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Genealogist
The New Zealand
February 2019 Vol 50 No 375
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Genealogist
The New Zealand April 2019:
Manawatū and Rangitı̄kei
June 2019:
Northern England
February 2019 Vol 50 No 375 August 2019:
Family History Month
JOURNAL OF THE NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY OF GENEALOGISTS INC
TE RANGAPŪ KAIHIKOHIKO O AOTEAROA October 2019:
Marriages
Contents December 2019:
The Americas
Features
February 2020:
4 Miles Dillon The sad case of Mr Valentine Magan Memorials. How are your
6 Jenny Lister The soldier who came home to die ancestors remembered?
9 Christine Barbour Mourning jewellery Headstones, rolls of honour,
10 Cheryl Clague The death of Charlotte Nicholas parks, seats?
12 Rod Smith Guinness down under April 2020:
17 Sarah Hewitt The NZSG’s new Getting It Righ Nelson/Marlborough
learning resources June 2020:
23 Death records Cemeteries
28 Julie MacDonald Deadly viruses August 2020:
28 Charles Bagnall Antipodean Transplants Family History Month
30 Graham Jones British Commonwealth Air
October 2020:
Training Plan ‘Black sheep’
37 Christine Clement The Hawke’s Bay Earthquake –
December 2020:
some mysteries solved Eureka moments
40 Valerie Love Managing your personal digital archives
February 2021:
Regulars Australia
3 Board News 34 News from Archives General: Articles of any subject
16 Letters New Zealand relevant to this magazine which
18 Genealogy on the 42 Branches meet the submission criteria will
Internet 46 Members’ enquiries be considered. We especially
20 Library and notices seek how-to articles based
around a source or subject
22 Projects 47 Interest Groups which explains relevance, access
24 Record collections Inside back cover and use.
26 Services and benefits Branch and Interest
See next page for submission
for NZSG members Group services information.
29 News from editor@genealogy.org.nz
New Zealand
Cemeteries and
Crematoria Collective
Journal distribution
cover: An Auckland officer placing a wreath on the
grave of Lieutenant W P Richards, near Abeele, France.
Change of address and
Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association: general enquiries: Membership
New Zealand official negatives, World War 1914–1918. Administrator, PO Box 14036,
Ref: 1/2-013744-G. Panmure, Auckland 1741.
Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. E: membership@genealogy.org.nz
Item link: http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22673914.
https://www.facebook.com/NZSGFRC/ The New Zealand Genealogist February 2019 1
Objectives of the NZSG Submission of copy
• To promote the study of family histories, whakapapa, genealogies and kindred Articles of any subject relevant to this
subjects to the members of the Society and the New Zealand public. magazine and that meet the submission
• To advance the education of the members of the Society and the New Zealand criteria will be considered for publication.
public in the study of family histories, whakapapa, genealogies and kindred We especially seek how-to articles based
around a source or subject that explain
subjects. relevance, access and use. We prefer
• To provide assistance for the members of the Society and people wishing to submissions in electronic format by
compile family histories from sources in New Zealand and overseas. email in.doc,.txt or.rtf file format emailed
to editor@genealogy.org.nz. Hard copy
• To set up, operate and maintain a library of genealogies and related books, submissions should be typed, with adequate
documents and digital records and to encourage the preservation of records margins and double spacing, on one side of
having a genealogical or historical value. A4 paper and posted to the Editor, NZSG,
• To encourage accurate and scholarly research into the histories of P O Box 14036, Panmure, Auckland 1741.
Include your name, contact details and
New Zealand families and from time to time publish the results. membership number.
• To accept copies of family histories and whakapapa for the purposes of Images
research. Photographs or other supporting
• To foster awareness of family links and knowledge of heritage. illustrations should be provided as.jpg or.tiff
files at 300dpi. Do not reduce the size of the
• To do all such other lawful acts and things as are incidental or conducive to image captured by the camera, scanner or
the attainment of all or any of the above objects. screenshot. Images embedded in Microsoft
Word documents cannot be accepted.
Provide descriptive captions for each image,
Membership entitles you to including name of photographer if known,
owner, institutional reference if applicable.
• All issues of The New Zealand Genealogist per year. The submitter is responsible for obtaining
• Have your research interests and queries published in the magazine at no cost. permission to use all images submitted and
• Borrow from the society’s library (NZ residents only). will be asked to confirm this in writing.
• Have queries answered from the reference material held by the society. Editing
The Editorial Team reserves the right to
• Access to the NZSG Record Collections and Research Services. edit articles to meet standards and for
• Access to online services via the society website. readability, but if substantial changes are
required the Editor will consult with the
author.
How to become a member Criteria
Applications to become a member can be made online at 1. Relevance: related to people and their
www.genealogy.org.nz or may be made in writing. society; genealogy, family history,
whakapapa, research, documentary
Application forms can be downloaded from the website or sources, application, biography,
are available from NZSG Membership Department, PO Box 14036, genealogical technology etc.
Panmure, Auckland 1741. 2. Length: Feature articles: 1,800 to 2,700
words (2–3 pages) plus images; Short
Membership Category Subscription articles: 5–900 words plus images.
Open to any one individual Copy deadlines
Ordinary $91.00 Feature articles submitted for consideration
(one magazine, one vote) must be received by the Editor by the
Open to any two persons living in the same following dates:
Joint $113.00 Issue Last date for consideration
household (one magazine, two votes)
February 3 November
Affiliate Open to libraries, similar reference or April 10 January
(NB: formerly called $149.00 June 3 March
Institutional)
educational institutions. August 3 May
October 3 July
Youth Open to people 12–21 years. $30.00 December 3 September
The deadline for regular contributions
Members living overseas also pay additional for airmail postage on six magazines. from NZSG, Branches and Interest Groups,
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ISSN 0110–4012 Members’ Area
© COPYRIGHT New Zealand Society of Genealogists Inc. and Authors. Researchers and Includes: Contact Sought, Information
teachers may reproduce articles for private use provided that the source is acknowledged. Wanted, Information Offered, Trader
and Reunion notices. Members may
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect submit queries of no more than 50 words
the views of NZSG Board or staff. NZSG Board reserves the right to remove or amend (excluding submitter’s name, address
any advertisement or article but is under no obligation to exercise editorial control. No and membership number). These can be
content may be reproduced, published or transmitted in any manner without prior written emailed, or if in hard copy, they must be
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magazine does not constitute a recommendation by NZSG to enter into any transaction abbreviate your enquiry. All surnames
or follow any course of action. Any decision that you make must be based solely on should be in capitals. There is no limit to the
your own evaluation of your circumstances and objectives. NZSG recommends that number of entries you may submit, but your
you independently verify the accuracy, currency or reliability of any information made full name, address and membership number
available in advertisements and articles and upon which you intend to rely. must be included with each entry.
