WOW!!! Great to read about a woman from this time.
I was talking just yesterday with a group of friends about life here in colonial New Zealand and saying I think far too rosey a picture has been painted.
One set of my ancestors had several sons who were alcoholics and quite a few daughters who became pregnant in their teens. They were the children of early settlers - he arrived as a preschooler in 1841 and his wife's parents in 1840. He was orphaned in his teens when his youngest sibling was 9 and then married very young. They raised a very large family.
They moved north from the Wellington area to a small farm. Photos from the area show that the area was almost treeless with a dirt road (later SH1). Perhaps it was treeless because the land had been cleared. It looks desolate, lonely and very windy.
Their daughters all married young and often the first child arrived before or less than 9 months after the marriage. The daughters had no chance to obtain an education. I wonder whether settling down and marrying was what they really wanted or whether it was the consequence of being seen as fair game in a very small community by hot blooded young men who also had few opportunities.
DNA has revealed a few surprises, including the fact that a middle son of the young couple who had moved north was fathered by the neighbour, and the husband of a pregnant bride wasn't always the father. I'm absolutely perplexed by this and wonder who knew and whether she was under duress.
I don't think it was all church picnics by the river, Sunday roasts with the family, Caledonians sports days and good clean fun at all.
An absorbing read. The Harris name is very well known in European Gisborne settlement history. Perhaps ironically for documenting Māori genealogy in the Kooti Whenua.
I knew John Perry - I was living in Helensville when he had his ...I hesitate to call it a shop. It was the old picture theatre. The front part was used as a restaurant, and John had a second story created, behind the facade, where he had an apartment. I have a painting I bought from John on my living room wall.
My archivist heart is warmed 😊 These stories exist all over, just waiting to be told...
WOW!!! Great to read about a woman from this time.
I was talking just yesterday with a group of friends about life here in colonial New Zealand and saying I think far too rosey a picture has been painted.
One set of my ancestors had several sons who were alcoholics and quite a few daughters who became pregnant in their teens. They were the children of early settlers - he arrived as a preschooler in 1841 and his wife's parents in 1840. He was orphaned in his teens when his youngest sibling was 9 and then married very young. They raised a very large family.
They moved north from the Wellington area to a small farm. Photos from the area show that the area was almost treeless with a dirt road (later SH1). Perhaps it was treeless because the land had been cleared. It looks desolate, lonely and very windy.
Their daughters all married young and often the first child arrived before or less than 9 months after the marriage. The daughters had no chance to obtain an education. I wonder whether settling down and marrying was what they really wanted or whether it was the consequence of being seen as fair game in a very small community by hot blooded young men who also had few opportunities.
DNA has revealed a few surprises, including the fact that a middle son of the young couple who had moved north was fathered by the neighbour, and the husband of a pregnant bride wasn't always the father. I'm absolutely perplexed by this and wonder who knew and whether she was under duress.
I don't think it was all church picnics by the river, Sunday roasts with the family, Caledonians sports days and good clean fun at all.
How wonderful to see a person
being rediscovered after all those years.
Much respect to all involved in this noble enterprise.
Not least to you David who has presented it to us.
An absorbing read. The Harris name is very well known in European Gisborne settlement history. Perhaps ironically for documenting Māori genealogy in the Kooti Whenua.
I knew John Perry - I was living in Helensville when he had his ...I hesitate to call it a shop. It was the old picture theatre. The front part was used as a restaurant, and John had a second story created, behind the facade, where he had an apartment. I have a painting I bought from John on my living room wall.
A fascinating account David. Thanks!
There was also a good item on RNZ Sunday afternoon.
Was to distracted in the first read to absorb it all, second read much more rewarding. Thanks.
That was sooo interesting!
Just fascinating. Thank you so much.