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Dominique Hopton

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Dominique

Dominique Report 31 May 2007 22:07

Hi, This is a very long shot, but I'm getting desperate. My great Grandfather was a Arthur James Bowen, we think from wales, we are not sure where though. He was born around 1873. When he was about 14 this mum died in child birth (they baby didn't suvive either) and his father (it looks like Thomas from Arthurs marriage certificate) remarried. Arthur did not get on with his new step mum and ran away at 14 and joined the army, shropeshire regiment we think, lying about his age. He fought in the Boer war and recieved medals. While in the army he might have put his uncle and aunt down as next of kin/residence. He returned from the Boer War and took up residence in Gloucester marrying a Harriet Jane (Jenny) Winfield. We know from this time on he did not have any contact with the Bowens and did not talk about them, hence the difficulty tracing the family. My grandmother - who is about to turn 99 - remembers staying with some relatives of her fathers of the surname Dove. She remebers staying with 2 unmarried Dove sisters - but is not sure how they were exactly related. She called them Aunt but she is adamant that they weren't her fathers brothers - maybe much older cousin perphaps? If this rings a bell with anyone - maybe theres a family story out there where one of the sons ran away and disappeared, or theres an Arthur in your family tree who you don't know what happened too, I would love for you to get in contact with me. Dominique

Benjamin John

Benjamin John Report 23 Sep 2007 17:47

Hi Dominique,
"Enjoyed" your story and would love to help, unfortunately my Bowen line does not connect. From 1793 we're mainly based around the Whitland, Tavernspite and Saundersfoot areas (mainly tenant farners) and later Llanelli. That is apart from the four hundred or so American "cousins" (Hiawatha, Kansas).
Dove is not too common a surname in Wales though, I'll keep a look out.
Best wishes
Keith Bowen
Wolverhampton
PS Many Welsh folk moved into the county of Shropshire over the years and many of these "found" their way to Wolverhampton and other Midland places eventually, they seemed to do it in generational stages.