2 The New Zealand Genealogist February 2019 www.genealogy.org.nz
Board News
Getting It Right conclusion was an appreciation of our
Our new online learning resource is launched this month – ‘point of difference’ – the genealogical skill
see page 17. I want to thank author and presenter Sarah and experience residing in our extensive
Hewitt for the considerable research, consultation and care member network nationwide. The challenge
she put into writing and producing the resource, and Gerry is utilising that for our own and others’ benefit, now and
McGlinchy and Mary Woods from Kilbirnie Branch who in the future, to grow and sustain our organisation.
gave her help and guidance. Thanks also to NZSG Director We are determined to improve membership numbers,
Gill Knox and the Wellington Masonic Club Inc. to whom service provision and revenue streams. We have re-focused
Gill applied for the grant which funded the resource. It was our goals and strategies accordingly, and developed
a pleasure to attend Kilbirnie’s December meeting and relevant performance criteria. Our current technology
make thank you presentations in person. upgrades will underpin new opportunities which reflect
You can easily access Getting It Right from the front page our new direction.
of our website. Have a look. While it contains beginners’ Members will have the opportunity before our late
material, experienced genealogists will also find useful March Board meeting to comment via Survey Monkey on
hints and reminders e.g. a concise summary of the main our re-focused Strategic Plan, which will then be refined
points related to DNA. Because Getting It Right is on the and finalised before the AGM planned for mid-June in
public side of our website, please draw it to the attention of Auckland.
anyone who is starting their research. All of us can use this Technology upgrade progress
resource to encourage others to join NZSG.
We start 2019 with some elements of our technology
Strategic Plan upgrade already in place or underway. Library Coordinator
The NZSG Board spent a full day in November reviewing John Mitchell has been familiarising himself and Library
our Strategic Plan. Board members represent a wide volunteers with the cloud-based upgrade of Access-IT.
geographical spread, have in-depth Branch, Interest Group, Membership Administrator Brent Giblin has been
project and FRC experience, as well as skills in technology, assisting NZSG Directors Tony Mort and Bruce Holm with
finance, policy, business, management and community procurement of a new membership database, and data
involvement. input and project development continues for the online
We researched and consulted beforehand. Thanks Kiwi Collection.
very much to those who provided us with invaluable 2019 promises to be another busy year as planned
information and advice. On the day we constructively developments roll out.
worked together to reach consensus. A seemingly-obvious Mary Shadbolt, NZSG Board Chair
Staff changes
We have said farewell and thanks to Rachel Bourgaize, Membership Administrator, and Karen Woodburn,
Library Coordinator, and welcome in their places Brent Giblin and John Mitchell.
Board of Directors Membership Administrator Auditor
Mary Shadbolt (Chairperson Brent Giblin William Buck Audit (NZ) Limited
and Executive) T: 09 570 4248 Ext 2
Peter Gibson (Finance and Executive) E: membership@genealogy.org.nz Editor
Bruce Holm (Vice Chairperson Bruce Ralston
and Executive) Accounts Administrator E: editor@genealogy.org.nz
David Jack Hetti Gamage Layout
Gill Knox T: 09 570 4248 Ext 3
WordsAlive Ltd www.wordsalive.co.nz
Julie MacDonald E: accounts@genealogy.org.nz
Tony Mort Printed by
Jillian Williams Projects Co-ordinator Shenzhen Jinhaoyi Color Printing
Robyn Williams Carole Devereux Co. Ltd, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
T: 09 570 4248 Ext 6
NZSG Manager Published by
E: nzsg.projects@genealogy.org.nz
Barbara Haughey The New Zealand Society of
T: 09 570 4248 Ext 5 Webmaster Genealogists Inc.
E: nzsgmanager@genealogy.org.nz Vacant PO Box 14036, Panmure,
Library Co-ordinator E: webmaster@genealogy.org.nz Auckland 1741
John Mitchell 159 Queens Road, Panmure,
T: 09 570 4248 Ext 4 Hon Solicitor Auckland 1072
E: librarycoordinator@genealogy.org.nz Harold Kidd General enquiries T: 09 570 4248 Ext 1
https://www.facebook.com/NZSGFRC/ The New Zealand Genealogist February 2019 3
The sad case of Mr Valentine Magan
Miles Dillon to delirium. On Wednesday Dr J R true. All the medical men of the city
Nicholson was called in by Dr Philson. were kept busy vaccinating the anxious
At that time Mr Magan was speaking populace. “On Thursday [the day of
P apersPast helped crack a
longstanding mystery – the
significance of a document lurking in
in a somewhat incoherent manner,
showing that the delirium had not quite
Valentine’s death] and yesterday, Dr
Stockwell and the City Health Officer’s
passed away. At the first Dr Nicholson premises were perfectly besieged, and
our family archives.
felt satisfied that it was a similar case he found it necessary to send for some
In July 1872 my great-grandfather to that of the late Mrs Gardner – members of the Constabulary to keep
Patrick Dillon sent a statement of suppressed small-pox – but after hearing order amongst the crowd whilst they
account for the care of the late Valentine Dr Philson’s account of the various awaited their turn.”
Magan. The deceased owed Patrick’s early symptoms he had observed, The “native districts” were to be
wife Elizabeth, who ran a boarding Dr Nicholson suspended his judgment vaccinated. Mr Gardner, whose wife had
house, twenty pounds six shillings. on the case. One thing was very peculiar so recently died, re-opened his business,
I could understand items like rental about Mr Magan’s case. On various parts an eating-house, the site of an outbreak
of apartments, lemonade, cash paid to of his body well-marked ecchymosis of small-pox. “Respecting the prudence
a nurse, but was intrigued by charges was observed, showing plainly that a of this step we leave our readers to
to the estate for “bed, bedding, &c great degree of blood-poisoning had judge”, the Southern Cross commented.
consumed”, a horse hair “mattrass”, taken place by which it had lost its He and his family had been offered
bed hangings, feather bolster and fibrin. There were also many red spots quarantine in one of the brick cottages
pillow, curtains and tassels, even a like measles. Dr Nicholson then gave it in the Domain “until the danger of
carpet. I puzzled over this for many as his opinion that ecchymosis would infection spreading from his premises
years, sensing a deeper story, the key to increase, and that in all probability Mr would have been at an end”, but he had
which I deduced might lie in the cause Magan would not live over 48 hours. issues with the Provincial Government
of Valentine’s death. The brief death This prediction has been unfortunately and refused the offer.
