L.J.WILLIAMS - WEST OF ENGLAND CHAMPION

[Martyn Griffiths]

I am trying to find the first name of the above.

He was a player with close links both sides of the Channel near the end of the nineteenth century being a member of the Clifton and Cardiff clubs. At Clifton and had many tussles with Nelson Feddon and he won the club championship of Bristol ahead of Fedden in 1886. He was living in Cardiff in the 1890s and was readily accepted as one of that club’s strongest players. In 1899 he was recommended by the club as a member of the British Isles team to play against the U.S.A. In 1891 he played on top board for South Wales when Hastings chess club visited and drew with the former Sussex champion, H.F.Cheshire.

I am aware he played several matches for Gloucestershire 1898-1908. In 1899 he was said to be the holder of the West of England Challenge Cup.

I've been scratching my head on his identity for years. Anyone help?

[John Upham]

I am trying to find the first name of the above.

He was a player with close links both sides of the Channel near the end of the nineteenth century being a member of the Clifton and Cardiff clubs. At Clifton and had many tussles with Nelson Feddon and he won the club championship of Bristol ahead of Fedden in 1886. He was living in Cardiff in the 1890s and was readily accepted as one of that club’s strongest players. In 1899 he was recommended by the club as a member of the British Isles team to play against the U.S.A. In 1891 he played on top board for South Wales when Hastings chess club visited and drew with the former Sussex champion, H.F.Cheshire.

I am aware he played several matches for Gloucestershire 1898-1908. In 1899 he was said to be the holder of the West of England Challenge Cup.

I've been scratching my head on his identity for years. Anyone help?

I would suggest using

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/ as there are references to LJ Williams in various newspapers from that era.

[Richard James]

https://search.findmypast.co.uk/bna/vie ... %20cardiff

The South Wales Daily News of 24 October 1898 reports on LJ Williams of Llandaff drawing with Blackburne in a simul.

Although Williams is a very common Welsh surname I can only find one LJ Williams in Llandaff in the 1891 and 1901 censuses: a flour miller named Lewis J Williams. He employs a servant so he's reasonably well off.

https://www.findmypast.co.uk/transcript ... 0032088544

I'd guess, then, that this is probably your man. I'll see what else I can find.

[Richard James]

It seems highly likely this is the right chap. His wife, Ada Louisa Thorn, was from Clifton, which would explain LJW's activities in both Cardiff and Clifton.

The family emigrated to Calgary, Alberta, presumably in the early 1900s, which would explain why he disappeared from chess records at that time.

Some brief notes:

Lewis John WILLIAMS 1863-1909 died in Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Ada Louisa THORN 1866-1927 died in Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Children:
Mary Pasmore WILLIAMS (Thorn) Cardiff Q4 1889
John Trevor David Pasmore WILLIAMS (Thorn) Q1 1891 Died Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1918, administration in UK to Geoffrey (automobile dealer)
Lionel Pasmore WILLIAMS (Thorn) Cardiff Q1 1893 Died Calgary, Alberta, Canada 14 Nov 1966
Geoffrey Pasmore WILLIAMS (Thorn) Cardiff Q2 1895 Living in Boise, Idaho, USA in 1942
Dorothy Pasmore WILLIAMS (Thorn) Cardiff Q1 1900 died Q4 1900
Marcus WILLIAMS (Thorn) Cardiff Q1 1902 A miner: moved from Calgary to Alaska in 1934

[Kevin Thurlow]

I had a bet with myself that Richard would quickly come up with the answer. When I can go out, I will spend my winnings.

"He was a player with close links both sides of the Channel"

Bristol Channel rather than English Channel, I assume?

[Martyn Griffiths]

That's very good! He played his last county match in 1908 and teh family emigrated to Canada that year. I'll try you with a harder one!