Articles

Among our generous researchers, there are many talents. We'd like to encourage your writing talents! Please consider writing an article that might be of interest to those who find this site. Some ideas are: what you are specifically interested in researching and why, what inspired you to pursue this hobby, a moment in history involving one of our ancestors, or a brief biography of one of our ancestors.  Please also visit our Memorial pages presented with the greatest of love.

This index is arranged in the order of our family grouping:  Rychard(1),Ralphe(3), Samuel(8),Hannah(8), John(8), Sarah(8), Thomas(8), Thomas(7), George(7), Richard(7),Richard(5)
 
 

Descendant
Group
Title and Link, Author, Subject, and Researcher's Genealogy Dream....
Rychard(1) ORIGINS OF BOWLBY AS A SURNAME - by Raymond Edwin Bowlby (14) descendant of  Thomas(8), This is an important essay, and a tribute to Raymond Edwin Bowlby. For 40 years he explored our roots. He exchanged "snail mail" with probably tens, if not hundreds, of descendant researchers. He worked collaboratively and collectively. Each time any of us share our knowledge with one another, we are continuing his efforts.  Ray's dream would probably be for all of us to keep working on this...

 
" The History of Griff by Haydn Scott.  Mr. Haydn Scott, an historian living in the area of our first known ancestors, has kindly given us permission to use his article about the history of the area to be used however we'd like.  We are pleased our ancestors are featured in this article, and most appreciative of his generous donation to our efforts!
" Excerpts from THE IRON WORKER AND KING SOLOMON by Joseph Harrison, Jr.(10), From Thomas(7), first published in 1869.   Shared with us by the efforts of  John Marshall (15). This is truly a most amazing piece.  It is one of the oldest works, yet newly discovered from Bowlby researchers perspective.  Joseph Harrison, Jr. had captured a previously hidden treasure for our family, and we are extremely grateful that John Marshall has found us and shared with us this piece.  Martha (Barker) Bowlby, it must be said, is nothing less than the mother of just about *every* Bowlby descendant in the "new world".  Enjoy!!!  You *must* see this piece.
" First Settlers in North New Jersey Transcribed and contributed by Robert Leonard Bowlby, Sr. (14) From Thomas(8)  Originally published in 1912 and reprinted in 1969, this article offers an early and amazing account of the family. We are indebted to Robert for not only transcribing the article, but for sharing the original date of publication that was lost in the photocopies of the reprint!
" THOMAS BOWLBY REMEMBERED  by Mary McAllister (15) From Hannah(8), Mary takes a moment to remember our first forefather to step onto the soil of this new world, and speculates how things may have been. It is light hearted and done with great love.  Although not descended from Sarah(8), Mary is trying hard to preserve her memory, her descendants, and her information. Mary would love to find out more about this ancestor!
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Oregon Trail - Bowlby Style  by Norman Wayne Bowlby (Richard 7).  For many many years, Wayne has been involved with Bowbly family research, reunion, organization - oh just about everything really - and he is amongst our best writers too!  As a means of encouraging participation in the 2008 reunion, Wayne put a few notes to our working group which have been strung together here.  Enjoy!


Samuel(8) 1947 Letter "from Tex to Mildred (McCloud) Bowlby" by Tex (aka Arthur Vincent Bowlby)(14) descendant of  Samuel(8) A delightful and colorful "welcome to our family" letter, written by Tex to his new daughter-in-law.
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The Bowlsby Family by William B. Lambert, originally published Aug. 1, 1902, Neligh Leader, Antelope County, Nebraska.  Obtained by the Nebraska State Historical Society.
" Montana in Verse by Ethel Evangeline (Bowlsby) Williams Boucher(13) and shared with us with wonderful comments by her granddaughter in-law, Gara (Yeoman) Williams, wife of Larry Charles Williams(15) - a descendant of Samuel(8).  These are simply beautiful poems inspired by pioneer days, Montana, cow boys - and most importantly, Ethel's life.  Also available here is an excellent article about Ethel and her pioneering adventures with her family on their adventures in the wild west. 


" Dr. Wilson Bowlby (1818-1895) Oregon Pioneer by Janine M. Bork.  Janine is not a descendant, but a very active researcher in Oregon. While transcribing The History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington, she kindly thought of us!  A short article from the History of Pacific Northwest - Oregon and Washington Volume II - Page 220 Copyright 1889


" The Diary of William Harrison Bowlby(11)   This has been shared with us from the preservation of efforts of Florence (Johnson) Kring(14) and the transcription efforts of Mildred (Bowlby) Hemmingsen/Hatcher/Nadeau (14).   Both are descendants of Samuel(8).  After a family review, it is William Harrison Bowlby's account of his Civil War activities.

 

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Ohio Bowlby Ghost Still Visiting His Former Home.    by Wayne Bowlby (Richard 7) This is an interesting story shared by Lucille Bowlby of Galion, Crawford County, Ohio and confirmed by David Eugene Bowlby.  Lucille had been living in a house which belonged to her father-in-law, Salamis Bowlby, since 1940.  Her nephew, David, had similar experiences while staying in an upstairs bedroom of his aunt's home.