certificate which I obtained, informed too correct, for yesterday morning Mr The day after Valentine’s death,
me that the 26-year-old died on 11 July Magan breathed his last.” his clothing, bedding and so on were
at Grafton Road where the Dillons lived. Valentine must have known matters burned and the place fumigated. “It
Dr Philson certified that the poor fellow were serious. On the day before he was reported the female attendant who
had been taken off by malignant typhus. died he prepared a will in which he left waited on the deceased gentleman had
My hunch was right. ten pounds to Elizabeth Dillon; the suffered from infection, but we have not
What came as a real surprise was the balance to his mate Frederick George received any confirmation of the report.”
discovery that Valentine’s demise had MOORE, late private secretary to Chief “These rumours are most injurious
created quite a sensation in Auckland. Justice Arney. Valentine’s signature, the unless contradicted,” the Southern Cross
Laurie Gluckman in Touching on signature of a clerk, speaks eloquently of continued, “as they are calculated to
Deaths 1 states that typhus, typhoid and the ravages of the disease. alarm unnecessarily persons residing
dysentery were often confused. It was As a clerk at the BNZ, Valentine had in the districts indicated. Some system
only in 1869 that the distinction was been in contact with the public and his should, therefore be adopted, such as
made between typhus and typhoid. work colleagues. Another bank clerk reporting any cases to the police, for
In the present case small-pox and who had visited Valentine was taken furnishing the public with reliable and
urticaria further clouded matters. sick and was unable to attend to his definite information.”
Under the headline ‘The Small- duties. At the same time the head ledger In her book Dirt 2 Pamela Wood
Pox’, the Daily Southern Cross of 12 keeper succumbed to an ailment. “We describes in detail the challenges and
July downplays public concern over are informed on the best authority that responses of authorities to matters of
Valentine’s death: “The public mind the head ledger keeper in the Bank of hygiene in the “new world arcadia” of
seems to be unnecessarily excited about New Zealand had no opportunity of Dunedin. Affairs were much the same in
the disease. Mr McGregor (another contracting the disease from Mr Magan, Auckland and drew responses couched
ailing Aucklander) is reported to be for he did not see him during his in similar colourful language.
progressing well and Mr Lucas is only illness. This gentleman’s illness is of the Despite the official downplay
suffering from urticaria (nettle-rash).” mildest character, and we are informed of its seriousness, the present case
But then there is the case of Mr Magan that it bears no resemblance whatever provided the Southern Cross with a
who had died the day before. to either typhus or small-pox in fact golden opportunity to rail against the
Valentine worked as a clerk at the we understand it bears a good deal of authorities. “This should rouse the City
Bank of New Zealand. Evidently, he had likeness to what is known among boys Council to the necessity of remedying
not been well and had been vaccinated as ‘school fever’.” the sewage before the warm weather of
by Dr Philson on Friday, 5 July, but Auckland was excited by the summer comes in. With Queen-street
was at his work on the Saturday. “On circulation of unfounded rumours of sewer vomiting forth its seeds of disease,
Sunday morning he felt slightly sick, new cases in Ponsonby Road, Mechanics and with two such malignant disease
but was able to take a walk. At night Bay and other places. A boy was as variola and typhus amongst us,
he became worse and was confined to reported to have died of variola in the Auckland would be a sad plight.”
his bed. Dr Philson attended him and Drury/Papakura area, but the Southern Valentine Magan had been in
on Tuesday evening he became subject Cross was inclined to think it was not New Zealand since late 1865, having
4 The New Zealand Genealogist February 2019 www.genealogy.org.nz
travelled from London on the clipper
Wild Duck. From Wellington he seems
to have moved on to Graham’s Town
(Thames) where he held interests in a
couple of gold mines. Two years after
his death, no surprise, his shares in the
Pride of Tokatea were to be forfeited for
non-payment of calls. He was described
as “a young man of great muscular
power and activity”, but we know that
disease is no respecter of youth.
It was interesting to note that the
death recorded in the register after
that of Valentine is that of Malcolm
McGREGOR (mentioned above)
on 15 July, aged 24 years. On 12 July
McGregor was reported to have been
progressing well, however the next
day, the eleventh of his illness, he was Valentine Magan’s death bed signature.
hospitalised and worse, “with secondary Archives New Zealand, reference BBAE 1568 A645 26/482.
fever set in; eruption blackening on the
face; pulse 160 per minute; breathing,
hurried.”
Sadly, even in death Valentine
Magan did not rest undisturbed. His
grave in the Catholic section of Grafton
cemetery was in the path of motorway
developments. His remains presumably
found their way to the new communal
area as his name appears on one of the
bronze plaques.
Perhaps this story too serves as
a memorial to the late Mr Valentine
Magan.
Miles Dillon, Auckland.
E: msdillon@xtra.co.nz
Notes
1 Touching on death: a medical history
of early Auckland based on the first
384 inquests. Laurie Gluckman; edited
by Ann Gluckman and Mike Wagg.
Doppelganger, 2000.
2 Dirt: filth and decay in a new world arcadia.
Pamela Wood. Auckland University Press,
2005.
❦
Account for the care of Valentine Magan and the disposed items. Family collection.
The day after Valentine’s death, his clothing, bedding and so on
were burned and the place fumigated.
https://www.facebook.com/NZSGFRC/ The New Zealand Genealogist February 2019 5
The soldier who came home to die
Jenny Lister and where, these days, one crosses a because the units were all built as one
bridge to the Isle of Skye – and taught long building down the street. There
at Auchtertyre School. He married was no answer to our knock on the door
W hile I have been interested in
searching out information with
regard to medals that my great-uncle
Lilly MacKenzie and died, aged 48 in
1903. He is buried at the nearby Kirkton
and while we sat in the car pondering
on where to go next, along came a ‘little
Church graveyard. old lady’ with two dogs and went into
Alexander Gray earned from his time in My husband Murray, and I did our number 55. So out we hopped and when
the Rifle Brigade during WWI, two of my fourth and last trip to the area earlier she answered the door she told us that
cousins have recently showed an interest this year and were finally able to find it was her daughter’s home and she was
in that also, so I decided to do something Quarry House. Such an awesome just walking the dogs, but wouldn’t
about it. Much of the information was
feeling to do that and we were both be able to ask us in because the dogs
gleaned from my grandfather, Andrew
very impressed with the house itself. would go mad and she wouldn’t be able
John Gray, who lived with my parents
Considering it was over 150 years old it to control them. But she took us to her
and me for a number of years, some from
is in such good condition which says a own home further along and across
Killearnan parish records, shipping lists,
lot for the solid blocks it was made out the road. I had visions of her daughter
school records, plus my own research.
