Catherine Bovell (Bovil) was born in Ireland 11 Aug 1846, to parents Samuel and Hannah. She grew up in Georgetown, Ontario. Her father like William's was a weaver originally from Ireland.

        In 1852 Catherine is found in the census with her parents and three siblings. Catherine was six at the time. She had an older sister Helen, eight a younger sister and brother Elizabeth four, and Robert just two.(1)  

        The two elder girls were born in Ireland which indicates that the family immigrated to Canada in about 1847.

        In the next census of 1861, the family has increased with the addition of four more children; William Ira nine, Samuel seven, Johannah five and Abigail two. In this census Catherine’s age is listed as fourteen. Depending on when the census was taken this could be accurate.(3)

        By  1871, Catherine has another sibling Agnes, six years old. This is the last census where she will appear. Catherine is twenty-four in this census.(3)