6 Family Histories

6 Family Histories
Origins and Pioneer Settlement on the West Coast: Holmes, West, Todd, Lysaght, Wright & Cusack Families
PETER HOLMES MA
DRAFT DECEMBER 2011
Contents
Contents ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 0 Figures ........................................................................................................................................................ 0 Tables.......................................................................................................................................................... 1 CHAPTER 1 .................................................................................................................................................. 1 JAMES AND SARAH CUSACK .................................................................................................................... 1 THOMAS AND BRIDGET WRIGHT .......................................................................................................... 11 CHAPTER 2 ................................................................................................................................................ 16 THE HOLMES AND KELLY FAMILIES ....................................................................................................... 16 HUGH AND JANE HOLMES and RICHARD AND AGNES HOLMES ........................................................... 18 CHAPTER 3 ................................................................................................................................................ 26 THE WEST FAMILY ................................................................................................................................. 26 CHAPTER 4 ................................................................................................................................................ 35 THE TODD FAMILY ................................................................................................................................ 35 THE LYSAGHT FAMILY ........................................................................................................................... 41 Index ......................................................................................................................................................... 48 Further Reading and Bibliography ............................................................................................................ 50 Appendix 1 Census of Scotland 1871, Parish of Wishaw, the James Kelly and Hugh Holmes families ...... 53 Appendix 2 Census of England 1871, Parish of Northfleet, Kent, William Todd and Family .................... 54 Appendix 3 Parish of Cambusnethan, Co. Lanark, Hugh Holmes and Jane Kelly Marriage, 1868.............. 55 Appendix 4 Census of England 1861, Parish of Northfleet, Kent, William Todd and Family .................... 56 Appendix 5 Parish of Cambusnethan, Co. Lanark, 1876, Marriage of Richard and Agnes Holmes ............ 57 Appendix 6 Parish of Cambusnethan, Co Lanark, 1877, registered birth of James Holmes ...................... 58 Appendix 7 Parish of Cambusnethan, Co Lanark 1881, registered birth of Jane Holmes. ......................... 59 Appendix 8 Parish of Cambusnethan, Co Lanark 1864, Registered death of Mary Kelly ........................... 60 Appendix 9 Birth Certificate, Henry William Todd, North Aylesford, 1862 ............................................... 61 Appendix 10 Census of England 1841, Parish of St Dunstan, the Dinenage family ................................... 62 Appendix 11 Census of England 1881, Parish of Northfleet, Kent, William Todd and Family ................... 63
Appendix 12 Census of England, 1891, St Andrews Road Gravesend, Kent .............................................. 64 HOLMES FAMILY TREE .......................................................................................................................... 65 CUSACK FAMILY TREE ........................................................................................................................... 66 TODD FAMILY TREE ............................................................................................................................... 67 THE CUSACK GENERATIONS .................................................................................................................. 68 ARCHIVED PERSONAL DOCUMENTS ......................................................................................................... 69
II
Introduction
This history is largely a collection of family fragments, such as photos, memorabilia, and certificates that begins to relate with some conjecture, the three or more difficult months of sailing journeys undertaken by a family group and individuals across two oceans to continue or begin in some cases their life journey at new colonial settlements in New Zealand. The circumstances that may have created such a long term separation from parents and siblings cannot be understood at a personal level but sometimes the historical context can provide an insight various social issues and problems facing the general population of Ireland and the UK/Scotland early in the eighteenth century. These by themselves do not provide the holistic explanation of why such an important journey might be considered and undertaken but indicate any underlying issues such as poverty and employment often seen as the main driving force or push factors behind immigration. The pull factors must also be considered against difficult voyages of three to four months that took place over a 27 year period between 1865 and 1892. Changes in social conditions and the consequences for those contemplating immigration from England and Ireland are complex but do not appear to have much effect on the flow of immigrants over such a lengthy period. Despite the difficult voyage and the endless pull of familial relationships the decision to undertake what would be a virtually permanent separation could only have been based on the limited experience, time and resources at their disposal. However in the histories documented below there is one instance of a return voyage recorded by Felix West when he returned to the UK temporarily, departing from Wellington after he had retired aged 69, arriving there on June 1903 and returning to NZ the following year. Thomas and Bridget Wright Felix West Ireland/London-Auckland Ganges Northamptonshire, UK Assisted, Glasgow, ScotlandLondon-Wellington Westland Assisted, Cork, Ireland, Plymouth-Auckland Doric Gravesend Kent, LondonWellington RMS Coptic Co Cork, Ireland 12 February 1865
Holmes Family
31 October 1883
James and Catherine Cusack
24 February 1885
Harry William Todd
22 September 1892
Ellen Lysaght
Except for the Wright family who had a ten acre land grant in the South Auckland Te Maketu (Rama Rama) area that provided a good reason to stay, all the other family members migrated south to Nelson with the exception of Catherine Cusack who did remain in the Auckland area and eventually married
Sydney Griffin seven years later in 1892. Meanwhile her brother James had met and married Sarah Wright just 2 years after their arrival in 1887, probably while working as a farm hand on the Hon W F Massey farm in Otahuhu south Auckland. Margaret Ellen was born in Maketu in August the following year, 1888. The New Zealand economy was depressed at this time and may have been an incentive to move south and James Augustus was born in Wellington almost exactly 1 year later in 1889. Then by 1891 the family was settled in Belgrove Nelson where permanent railway employment provided for the family until James retired in 1930. However, something happened that took the family north when Sarah may have been pregnant with Mary Catherine who was born in Mangakino in 1898. Events surrounding this journey remain obscure, whether Mangakino was a necessary stopover on the way to Auckland or there may have been some other purpose to travel to Mangakino. Land at Mangakino had only just been acquired by the Government of the day in 1896 when it was described as native bush and a pumice wasteland, barren, unoccupied and unfarmed ( http://www.mangakino.net.nz/aboutmangakino/history.html ). Just two of the ten children in the family did eventually return north, notably Augustus who married and lived in Ngaruawhia and Margaret, who married in Nelson but later went to live in Lower Hutt, Wellington. Just two years prior to the Cusacks arrival in Auckland, the entire Holmes extended family, James and Agnes, James father, their four children, as well as James brother Hugh and his wife Jane who was Agness half sister all arrived in Wellington in 1883. There was perhaps a prior intent to arrive close to Nelson and the West Coast perhaps, given the development of coal fields there and their mining experience in the Lanarkshire coal fields. They were settled in Denniston by 1885 when records show that Hugh Holmes, the first New Zealand born of eleven children arrived early in January 1885. Despite their isolation given the access problems to the Denniston plateau and the traditional mining background, James Kelly Holmes (28), the eldest son, born in Scotland in 1877 had found alternative employment in Tadmor area when he met and later married Margaret Ellen Cusack (18) at the Kohatu (Motupiko) railway station on 23 August 1906. James Cleveland Holmes was born in Nelson on the 22 October of that year. Unfortunately, complications set in and Margaret died on the 28 October. As a result of family decisions James Cleveland was adopted by James parents, Richard (57) and Agnes Kelly (47) who were living at either Granity or Waimangaroa. Harry William Todd was a relatively late arrival in Wellington in 1892 from Gravesend, Kent, aged 31. He soon moved on to Westport where he met and married Elizabeth West at the Todd residence the following year, 1893. Her parents had been married in Wairau, Marlborough in 1865 and had moved to Westport where her father Felix had established himself as a pioneer baker by 1870. Many Irish families followed Irish naming conventions, the Cusack family were no exception
Oldest son named after the Father's father 2nd son named after the Mother's father 3rd son named after the Father 4th son named after the Father's oldest brother Oldest daughter named after the Mother's mother 2nd daughter named after the Father's mother 3rd daughter named after the Mother 4th daughter named after the Mother's oldest sister 2nd wife's oldest daughter named after the first wife, using her full name
Figures
Figure 1 Period view of Michelstown, circa 1880. .................................................................................................. 1 Figure 2 The Cusack Michelstown cottage and property, (courtesy Kerry Miller 1998). .......................................... 2 Figure 3 Engraving from the London Illustrated News, views of the tragedy 1845 - 1851 ....................................... 3 Figure 4 James Cusack 1906 -1930, Tadmor Ganger [Voller p.210] .......................................................................... 3 Figure 5 Emigration from Co Cork, London Illustrated News, May 10 !851 ............................................................. 4 Figure 6 Excerpt from the SS Doric passenger manifest showing James and Catherine embarking on 24 February 1885 ................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Figure 7 SS Doric, 4744 tons, built 1883 by Harland & Wolf .................................................................................... 5 Figure 8 Margaret Ellen, circa 1904, aged 17, born Te Maketu 1888, and James Augustus circa 1910, age 21, born 7 Ebor Street Wellington, 1889. ...................................................................................................................... 6 Figure 9 The Cusack residence, Tadmor 1919 .......................................................................................................... 7 Figure 10 The Cusack family, Motupiko, circa 1904. From the left, Margaret Ellen, James, Beatrice, Catherine, William Joseph, Sarah, Beatrice Elsie, Walter and Leslie. James Augustus is absent...................................... 7 Figure 11 Construction of the Belgrove Tunnel. 1890. (http://www.theprow.org.nz/the-nelson-railway/) ........... 8 Figure 12 James Cusack retirement ......................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 13 Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLI Issue 297, ........................................................................................... 8 Figure 14 Sheridan letter. Ararimu South November 7 1906 ................................................................................... 9 Figure 15 Transcript of the 1901 Ireland Census .................................................................................................... 10 Figure 16 Original 1901 Census of Ireland .............................................................................................................. 10 Figure 17 Transcript of the Census of Ireland 1911 ................................................................................................ 11 Figure 18 Cusack Family Group Record p.1 [Oct 2011]........................................................................................... 12 Figure 19 Cusack Family Group Record, p2 ............................................................................................................ 13 Figure 20 Cusack Family Record, p.3 ...................................................................................................................... 14 Figure 21 Cusack Family Record, p.4 ...................................................................................................................... 15 Figure 22 The Westland voyage, 81 days, October 1883 .................................................................................... 16 Figure 23 Shaw Saville & Albion Line full rigged Barque, iron hulled Westland, built in 1876, 1186 tons. ......... 17 Figure 24 The Westland's voyage from Plymouth .................................................................................................. 17 Figure 25 Report from the quarantine of the Westland at Somes Island ............................................................... 18 Figure 26 Quarantine notice in the Evening Post ................................................................................................... 18 Figure 27 Denniston circa 1900, courtesy Archives NZ........................................................................................... 18 Figure 28 Map of Lanarkshire area, including Wishaw. ......................................................................................... 21 Figure 29 Immigrant arrivals in NZ, 1840 1914 Courtesy NZ History Online. http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/immigration/home-away-from-home/summary ............................. 21 Figure 30 Vehicle leaving Denniston in the 1920s (courtesy Alexander Turnbull Library) ..................................... 22 Figure 31 Richard and Agnes Kelly bay villa 33 Peel Street Westport, 1939 (courtesy Google Maps 2011). .......... 22 Figure 32 James Kelly Holmes Family Group Record .............................................................................................. 23 Figure 33 Richard James Holmes Family Group Record. ........................................................................................ 24 Figure 34 Richard James Holmes Family Group Record, contd. ............................................................................ 25 Figure 36 Archived records of the former Golden Gully Sluicing Claim .................................................................. 26 Figure 35 Record for the Felix West dwelling and shop in the 1870 Buller Electoral Roll ...................................... 26 Figure 37 Early Westport and the Buller River landing, circa 1870 (Mathews 1957) ............................................. 27