of and may even be from the quarry telling her off for inviting total strangers
To go back a little, Alexander was the which is behind the houses. I felt like I from the other side of the world into her
eldest child of George Gray, who was had come home and have definitely left place. However, we were totally blessed
born in the tiny hamlet of Redcastle on my heart in that area. Such awesome to see her renovated home and it was so
the northern side of Beauly Firth on people we came into contact with also. lovely with a very nice cottage garden
the Black Isle – An T Eilean Dubh as On 3 June 1870, at 35 Glasgow Road, out the back.
the Gaelic people would call it – and Wishaw, parish of Cambusnethan, So earlier this year we had arranged
northwest of Inverness. George’s mother Lanarkshire, George married Janet Rae to meet Grace again only this time we
was Isabella Milne from the parish of McCallum, who was a spinster and discovered she wasn’t a ‘little old lady’,
Nairn and his father, also Alexander, housekeeper. Their first child Alexander, because she was about 10 years younger
was a farmer on the castle estate, which was born at that same address on than us! We very much appreciated
by all accounts was very large. While 14 September 1870. That address is meeting up with her again. She took us
potatoes were the thing to grow in now a butcher shop and bakery with to see her daughter and the inside of
Scotland way back, after the potato accommodation overhead. Whether number 55, so that was quite a sense of
famine in the 1840s the farmers had to there were shops there at the time that fulfilment also.
look for other crops to grow. These days George and Janet lived there I don’t On 31 October 1878, the family left
the Redcastle estate grows barley and know. Maybe they just used part of Plymouth, England, aboard Northern
rapeseed. On a gloomy Scottish day, the the upstairs area. Monarch, bound for Lyttelton, where
bright yellow rapeseed flowers covering The next three children, Peter it docked on 1 February 1879. That
vast areas of land, brightened up the day McCallum, born 14 September 1872, must have been some ordeal even
while we were travelling around. George, born 20 September 1875 and in good weather, keeping four little
George became a stone quarrier, no Janet Rae, born 10 December 1877, were ones occupied, Janet Rae being only
doubt working in the quarry on Quarry all born at 55 McNeil Street, Larkhall, 10-months-old when they left and
Road, which is between Redcastle and Lanarkshire. When my grandfather, 13-months-old on arrival.
Killearnan church, where George, his Andrew John Gray arrived on From this point on we have no detail
older brother Donald and younger sister 28 September 1880, in New Zealand, as to where the family went to live,
Margaret were baptised. So not a great maybe the family just had one huge other than the fact that my grandfather
distance to travel from the castle estate if September birthday party for all four was born in Glentunnel, southwest of
he was still living at home at that stage. boys! Christchurch on 28 September 1880.
Some of the stone from this quarry was Our friend Angus from Killearnan I did wonder if George worked in the
used to build the eastern end of the Church also researches the parish nearby coalmine at Whitecliffs. The
Caledonian Canal. The family moved records and he very kindly went all two eldest children would have been
around quite a bit. The parents finally the way down to Register House in school age and with a brand new school
retired to Quarry House, the last house Edinburgh from Inverness, to look up opening about the time they arrived it
of four on that road. They are buried in this information, so one has to assume would have been ideal. But none of the
the Killearnan kirkyard. that Alexander was definitely born in children were registered at the school.
Of George’s seven siblings we have 1870 even though a couple of his records In saying that, two years after the family
information on only two of them, a state otherwise. arrived in New Zealand, the eldest son
sister named Isabella who had three Murray and I visited 55 McNeil Street Alexander was, according to school
illegitimate children, and the youngest, in Larkhall a few years ago, interested records, at West Christchurch School
Andrew who was there when their to see how two adults and four children with the family address given as Fifth
father died, so he may have still been could all fit into one home. From our Street, Sydenham.1
living at home then. He also registered perspective they looked so small with Alexander served as a pupil teacher
their mother’s death some years later, just one room either side of the front at West Christchurch School and then
but by that time he was ‘a teacher from door. If you wanted to go around to the as assistant teacher for three years at
Lochalsh’ – which is on the west coast back you had to go on a different street, St Albans School, followed by eight
6 The New Zealand Genealogist February 2019 www.genealogy.org.nz
years at Richmond School. It seems that
Alexander was a very popular teacher,
with his pupils holding him in high
regard. Later he became the Master
of the Secondary Department of the
Akaroa District High School and was
well respected within the community
there. According to the Roll of Honour
in The Press, 23 March 1918, Alexander
filled the position of Master with
conspicuous ability and success. He
graduated BSc and MA at Canterbury
College and was a man of exceptional
scholastic attainments, a gifted teacher
and adept in all athletic sports. He had
won an honoured reputation among
Canterbury teachers.
Alexander formed an excellent
school rugby football team and at times
played himself in the Akaroa Football
Club team as forward. He was very
involved in other sport, mainly tennis,
and belonged to the Boating Club as
well as several other clubs. Part of a The building in Wishaw, Lanarkshire, where Alexander Gray was born.
comment made by the Akaroa Mayor
at the time of the valedictory social and
presentation is as follows: “We owe you
a debt of gratitude not only for your
educational work but also for the keen
and active interest you have displayed in
the social and athletic life of the town”.
His pupils and ex-pupils presented
Alexander with a complete edition of Sir
Walter Scott’s novels. Akaroa Museum
sent this quote: “Alexander Gray ran the
very first District High School in North
Canterbury to offer free secondary
education, which opened in 1901. He
had a Master’s degree from Canterbury
University. Lessons were conducted in
rooms adjoining the Borough School,
the roll rose sharply and he ran the
school until 1916.” 2 From the Akaroa
Mail I see that Alexander coached
various students in maths, English and
Latin in order to further their education
elsewhere after leaving school.
After 15 years at the school, The house in Larkhall, Lanarkshire, where Alexander later lived with his family.
Alexander married Olive Louisa Le
he was obviously named after both his Alexander died in Christchurch Public
Lievre, 17 years his junior, at the
grandfathers. Olive had gone up to be Hospital, on 22 March 1918.
