It is such a wonderful moment in family history research when you stumble upon an article, such as a marriage or obituary, where it can either help fill in a missing puzzle piece in a family tree, or provide further information about the family and help lead you down another avenue of research.
Whilst creating my Military Ancestors database, I also recorded all the weddings that appeared. One such wedding was of a Lieutenant Henry Leonard Euler, who was in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve to Miss Jane Elizabeth Bowl from New York.
The article included a photo of the couple, who looked very happy and smart on their big day.
Having created this database and adding all the names, it does make me wonder what happened to the people behind the names and photos. So I sometimes I like to research a little further to see if I can find a little more information about how their life turned out.
In the case of Henry and Jane, a quick search on Ancestry.com, revealed that they married in the county of Norfolk in Virginia USA in 1941, but then sadly divorced in 1943 in Pinellas, Florida.
I didn’t delve any further, but it makes you wonder what happened to tear this once happy couple apart.
Lieutenant H L Euler and Miss J E Bowl
The wedding of Lieutenant Henry Leonard Euler, R.N.V.R. (Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve), only son of Mr and Mrs Louis H. Euler, of 6 Southview, Bromley, to Miss Jane Elizabeth Bowl, daughter of Mr and Mrs Thomas W. Bowl, of New York, USA, took place in Norfolk, Virginia on June 7. THe service was conducted by the Rev. Henry Lloyd M.A., R.N.V.R.
The bridegroom has lived in Bromley for a number of years and has any friends here. He was educated at Dulwich College and Faraday House.
The bride was given away by Captain G. Seymour Tuck, R.N., in the absence of her father. The best man was Paymaster Lieutenant Ian Westmacott, R.N. The bride’s mother and siter, Miss Mae Evelyn Bowl, were both present.
Sources:
Bromley & District Times, 18th July, 1941 (pg. 4)
Ancestry – Florida, Divorce Index, 1927-2001
