By 1851 both her parents had died and Elizabeth was the sole survivor of four siblings. She was then living with her aunt, Joanna Cowling, in Fort Street, Stoke Damerel. The census record incorrectly shows them as sisters.
She was a witness to the marriage of Joanna in August 1857. I think it is worthy of note that Joanna had styled herself as Joanna Bourke, widow. She had given birth to a son in May 1857, fathered by William Bourke, but there had been no marriage. When the boy was baptised in September 1864, his birth was shown as May 1858.
That is the last trace I have found of Elizabeth. I am confident she is not the Elizabeth Cowling who married William "Cumbe" in September 1857. I believe that Elizabeth to have originated in Kingsbridge. Having said that, if she was as cavalier with facts as her aunt, it cannot be taken for granted that anything about Elizabeth is as it seems.
I have posed this question previously without success. Here's hoping for better luck this time.
Message Thread
« Back to index | View thread »