I am trying to trace the life and family (if any) of George Gonyie Bowe (b. 23 Nov 1799). He was baptised at Shilbottle, Northumberland, England on 16 Nov 1800, but given the gap between birth and baptism he may well have been born elsewhere. (His DOB was recorded at the time of the baptism.) His father was an officer in the army and probably spent much of the previous five years serving around the Mediterranean. George's age does not seem to match the ages for George Bowe (the joiner) in the UK census returns, but how accurate are these? Does anyone know what age George Bowe (the joiner) was when he died in Australia? Does it tally with a birth in late 1799?
Looking at the census returns and the GRO indexes, George Philip Bowe's younger brother, Joseph, had a son called Joseph Gonyie Bowe and this seems more than coincidental to me. The name Gonyie comes from George Gonyie Bowe's mother's family. I know nothing of her, except her name (Issidora Joakis Gonyie). As for the name itself, it also appears as Gonea or Gongue in the GRO index entries for Joseph G. Bowe, so I'm not sure what the correct spelling is.
Finally, have any anecdotal stories about George's background passed down through the family that might help to determine if the two men are the same person? I see there's a reference to George Bowe being an earl or related to royalty. If George Bowe (the joiner) and George Gonyie Bowe are one and the same then there is substance to this story, although he was not a member of the British nobility fallen on hard times!
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Jim Bowe