Figure 38 Reference to Wests Bakery, Westport 1872, [Mathews 1957:54] 11 . ................................................... 27 Figure 39 Extract from the 1870 Buller Electoral Roll............................................................................................. 28 Figure 40 The business section of Gladstone Street, c 1869, around the time of Felix and Ellens arrival. and probably before the great fire (Mathews 1957) ............................................................................................ 28 Figure 41 Gladstone Street and the original Post Office (Mathews 1957) ............................................................. 29 Figure 42 Grey River Argus, Volume XVI, Issue 2265, 11 November 1875, Page 2 ................................................. 29 Figure 43 John West aged 5 years in a painful accident. Grey River Argus, vol. XIII, issue 1533, 3 July 1873, p.2. 29 Figure 44 Extract from the 1900 Buller Electoral Roll matches 1895 records. ........................................................ 30 Figure 45 The SS Athenic, built 1901. ..................................................................................................................... 30 Figure 46 Extract from the Tongariro passenger manifest, 1903. .......................................................................... 31 Figure 47 Extract from the 1905 Westport Electoral Roll ....................................................................................... 31 Figure 48 Deck of the SS Tongariro c 1903 ............................................................................................................. 31 Figure 49 Descendants of Felix West and Ellen Lysaght 1887, p.1 ......................................................................... 32 Figure 50 Descendants of Felix West and Ellen Lysaght 1887, p.2 ......................................................................... 33 Figure 51 Descendants of Felix West and Ellen Lysaght 1887, p.3 ........................................................................ 34 Figure 52 Staplehurst, Kent, circa 1900. ................................................................................................................. 35 Figure 53 Arrival and passenger list, RMS Coptic, September 1892. ...................................................................... 35 Figure 54 Harry William Todd ................................................................................................................................ 38 Figure 55 Mariage of William Henry Dinenage, Southanpton, 1850. ..................................................................... 39 Figure 56 Passenger manifest for the RMS Coptic, 3 August 1892 ......................................................................... 40 Figure 57 The RMS Coptic of 4,448 tons, 70 1st class passengers (Courtesy NationalLibrary,http://digital.natlib.govt.nz/get/12754?profile=access). .................................................... 40 Figure 58 William Bartholomew Todd Family Group Record ................................................................................. 43 Figure 59 William Bartholomew Todd Family Group Record, contd. .................................................................... 44 Figure 60 William Bartholomew Todd and Sophia Dinenage 1838, p.1 ................................................................. 45 Figure 61 Descendants of William Bartholomew Todd and Sophia Dinenage 1838 p.2 ......................................... 46 Figure 62 Descendants of William Bartholomew Todd and Sophia Dinenage 1838 p.3 ......................................... 47
Tables
Table 1 The Cusack family born 1857 - 1874 ............................................................................................................ 2 Table 2 List of Working Collieries in Wishaw area, circa 1860............................................................................... 20 Table 3 Felix West Electoral Roll entries 1870 - 1906 ............................................................................................. 30 Table 4 Marriage Record William Bartholomew, 1838, Nth Aylesford .................................................................. 36 Table 5 Todd family records in the Northfleet Census, 2 April 1871 ...................................................................... 36 Table 6 1881 Census records for Sophia Todd [ancestry.co.uk] ............................................................................. 37 Table 7 1881 Census Record transcript, William Todd ........................................................................................... 37 Table 8 Census of England 1861 ............................................................................................................................. 38 Table 9 Todd family records in the 1861 census [rootsuk.com/census]................................................................ 39 Table 10 Mr.H W Todd Coptic passenger manifest transcript, 1892 ..................................................................... 40 Table 11 Ellen Lysaght, County Cork, 1834 ............................................................................................................. 41
CHAPTER 1
JAMES AND SARAH CUSACK The Cusack family, James [27], Sarah [24], Margaret Ellen [2 yrs], James Augustus [1 yr] arrived in the Nelson area from Auckland via Wellington where James was born, [7 Ebor St., 7 August 1889] and the Cusack family became an established identity in Nelson, Tadmor, Motupiko areas for nearly 40 years until James retired and the couple moved into Nelson in 1930. James was well known in athletic circles in the Nelson area for a number of years competing in many events including the shot put, hop step and jump, high jump etc between 1893 and 1904, following a strong Munster Co Cork sporting tradition. Little is known of the next 19 years of their retirement and no telephone records for this period appear to be listed, electoral rolls may give their address if they owned property. The address given on James death certificate, 6 Rentone St Nelson is a small extant villa with a small porch added more recently. He suffered several years of senility prior to his passing according to his death certificate on the 15 August 1949, and then was followed the next year by Sarah on the 9 July 1950. The Wright family meanwhile, Thomas John and Bridget were already established in south Auckland having arrived on the Ganges, 13 Feb 1865 having taken advantage of the Waikato Immigration incentives including a land grant. Sarah was born in Rama Rama the following year where she would meet James some 22 years later and they married on the 4 May 1887 in Te Maketu before moving south. The journey for James and his older sister Catherine [Kate] began near Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland sometime in 1884 85 traveling by mail coach, taking about 5 hours to Cork city. This early postcard shows the main street c1900 Mitchelstown which is just 24 1/4 miles NE from Cork where they would have left by ferry to cross the Irish Sea for Plymouth. The family dwelling was a small cottage, probably part of an estate, since James father was employed as a gamekeeper, according to records [James death certificate, 1949].
Figure 1 Period view of Michelstown, circa 1880.
The Castle, built between 1823-1828, demesne, which comprises 1300 statute acres, is embellished with luxuriant plantations, and includes a farming establishment on an extensive scale, with buildings and offices of a superior description The total number of houses in Mitchelstown in 1831, was 535, most of which are well built and of respectable appearance with 3545 inhabitants. Their house with a James Cusack named as tenant, is recorded in the Griffiths Primary Valuation of Figure 2 The Cusack Michelstown cottage and property, (courtesy Kerry Tenements, Parish of Glanworth. The Miller 1998). immediate lessor being the Lord Chancellor for a net annual value of 8 shillings, the description describes the lease as a house and garden.
Table 1 The Cusack family born 1857 - 1874
Glanworth or Glanore is 5.5 miles SW of Mitchelstown, some historical details [1837] of the parish can be found at http://www.from-ireland.net/lewis/cork/d/glanworth.htm. The Griffiths Valuation began in the south in 1848 with the Cork area surveyed between 1851 and 1853, unfortunately this timing would tend to preclude the James Cusack of interest since he would have been to young to own such a lease. Parish records [Mitchelstown] confirm the family details and cite Corracunna as the townland, not Caherdrinny approximately 7 miles [11km] south. According to the locals this was the Cusack cottage [Kerry Millar 1998], however there is no indication if this location is based on the Griffiths Valuation map reference or not. Unfortunately there is no Griffiths listing for a Cusack in Corracunna. There is a Johanna Cusack listed at Coolyregan, daughter of James is a possible link to her mother. James Cusack of Corracunna [the wet bogland of the firewood] or Caherdrinny [according to the Griffith Valuation] in the Parish of Mitchelstown, married Margaret Luther on the 21 February 1860, it is noted from the Parish records that Catherine was born 7 September 1857, 3 years before their marriage. In all there were seven children recorded in the current Diocese of Cloyne. There is no certainty either in locating James parents, although a Patrick Cusack of Kildorrery who married a Margaret Birmingham circa 1841 is a possibility. Kildorrery is certainly within the so called marriage field [15 miles] from the townland of Corracunna. Not much is known of James and Catherines siblings, except for a note regarding Mary Cusack, who married a Michael Howard in 1896, with Margaret as her bridesmaid. There is also apparently no record of a subsequent marriage to a Mr White nor any other member of the family. Some evidence for this marriage arises from a request made in 1925 by James for a copy of his entry in the Church of Mitchelstown Baptismal register. A note accompanying the copy explains that James sister Mary was
Catherine Johanna James Ellen Margaret Mary Honora 7 September 1857 6 March 1861 11 February 1863 8 October 1864 20 February 1871 9 January 1873 7 June 1874
now Mrs White living in Cooleregan. The copy is sponsored by Johanna Cusack [aged 64 in 1925] and a Michael Molan. Johanna obviously remained in the area and may not have married, Mary also it appears remained local. This request for a copy was made only 5 years before James retired, perhaps for personal reasons with retirement imminent. The additional note regarding his sister Marys married status is perhaps an indication that family communication had been essentially lost over the years. Local descendants therefore may be difficult to trace. There must have been some security for the family to have withstood the widespread effects of the famine, evictions (ejectments) and the subsequent severe depopulation of most counties in Ireland to America and beyond from the early 1840s to late 1880s, there were still large numbers of evictions creating landless peasant immigrants forced into immigrant status. An account of conditions encountered by immigrants departing from Cork in 1851 is reproduced from the London Illustrated News of May 10, 1851 in the following reference1 (Figure 3,Figure 5).
Figure 3 Engraving from the London Illustrated News, views of the tragedy 1845 - 1851
A further more detailed insight into conditions endured by Irish peasants with the impact of land reforms, famine and politics on traditional social structures is given by Robert James Scally in The End of Hidden Ireland2. James and Catherine followed, what was by the end of 1884, a well established route out of Ireland, probably on foot or cart/carriage to Cork for the ferry to Plymouth to embark for Auckland, New Zealand as their chosen destination aboard the SS Doric (Figure 7) where they duly arrived on the evening of the 24 February 1885.
Figure 4 James Cusack 1906 1930, Tadmor Ganger [Voller p.210]

1 2
The Depopulation of Ireland. London Illustrated News, 1851. http://adminstaff.vassar.edu/sttaylor/FAMINE/ILN/ Scally, R., J. The End of Hidden Ireland: Oxford University Press, 2007
Figure 5 Emigration from Co Cork, London Illustrated News, May 10 !851
This was the fourth voyage for the Doric, bringing 308 passengers in total. The Doric sailed from the Royal Albert docks, London at 3.20 pm on January 5 to embark passengers at Gravesend, then to Plymouth for mail and more passengers and on to ports of call at Tenerife, Cape Town and Hobart for coaling. A full account of the voyage can be found in the NZ Herald of February 24, 1885. A personal diary of the voyage by Thomas J Coy is held by the Australian National Library in Canberra. The passenger list from the Auckland library records is available3. The total cost of the assisted passage to the government is listed as 30, with a 5 pound cash contribution paid by the immigrants and a 10s 6d fare to cross to Plymouth. By comparison other fares were 14 14s to get to Australia and just 8 8s to North America. To put these costs in context, in the 1840s for example, the cost to construct a lower order single room mud walled dwelling occupied by majority of the rural population was between 3 and 6. Even with assisted passage, the cost to immigrate to NZ represented a considerable investment of capital or savings, not to mention emerging from a traditional community culture of scarcity of the townlands into an aggressive and competitive commercial world that was the immigrant business of the day. An 1871 list of land owners in Ireland shows Cork county listings for 1 acre and up, but does not give any listing for any Cusack or Lysaght. It cites the population at 438,434 with 74,399 inhabited houses4. Given the Cusack family appear to hold no ownership or lease of land, they must fall into the category of landless labourers or cottiers [Scally, 1995:72], who held small plots of land in some years but not others.
3 4
http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/passengers/passenger.html Land Owners in Ireland. : Genealogical Publishing Co.Inc., 1871. 4
James immigration in 1885 is probably not connected with any issue over division of land as sometimes occurred with the eldest son. James married Sarah Wright on the 4th May 1887 at Te Maketu. Sarah was a first generation New Zealander, born at Te Maketu in 1866, daughter of Thomas and Bridget who arrived from Ireland
Figure 6 Excerpt from the SS Doric passenger manifest showing James and Catherine embarking on 24 February 1885
aboard the Ganges in 1865.
