consistently shown as being born in France.



Her father John Taylor was an Iron Puddler. Her mother was called Jane.



I've been advised by a member on Rootschat, that it was common for Ironworkers from the Valleys to be found in France during the 1800s as their expertise was in demand.



The problem I have is finding a birth record for Selina. All census records for her from 1851-1901 show her place of birth France and that she is a British Subject, but the 1851 census, where she is listed as Celina Taylor also states Rasville as her place of birth and 1891 shows Hasville in South of France. I can't find either of these places or Ironworks with these names.



She was born circa 1842.



Any advice appreciated, thanks!

[mikemerthyr]

Hello clansman
Could the town in France be Ranville in Normandy?

Mike

[clansman68]

Hi Mike,

It could be, but another suggestion made to me is Decazeville in the South of France. Apparently many Ironworkers from Dowlais / Merthyr went to Decazeville to help set up the ironworks there. Also Jane Selina’s mum was connected to the Plymouth ironworks in Dowlais and many of the puddlers from Plymouth went to Decazeville ironworks. In one census Selina states she was born in South of France.I’m trying to find a list of the workers or a contact who could put me in touch with someone who knows how to access birth and baptism records in Decazeville.

Regards,
Stefan

[morlais]

Aug 3, 2019 12:54:03 GMT 1 clansman68 said:

Hi Mike,

It could be, but another suggestion made to me is Decazeville in the South of France. Apparently many Ironworkers from Dowlais / Merthyr went to Decazeville to help set up the ironworks there. Also Jane Selina’s mum was connected to the Plymouth ironworks in Dowlais and many of the puddlers from Plymouth went to Decazeville ironworks. In one census Selina states she was born in South of France.I’m trying to find a list of the workers or a contact who could put me in touch with someone who knows how to access birth and baptism records in Decazeville.

Regards,
Stefan

If you have not solved your problem, I suggest that you contact the French Embassy in London, they are bound to give you guidance on the matter.
Thank you for the information regarding Decazeville, Aveyron, Occitanie. I was not aware that Merthyr workers were employed in the ironworks there!