Hannah(8) The Simmons-Weddington House  by Joy Q. Gallagher, wife of Jimmy Gallagher(16) from Hannah Martha(8)  This is a beautifully researched article about the home and lives of the family involved with the Simmons-Weddington Home.  Excellent- especially for those interested in the descendants of Martha's son, John Bowlby Palmer.  A 2010 updated version that includes memories by Harry K. Boswell and a detailed house description by Waring McCrady, Ph.D, is now available.  It appeared in the October 2010 issue of the quarterly Franklin Country Historical Society of Winchester, TN HistoricalTimes and is used with their permission.

 

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NJ to NC, TN, AR, and TX - One Hannah Martha (8) Family's Journey by Norman Wayne Bowlby.(Richard 7)  Wayne has provided us with some interesting details of the family of John Bowlby Palmer and Sarah Rich.  John was one of the several children of Hannah Martha (8) (Bowlby) and Edmund Palmer.  Read about their migration to different parts of the USA, their children, occupations, community involvement, their participation in the American Civil War, and the Texas Rangers.  You're sure to enjoy this brief but comprehensive article by one of our more prolific writers.

John(8) Interim Report on John Smith Hood and Mary Maria Smyth Hood  by John J. Hood (not quite sure yet how John fits into the tree).  But John does write a Newsletter for the Hood family!  You can email him at:  TheTNHoods@cs.com.  John shares this excellent and well researched article regarding Mary Maria Smyth and her husband and family.  Mary Maria Smyth(11) was a great-grandaughter of John(8).
" Excerpt from: The History of the 39th Regiment - Illinois Volunteer Veteran Infantry. by Charles M. Clark, M.D. - published in 1899. Shared with us by Charles Stanley <ballot@aol.com>  This is an excerpt from Dr. Clark's work, that highlights the Civil War experience of George Riddle (11) from John (8). Will surely be of interest to descendants of John, Military History fans, the Illinois family, as well as just *anyone* who enjoys "hearing" our ancestors speak to us through the generations!!!Charles Stanley <ballot@aol.com> is very interested in all things relating to the 39th. He is not a cousin - (at least that we know of...) but would love information about the 39th.
" TRIBUTE TO THE UNSUNG  by John Grismore (14) From John(8) Having married into this family, I particularly appreciate the very lovely sentiment John expresses here. :)
" Points of Pride:  John Grismore by John Grismore (14) From John(8) A delightful collection of information from John Grismore, that let's us get to know his branch of our family. John is hoping to find more information about the descendants of William Boyles - born in Ireland and died in Green Co., Pa. about 1812.  John's ancestor, James P. Bowlby(11) married Irene Boyles, a descendant of William Boyles.
" Memorial to Eva Kendall Bowlby  by Maddy Hume(16) From Samuel(8)  Maddy was inspired to create this memorial page and article for a wonderful women, Eva Kendall Bolwby, wife of Carhart Bowlby(12), a descendant of John(8). Eva left her family home to help establish the Bowlby Library in Pennsylvania.  Maddy would probably like more than *anything* to get information she has from her branches' historical researchers, syncronized with those of other branches efforts. Just who *is* Grace Lacy anyway?
George(7) THE HOUSE  By Mary Ann (Card) Powell was not a Bowlby descendant. But, her father was once married to a descendant and her mother was the second wife of her maternal grandmother's husband. Her maternal grandmother was a Bowlby descendant.  Confused yet? Just wait :) This is the wonderful story of The home was built in the 1790's George Bowlsby(8), son of George Bowlby (7), son of Thomas and Martha (Barker) Bowlby (6). It is now the Parsippany Troy Hills Historical Museum. We enjoy this article by the kind permission of Mrs. Powell's children, and with the help of Andrea Cobb and Adrian Card. Our collective dream is to preserve this House, and allow others to enjoy it for generations to come.


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Gladys Evelyn (Bowlby) Banks 1916-2002 RICHARD (7) DESCENDANT NEARING 100 YEARS OF AGE by Norman Wayne Bowlby Each of us plays an important role to our family story.  Thankfully, our cousin Wayne Bowlby (Richard 7), was inspired to explore the life of his Grandaunt,  Gladys Evelyn (Bowlby) Banks (7).  Gladys was the last of the 11th generation of descendants of Rychard (1) and Alyson Bolbie from the 1500s (that we are aware of anyway...)  Some children being born today are 23 generations removed from Rychard and Alyson!
" Excerpts from A HISTORY OF THE BOWLBY DISTRICT by Idah M. W. Van Housen. - published in 1940.  Shared with us by Janis (Bigelow) Pahnke (13) From Richard(7)  This is an excerpt a volunteer from the Steuben County Historical Society gave us permission to use Aug. 2000. The Historical Society is considering re-publishing the book. None of the photos have been included with this paper. The extraction is focused upon the branch of the Bowlby family, presumed to have come from Richard(7)'s youngest son, James. (It is thought James was left with his married sister as the move to the wilderness of Nova Scotia during the Revolutionary War was considered too dangerous.) Janis has been researching for over 30 years, and yet her dream continues to be to find *really* how James fits into the family. Through all her years of extensive research, and all the wonderful things written about this branch of the family, proof of how James *really* fits in still alludes us.


Richard(5) The Lady Mary (Burdenell) and Thomas Bowlby (7) by Cynthia (Katzman) Bowlby - wife of John Michael Bowlby(16), descendant of John(8).  Actually, this article is really amazing because of the kind assistance of the curator of the Gainsborough House, Hugh Belsey.  This was a really enjoyable article to research and write.  Please do stop in for a glimpse of the aristrocratic branch of the family.