Thomas Wright, stonemason, was born either in Enniskillen in 1837 or nearby in Clonfeacle, Co Tyrone 11 April 1838. They arrived to take up a Land Grant allotted through the Waikato Immigration Scheme at Te Maketu [present Rama Rama]. The land grant was lot 170 and unfortunately was eventually lost due to a mortgage default Figure 7 SS Doric, 4744 tons, built 1883 by Harland & Wolf and is now part of Stevensons quarry holdings. Both Thomas and Bridget died in 1917, on the 29th and 21st of October respectively and are buried in the Rama Rama Catholic cemetery on Pratts Road The move south from the south Auckland area by James and his wife with their first child, Margret Ellen, may have been prompted by a search for longer term employment. James Cusack and Sarah Wright of Te Maketu were married on 4 May 1887. Economic conditions in NZ between 1885 and 1900 were known as the long depression, a prospect far from ideal for newly arrived immigrants. 5
This much is known in retrospect, but for James and Catherines arrival on the eve of this economic uncertainty must have caused some concern, 1885 also marks the closing years of assisted passage for UK and Irish immigrants which may have presented some incentive to move abroad while it was still possible. Historical records show 1885 as the tail end of the great migration [1871-1885], and the next few years actually reveal the net loss in the migrant population to the Antipodes. If they received any news from abroad concerning economic conditions in NZ prior to their departure, it must have made for a difficult decision to leave Ireland and family and also to eventually remain in NZ when there was considerable incentive to either return or like many others, move on to Australia. Catherine eventually married a Te Maketu local, Sidney John Griffin, but not until 1 September 1892 and they continued to remain in the district. It is of interest to note that Catherine lowered her age by 10 years to 18 as entered in the Dorics passenger list (Figure 6), possibly to avoid disqualification by the assisted immigration scheme regulations, even though papers were required and the age limit for single women was 30. Casual farm work for James in those first married years was probably seasonal, such as the threshing mill operated by the Hon. W. F. Massey and as a farm worker in Otahuhu for three years, according to the article Tadmor in the local news of August 19, 1930. Margaret Ellen, their first child was born at Te Maketu [now Rama Rama] on 30 August 1888 just prior to their move to Wellington. The first of the next generation of Cusack family in NZ are named after two of James older siblings, Ellen and Margaret. Their second child, James Augustus Cusack was born the following year at 7 Ebor Street in Wellington on Figure 8 Margaret Ellen, circa 1904, aged 17, born Te Maketu 1888, and the 7 August 1889, while James was James Augustus circa 1910, age 21, born 7 Ebor Street Wellington, 1889. employed on the Wellington reclamation project. The year James began employment with an Alan McGuire on the Belgrove tunnel contract.(Voller 1991:208)5 Frances Cusack was born during this period of employment in 1891 at Belgrove. The Cusacks appeared to have remained in Belgrove, at least until 1896 with Thomas born in 1892 and William Joseph was born 15 Aug 1896. Mary Catherine arrived surprisingly in Mangakino on the 21 June 1898. James sister Catherine did not marry until 1892, so there may have been another significant reason besides an overdue reunion perhaps to make a trip north with Sarah most certainly pregnant, its not known whether they were proceeding north or returning south when they stopped in Mangakino. Entries are noted on the Motueka electoral rolls for 1903 and 1905-6 for James and Sarah, this electoral area
5
Voller, L. C. Rails to Nowhere: The History of the Nelson Railway. p 208, ed. anonymous: Nikau Press, 1991. 6
probably covered Motupiko. James retirement at Tadmor as a railway servant is featured as An interesting Career in The Tadmor newspaper. He had been stationed at Tadmor for the last 24 years, beginning therefore in 1906. His employment record may supply more details of where the family was located during his total of 32 years of service with the railways. Some of it may have been spent nearer the Addington Picton line while he was working on the Dashwood Pass tunnel [70.4m long] between Seddon and Blenheim, probably after moving to the area from Wellington. During the following years, he was owner and trainer of the racehorse Irish Tom as well as taking a prominent part in many local athletic events between 1893 and 1904. James and Sarah retired to Nelson in 1930. James athletic status in a number of events, including hammer throwing, shot put and jumping were probably due to the exemplary achievements of one Michael Cusack, sometimes known as citizen Cusack born in nearby county Clare in 1847, just 6 years older than James. He was a colourful character as well as a great athlete and shot put champion and organized the first athletic clubs and eventually the Gaelic Athletic Association in 1884, just before James and Catherine left the country. Such profound social change and athletic opportunities created by Michael Cusack must have made the move difficult for Figure 10 The Cusack family, Motupiko, circa 1904. From the left, James, nevertheless he continued to Margaret Ellen, James, Beatrice, Catherine, William Joseph, Sarah, pursue his athletic interests and achieve a Beatrice Elsie, Walter and Leslie. James Augustus is absent. certain reputation and distinction(Figure 12)6. Margaret Ellen married Richard Holmes just eight years later at Kohatu Railway station and Post Office 22 August 1906. The Kohatu [Motupiko] station had been established on the Nelson line in 21 June 1899, but later closed on 7 Oct 1930. Now the line and any evidence of rail or residential activity has been removed or lost completely over the last 77 years. James Cleveland Holmes was born in the same year as their marriage on 22 October
Figure 9 The Cusack residence, Tadmor 1919
6
1906, at Wai-iti, midway between Kohatu
Nelson newspaper August 19, 1930, James Cusack retirement
Figure 11 Construction of the Belgrove Tunnel. 1890. (http://www.theprow.org.nz/the-nelson-railway/)
Figure 12 James Cusack retirement
Figure 13 Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLI Issue 297, 1 November 1906, Page 3
and Nelson. Soon after James was born, Margaret Ellen was probably moved to the Cleveland nursing home due to birth complications in Nelson where she died on the 28 October 1906. The medical record attributes her untimely death to paralysis due to cerebral pressure with puerperium, which is defined as the six week period lasting from childbirth to the return of normal uterine size. Cerebral pressure may have been caused by an undiagnosed pregnancy associated pseudotumour cerebri or benign intracranial hypertension. Diagnosis may be delayed because symptoms are erroneously described to toxemia of pregnancy. James was not baptized until several days later on 3 November 1906, Richard James must have decided to memorialize the occasion by adopting the name of the nursing home as James middle name. Margaret Ellens aunt Mary Catherine did pass on to her daughter Josephine Houston, nee Tunnicliffe, some family details concerning the events of 1906. This was a great loss to James and Sarah who never got over the tragedy. Richards parents, Richard and Agnes Holmes came up to Nelson from Westport and took James Cleveland back to the coast where he was raised to believe his father did not take enough interest in him. His father, James Kelly Holmes married Mary Annette Blanchett 3 years later in 1909. They had a family of 8
3 boys, Don, Noel and Barry. James Holmes died of cancer on the 18 January 1935 and was buried at Tadmor 20 January. Close family connections with Maketu (Rama Rama) in South Auckland had not been lost over time, and may in part explain motivation for the Cusacks trip north 8 years earlier in 1898 with a brief but formal letter of sympathy from a Mrs. Sheridan of Ararimu South dated 7 November 1906 (Figure 14Error! Reference source not found.). It may have been an accepted form of address at the time but no endearment to begin the letter is unusual. Ararimu is close to present day Rama Rama.
Figure 14 Sheridan letter. Ararimu South November 7 1906
No doubt news was also received in Michelstown by James and Margaret and family. James would have been 73, James could not write so left his mark x as his signature on the 1901 census, a transcript from this census is tabled below. There are errors in the ages given so the corrected ages have been appended to highlight errors. The grandchildren are correct as given. This census was taken in the Brigown Parish, Mitchelstown, Coolyregan and is probably the same cottage photographed in 19987 (Figure 2).
Courtesy National Archives; http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai000587267/
James Cusack Margaret Cusack Margaret Mary Ellie Russell Thomas Russell
Head of family Wife Daughter Grandaughter Grandson
Roman Catholic
Cannot read or write Can read and write
74 (68) 70 (69) 28 (30) 26 (28) 3 2
Agricultural Labourer House Keeper Domestic Servant Scholar
Figure 15 Transcript of the 1901 Ireland Census
Figure 16 Original 1901 Census of Ireland
Basic details of the same cottage are also recorded in the census of 1911, however 10 years have passed and the extended Cusack family has increased to 8. Unfortunately by this time Jamess wife Margaret has died and the head of the household has passed to Marys husband William Whyte aged 31.8 Mary married William Whyte sometime between 1901 and 1905 since the oldest child William is aged 6 on the 1911 census. At this time Mary would probably have formally adopted Ellen (Ellie) Russell who was her former partners child from a previous relationship and therefore is recorded as a step daughter within her marriage to William Whyte in the 1911 census.
Courtesy http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/pages/1911/Cork/Mitchelstown/Coolyregan/438785/
10
The cottage is recorded in both the 1901 and 1911 House and Building Census Return as a private dwelling which had between 2 and 4 rooms with walls of a perishable material such as mud or wood and 2 windows in the front of the house. These details present a similar configuration to the cottage in the photo taken by Kerry Millar in 1998, with two front windows and probably just two rooms side by side, although presumably it was no longer occupied given the open door and the new dwelling alongside.
William Whyte Mary Whyte William Whyte Margaret Whyte James Whyte Ellen Russell Thomas Russell James Cusack 13 12 77 Step Daughter Son Father in Law 31 yrs 34 6 4 Head of Family Wife
Figure 17 Transcript of the Census of Ireland 1911
THOMAS AND BRIDGET WRIGHT Thomas and Bridget Wright [parents of Sarah Cusack, nee Wright] came with the fist significant wave of emigrants in 1865. By 1883 when the Holmes family sought passage, the second peak had passed around 1875 and numbers of assisted migrants was almost insignificant with net immigration numbers at their lowest in about 10 years. James Cusack and Catherine Cusack took advantage of the assisted passage arrangements and sailed with increasing numbers of migrants during the fourth but smaller peak in 1885. These overall numbers remained much the same until 1892 when Harry William Todd caught the fifth peak in numbers around 1892 from what had been a net loss (Figure 29). The origin of these peaks can be seen as a result of among other things, the reinstatement of the assisted passage scheme by the NZ government, in 1871 until 1880.
11
Family Group Record for James Cusack

Husband
Born Christened Died Buried Father Marriage
Page 1
LDS Ordinance Data
James Cusack
11 Feb 1863 Michelstown, County Cork Ireland B E
15 Aug 1949 Nelson New Zealand 17 Aug 1949 Nelson New Zealand James Cusack (1833) Margaret Luther (1832Mother 4 May 1887 Maketu, RamaRama, Auckland
SP SS B E
Wife
Born Christened Died Buried Father Mother
Sarah Wright
1866 9 Jul 1950 Maketu, RamaRama, Auckland Nelson New Zealand SP
Thomas John Wright (Cir 1837-1917) Bridget Lawlor (1839-1917) Margaret Ellen Cusack 30 Aug 1888 Maketu, RamaRama, Auckland 28 Oct 1906 Nelson New Zealand
Children
1 F Born Christened Died Buried Spouse Spouse 2 M Born Christened Died Buried Spouse 3 F Born Christened Died Buried Spouse Marr. Date 4 M Born Christened Died Buried Spouse 5 F Born Christened Died Buried Spouse B E SP SS SS B E SP SS B E SP SS
James Kelly Holmes (1876-1935) 22 Aug 1906 - Kohatu [Motupiko] James Kelly Holmes (1876-1935) 22 Aug 1906 - Kohatu, [Motupiko] James Augustus Cusack 7 Aug 1889 7 Ebor st Wellington New Zealand 2 Sep 1975 6 Russell Ave Ngaruawahia 4 Sep 1975 Hamilton Park, Hamilton Violet May Thorne (1893-1972) 4 May 1914 Frances Bridget Cusack 1891 Belgrove Nelson New Zealand
Harold James Cox ( ) 17 Apr 1941 - St Mary's Church Nelson NZ William Joseph [Sgt] Cusack 15 Aug 1896 Belgrove Nelson New Zealand 12 Mar 1979 Richmond Nelson New Zealand Marsden Valley Cemetery Nelson Mary Irene Chant (1913-1942) Mary Catherine Cusack 21 Jun 1898 Mangakino New Zealand 8 Sep 1975 Nelson New Zealand ) 19 Oct 1918
B E SP SS B E SP SS
Newton Isaac Tunicliffe (1896-
Produced by Legacy on 3 Oct 2011
Figure 18 Cusack Family Group Record p.1 [Oct 2011]
12

Children (cont.)
