Perplexed by Phoebe...

[mim]

Hi Michael,

This is the Hovvels info from the headstones at Burnhope Co Durham. They won't help in your search for Phoebe as they are of a much later date but perhaps may be of some use.

In Loving Memory of Mary Ann dearly beloved wife of Henry Hovvels of Burnhope who died August 31st 1917 aged 61 years. Also Henry their son who died at Ballengeich South Africa July 27th 1916 aged 31 years. Also Henry husband of the above who died March 17th 1925 aged 73 years.

In Loving Memory of John Wilkinson Hovvels the beloved husband of Frances Jane Hovvels who died June 10th 1924 aged 59 years. Also Phoebe Jane Hovvels beloved daughter of the above who died May 4th 1925 aged 20 years. Also Ethel their beloved daughter who died Feb 12th 1927 aged 19 years and 10 months. Also Wilson their son and beloved husband of Jennie died April 11th 1955 aged 52 years.

mim

[Quinlyn]

Hi Mim,

Thanks so much for that information, I am going to add that to my file.  It would seem that Henry and Phoebe have always been very popular first names for the Hovells/Hovvels family; they seem to go back as far as our research has taken us.  Your information has almost brought us right up to the present time.

I appreciate you taking the time to send me that information.  Thank you very much.

Kind regards,
Michael

[angelfish58]

The site www.gravestonephotos.com/public/findfamily.php?name=Hovells has an entry for a Phoebe buried in Lowestoft in 1879 age 56 so year of birth abt 1823, I wonder if this could be the Camberwell Phoebe taken back to Suffolk for burial?

[Quinlyn]

Hi Angelfish58,

Thanks for that information; I have just had a look at the website.  It would appear that that Phoebe was married to John Hovells, so she could have married a distant relative.  Jennifer is going to request the gravestone photograph from the people who have the website.  We are also going to order the death certificate of the 'Camberwell Phoebe' and see if there is any information on there that can help us solve the mystery...  We will keep you informed of our progress.

Thanks for finding that for us...

Michael

[angelfish58]

I wonder if any of the  Hovells who moved to Co.Durham emigrated to America? There's a a Phoebe Hovells Bowman (19.12.1836-31.1.1904) buried in Hillcrest Cemetery, Federalsburg, Caroline County, Maryland on   www.findagrave.com

[angelfish58]

 It would appear that that Phoebe was married to John Hovells,

It's too early  I never thought of her being married. Major blonde/senior moment 

[Quinlyn]

Hi Angelfish58

Our minds must be working on parallel trains of thought, as I had wondered about Australia.  I am trying to think about what the situation would have been for Phoebe back then.  Did young women, who were unmarried, travel abroad on their own in those times?  Someone mentioned that she might have migrated somewhere, but it would seem a big risk, plus she had a child.  Later her daughter is living with her grandparents, so Phoebe must have gone 'somewhere'.  I wonder if she has died and has not been registered or whether she has been registered and her name has been incorrect.

I would imagine that Phoebe Hovells Bowman is related, as Phoebe and Hovells seem to be popular a combination with the family history that I have discovered.  Thanks for letting me know about that, you have done well to discover it - I wouldn't know where to even start the search...  The one that you found on the gravestone could be the one that we are looking for, as there is only 2 years difference with the dates 1821/1823.  She could have married a distant cousin.

One of my colleagues suggested that she might simply have gone 'missing'.  In which case would people have known her name when she died?  It would be great to know what became of her.  I have told my Dad that we might never know what became of his gg grandmother Phoebe.  It is rather a puzzle...

Thanks again for your help, it's really good of you to be so helpful.

Michael

[angelfish58]

Hi Angelfish58

 she has been registered and her name has been incorrect.

Michael

Not impossible, I recently found one of mine who had been registered under the name James Stockdale instead of James Stockton, luckily I knew when he was buried, where he lived and his employment so it was easy to check the details with the local Register Office.

I've checked the NBI for Phoebe but only the Lowestoft one shows, Sunderland isn't covered if indeed she did die there unmarried.

I've also checked the 1851 census just using initials but with no likely results. I'll keep looking as I enjoy trying to track down the elusive ones.

[Quinlyn]

I do appreciate all of the time and effort you are taking trying to find my missing relative.  I don't think they can come much more elusive than this.  We found her name as Hoocks on one census, and Hobbles on another.  She could be registered under a similarly strange non-de-plume. 

You mentioned the NBI - what exactly is that?  There were a number of Phoebe Hovells that died in Durham, we have checked them all - as far as I know, most were children, apart from Phoebe's mother.  We haven't heard of the NBI.

I am very impressed with your tenacity...

Thanks again.
Michael