Presbyterian Church in Akaroa, on
3 April 1916. near her husband when Etienne decided Here is an excerpt taken from the
He enrolled in the Rifle Brigade of to come into the world. Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula
the Army and after a year’s training 3 Unfortunately all did not go well with Advertiser, 26 March 1918:
and marriage, he left for Europe in April Alexander in the war as, on 12 October “There was general regret in Akaroa
1917. I do wonder about his joining the 1917 at Passchendaele, he was just one last Friday when it became known that
Army at age 45 and a half, and by the amongst the highest New Zealand Sergeant Alex. Gray had died in the
time he reached the Western Front, daily casualty list for the whole war. He Christchurch Hospital that morning
would have been almost 47. Actually, the suffered severe wounds from shrapnel, at 4 o’clock. The circumstances are
attestation form records his date of birth in particular to his left thigh. After particularly tragic as the deceased
as 1872. spending some time in hospital at had only arrived two days before in
Olive would have to console herself Walton-on-Thames, he was transported New Zealand. He left New Zealand
with their baby son, George Etienne, back to New Zealand aboard the with the 23rd Reinforcements last April.
who was born 28 February 1917 in Willochra. His wounds became infected,
Wellington. Known to us as Etienne, and just a few days after arriving home, → (Continues on page 8)
https://www.facebook.com/NZSGFRC/ The New Zealand Genealogist February 2019 7
→ (Continued from page 7) British War Medal was instituted in 1919
to recognise the conclusion of the First
In the battle at Passchendaele Ridge World War. The Victory Medal was for
he was seriously wounded, and also those who already qualified for the 1914
contracted trench feet. He remained in Star or the 1914–15 Star and to those
a shell-hole with another wounded man who had already qualified for the British
for upwards of three days before being War Medal.
rescued. The rescuing party occupied Alexander was definitely a great
six hours, owing to the terrible nature role model with his pupil/teacher
of the country, in conveying the patient relationships and general popularity as
to a place of at least temporary safety, well as his desire to serve his country.
where his wounds were attended to. He Great-uncle Alexander, I salute you!
remained in hospital in England for Sometime later, Olive re-married, but
some months and only arrived back in she died aged 37 in 1924. So Etienne was
Christchurch in one of the transports an orphan at the age of seven. Either
on Tuesday last. During the voyage out his stepfather or his mother’s family no-
he had trouble with his wounds and doubt brought him up.
when he landed was in a high fever. He Etienne became a salesman, married
made a special request to go to his home Nancy Ernestina Fleming in 1944, died
in Lonsdale Street, New Brighton, and Headstone of Alexander Gray.
1 January 1967 and is buried in Akaroa
there he collapsed after a few hours. Cemetery. Although I have come
Medical aid was summoned and he was across a different birthdate for Etienne,
taken to the Christchurch Hospital. 28 February 1917 is the date recorded on
Everything that was possible was done his gravestone. The names of his three
to save him; but septic pneumonia set in children are Etienne, Kristi and Tiffany.
and he succumbed on Friday morning.” I wonder if any of Etienne’s family
And from The Press: would like to get in touch as I would
“The remains of Sergeant Gray were love to hear from them.
laid to rest in the Addington Cemetery I would also love to find out where
with a military funeral service which my family lived at Glentunnel or any
was very well attended considering his other information around that place and
popularity. But owing to the absence time.
of all the E Battery gun-carriages at the Oh yes, the medals. Alexander’s
Territorial camp at Burnham, it was wife Olive, applied for those and duly
found necessary to use a motor-hearse received them. They were sent to her on
to carry the body to the cemetery.” The 13 October 1923. No doubt they would
funeral was taken by Rev J W Hayward have been passed down to Etienne and
of Akaroa, presumably the same consequently on to his family.
minister who married Alexander and
Olive two years earlier. Jenny Lister (nee Gray). George Etienne and Olive Louise Gray.
Alexander’s military gravestone E: lister@orcon.net.nz
stands alongside the plinth that also
carries his name and the names of his Notes
parents and young sister who had died 1 I have yet to confirm where that street 2 Banks Peninsula, Cradle of Canterbury by
aged seven, in Addington Cemetery, may have been, because it no longer exists. Gordon Ogilvie
Christchurch, not far from the gates. But it may be the street now called Elgin. 3 At 5ft 6in and weighing 204lb (about 14½
A reference in The Press on 24 November stone or 92.5kg) a comment in Alexander’s
For Alexander’s contribution to the 1874 locates it off Colombo Street South. file reads: “he has always been overweight
war effort he was awarded the British There is a café named 5th Street in Elgin for his height, but active in habit, an expert
War Medal and the Victory Medal. The Street, Sydenham. at Swedish drill”.
Contributions from branches and interest groups are always welcome in the
magazine – especially if you can pass on useful information from your area that may
assist other members. Events, projects, new repositories and services, ways you have
engaged in the community and given something back. Uncertain about what you
could contribute? Contact the Editor. editor@genealogy.org.nz
8 The New Zealand Genealogist February 2019 www.genealogy.org.nzMourning jewellery
The history of a Victorian mourning brooch
Christine Barbour hairwork, was traditionally associated and a butler. One neighbour farmed a
with mourning. Large quantities of massive 1,100 acres of land, the other
hairwork were produced by young ladies being an 80-year-old Commander of
following the instructions in a monthly the Royal Navy. A wealthy, professional
magazine or one of the booklets neighbourhood by all accounts.
available in the 1860s. A great amount of Francis and Jane, not located on
ingenuity and patience was required to the 1841 census, may have been on an
make these pieces. overseas army posting. By 1861 Jane,
I confirmed Francis’s 1858 death in now a widow, has not been found living
Newton Abbott, Devon, England. The in England, Wales or Scotland. No
parish burials gave his address as the suitable remarriage has been located for
Grove, East Teignmouth, Devon with her either.
a burial date of 24 June 1858, aged 70, Our mystery is still unsolved, as his
denomination Anglican. The death probable wife, Jane Meikle, cannot be
notice in the Exeter Western Times connected to any of Alison’s Scottish
The mourning brooch.
mentioned Francis Reed Esquire, ancestors.
Inscription on reverse late Captain of the King’s Dragoon Our Jane could be any of the eight
Francis Reed d June 17, 1858, age 71 Guards. The Times (London) said women by the same name with suitable
[b 1787]. the 1st Dragoon Guards. No family is birth dates in Scotland. There are two
mentioned. His will proved on 4 August more possible marriages for a Jane to
Description
1858 “by the oath of Jane Reed of the Frances Reed in England, but Meikle is
Antique Victorian 12ct gold plated
Grove aforesaid Widow of the Relict,” our best option so far.
mourning brooch, black enamel with
had effects valued under £8,000. This story must end here, but if
blond hair art under glass, in style of the
Francis Reed, a gentleman, bought a you happen to know of this couple,
Prince of Wales feathers. (Also called
hair work). “cornet by purchase” in the 1st Dragoon Alison and I would be grateful for any
Guards on 15 June 1815. A cornet being information to locate Jane’s ancestry.
the lowest rank of the commissioned
W ho was this man Francis?