6 M Born Christened Died Buried Spouse 7 F Born Christened Died Buried Spouse 8 F Born Christened Died Buried Spouse 9 F Born Christened Died Buried Spouse Marr. Date 10 F Born Christened Died Buried Spouse Walter Leslie Cusack 7 Oct 1900 5 Aug 1987 Ida May Swallow ( Beatrice Cusack Dec 1901 15 Sep 1904 Wakapuaka Cemetery Catholic Block Nelson SS Beatrice Elsie Cusack 15 Oct 1905 Motupiko New Zealand 22 Aug 1989 Nelson New Zealand B E SP SS B E SP SS ) 1927 - Greymouth B E SP SS B E SP
Page 2
[Capt.]William B Ricketts (1909) Wellington New Zealand Margaret [Irline;Eileen] Cusack Jun 1909 Nelson New Zealand Sep 1996 Trentham, Lower Hutt
Patrick Dennis Roughan ( ) 22 Mar 1932 - St Mary's Church Nelson Beatrice Cusack Dec 1901 14 Sep 1904 Nelson Hospital, Nelson New Zealand
B E SP SS
Research Notes: Husband Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXVII, Issue 1, 3 January 1893, Page 3 The sports held at Ricbmond in the Richmond Park passed off very successfully..... Running High Jump First prize lOs, second 5s Satherly, 4ft 11 in, 1; Cusack, 4 ft lOin, 2. Putting the Weight. First prize 12s 6d, second 5s. Cusack, 34ft 1Oin 1, Satherley, 34ft 8in Hop, Step, and Jump. First prize 15s, second 5s. Simpson 35ft 91/4 in, 1, Cusack, 34ft 3/4 in, 2. Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXVII, Issue 64, 17 March 1893, Page 2 ST. PATRICK'S DAY SPORTS. The St Patrick's Day Sports were held this afternoon at Trafalgar Park. 'lhe train from Belgrove brought a Lumber of country visitors into town and the attendance at the Park was considerable, fully 890 persons being present. The day was a perfect one,...................Throwing the Hammer, 161bs. First prize 2, 2nd prize 1. J Cusack, 99ft lOin .... .1 J J Corcoran 92ft lOin....... 2 There were four entrants. This event was taken out of its place because there were not sufficient competiters for the Bicycle Maiden Handicap. Before the competitors had all had their throws, | the stick attached to the weight broke. The Committee however decided to award J. Cusack 1st prize and J. Corcoran second prize.;........... Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 273, 28 December 1894, Page 2 MOUTERE SPORTS. (From our own Correspondent.) The sports at the Moutere on Boxing Day were successful to an unexpected degree. The Motueka Band enlivered the proceedings during the day. The attendance far exceeded expectations, and the general opinion expressed was that the arrangements were carried out on the best principles. In the evening tliere was a clance in the hall which was as successful ?as the day's amusement. No hitch arose during the dav, and there is not the least doubt that trie Committee will be able next year to add considerably to the prize money all through the programme. Appended you will find a list of the events and their winners.
Figure 19 Cusack Family Group Record, p2
13

Research Notes: Husband - (cont.)
Page 3
Mr May, Moutere Store, contributed a box of toys for the children, which caused a great deal of amusement for the young people. Points Handicap ; 100, 200, and 300 yards : Dencker 1, O'Connor 2, Hunter 8. Hop, Step, and Jump : T. Schwass and J. Cusack tied. Quarter-mile : O. Dencker 1, G. Hunter 2, P. O'Connor 3. Putting the Weight : J. Cusack (sor.) 22ft, Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 28, 2 February 1895, Page 2 FRIENDLY "SOCIETIES' SPORTS. Yesterday was beautifully fine for the annual sports of the Friendly Societies. As usual the various Societies assembled at their Lodge rooms and afterwards met at the Oddfellows Hall.. Thence, headed by the Garrison Band they marched to the Botanical Reserve ........................Putting the Stone. First prize 1, 2nd 10s. Cusack, 30 ft 2 in, 1 ; McGrath, 25 ft 4 in, 2 ; Reeves, 24ft 9 in 3, ..........Chicken in the Pot. Ist prize, 10s ; 2nd os - Lipscombe 1 ; Cusack and Reeves tied for 2nd place. Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 57, 9 March 1895, Page 3 ST PATRICKS DAY SPORTS. HANDICAPS, TO BE RUN MARCH 20th PUTTING THE SHOT. J Cusack scr , E Woodward 6ft J. O'Connor 6ft T McGrath 8ft W Woodward 6ft W Gay 8 ft Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 88, 16 April 1895, Page 4 FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' SPORTS AT MOTUEKA. The anniversary sports of the Friendly Societies were held on the cricket ground at Motneba yesterday, and were witnessed by a fairly large number of spectators, a number of excursionists from Nelson going ovev in the s.s. Lily. During the day the Motueka Brass Band enlivened the proceedings by playing several selections...............Putting the Stone. First prize 10a, 2nd 5s ; J Cusack, 32ft l0in, 1 ; F Starnes, 32ft 3in, 2; O Trewavas, 31ft 8in 3. Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 18, 22 January 1896, Page 2 Information is to hand, .from a reliable private source that .the reinstatements committee of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association met at Chrisicburch last evening, wheu all tlie ' Nelson applicants (or re-instatement as amateurs were favourably considered. The following Nelson, members were mentioned and will receive their certificates at an early date : Messrs Gully. Levien,' Brawer, Barnett, Miranis, Forguson, and Cusack. it is believed that the athletes named are quite eligible to enter for the amateur events at the sports event to be held on Anniversary Day Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 28, 3 February 1896, Page 2 FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' FETE. ST. PATRICK'S SPORTS. In addition to those reported in last evening's Mail, the following events were completed at St. Patrick's Sports yesterday afternoon on tho Botanical Reserve ..........Throwing tlie Hammer (handicap) : Ist prize, 10s; 2nd 5s J. Ingram (30ft), lO8ft 7in, 3 ; V. Gay (38ft), 103 ft 6in, 2 ; J. Cusack (scr), 97ft 7in, 3. Five competed.: Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXX, Issue 67, 19 March 1896, Page 3 The attendance at the Friendly Sooietiea' sports on Saturday afternoon was not so large as one would have expected, seeing that the weather was bo favourable. Today's holiday ovidently dashed with Saturday's meeting, and many consider that the Committee would have done the oorrect thing by holding the sports to-day if that could have been arranged and the ground obtained. .........Long Jump (amateurs only) Penney ) (Gin), 15ft 9in, 1; Cusack (scratch), 16ft 2in, . 2. There was one other .competitor. Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXI, Issue 62, 15 March 1897, Page 2 MOTUPIKO ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION. SPORTS MEETING. { Tho Motupiko sports were held in Mr Thomson's paddock on Friday, the 12th instant, being postponed from the 10th on account of the very wet weather. There was a very good attendance of the public in the circumstances and considering tho state of the rivers. As for the sports, every evont was well contested besides bringing out a good field. ...........Putting tho Shot Cusack 1, Holland 2, Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXI, Issue 92, 20 April 1897, Page 2 SPORTS AT FOXHILL. The inaugural sports meeting at Foxhill yesterday under the auspices of the Foxhill Athletic Association proved successful in every way. The weather was perfect and ; it waa not surprising that there was a very huge attendance of Nelsonians and people from all parts of tho district. The sports were held in Mr J. Gaultrodger . paddock, kindly lent for the occasion.................Putting the Shot (handicap) ; Ist prize 10s, 2nd 5s Cusack, sor, 38ft l0in, 1; Wells, with handicap 6ft, 3in, 38ft, 2; Holland, with handicap 6ft, 37ft 6in, 3 Throwing tho Hammer (handicap) ; 1st prize 10s, 2nd 5s -Cusack scr, lO6 ft 1in, 1 ; Hollan ', with 40ft handicap, 105 ft 4in,.......
Figure 20 Cusack Family Record, p.3
14

Research Notes: Husband - (cont.)
Page 4
Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXIII, Issue 78, 4 April 1899, Page 2 FOXHILL SPORTS. Officers : Patrons, Major Franklin, Mr J A Wilkinson ; President, Mr J. Gaukrodger ; Vice-Presidents, Dr fearless, Messrs J. Bird, B. Lines, 0. Newport, T. Holland, W. Coloa, sen. ; Judges, Messrs R. Ellis, ,1, Mead, D. Thomas, J. Cusack ; Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXIV, Issue 95, 25 April 1900, Page 2 MOTUPIKO. At tlic meeting of householders, Mr R. Ellis was voted to the chair. 'The follow, ing u-ci-o elected the School Committee for the ensuing year : Messrs J. Cusack, R. 11. Coleman, W. Mead, VV. Coleman. A. E. Coleman. Mr K. II Coleman was - elected Cliairman, and Mr A. E. Coleman : Secretary. Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXIV, Issue 267, 10 November 1900, Page 2 MOTUPIKO ATHLETIC SPORTS. The fifth annual meeting of the Motupiko Athletic Association was held yesterday in Mr Kenyon's paddock, Motupiko, Although tho attendance was not so largo as at former meetings due no doubt to counter attractions, the function was still well attended and proved a success...............Hop, Stop and Jump Handicap J. Cusack (ser) tisft Tin, 1; J. Haase (2ft) 2 Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXV, Issue 72, 1 April 1901, Page 3 FOXHILL SPORTS.' HANDICAPS 100yds; 7 yd handicap 200yds; 12 yds, 400yds 20yds Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 67, 5 April 1904, Page 2 SPORTS AT MOTUPIKO. There was a large attendance at the annual sports meeting at Motupiko, I quite a number of people from town and tire surrounding districts being present. The day was pleasantly spent by picnic parties as there was plenty of shelter from the unfortunate rain which marred an otherwise perfect Easter.........Throwing the Hammer J. Cusack, scr 126 ft, 1. F. Gibbs, 25ft handicap, 100ft, 2. Four competed. Standing Three .lumps Handicap. J. Cusack (ser) 20ft (iin, 1 ; W. Mead (iliu) 2Sft !!in, 2. Seven competed. Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLI, Issue 297, 1 November 1906, Page 3 THANKS. " MR and MRS CUSACK and MR HOLMES desire to Thank Drs Hamilton and Pearlers for their attention, and all kind friends and neighbours for their help and sympathy in their late sad bereavement; also Mrs I Watson for her kind and skilful nursing. Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, 10 November 1909, Page 1
General Notes: Wife In the estate of Thomas Wright, Northern District, Provincial District of Auckland, 21 Oct 1918, Joseph Wright of Mangaweka, Farmer, Sarah Cusack [nee Wright] and Mary Watson, wife of James Watson, Te Aroha......the estate declaration signed by Sarah, storekeeper, Tadmor. Sarah travelled north for this family occasion. See complete copy in the collected documents.
