I am sending this request to both the Glamorgan and Monmouthshire List. Currently I am researching an Irish Catholic family named Lawler, who spent approximately 10 years in Wales after leaving Ireland: that was before they moved on to London, South Africa, New Zealand and eventually, Australia. Having hit the 'brick wall' with my research in Wales, I am hoping that someone can give me some more help. (I have had good leads from the list before.) James and Esther (Essie) Lawler appear on the 1851 census of Cwmdare, living at Penywaun with their sons Michael, 5 (born in Dublin) and John, 2 born in Aberdare. James is described as an 'excavator of iron mine'. I am very keen to find a record of the next son born, Hugh, as this was my grandfather: Hugh was probably born in 1854, possibly in Monmouthshire. I cannot find any record of his birth or christening. On his marriage certificate, it states that Hugh was born in Penrith, Wales. I assume this to be a misrepresentation of Penarth: are there any other possibilities? Being RC, it follows that John and Hugh were christened soon after birth. Following on from information given to me previously, I have been looking for baptism records from the few RC churches in Glamorgan and Monmouthshire at the time, but with no luck so far. Would there be any school records that I could search for Michael? Would there be any records of employment available to search? The family had moved on to London by the end of 1856. But I can find no record of father James, and the two eldest sons, Michael and John, on the 1861 census in London. I did find a John Sawlor on the Glamorgan census of that year. In the registration district of Merthyr Tydfil, parish of Merthyr Tydfil, sub-district Merthyr Tydfil, there is 12 year old John Sawlor. Could somebody please identify the rest of the household for me? I would be grateful for any suggestions that you can make, as I am running out of ideas. Thanking you Clare in Victoria, Australia