My 92-year-old neighbour,
Alison, knew her exquisite brooch came
officers in a British cavalry troop after
captain and lieutenant. It was abolished
Christine Barbour.
E: cjbihug@gmail.com
from her mother’s box of treasures, so in 1871 and replaced by sub-lieutenant,
it must be Scottish as all her ancestors now equivalent to the modern 2nd Sources
came from Scotland. Off home I walked, lieutenant. The Battle of Waterloo was ‘The Victor Mourning Blog’ www.
with another project to pass the time. fought three days later, 18 June 1815. If he thevictormourning.wordpress.com
Shouldn’t I be doing my own research? participated in Waterloo, he would have UK Civil Births, Marriage & Deaths
This mourning brooch is one of the been a young man of twenty-eight. The www.freebmd.org.uk
more distinctive devices in palette- 1st (or The King’s) Regiment of Dragoon ‘British Army Officer Promotions
work made by heating a rod used as a Guards, ‘Waterloo’, promoted Francis 1800–1815’ www.findmypast.com.au
miniature curling iron, the curl secured Reed to a Captain on 5 November 1825. East Teignmouth, Devon, Parish burials,
with glue, then weighted for several A search of English parish marriages English Parish marriages, England
hours. Three of these feather-like curls found Francis Reed Esq married Jane and Wales census 1851 for East
arranged together, created the Prince of Meikle, both of St James, Piccadilly Teignmouth Devon
Wales plume. parish, and both living in St James, www.findmypast.com.au
A brooch often memorialised two Westminster, London, on 24 December ‘Gale Newspapers Online’ via NZSG
deceased loved ones, the gold and 1832. Francis was a bachelor and Jane website: Western Times, Exeter,
enamel with palette worked curls from a spinster. This is the best match so Devon, 19 June 1858; The Times
each deceased, seed pearls (representing far. Francis, always documented as an (London), 19 June 1858, issue 23024,
tears), and gold wirework under glass. Esquire, had been born in London. page 1
Often mourning jewellery was made Francis and Jane were living in England & Wales, National Probate
many years after the passing of a dear Woodaway Lane, East Teignmouth, Calendar (Index of Wills and
family member. Newton Abbott, Devon in 1851. Francis Administrations), 1858–1966,1858,
A vast quantity of mourning aged 60, had been born in London, page 37 www.ancestry.com.au
jewellery was produced during the 19th Middlesex, his occupation captain in the A List of the Officers of the Army and
century, preserved out of sentiment or Army. Jane was aged 49 and had been of the Corps of Royal Marines. Great
piety and rarely made from valuable born in Scotland. Here was the Scottish Britain War Office
materials. Court mourning in England connection I’d being searching for. www.books.google.co.nz
called for the wearing of jet, which like This household had two Reed nieces, a Scottish parish baptisms
housekeeper, house maid, kitchen maid www.scotlandspeople.com
https://www.facebook.com/NZSGFRC/ The New Zealand Genealogist February 2019 9The death of Charlotte Nicholas
Cheryl Clague they wondered what else was in store
for them, they calmed down enough to
struggle ashore.
W hen my great-great-grandmother
Charlotte Holmes Nicholas (nee
Dennis) died in 1891, she was staying with
With the exception of Elizabeth,
the second daughter, a frail, sickly girl
who died in 1858, the family grew and
her unmarried son Charles, who was then
prospered. Thomas, who had been a
Postmaster at Bulls in the Manawatu.
bricklayer in Sussex, became a carpenter
Since her husband Thomas had died in
in Wellington, where he, and later one
1881, Charlotte often stayed with various
of his sons, helped build some of the The Dorcas thimble.
family members with whom she was
burgeoning city’s shops and dwellings.
always a very welcome guest.
There is an occasional mention of
Charlotte Holmes Dennis was born bankruptcy of either Thomas or one of
in Wood Dalling, Norfolk in 1806, the his sons, but they must have weathered
fourth child and second daughter of those storms and we wouldn’t have
William Dennis and his wife Mary known anything about them if it wasn’t
Holmes. Although Wood Dalling for PapersPast.
was at the time of the 1841 census a At the time she was staying at Bulls
seemingly prosperous little village, it with Charles, Charlotte’s daughter Mary
may not have been so in the late 1820s to Ann, her husband Robert Carver
early 1830s, because for some reason – and several of their family, were living
still to be found – Charlotte left home to on Sunday Island (now known as Charlotte Nicholas about 1860.
travel all the way down to Eastbourne Raoul Island) in the Kermadecs where
in Sussex where, in 1834, she married they had been endeavouring to grow
Thomas Nicholas in the Eastbourne fruit and vegetables for the Auckland
Letter from Mary Ann Carver to
parish church. Nine children were born markets – a not very successful venture!
Bernard Carver, 1910. Private
to Charlotte and Thomas over a period The two oldest Carver sons, Jack and
collection. Recalls the Nicholas
of sixteen years, all baptised in the same Harry who had spent twelve months on
family’s arrival in New Zealand.
church. the island had returned to New Zealand
English parish records of baptism,
In 1854 Thomas and Charlotte and, hearing of their grandmother’s
marriage and death
emigrated to New Zealand. Thomas’s sudden illness, hastened to Bulls to help
St Andrew Wood Dalling, Norfolk
sister Elizabeth Luxford and her their aunt, Charlotte Richardson, who
1770 – 1840
family were already well established had come up from Wellington to nurse
St Mary Eastbourne, Sussex 1750 –
there, having arrived in Wellington in her mother. 1840
1840 on the Adelaide. Following Charlotte’s death Jack Census records – England and Wales
The Nicholas family sailed from wrote to his parents to tell them of his Wood Dalling, Norfolk 1841–1871
England to Sydney in 1854–55 on the grandmother’s last days. This letter, Eastbourne, Sussex 1841 – 1881
immigrant ship Queen of England and carefully preserved among the family Passenger list Queen of England to
then on to Wellington in the schooner treasures, I have been privileged to Sydney 8 September 1854 – 13 January
Cheetah. Because of the bad weather it photograph and copy for my family 1855 “Shipping Intelligence.”
took three weeks to cross the Tasman history. Because so many of the first Freeman’s Journal (Sydney, NSW:
Sea. Mary Ann, the eldest daughter, names are the same I have taken the 1850–1932) 13 January 1855: 11. Web.
writing about it years later, remembered liberty to add the surnames in square 9 Dec 2018 .
they were of being drowned. Arriving if they are relatives – hopefully know to Unquiet earth: a history of the Bolton
in Wellington on St Patrick’s Day 1855 whom Jack was referring. street cemetery by Margaret
they were surprised to see people living
Cheryl Clague. Allingham (1978)
in tents in the hills and the little wharf
E: mcclague2@xtra.co.nz Carver Family Bible. Private collection.
where they docked “all broken down”.