Research Notes: Wife Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXII, Issue 160, 15 July 1898, Page 2 ALARM OF FIRE. The fire bells rang an alarm at 11 o'clock this forenoon, and the Brigade promptly assembled at the locality, which was an unoccupied three-roomed wooden cottage in Gloucester street, at the rear of the Carlton boarding house. Mrs Cusack, who lives next door only a few feet away f
Last Modified: 3 Oct 2011 Produced by Legacy on 3 Oct 2011
Figure 21 Cusack Family Record, p.4
15
CHAPTER 2
THE HOLMES AND KELLY FAMILIES The Holmes including Agness father James Kelly arrived in Wellington aboard the Westland on Wednesday 31 October 1883, just 2 years prior to the arrival of the Cusacks in Auckland. The Westland left London on the 4 August under Captain Moffat, with 321 passengers aboard bound for Plymouth (11 Aug 1883), Tenerife and Capetown and finally Wellington & small ports having suffered some storm damage, three crew drowned and flying a yellow flag indicating infectious diseases aboard according to the item on page 3 of the Evening Post of the 31st, see extract opposite. The quarantine9 10 (Figure 25, Figure 26) was soon lifted and passengers were able to disembark. However due to structural damage the Westland apparently was unable to continue the voyage as planned and passengers for small ports it is assumed, found passage aboard smaller local vessels regularly plying various coastal routes to the north and south. Passengers arriving on these vessels are generally listed in the local shipping columns, unfortunately in this instance; the Nelson Evening Mail lacks any mention of any passengers from the Westland at least for the month of November. Given the stress of the voyage, and 3 young children especially Hessie at 3 months, Richard and Agnes may well have decided the family should recuperate and stay temporarily in Wellington before moving on to Nelson as indicated on the passenger list. It must be remembered that their trip began with a short trip of 15 miles north west to Glasgow from Wishaw, Lanarkshire, by carriage since the Lanarkshire passenger rail link with Glasgow would not be open for another year and then by express train to London, a long days journey
NELSON (MARLBOROUGH) Holmes Richard 30 Holmes Agnes 24 Holmes James 5 Holmes Mary 3 Holmes Jane K 1 Holmes Hessie 3 mths Kelly James 65 (with Holmes party)
Figure 22 The Westland voyage, 81 days, October 1883

9
Courtesy Papers Past, Evening Post, Volume XXVI, Issue 107, 2 November 1883, Page 2 Courtesy Papers Past Evening Post, Volume XXVI, Issue 106, 1 November 1883, Page 3
10
16
of at least 12 to 13 hours. An extract from the ships passenger manifest lists the family group. Throughout this journey, Agnes as well as Richard would no doubt have been thankful for the presence of her father, James Kelly. Agness mother Mary Kelly [nee McGowan] had died in Wishaw in 1864 when Agnes was just 5. Those aboard must have had at least one memorable experience besides illness, storms and accidents. Although there is no known record such as an entry in the ships log, the Captain would not have known before departure on the11th of the cataclysmic eruption of the Figure 23 Shaw Saville & Albion Line full rigged Barque, iron hulled Westland, Indonesian volcanic island of built in 1876, 1186 tons. Krakatoa August 26 and 27, 1883 and the resulting tsunami was confined to the Sunda Straits fortunately, but the enormous dust cloud generated by the blast caused major atmospheric disturbances for some time and might have been noted. This extract below reported in Wellington Evening Post places the Westland within sighting distance of the Crozets on the 4 October, about 5 weeks after the eruption but probably still visible in the northeastern skies. The Crozets is an isolated archipelago in the Indian Ocean, located midway between Madagascar and the coast of Antarctica, Crozets mark the only places where the Crozet Plateau breaks sea level, it consists of 5 large and 15 tiny islands about 2500 km southeast from Durban. From the family records, they settled on the West Coast in the mining community of Denniston. At least four of the children were born there between 1885 and 1892. The twins William and Robert born in Waimangaroa in 1886, unfortunately did not survive, they died at 6 days and two months respectively. William died of Figure 24 The Westland's voyage from Plymouth convulsions from a premature birth and unfortunately for Robert, as well as the premature birth he subsequently contracted and succumbed to Marasmus disease. Then on 27 March 1894, Mary at age 15 born in Camnethan, Scotland contracted pneumonia/syncope and died. James, the eldest son was just 9 when the twins died.
17
Isabella, also born in Denniston 1888, never married and died in Granity in 1922 aged 34 of Hemiplegia/Tubercular Laryngitis. Hemiplegia refers to a condition of paralysis or abnormal movement to one side of the body and can be present at birth. Tubercular Laryngitis is a secondary infection associated with pulmonary tuberculosis, although not usually fatal, it was seen to be in this case. Survival for this family and the mining community in general on the West Coast given their relative isolation, a Figure 25 Report from the quarantine of the difficult climate, relatively undeveloped living conditions Westland at Somes Island and limited access to medical assistance, even for longer term illness was a marginal situation for emigrant families compared to established mining communities they had left in Scotland.
Figure 27 Denniston circa 1900, courtesy Archives NZ. Figure 26 Quarantine notice in the Evening Post
HUGH AND JANE HOLMES and RICHARD AND AGNES HOLMES Hugh and Richard Holmes and probably Thomas as well since they all were close by age emigrated from Belfast, Co. Antrim in Northern Ireland to Scotland looking for work in the coalfields between 1862 and 1868. They do not appear on the 1861 Scotland Census until Hughs marriage registration to Jane at 6 Russell Street Cambusnethan appears on the 14 April 1868. Their Irish ancestry is apparent from New Zealand records, Hugh and Richard were born to Robert and Hessie Holmes (nee McKay often referenced Mckechie or McKechnie11) in 1848 and 1849 respectively in Co Antrim, but at the time of Hughs marriage to Jane Kelly at Russell Street his parents are listed as Robert Holmes and Jane Holmes (nee McQuachon).12 Among all searchable records, the 1901 Census of Ireland shows a single entry for a
11 12
Courtesy Colin Reddy; Westport Genealogy and History Group, PO Box 236 Westport Appendix 3 Parish of Cambusnethan, Co. Lanark, Hugh Holmes and Jane Kelly Marriage, 1868.
18
Hessie Holmes of Donegal aged 28 who was the wife of a John Holmes, clearly not persons of interest. From the Westland passenger manifest, Hessie was just 3 months old on the voyage to NZ, and married William Dunn in Denniston, an Engine Driver from Durham England on 26 August 1903. However the Census of 1911 shows William as a mine manager in residence at Granity, and Hessie still in residence at Denniston until 1928 when the NZ Electoral Roll13 begins to record addresses in Wellington area, Brooklyn, and Island Bay. Family records show a son J Dunn as a Junior Postman probably living with Hessie in Wellington in later years. The ferry service from Belfast to Stranraer in Scotland began in 1862 and was about a three hour journey. Assuming Hugh, Richard and Thomas left Ireland together they would have travelled on the ferry from Belfast directly to the Scottish coalfields in Lanarkshire sometime the late 1860s, only an hour or so in those days south of Glasgow, and another three hours from Stranraer. Hugh (21) married Jane Kelly (22) in 1868 in Wishaw (mother Mary Reilly) who was born in Wigtown located just east of Stranraer on the 5 June 1846. Richard nearly 7 years later married Agnes Kelly (mother Mary McGowan), Janes step sister (mother Mary Reily, deceased) who was born in Charles Street Glasgow some thirteen years later in 1859, although the time and place may not be correct. Richard and Agnes marry in Wishaw on the 3 January 1875, after Hugh. By this time Hugh and family, consisting of wife Jane and daughter Mary (b, circa 1874) were living 14 Branchal Road, Wishaw next door to Richard and Agnes at number 12. They may have been employed at the Branchal Colliery, thought to be working at the time, but nominally did not begin working until 1924 14. James Kelly Holmes was their first child born on the 19 June 1877 at 12 Branchal Road when Richard (28) was registered as a coal miner and literate so was able to endorse the registration.15 The next child, Jane followed naming down the paternal line, was born at 37 Camnethan on the 20 March 188116. Soon after Hugh and Jane were married in 1868 they moved sometime before the census in 1871 into 11 Sunnyside Row, with Hughs younger brother Thomas, a labourer and a sister in law Rosanna aged 22, with Hugh and Richards father James Kelly widower, aged 60, son Henry, 14, daughter Agnes aged 12 and son James aged 9. James son Henry was born in Hamilton, Lanarkshire in 1857 so James and Mary had immigrated to Glasgow area sometime prior to 1857. After that they were living at Park Street Wishaw when Agnes Kellys brother James Kelly was born on the 2 August 1861. Mary unfortunately contracted Phthisis Pulmonalis or Tubercular Consumption and died after an illness of several months at 6 Russell Street Wishaw17. 11 Sunnyside Row was largely comprised of Coltness Iron Company housing among other similar row blocks in the Wishaw and Larkhall areas in which there was a large mining workforce of between 1020,000 consisting of a turbulent mix of Protestant and Catholic Irish as well as native Scots miners. Strikes were not uncommon and large scale evictions had taken place there in 1863. Cultural prejudice was a divisive force in the work place and in the streets of Wishaw to the extent that many Irish miners
13 14
http://www.ancestry.co.uk/ http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/ 15 Appendix 6 Parish of Cambusnethan, Co Lanark, 1877, registered birth of James Holmes 16 Appendix 7 Parish of Cambusnethan, Co Lanark 1881, registered birth of Jane Holmes. 17 Appendix 8 Parish of Cambusnethan, Co Lanark 1864, Registered death of Mary Kelly
19
were lured abroad by better employment opportunities given the failed strikes and lost wages (approximately 15p/day) and assistance provided by miners unions.18 However, the Laslett reference to Sunnyside Row omits to reference the pit complex of at least 12 working pits in the Wishaw area in 186019 ( Table 2). Among them Sunnyside is listed an Arch. Russell Company. Given the census address and the proximity of the Sunnyside Colliery rather than the others listed below, it could be assumed that this was where Richard and Hugh may have found employment.20 Agness mother, Mary McGowan died in 1864, 4 years prior to Hugh and Janes wedding. James Kelly had been married previously to Mary Reilly, Janes mother. James Kelly aged 60 was left a widower but still head of the family and employed as a Watchman in the 1871 Census of Scotland.
Table 2 List of Working Collieries in Wishaw area, circa 1860
Overjohnstone Sunnyside Colliery Wishaw, Iron Works Shieldmuir Wishaw No. 2 Pit Glencleland Muirhead Netherton Wishaw No 1 Pit Green Wishaw Clydesdale
Glasgow Iron Company Archd. Russell Robt Bell Glasgow Iron Company Scott and Gilmour Kerr,Pender, and Mitchell Wishaw Scott & Gibb Archd. Russell Scott and Gilmour Glasgow Iron Company Merry and Cunninghame. 31 Clydesdale Wishaw Archd. Russell
but it also gives the name of her mother as Mary Kelly as expected but her maiden name is shown as McQuachon and Reilly not McGowan shown on , Similarly, Hughs mother is shown as Jane McQuachon not Hessie McKechnie. Hugh and Richards parents, Robert and Jane probably remained in Ireland, since Hugh and Richard were both born there in 1848 and 1849 respectively, but sometime between 1861 and 1868 Hugh and possibly Richard had moved to Glasgow/Lanark area probably for work, since there are no 1861 census records that could indicate the family might have moved with small children. The Kellys life in Scotland before immigration can be traced in some detail through the Scottish census. The 1871 census records identify the close association that has developed between the two Irish migrant coal mining families in Wishaw.
