Dear Gwynneth,
Thank you for you help.
It seems the more I delve into Rowland Hughes the more confusing it gets. You are right He could not have married this Mary Hughes in 1836 too early. I have 7 marriage certificates from Wales and had to give up in the end (too expensive).
Found Rowland Hughes and Mary Hughes travelled together from England on ship to New York, August 1852 he was 32 and she was 22 years old. But she may not have been his wife?
His wife and child may have died in Wales.
In December 1852 R.R. Hughes arrived by ship in Melbourne, Australia from New York alone age 27 years. It was not unusual for men to drop there age so as to be allowed to immigrate to Australia.
The proven facts that I have are from his marriage in Australia where he changed his age 6 times according to the birth certificates of his children. Sometimes he was Rowland Hughes and other times he was Rowland Roderick Hughes. All 12 of his children are named on his death certificate in 1898, he is then aged 79. This would put his birth at 1819.
The church records show his marriage Rowland Hughes widower since 1849 1 child deceased. His age 35 years. Father Richard Hughes & Margaret Hughes maiden name Rowlands.
His New South Wales marriage certificate states the same.
I even have 11 marriage certificates of his children(1dec)
I may never find any more but I thank you for helping and maybe somebody else can bring light on this Hughes Family.
My email address is mayter1@dodo.com.au.
I will follow up your lead that his father may be Hugh Hughes.
Kind Regards
Lyn