My great-grandfather, Michael Bowler, was reportedly from western County Kerry. Michael was born about 1834, the child of John Bowler and Ellen Fenton. He and his mother emigrated to the US sometime in the 1840s, eventually settling in Norwich, Connecticut. I've had no luck finding anything of Michael or his family in Ireland. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Hi Miriam -
Thank you for your response. I had seen the record of the baptism of Catherine Bowler. I had also found a marriage record for John Bowler and Ellen "Finnerty", also in Caherboshinna. I'm curious as to why there is no record of Michael Bowler's baptism and also about what happened to John and to baby Catherine. I'm also surprised I can't find any record of Michael and his mother immigrating to the U.S. In the Norwich Bulletin newspaper's obituary for Michael, it referred to him taking part in the 1849 Gold Rush in California. Pretty adventuresome for a 14/15 year old! Even though Michael had 13 children, my grandfather James appears to have been the only one of the 13 who had children of his own so it's pretty difficult to track down much about the family beyond census and city directory listings and death records. Also, my grandfather died when my father was less than 1 year old so my father's knowledge of the Bowler family was pretty limited. I greatly appreciate your efforts!
Best regards, Peter Bowler
Hi Miriam -
Again, thank you for your response, your efforts and your guidance.
I've attached Michael's obituary and his death certificate, which lists his birth year as 1835 and his mother's name as Ellen Fenton. The only record I can find of his mother in the US is in the 1870 census - where she is listed by her married name (Ellen Bowler) and is living in Norwich with Michael and his family. You didn't find this because the family name was transcribed from the census as Boulee. Ellen is listed as being 55, which puts her birth in Ireland around 1815. Regarding the 1900 census, for whatever reason Michael is not listed with his family at their home in Norwich (several of his adult children - including my grandfather James - were living at home with their mother). Michael is listed at that address in the 1900 Norwich City Directory so I have no clue why he isn't listed in the census.
I have no info regarding whether Ellen Fenton Bowler was a widow other than Michael's obit saying he came to the US in 1845 with his mother, no mention of a father or siblings. However, I couldn't find any John Bowler in the US/Norwich which would indicate being Michael's father. Regarding Catherine being Michael's sister, Michael's oldest girl is named Mary (probably after her mother - Michael's wife Mary); his 2nd girl is named Ellen, which was both Michael's mother and mother-in-law's name; his 3rd girl is named Catherine - possibly after a sister?
I have nothing that indicates Michael was a soldier in the American Civil War. If he was his mother's only child, he would have been able to avoid the draft as her sole source of support.
Again, thank you for all of your help. I have a number of questions regarding other ancestors - 7 of my 8 great-grandparents emigrated from Ireland - so I may be imposing on your helpfulness again soon!
Best regards, Peter