18
Laslett, John. H. M. Colliers Across the Sea: A Comparative Study of Class Formation in Scotland and the American Midwest, 1830 - 1924: University of Illinois, 2000.
19
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=fbAJtEeU0rIC&pg=PA54&lpg=PA54&dq=Sunnyside+Row+Wishaw&source=bl&ots=Vlb bEEE8rh&sig=PTZYPkp8qdzG_Edr68eETRoWogw&hl=en&ei=jHOrTpjMKIGaiQLrw4j8Cg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnu m=7&sqi=2&ved=0CEQQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q&f=false

20
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~miningvillages/ListMines1860.html
20
Figure 28 Map of Lanarkshire area, including Wishaw.
Figure 29 Immigrant arrivals in NZ, 1840 1914 Courtesy NZ History http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/immigration/home-away-from-home/summary
Online.
21
Munster in the south west of Ireland accounted for approximately one third of Irish migrants during the 1880s, this includes County Cork, a general movement of population that included the Cusacks. Scottish migrants to NZ from the border area are not well represented in the 1880s, only about 7% of the total, the majority moved from the north eastern and eastern lowlands where poor conditions may have provided added incentive, as opposed to the developed coal mining and industrial areas near the border.
Figure 30 Vehicle leaving Denniston in the 1920s (courtesy Alexander Turnbull Library)
NZ Census records document Richard and Agnes Holmes move probably by vehicle21 from Denniston into an unknown Romilly Street residence in Westport by 1911, and then eventually to 33 Peel Street, a short distance away (Figure 31). Richard died in 1925 followed by Agnes in 1939. Richard Figure 31 Richard and Agnes Kelly bay villa 33 Peel Street and Agnes had a large family, 6 girls and five Westport, 1939 (courtesy Google Maps 2011). boys, among them, the twins William and Robert died a few weeks apart after they were born in Denniston in 1886. Mary, born in Scotland also died in Denniston in 1894, just fifteen years old. Of the four children born in Scotland, only Hessie and James survived.
21
http://find.natlib.govt.nz/primo_library/libweb/action/search.do?ct=facet&fctN=facet_topic&fctV=Denniston&mode=Basic& vid=TF&dscnt=0&vl%2835124698UI1%29=all_items&srt=rank&ct=Next%20Page&frbg=&scp.scps=scope%3A%28Timeframes%2 9&indx=31&vl%28D31185043UI0%29=any&dum=true&dstmp=1321499141023&fn=search&vl%281UI0%29=contains&vl%28fre eText0%29=Denniston&tab=default_tab
22
Family Group Record for James Kelly Holmes

Husband
Born Christened Died Buried Father Mother Marriage Other Spouse Other Spouse
Page 1
LDS Ordinance Data
James Kelly Holmes

19 Jun 1876 18 Jan 1935 12 Branchal Road Cambusnethan Lanark Scotland Nelson New Zealand SP SS SS SS B E B E
Richard James Holmes (1849-1925) Agnes Kelly (1859-1939) 22 Aug 1906 Kohatu [Motupiko] Mary Anette Blanchet ( ) 1909 - Nelson New Zealand Mary Annette Blanchett ( ) 1909
Wife
Born Christened Died Buried Father Other Spouse
Margaret Ellen Cusack

30 Aug 1888 28 Oct 1906 Maketu, RamaRama, Auckland Nelson New Zealand SP SS
James Cusack (1863-1949) Sarah Wright (1866-1950) Mother James Kelly Holmes (1876-1935) 22 Aug 1906 - Kohatu, [Motupiko] James Cleveland Holmes 22 Oct 1906 Nelson New Zealand 25 Mar 1986 Tauranga New Zealand
Children
1 M Born Christened Died Buried Spouse Marr. Date B E SP SS
Vladimir Valerie Dinenage Todd (1905-1994) 26 Jul 1933 - Westport New Zealand
Research Notes: Wife Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXVIII, Issue 267, 19 December 1894, Page 2 ST. MARY'S SCHOOL. PRESENTATION OF PHIZES. The presentation of prizes to the children attending St. Mary's Schools took place to. day at the Monastery. Father Mahoney said that through a mere oversight it was not announced in the papers, but of coursAt was understood that His Worship the Mayor would preside. It had always been the case that the Chief Magistrate presided. The Mayor had been returned today as Chief Magistrate for the sixth time, and he thanked him very much for the interest he had always taken in their schools.................General ... Improvement....Burney Scott Order and Neatness": .Grace Woodward Application : Josephine Devery. Preparatory Class. 1 si Reading and 2nd' Tables.: Lucy Barry. lst Tables and Spelling : Maggie Cusack. Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXIX, Issue 299, 18 December 1895, Page 2 PRIZE DISTRIBUTION. St. Mary's schools hroke up to-day for the Christmas holidays. Just as we were going to press the usual ceremony was being held, the Mayor presenting the prizes. Tho prize list is as follows: Standard I. Christian Doctrine, Rosie Young: ; reading, Josio Devery, 1 ; spelling, Maggie Roi-s, 1 ; neatness, 1, spelling and reading, 2, Inez Louissou ; recitation, Vivian Higgins 1; tables, Elma Phal, 1 ; arithmetic, drawing, writing, and sewing, Rosie Young, 1 : poetry, Beatrice Parker 1 ; transciiplion 1, writing 2, Katie Burke ; general progress, Gracie Woodward ; application, Maggie Cusack, Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 171, 14 September 1904, Page 3 FUNERAL. THE Friends of MR JAMES CUSACK are respectfu'ly informed that the Funeral of his late DAUGHTER, Beatrice,,- will leave the residence of Mr T. Macmahon; The Wood, on THURSDAY AFTER- NOON, at 2 o'clock, for the New Ceme- tery- A. SHONE, Undertaker. Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLI, Issue 294, 29 October 1906, Page 2 Holmes.On October 28th, 1906, at Wai-iti, Margaret Ellen, the beloved wife of James Holmes, and eldest daughter of James and Sarah Cusack, of Tadmor.-, aged 18 years. R.I.P.
Last Modified: 3 Oct 2011 Produced by Legacy on 6 Oct 2011
Figure 32 James Kelly Holmes Family Group Record
23
Figure 33 Richard James Holmes Family Group Record.
24
Figure 34 Richard James Holmes Family Group Record, contd.
25
CHAPTER 3
THE WEST FAMILY The West family origins are identified in the 1841 UK census of High Street, Irthlingborough Northamptonshire, England, and with the birth of Felix West there in 1834 and in Ireland with the birth of Ellen Lysaght on the 12 July 1834 in Fermoy in County Cork, Ireland. They would be married on the 4 February 1865 in Wairau, Marlborough NZ. There are few records available from this early period, including the immigration details for both Ellen and Felix. Although UK census records indicate he probably left after the 1851 census and NZ records point to his arrival in the Nelson Marlborough area by 1860. He is listed on their marriage certificate as a miner but UK census records show he worked in the family business as a baker, an occupation he began again when the couple moved to the West Coast around 1870 (Figure 35).
Figure 35 Record for the Felix West dwelling and shop in the 1870 Buller Electoral Roll
At the time of their marriage, company records for the Golden Gully Sluicing Claim in Collingwood, west of Nelson show Felix West as a shareholder in 1860 according to Mathews1 and this is most likely reflected in his occupation listed on the marriage certificate, and perhaps as a recent arrival to NZ he has had little opportunity to set up a business and decided on a short term investment prior to setting up his bakery in Westport around 5 years after his marriage.
title Slate River Sluicing Company Ltd agency CO-W series accession W3445 years no date - no date box / item 58 / sep record no. part alternative no. 1900/29
Figure 36 Archived records of the former Golden Gully Sluicing Claim
Westport in the 1860s was a small frontier gold mining settlement beside the Buller River that was established after a report of gold obtained from the Buller River was sent from Thomas Brunner to the Superintendent at Nelson ( at that time the west coast was included). However, further exploration also revealed exposed coal seams along the Grey River. By 1866 approximately 1200 diggers had arrived in the area to search for alluvial gold in the Buller and Waimangaroa Rivers. What effect these events may have had on Felix and Ellen who had just been married the previous year in Marlborough is of course largely unknown except for the occupation as miner listed on their marriage certificate and a shareholding investment by Felix in the fledgling Golden Gully Sluicing Claim, around 1860 and so probably did not take up the prospectors pan and shovel as so many did. The popular stories of difficult country, hardships, and starvation to get to the gold fields that had been barely settled were sufficient incentive perhaps to stay in the Nelson area until business prospects improved. Sluicing however was generally replaced by crushing by about 1872 since in many areas the earth was too hard. 26
The story of early Westport begins around 1862, and is encircled on one side by the Orowaiti River on the West by the Buller River which has its source in Lake Rotoiti and on the north by the sea, consequently was prone to flooding and records show that there was a succession of floods for the first 12 years. The combined action of the sea and the river was a constant source of alarm. In 1870, the West Bakery in Kennedy Street survived a huge tidal wave struck the town flooding all the buildings along the river and again the following year after heavy rains the town was scoured and buildings were undermined and washed out over the bar ( West Coast Times, 12 February 1872).
Figure 37 Early Westport and the Buller River landing, circa 1870 (Mathews 1957)
The Roche Hotel, the two story establishment in Figure 37 may have some connection to Ellen Lysaght through her mothers family who was Mary Roche, the family connection may have been a factor in the choice to settle in Westport and the initial voyage out to NZ. Felix and Ellen, who may have been pregnant, arrived in Westport possibly sometime in 1868 just before George was born on the 29 January 1869 and christened on the 7 November that year. Then the following year Ellen was born 11 Figure 38 Reference to Wests Bakery, Westport 1872, [Mathews 1957:54] . on the 15 May 1870 and christened also later that year, on the 27 November at St Johns Church, Westport.
11
Mathews, Ella. Yesterdays in Golden Buller. Pegasus Press 14 Oxford Terrace Christchurch, 1957.
27
The family continued to grow with Joseph born on 31 August 1872, unfortunately he contracted Whooping Cough and died the day after his christening on the 9 November 1872. This extract from Mathews describes the difficult conditions and extreme weather experienced during early settlement. The exact date of this particular storm is not given unfortunately, but given the details and loss of buildings it was the same event recorded by the West Coast Times of 12 February 1872. Gladstone Street and Kennedy Street are still extant but the western side of Gladstone Street, presumably where the Post Office was originally is now a sea wall and footpath. The lee side, once occupied by the West Bakery is now a mix of residential and light commercial sections. When the port was the main transport hub, it was obviously also the centre of commercial activity and an ideal place for a bakery. Fortunately, the Wests missed the great fire of 1869 that destroyed the most valuable business portions of Gladstone, Molesworth and Kennedy Streets (Mathews 1957:64). So by 1874 Felix had relocated the bakery from Lyttelton Street to a shop close to the corner Palmerston and Wakefield Streets.
Figure 39 Extract from the 1870 Buller Electoral Roll
This period [1870s] also coincides roughly with the gradual demise of sluicing in the Nelson/Collingwood areas and so Felix and Ellen probably moved on to Westport with his bakery experience and take advantage of the business and commercial opportunities developing in Westport.
Figure 40 The business section of Gladstone Street, c 1869, around the time of Felix and Ellens arrival. and probably before the great fire (Mathews 1957)
Another newspaper item in the Grey River Argus of the 3 July 1873 gives an account of an accident in Molesworth Street when carpenters were relocating Mr. Felix Wests house and a side of the building fell on Mr. Wests five year old second son, breaking his thigh bone, continuing the traumatic events of the past few years living in Westport. The relocation would have been the result of the 1872 flood to 28
avoid further inundation of the town. In the midst of all these events and looking after young John with his broken thigh and just 2 months after their house was relocated, Elizabeth was born on the 12 September 1873 but she was not christened until 13 June 1875.
