Sir,

I first visited Tenby, as a young lad, in the late 1950s. I fell in love with the place. Over the years, I have taken many holidays, either at Saundersfoot or Tenby, the last being a long weekend during September at Tenby. Whenever I have visited, it always felt like home.

These past few months, I have been researching my family history on my mother's paternal side. It came as a shock to discover that this branch heralded from Stepaside. No wonder the area felt like home. My great-grandfather was Thomas Welsh, born 1857, registered at St. Issell's, but living at Stepaside. Sometime in the 1870s he moved to Bristol and married in 1879.

Thomas's father was William Welsh, born 1809 at St. Issell's and living at Stepaside. In Narberth, 1841, he married Theodosia Davies, who was born in Amroth 1819. On the marriage register, his name is recorded as Welch. William died between 1861 and 1871. Theodosia remarried in 1873, at Narberth, to Thomas Griffiths and they continued to live at Stepaside.

I would like to take the Welsh line back further, but the earliest records I have obtained are the 1841 Wales Census. I am hoping that your readers may be able to assist, including the resting place of William. I can be contacted at [contact the Observer for an e-mail address]

Any information, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated.

Haydn Stenner