I have a bit of puzzle that have worked on for years and never made much more progress. It relates to a sister of one of my ancestors.
Eva Harriett Gardner was born 13 May 1884 in Halford, Warwickshire, England.
In 1907, Eva married William Oscar Attrill on the Isle of Wight. They had two daughters - Norah (1907) and Joan (1914).
While William Attrill was away at war, Eva became pregnant by another man, and gave birth to a son Jack in January 1919, at Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, where Eva's mother was still living. Jack was adopted (changed surname) and later raised by his mother's sister.
Later in 1919, in London, Eva bigamously married Alfred Wells, who we think was the father of Jack. She used the name Eva Gardner when they were married to avoid suspicion.
William obtained a divorce from Eva on the grounds of adultery in 1922 (this was reported in the local papers). These record Alfred Bartlett as the co-respondent in the case. I believe that Alfred Bartlett and Alfred Wells were the same man, but have yet to definitely demonstrate this and do not know why the two names.
William Attrill and their two daughters remained on the Isle of Wight, and, it seems, never had anything to do with Eva after this point.
So why all this on the Australia board? Family rumour has it that Eva and "Alf Wells" emigrated to Australia in the early 1920s, and that they had two daughters of their own. She was apparently pregnant when they left.
However, I have not been able to find any record of the family moving to or living in Australia. I have no idea where in Australia they may have gone, or when they might have died. Can anyone find any details on their life in Australia?
Thank you,
Alexander