Figure 41 Gladstone Street and the original Post Office (Mathews 1957)
Local events at this time included the turning of the first sod of the Westport-Mokihinui Railway at the corner of Palmerston and Wakefield Streets in 1874, celebrations including the roasting of a whole bullock and large bonfire was held near Wests Bakery 22 Elizabeth was 18 when she married Henry (Harry) William Todd on the 21 May 1893 at the Todd residence in Westport. The West family continued to grow with the arrival of John in 1874, no actual birth date has been found and no christening has been recorded either. As the last and seventh child, Felix William was born on 25 April 1875 and christened on 13 June 1875. In the 1900 NZ Electoral Roll, Felix William is also recorded as a Baker aged 25 in the family Figure 42 Grey River Argus, Volume XVI, Issue 2265, 11 business and probably living in the family home November 1875, Page 2 with John. Elizabeth was 18 when she married Henry (Harry) William Todd on the 21 May 1893 at the Todd residence in Westport. Unfortunately the Electoral does not appear to have been updated with Ellen still listed but having died some 13 years earlier in 1887. The Electoral Roll records consistently record Felix Figure 43 John West aged 5 years in a painful accident. Grey West as a baker for elections between 1870 and River Argus, vol. XIII, issue 1533, 3 July 1873, p.2. 1905-1906.
22
Mathews, Ella. Yesterdays in Golden Buller. pp 144, 14 Oxford Terrace Christchurch: Pegasus Press, 1957.
29
Table 3 Felix West Electoral Roll entries 1870 - 1906
Felix West 1870-1871 Westland North West Coast Felix West 1875-1876 Buller West Coast Felix West 1880-1881 Buller West Coast Baker Felix West 1885-1886 Buller West Coast Baker
Felix West 1890 Buller West Coast Baker Felix West 1896 Buller West Coast Baker Felix West 1900 Buller West Coast Baker Felix West 1905-1906 Buller West Coast Baker John West 1905-1906 Buller West Coast Labourer William Felix West 1905-1906 Buller West Coast Miner
Figure 44 Extract from the 1900 Buller Electoral Roll matches 1895 records.
However between 1902 and 1903 Felix William left Westport and travelled to the UK from Wellington on the Athenic, arriving in London on the 22 June 1902. Almost a year later, Felix, aged 69 also left for London on the Tongariro from Wellington arriving on the 18 July 1903. He departed the following year, arriving back in Sydney on the 10 October, 1904 and then on to NZ. Both passages are recorded from Australia, Point of Departure: Australia, via Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Colombo, Plymouth. The return voyage is recorded in Sydney but his destination in this instance is Westport. However, he did return to Sydney and eventually died there in 1916. His funeral was held on Tuesday 13 June 1916 at his residence, 20 Rosebank Street, Darlinghurst and travelled to the Church of England Cemetery, Figure 45 The SS Athenic, built 1901. Rookwood.
30
Figure 46 Extract from the Tongariro passenger manifest, 1903.
Felix William, or William as he appears in the 1905 Westport Electoral Roll has moved from Westport to Reefton and is recorded as a miner at Blacks Point, Felix is still working as a baker aged 71. Felix was to return to Sydney and take up residence there. Felix William is recorded as a labourer living somewhere in Bluff (c/- Bay View Hotel) when he enlisted in the NZ Expeditionary Force First Reserves WWI sometime between 1916 -1917. Southland Electoral Rolls record him in Awarua Southland from 1911 to 1949. He was buried on the 26 February 1951, aged 70 in the Eastern Cemetery free Catholic Block, Block 4, Plot 18 in Invercargill. However, according to Westport records, he was born on the 25 April 1875, so he would have been 76 yrs. His last known address was Ocean Beach, about 13 km south of Awarua towards Bluff .
Figure 47 Extract from the 1905 Westport Electoral Roll
Figure 48 Deck of the SS Tongariro c 1903
31
Figure 49 Descendants of Felix West and Ellen Lysaght 1887, p.1
32
33
34
CHAPTER 4
THE TODD FAMILY The RMS Coptic sailed from Gravesend, Kent on the 4 August 1892 and arrived in Wellington New Zealand at 1.30 pm on Wednesday 22 September, 1892 according to the Evening Post of the day. Aboard was Mr. Harry William Todd who was listed as a second saloon passenger (Figure 56) (3rd line from bottom right, Figure 53). Harry William Todd aged 30 disembarked in Wellington after sailing from London via Plymouth and stopping for coal at, Teneriffe and Capetown. He then must have made his way south to Nelson and on to the West Coast, where better employment opportunities may have been available since the NZ economy was in a recession between 1885-1900. Nevertheless, significant numbers of migrants continued to arrive from the southeast and Kent in particular throughout this period. Both Harrys parents had passed away the previous year only two months apart, William Bartholomew Todd in June 1891 at Milton, Gravesend aged 80 and Sophia Todd [nee Dinenage] in March aged 69, also at Gravesend, Kent. They had been married for 53 years [September 1838]. William was born around 1812 at Staplehurst, Kent, a small rural village in the Tonbridge area to the south. An early impression of the village of Staplehurst, dates unknown
Figure 53 Arrival and passenger list, RMS Coptic, September 1892.
together with a 6 Inch Ordnance Survey Map from 1881 show a small rural community [Figure 52] with an economy based mainly around cereal cropping, the area was known for its associated windmills with the last mill burned down in 1905, but the local economy also would have relied on dairy production and various support services such as the smithy situated in the village itself. It could be assumed that William probably carried on the Figure 52 Staplehurst, Kent, circa 1900. family tradition of cow keeper by the 35
time his marriage was registered in the district of North Aylesford, September 1838, which included Northfleet, about 12 miles to the north. Presumably William moved north and established himself and his wife and a dairy business at Northfleet. Until the nineteenth century it was a predominantly rural parish centred on its church and with some small-scale riverside settlement. However according to census data they did not begin to have a family until Lydia was born c1849 nearly 11 years after they were married when Sophia was 27 and William was 38, 11 years apart. Although this seems an unusual departure from family practice of the period, Sophia was only 16 when they were married. Data from the 1871 census gives Ireland as her birthplace, and then in 1881 this is changed to Canterbury, Kent. The 1841 Census of the Parish of St Dunstan does record a Samuel and Felicete Dinenage (Appendix 10 Census of England 1841, Parish of St Dunstan, the Dinenage family Harry [aka Henry] was the second youngest of the Todd family of 6 children, his birth on 5 May 1862 (Appendix 9 Birth Certificate, Henry William Todd, North Aylesford, 1862 at Providence Cottage, Northfleet, North Aylesford and also registered at Nth Aylesford, Kent on 16 June, 1862.
Table 4 Marriage Record William Bartholomew, 1838, Nth Aylesford
Surname TODD
Given Name
District
Volume 5
Page 414
William Bartholomew Nth Aylesford
Table 5 Todd family records in the Northfleet Census, 2 April 1871 Estimated Year of Birth c. 1812 c. 1822 c. 1849 c. 1850 c. 1859 c. 1860 c. 1863 c. 1866
Surname Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd
Forename(s) William Sophia Lydia A William Thomas Frederick W Thomas Henry Sophia
Age 59 49 22 21 12 11 8 5
Occupation Dairyman ? Assisting In The Business Assisting In The Business Scholar Scholar Scholar Scholar
Birth Place Staplehurst Kent - Ireland Northfleet Kent Northfleet Kent Northfleet Kent Northfleet Kent Northfleet Kent Northfleet Kent
County Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent
The 1871 census shows the family in its entirety living at Providence Cottage with the two eldest, Lydia and William assisting in the family Dairy business, and the younger children at school in what appears to be a relatively stable economic and social situation as the census for years, 1861, 1871 appear to indicate. Williams occupation however has been re-designated from cow-keeper to dairyman, although this probably indicates a distinct change or expansion in his business given the depressed state of agriculture and the need for change [Hunt 1997]. This no doubt would have
36
improved the economic circumstances of the Todd family business of 1871 with both Lydia and William Thomas also employed. By 1881, Sophia listed in the Census of that year (Table 6) is living/visiting at 2 St Andrews Road, Gravesend, and Henry aged 18 is listed living at 35 Rural Vale, Northfleet, Kent with the remainder of the family, almost midway between Northfleet and Gravesend according to census data. Lydia, William and Frederick have become independent.
Table 6 1881 Census records for Sophia Todd [ancestry.co.uk]
Name: Age: Estimated birth year: Relation: Spouse's name: Gender: Where born: Civil parish: County/Island: Country: Street address: Condition as to marriage: Occupation: Registration district: Sub-registration district: Neighbors: Household Members:
Sophia Todd
59 abt 1822 Wife William B. Female Canterbury, Kent, England Northfleet Kent England 35 Rural Vale Married Dairyman Wife North Aylesford Northfleet View others on page Name Henry W. Todd Sophia Todd Sophia Todd Thomas W. Todd William B. Todd 18 59 15 20 69 Age
Table 7 1881 Census Record transcript, William Todd William Todd Age 31 Birth abt 1850 Relation Head Spouse Annie Gender Male
Birthplace Northfleet, Kent, England Civil Parish Milton in Gravesend County Kent England Adress 1 Bank Street Shop Married Occupation Picture Frame Maker
37
Lydia by 1885 has a son Edward Jno Henly, born in Poplar Kent. Frederick does not appear in the 1881 census, William Thomas however has married and has a family as the census record shows (Table 7). Finally the 1861 Census of England (Appendix 4 Census of England 1861, Parish of Northfleet, Kent, William Todd and Familyshows a growing Todd family with four children living at Providence Cottage, the two eldest children, Lydia and William do not appear to have had any education, the children are usually listed as scholar as recorded 10 years later in 1871 (Table 5). This may however be due to educational reforms.
Table 8 Census of England 1861 Estimated Year of Birth c. 1812 c. 1822 c. 1849 c. 1850 c. 1859 c. 1860
Surname Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd
Forename(s) William Sophia Lydia A William Thomas Frederick W Thomas
Age 49 40 12 11 2 8 mths
Occupation Cowkeeper wife
Birth Place Staplehurst Kent Canterbury Northfleet Kent Northfleet Kent Northfleet Kent Northfleet Kent
County Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent
In the 1891 Census (Appendix 12 Census of England, 1891, St Andrews Road Gravesend, Kentthe Todd family resident at St Andrews Road Gravesend, Kent, William was 79 and a widower has presumably retired although he is still listed as a Dairyman, and unfortunately Sophia had died sometime between the 1881 and 1891 Censuses. Lydia aged 41 and her son Edward aged 6, along with Sophia are living with William in St Andrews Road, Gravesend about 10mins walk from son William and family at 1 Bank Street closer to the river. William Thomas now 41 is a picture framer. Present day 1 Bank Street is in a block of what could be shops adjacent to a carpark about 1 block back from the river Thames, in downtown Gravesend, about 1 mile from the family home at 35 Rural Vale, Northfleet, Gravesend. Harry William was not present at the Census, and left for New Zealand in August 1892 the following year (Figure 56). Current satellite imaging [2007] shows a block of row houses located just 3 driving miles from St Andrews. Currently this whole area is completely developed. Rapid develop of the area began late in the 19C, overtaking and threatening many semi rural occupations such as dairymen. Although in other parts of the country, cow-keeper did remain as a listed occupation until the mid 1880s for example in Norfolk.23 When the census was taken there obviously was some doubt concerning Figure 54 Harry William Todd
23
E. H. Hunt, S. J.P. "Prices and Structural Response in English Agriculture, 1873- 1896." The Economic History Review, New Series vol 50, No 3 (1997): 477-505.