Family knowledge, including my own
They were frightened by the severe
Sunday (Raoul) Island research
earth tremors they felt. When their Sources PapersPast
Luxford cousin came to meet them he Letter from John Spencer Carver to
explained about the massive earthquake family on Sunday Island, 1891. Private
that struck earlier in January. Although collection. ❦
Articles and how-to pieces on ‘Marriages’ are required for the October 2019 issue.
10 The New Zealand Genealogist February 2019 www.genealogy.org.nzBulls
18 September 1891
Dear Ones All
I have bad yet good news to tell you. Grandmother died
at 20 to 5 oclock in the morning of Friday the 11th. She
passed away very peacefully, without a murmur. Just
like Grandmother Carver. Harry and I were here having
finished our survey contract just a week before her death.
We got here on the 8th & she had just had a bad turn but
rallied and was delighted to see us. The next day we lifted
her out of bed & put her on the sofa near the window.
She then seemed to be recovering rapidly; but could not
speak plainly. You can imagine how painful it was to
see her trying so hard to say something & only able to
make a few sounds, but we did our best. Auntie Charlotte
[Richardson] had been here two weeks before we came
and did everything possible for her. Up night & day &
always ready to fulfil her slightest wish. She proved herself
a kind and loving daughter. On Thursday Grandmother
seemed to know that the end was near & she asked for us
all or rather Auntie could see she wanted something by her
efforts to speak.
So we all went in. After we had all kissed her, she
motioned our Harry to stand a side as he was in front
of the painting of Grandfather. He did so & she gazed
Jack’s letter.
earnestly at it & she sank gradually and peacefully to her
long last rest.
On Wednesday night she had several restless fits when
she moved her arms impatiently to & fro & try to shift
U. Charlie & I left here at 3 on Saturday morning
her position; but Auntie soon found a remedy for that
with the coffin in a break, & caught the ½ past six train
by asking me to play her favourite hymns on the little
at Palmerston arriving in Wellington at 40 past 12. The
harmonium which as you know is in the next room. Of
funeral was arranged to take place at ½ past 2 by U. Harry
course I did so at once. It had a wonderful effect. She
[Nicholas] & U. Charles [Richardson] who had charge of
would stop her efforts to get her arms to move about, keep
the Wellington affairs & was conducted by Mr Parsons.
her arms quiet & only keep time by quietly moving one
U. Will & Aunt Jane [Nicholas] were in Wellington. There
hand. She seemed to forget all her troubles & and become
were two cabs for the chief mourners. U.C. Nicholas,
quite happy & with the exception of a feeble effort to sing –
U.C Richardson U. Will & U. Harry in the first & Cousin
would remain quite at rest till she dropped into a short
George [Luxford] Mr Allan, Mr Howe and myself in the
doze. We repeated this whenever she became restless & it
next. John Wood, Mr Lud. Jnr, Mr Turnbull, Mr Carter
acted like magic until she sank quietly to her last rest.
& Mr Stacey came & considering the short notice it was
Harry immediately rode over to Fielding & told U. Will
surprising that so many came.
[Nicholas] & then on to Kiwitea & told Bernie [Carver].
Cousin William [Luxford] did not know till after the
Telegrams to both U. Harry & U. Tom [both Nicholas] were
burial what had happened & I think they were a little hurt
also sent out. You know it was her wish that she should be
at not getting notice in time. I went up to them on Saturday
buried near Grandfather & we carried her desire out.
morning & had the difficult task to tell them how it was
At Aunties suggestion I went to Wellington to the
they received no notice. The fact was they were forgotten.
funeral with U. Charlie [Nicholas] Auntie Lottie knew
Auntie stayed here & U. Tom came here just as Harry and
that you would like it. The coffin was finished by 10 oclock
Bernie arrived on Saturday. I came back from Wellington
[sic] on Friday night. Tho we had to leave here at ½ past
on the Monday & saw U. Tom at Greatford as he was
2 Saturday we kept the coffin as long as possible so that
returning to Hawera. Everything passed off without any
U. Tom who was riding down could have a last look.
hitch. I will leave the rest for another letter.
Unfortunately U. Tom knocked up on the road [from
Hawera] he was riding & had to stop in Wanganui till Your loving son and brother.
the morning train started. Jack
Content on the theme of ‘Northern England’ is required for the June 2019 issue.
Do you have stories to tell about Yorkshire, Lancastrian, Cumbrian and
Northumbrian ancestors?
https://www.facebook.com/NZSGFRC/ The New Zealand Genealogist February 2019 11Guinness down under
Rod Smith
I n March 2018 Tauranga family
historian Rod Smith published
his book Guinness Down Under – the
famous brew and the family come
to Australia and New Zealand, the
culmination of a 26-year project
involving research and interviews in
New Zealand and overseas. The story
spans almost 300 years from the early
days of the Guinness family through
their ownership of the famous brewery,
to the role of their cousins the Burkes in
exporting the famous stout around the
world, the development of the Australian
and New Zealand market, the four
cousins who emigrated ‘down under’ and
the life of Sarah Anne Guinness, one of
the descendants who lived in Australia,
Fiji and New Zealand, and died aged 44 The birthplace of Arthur Guinness, in Celbridge, near Dublin, with the author’s wife
in 1883 at Te Kao, a remote settlement in Glennis Smith, and historian Patrick Guinness.
the country’s far north.
On a quiet Sunday afternoon in was a wealthy man for his entire life.
