Elizabeth (Bowker) Lewis

Born [date unknown] in UK

Wife of George Warne Lewis — married 1 Aug 1911 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Died 5 May 1972 in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Leslie Cooper [send private message]

Biography

Elizabeth Bowker thought she was born in Brisbane to Joseph Bowker and Mary Cunnington; it is highly likely she was born overseas.

Shipping- [1] is still unconfirmed; there are two arrivals noted here.

The confusion began when Elizabeth's family informed us that she claimed to be born in Queensland. However; her birth has not been found in Queensland so this shipping record to Cooktown Queensland seems a likely record

On 11 April 1883; the S.S. Royal Mail Service; "Duke of Buccleuch" arrived Cooktown; Joseph Bowker age 28 years; Mary, 29 years; and infant Mary.

There is no record of a Marine birth for Elizabeth so it has been assumed that she was was born to her parents left England.

It took quite a deal of searching by four different researchers to find a birth for Elizabeth in Australia without a result.

This [2] second record is for the ship "Merkara" which departed from London on 16 November 1886; passengers were Mrs Mary Bouker; George Lawrence Bouker; two year old Elizabeth; they arrived in Queensland on 11 January 1887. The married couples and families were placed into quarantine on arrival; because of reported outbreaks of measles, typhoid and chicken pox.

The area of the port of Brisbane was also badly affected by strong winds; flooding and damaged cargo; whilst the "Merkara" was in port.

Married George Warne Lewis on 1 August 1911 in Brisbane Queensland, Australia and they had five known children named:- George Lewis, Leonard Lewis, Jack Lewis, William Lewis, Mary Myrtle Lewis.

Death occurred on 5 May 1972.

Parent's names on death record are Joseph Bowker and Mary Cunnington

Sources

• Personal collection of events witnessed by Joan Lewis

• Bowker- Shipping [1] Ref- Brisbane Custom House Index and Queensland Assisted Immigrants Index 1880's

• Bowker- [2] Shipping Ref- Queensland Assisted Immigration Index 1880's.

• Bowker-Bouker [2] outbreak of disease Ref- Western Star Roma and Advertiser Toowoomba Wednesday 26 January 1887

• Bowker- m. Qld. Aus. Ref- 1911/B010441

• Lewis- d. Qld. Aus. Ref- 1972/B032065