Accra: Family History Research - Can anyone help please.

10POSTS

14 years ago

Hello Everyone

I'm new to this forum, nice to meet you.

I'm researching my family history and am hoping that someone may be able to assist or point me in the right direction as to where I may obtain the information I require.

My family history research questions are with regard to a lady called Gladys Mary Bowyer (nee Clemmit). She was called Mary by her family and friends and was born on the 23 June 1935 in Danby, North Yorkshire, England and I believe sadly died in a car accident in Accra on or around the 25 October 1961.

Gladys Mary Bowyer went to Accra with her husband Michael Ashton Bowyer to do missionary work for the Methodist Church and I have been informed that a Methodist Minister in Accra made the arrangements for her funeral and burial as her parents back in England were unable to attend. Her parents and husband have since passed away.

I would like to try and obtain a copy of her death certificate, find out where she is buried and obtain any information/photos relating to her life in Accra and the circumstances of her death. If you can help with any of the aforementioned it would be most appreciated.

Many thanks for looking at my post.

John

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tochigi Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

Hi Cecilia,

Thank you very much for your reply and suggestion.

I'm not very familiar with Accra and the local media at all but have sent off 3 emails to various places that I've come across on the internet. So far no replies though.

If you, or anyone, could provide me with local media contact details, including an email address that I may get a response from it would be ever so helpful.

John

hkann Ghana Expert

1191POSTS

14 years ago

I have found an email address for the Methodist church in Ghana and I am sure they will have archives regarding missionaries etc.
The email is mcghqs@ucomgh.com
Hope this helps

tochigi Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

Hi hkann,

Many thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, that is one of the email addresses that I sent to (back on 23rd Jan 2012) and as of yet I haven't received any response. Your post however has prompted me to send another email to them.

I'm still open to further suggestions.

John

hkann Ghana Expert

1191POSTS

14 years ago

One newspaper that has been around a long time is the Ghanaian Times. They might have an archive as I am sure it would have been news at the time.
You can contact them a info@newtimes.com.gh

tochigi Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

That's great, many thanks for your help hkann. I shall give them a try. I'll let you know what happens.

PS. I've just resent my previous email to mcghqs@ucomgh.com

John

hkann Ghana Expert

1191POSTS

14 years ago

I have also found a publication which is a history of the Methodist Church in ghana written by Casely B Essamuah and he has a page on Facebook. He might be able to help you with where to go to conduct research.

tochigi Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

I sent an email to info@newtimes.com.gh but it came back straight away with a failed to deliver message. It appears that their mail box may be full. Just my luck ... LOL!! Will try again later.

I'll give your facebook suggestion a go. Thank you very much for your help.

tochigi Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

#10

I've sent an email to Casely B Essamuah. I'll update this thread as progress is made.

moreadventures1976 Member

17POSTS

14 years ago

#11

Very interesting search! I wish you the best of luck in your search and keep us posted in your findings!

tochigi Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

#12

Hi moreadventures1976,

Thank you for your interest in my thread. I've been researching my family history for a few years now but so far I haven't got very far with researching in Accra. My ancestors are mainly from England but with connections to Germany and Australia.

By the way, your pictures are fantastic. What amazing countryside you have over there!

Hi hkann,

I sent another email off to info@newtimes.com.gh this morning. So far, keeping fingers crossed, no failed to deliver message.

tochigi Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

#13

Hi All,

No replies from the emails I sent off yet. Even the "info@newtimes.com.gh" email eventually came back with failed to deliver again.

I'm still very much open to any help that anyone can give.

Have a great weekend.

John

hkann Ghana Expert

1191POSTS

14 years ago

#14

I am sure you have checked the various places in the UK that hold information on Methodist missionaries but just in case you haven't the University of Manchester has a Methodist collection and if you contact peter.nockles@manchester.ac.uk you might be able to find information about the couple there.

tochigi Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

#15

Hi hkann,

I've tried a few places in the UK, including the Methodist Church help-desk. I guess that they are busy with other higher priority business but I still hope I will get a reply from someone.

What would be useful is if there is someone on the ground in Accra that has access to newspaper archives from around the date I mentioned or has knowledge of or access to cemeteries and maybe even record/registry offices in the Accra area.

I'll just keep plugging away until something crops up.

Many thanks.

John

tochigi Member

10POSTS

14 years ago

#16

Hi All,

Update ...

Reply received back from the UK Methodist Helpdesk but unfortunately their leads have come to nothing.

Also reply received back from the SOAS Archives but again their leads haven't produced any results.

So still looking for any help I can get. Especially from anyone on the ground in Accra

John

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Ebony08 Active member

61POSTS

14 years ago

#17

Hi!
Have you tried the British High Commission in Accra? Ghana had recently gained its independence and they should have had a strong presence in the country. Perhaps there are some retired staff living in the UK who remember the accident that killed Mary.

Try to find people who were missionaries in Ghana. Why not put an add in a British newspaper. There are also many Ghanaians in the UK. Try to contact their associations and ask them to help you find methodists from Accra who could be helpful in giving you direct contact with their churches in Accra.I am sure that there are old Ghanaians in Accra who remember her and what happened. Don´t send any money though!!

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