Tauranga in 1992 during a casual In emotional terms, however, Sarah’s
discussion about family history my late upbringing was impoverished by her
mother-in-law Pauline Williamson mother’s death when Sarah was just
talked about her Irish connections – to one year old. William’s second wife
her own family the Minchins of County also died. His third wife was 17 and he
Tipperary, the Le Poer Trenches of 41 when they married; Sarah too was a
Ballinasloe, County Galway, and the teenager just a few years younger than
Guinnesses, brewers of Dublin. She her step-mother. How William juggled
pulled a book I had never heard of – the emotional demands of his new
Burke’s Landed Gentry of Ireland – off wife and family and his three teenage
the shelf and showed me the page children, not to mention a large famine-
where all the links were set out. I was ravaged parish, can only be imagined.
completely intrigued, and little did In 1855 William accepted an
I realise then what lay ahead – the invitation to establish a church in Mary Anne Guinness Burke and three of
fascinating and helpful people who Melbourne, and Sarah settled into a her children, eldest son Michael at right.
would tell me their story, the travel, new colonial environment, but still
the libraries and archives, the websites, in material comfort. That comfort
drastically disappeared when Sarah struck when a bush-fire swept through
certificates, books, papers, and diaries I
married Thomas Mahon Minchin, their plantation and destroyed their
would absorb, and the scores of images
of Canterbury, a son of a bankrupt livelihood and their home. The troubled
that would come to life. The project
land-owner from County Tipperary. events relating to their property disputes
simply grew and grew, and I eventually
The story of the Minchins and Thomas’ and debts emerged from the files of the
realised that a book was inevitable.
18 siblings emerged from an account Fiji Land Claims Commission in Suva
My focus to start was Sarah Anne
written by a descendant in Ontario, Archives, and in an account written by
Guinness, Pauline’s grandmother.
Canada, in 1928 – Matilda Minchin’s one of their sons. It was a tale of toil and
She was always regarded as the family
‘Notes’ – a copy eventually reaching losses. Sarah and Thomas and now six
heroine, known as Zara, the name she
New Zealand in the 1950s. Thomas had children returned to New Zealand. He
preferred for herself since her 20s living
a little money and a small holding near taught at remote schools near Thames,
in Melbourne, and her portrait in the
Christchurch, but he failed as a farmer and one telling incident is recorded
old-style oval frame held pride of place
and he too went bankrupt. He joined in the ‘Minchin Notes’. Sarah gave her
in the lounge for years. In material
the Police force and he and Sarah and French New Testament to her sister-in-
terms her upbringing was privileged
their three children were reasonably law Maria Burke. “None of my family
and comfortable. Her father Rev
settled. Her father however persuaded will ever need this,” she said. Next was
William Newton Guinness inherited a
them to go to Fiji and grow cotton and a transfer to Te Kao near the 90-Mile
sizeable estate from his father, one of
paid the costs of the venture. After Beach, a continuing life of scarcity and
the brothers who owned the Guinness
nine years of toil and heat, disaster hard work. Sarah’s constitution was so
brewery after the founder died. William
12 The New Zealand Genealogist February 2019 www.genealogy.org.nzABOVE: Burke Guinness cargo in a display
at the Hong Kong Museum of History.
LEFT: A memorial stone honouring Michael J Burke, the
first European to traverse the pass which now bears his name,
into the McKenzie Country.
weakened after the heat of Fiji and the grandsons of the brewery founder newspapers and histories of the area, but
cold New Zealand winters, that in 1883, Arthur Guinness, and his wife Olivia, after the famine years Burke decided to
aged 44, she succumbed to pneumonia who came to Australia and New Zealand join John Robert Godley on his mission
and died within a week. in the 1850s – two carrying on Guinness to establish a colony in Canterbury.
Whilst the facts of Sarah’s life were lines, the other two sons of Mary Anne Again, newspapers, the G R Macdonald
moving enough I felt that her place Guinness who married a Galway vicar biographies, and archival records give a
in the story needed extra treatment, Rev John Burke, from a long-established fair presentation of his pastoral activities
which led to the idea of imaginary and landed family. in the province over a 14-year period.
reminiscences and letters to her father at Arthur Benjamin Burke trained An even more graphic account of his
various stages in her life. On the face of as a brewer at the Guinness plant in dealings is contained in the memoirs of
it though how could a middle-aged man Dublin, but was dismissed for excessive another settler, Alexander Lean, who
of the 21st century hope to try and speak drinking, the only fact on record about was critical of Burke’s farming abilities,
for a young girl in the mid-1800s? With him. The rest of his story including his but in the end could never match his
a vivid imagination and working with marriage outside the family faith and financial success. Even more interesting
themes that are universal and timeless his brewing activities in Melbourne was is the commentary of the historian Dr
(family, love, loss, duty) I thought it was pieced together from newspaper reports, Robert Milligan who transcribed Lean’s
worth a try. When our second daughter certificates, and discoveries made by Journal, and then poured cold water on
read them and asked where her Margaret Lovesey a family researcher his criticisms of Burke.
grandmother had been “keeping these in Sydney, and Andrew Bailey a Burke was instrumental in the
letters all the years” I felt the gap might Melbourne beer historian. My wife and I emigration of one of his Guinness
have been bridged. eventually found Burke in the records of cousins, Francis Hart Vicesimus (Frank)
Having settled Sarah as the main the Melbourne General Cemetery and Guinness, who was in India managing
person in the story the next step was then found his final resting place – an indigo extraction operation, but was
to discover other Guinnesses who had un-named in a grave with two other dissatisfied with the future he saw for his
come to New Zealand and Australia. distant relatives. family, his wife Catherine and four sons.
Sarah’s father William Newton Guinness Michael John Burke, Arthur’s Another Canterbury historian L.G.D
was obviously one, but how many others oldest brother completed legal studies Acland learned that Burke persuaded
were there? The best information is in Dublin, but never practised law – his cousin to come to the new land. The
contained in “The Guinness Family”, instead he managed his uncle’s estate land purchase orders are in National
pedigrees prepared by Henry Seymour near Loughrea in County Galway. Archives and show that Frank’s brother-
Guinness, and Brian Cecil Guinness. Burke family records were destroyed in-law, Robert Richmond, a solicitor in
There have been three editions, with when the family seat at Ballydugan, London paid the purchase price of 300
much detail, but only for the male lines, also near Loughrea, was burned down pounds. Whether he ever received a
a distinct drawback. Fortunately, other by republican militants in 1922. The reimbursement could be a moot point.
books have been more thorough, but family was warned by phone that the “Papers Past” was a rich source for
even those were light on what happened attack was imminent and hid in the information on Frank Guinness’ career
to family who came to Australia and stables with the horses, sure that no in New Zealand, along with Richard
New Zealand. Irishman would ever hurt a horse. S Hill’s history of the NZ Police force.
Eventually it became clear that A little of Michael’s activities, and the
I should concentrate just on the wider family’s can be gleaned from → (Continues on page 14)
https://www.facebook.com/NZSGFRC/ The New Zealand Genealogist February 2019 13You can also read