38
Williams wife Sophia Dinenage. Other Census data from 1861(Table 6)24 shows Sophia as a cowkeepers wife, born in Canterbury, Kent, c 1821. No records as yet can confirm either of these, and there is no indication of her family surname with Irish origins as cited in 1871 census too correlate with NZ records. The evidence would suggest that Dinenage probably her correct maiden name, given its frequent use by Henry Williams generation as a middle name.
Figure 55 Mariage of William Henry Dinenage, Southanpton, 1850.
The marriage of a William Henry Dinenage is listed in the 1850 Marriage Register in Southampton, possibly Sophias brother, and son of Samuel and Felicete Dinenage of Kent. Names used between the families suggest their close association, with the Dinenage surname used as a second name for five of Henry William Todds daughters born in NZ. The first daughter born also was Mavis Felicete Dinenage effectively continuing the link between the two families in the next generation. William and Sophia Todds last child was named after her mother (Table 5). Sophias parents, Samuel and Felicete Amable Dinenage, both aged 45 are listed in the Census of England 1841 living in Church Street in the Parish or Township of St Dunstan. Sophia is already married and so does not appear listed with her sister Ann aged 12 and brother William aged 9. Felicete is also listed as F in the right hand column signifying a foreign birth (Appendix 10 Census of England 1841, Parish of St Dunstan, the Dinenage family.
Table 9 Todd family records in the 1861 census [rootsuk.com/census] Estimated Year of Birth c. 1812 c. 1821 c. 1849 c. 1850 c. 1859 c. 1861
Surname Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd
Forename(s) William B Sophia Lydia A William J Frederick W Thomas W
Age 49 40 12 11 2
Occupation Cow Keeper Cow Keepers Wife -
Birth Place Staplehurst Kent Canterbury Kent Northfleet Kent Northfleet Kent Northfleet Kent Northfleet Kent
County Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent
View Full Details Full Details Full Details Full Details Full Details Full Details
8m -
24
Courtesy www.ancestry.co.uk
39
Table 10 Mr.H W Todd Coptic passenger manifest transcript, 1892 Name: Date of departure: Port of departure: Passenger destination port: Age Sex Marital Status Occupation: Ship: Official Number: Master's name: Steamship Line: Where bound: Registered tonnage: Passengers on voyage: Mr H W TODD 3 August 1892 London Wellington, New Zealand 25 Male Single Gent COPTIC 0 C H Kempson Shaw Savill & Albion Line New Zealand, 2857 143
Figure 56 Passenger manifest for the RMS Coptic, 3 August 1892
Some confusion over names continues into NZ records, when Harry William Todd married Elizabeth West on the 23 May 1893 in the Westport Registrars Office just 8 months after arriving in Wellington. This is the first recorded appearance of Harry as his given name, perhaps motivated by a new country new identity and about to embark on a new life.
Figure 57 The RMS Coptic of 4,448 tons, 70 1st class passengers (Courtesy NationalLibrary,http://digital.natlib.govt.nz/get/12754?profile=access).
40
THE LYSAGHT FAMILY Harry William Todd married Elizabeth West in the Registrars Office in Westport on the 21 May 1893, after arriving in New Zealand the previous year on Wednesday 21 September, 1892. The marriage was celebrated at the Todd residence, 24 Esplanade Road Westport. Elizabeth West was the daughter of Felix and Ellen West (nee Lysaght) born in Westport 12 September 1873 but not christened until 13 June 1875. Felix West may have been a resident in the Nelson area by 1861 according to the Colonist of that year before meeting his future wife Ellen Lysaght and then their marriage in 1865. Felix and Ellen were married in the Wairau District of Marlborough Province on the 4 February 1865, Felix is listed on the marriage certificate as a miner. But between 1870 and 1874 he is known to have been the owner of Wests Bakery, a pioneer baker with a shop front in Kennedy Street Westport. Ellen however has only an x for a signature on the certificate. So by 1870 they are residents in the Westport area according to the Grey River Argus, and Elizabeth was born during this time on the 12 September 1873, her brother, John the second son, must have been born some 5 years earlier, in fact 29 January 1869. But according to BDM records a Felix William was born in 25 April 1875, the fifth son.
1875/8448 West Felix William Ellen (Mother) Felix (Father)
Table 11 Ellen Lysaght, County Cork, 1834
Name Date of Baptism /Birth Adress Parish/District Denomination Father Mother
Ellen Lysaght 12 July 1834 Cork Road Fermoy Roman Catholic John Lysaght Mary Roche
The Lysaght family records remain difficult to retrieve and therefore authenticity is always in question, particularly the Irish origins of the family. Elizabeth (aka Ellen) was born in County Clare in 1834 of parents John Lysaght and Mary Glen according to Westport Cemetery records. 25 No Irish records have been found that support these records, however County Clare records are only available by commissioned researchers 26 and have not been accessed, but an Ellen Lysaght born in 1834 does appear in the BDM records for County Cork to a John and Mary (Table 11)27. County Clare is geographically close to the north of County Cork and therefore provides a possible family link. In addition, the Roche
25
Westport Geneaology Group, Old Cemetery, Westport Orowaiti Cemetery, Westport, c/- Buller REAP, 111 Palmerston Street, Westport, NZ. 26 http://www.rootsireland.ie/index.php?id=31 27 http://ifhf.rootsireland.ie/quis.php
41
hotel28 (Figure 37) was one of the first established in Westport so Ellen may have arrived in Nelson/Westport area with her parents and grandparents around the time the hotel was established in the 1870s, coinciding with the establishment of Wests Bakery in Westport.
28
Courtesy: Mathews, Ella. Yesterdays in Golden Buller. 14 Oxford Terrace Christchurch: Pegasus Press, 1957.
42
Figure 58 William Bartholomew Todd Family Group Record
43
Figure 59 William Bartholomew Todd Family Group Record, contd.
44
Figure 60 William Bartholomew Todd and Sophia Dinenage 1838, p.1
45
Figure 61 Descendants of William Bartholomew Todd and Sophia Dinenage 1838 p.2
46
Figure 62 Descendants of William Bartholomew Todd and Sophia Dinenage 1838 p.3
47
Index
A
Addington Picton line ........................................................... 7 Agnes Holmes ....................................................................... 8 Annette Blanchett ................................................................ 9 Athenic ................................................................................ 30
J
James Cleveland Holmes ...................................................... 8 James Kelly Holmes ............................................................... 9
K
Kohatu ................................................................................... 8
C
Cleveland nursing home ....................................................... 8 Collingwood, ....................................................................... 26 Corracunna............................................................................ 2 Cusack ................................................................................... 1
L
Lysaght.................................................................................40
D
Dashwood Pass tunnel ......................................................... 7
M
Mangakino ............................................................................. 6 Margaret Ellen ....................................................................... 8 Margret Ellen, ........................................................................ 5 Mary Annette Blanchett ....................................................... 9 Mitchelstown, County Cork, ................................................. 1 Motupiko ............................................................................... 1
E
Elizabeth West .................................................................... 40 Ellen Lysaght ....................................................................... 26 Enniskillen ............................................................................. 5
N
Nelson .................................................................................... 1 North Aylesford ...................................................................36 Northfleet ............................................................................36
F
Fermoy ................................................................................ 26 Frances Cusack...................................................................... 6
G
Ganges................................................................................... 5 Gravesend, Kent ................................................................. 35 Grey River Argus ........................................................... 28, 41
O
Orowaiti River .....................................................................27
P
Providence Cottage, Northfleet .........................................36
H
Harry William Todd ............................................................. 35 High Street, Irthlingborough Northamptonshire, ............. 26
R
Rama Rama............................................................................ 1 Rama Rama Catholic cemetery............................................. 5 Roche Hotel .........................................................................27 Rookwood ...........................................................................30 Royal Albert docks, London .................................................. 4
I
Irish Tom ............................................................................... 7
48
S
Sarah Wright ......................................................................... 5 Sophia Dinenage ................................................................. 39 SS Doric ................................................................................. 3 Staplehurst, Kent, ............................................................... 35
T
Tadmor .............................................................................. 1, 9 Tadmor newspaper............................................................... 6 Te 1 Te Maketu ......................................................................... 5, 6 Tunnicliffe ............................................................................. 8
W
Wai-iti .................................................................................... 8 Waikato Immigration Scheme.............................................. 5 Wairau District of Marlborough ......................................... 41 Wairau, Marlborough ......................................................... 26 West Bakery ........................................................................ 27 West family ......................................................................... 26 Westport ............................................................................. 26 William Bartholomew Todd ............................................... 35 William Todd ....................................................................... 29 Wright ................................................................................... 1
49
Further Reading and Bibliography

O Grda. Black '47 and Beyond:the Great Irish Famine in History, Economy, and Memory: Princeton University Press, 2000. Adams, Cecilia. The Hill. Christchurch: J W Baty Ltd, 1971. Aiken, R. L. Not Many Noble: A Story of the Lanarkshire Coalfield. ed. anonymous: Old Museum Press, . Council, Blenheim Borough. The First Hundred: The Story of the Borough of Blenheim, 1869-1969, 1969. Campbell, A. B. The Scottish Miners, 1874-1939, Volume I: Industry, Work and Community. ed. anonymous: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2000. Chatterton, L. G. Rambles in the South of Ireland During the Year 1838. ed. anonymous: Saunders and Otley, 1839. Chua, A. Day of Empire, How Hyperpowers Rise to Global Domiinance- and Why They Fall. 1st ed. ed. anonymous: Doubleday, 2007. d'Alton, I. "Southern Irish Unionism: A Study of Cork Unionists, 1884-1914: The Alexander Prize Essay." Transactions of the Royal Historical Society 5th Ser., Vol. 23, (1973): 71-88. Devine, T. M. "Irish Immigrants and Scottish Society in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries : Proceedings of the Scottish Historical Studies Seminar, University of Strathclyde, 1989-90." Paper presented at the Scottish Historical Studies Seminar, and T. M. Devine 1991. Devine, T.M., Orr, W. The Great Highland Famine : Hunger, Emigration, and the Scottish Highlands in the Nineteenth Century. ed. anonymous: J. Donald, 1988. Donnelly Jr., James. The Great Irish Potato Famine: University of Wisconsin Press, 2001. Donnelly Jr., James. The Land and the People of 19th Century Cork, the Rural Economy and the Land Question. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1975. Donnelly Jr., James. Captain Rock: The Irish Agrarian Rebellion of 1821-1824 (History of Ireland & the Irish Diaspora): University of Wisconsin Press, 2009. E. H. Hunt, S. J.P. "Prices and Structural Response in English Agriculture, 1873- 1896." The Economic History Review, New Series vol 50, No 3 (1997): 477-505. Fayen, Beatrice June. Silk Amidst the Clouds. Westport: Buller Printing Ltd, 1994. France, T., and D. Stidolph. Sarah and Sydney Stidolph: Their Story: T. France, 1991. Fraser, Lyndon. Castles of Gold: A History of New Zealand's West Coast Irish. Dunedin: Otago University Press, NEW ZEALAND, 2007. 50
Fraser, Lyndon, ed. A Distant Shore : Irish Migration and New Zealand Settlement. Dunedin: Otago University Press, NEW ZEALAND, 2000. Fraser, W. H, and Morris, R. J. People and Society in Scotland 1830-1914. ed. anonymous, 1990. Argus, Grey River. "The Faces History." The Grey River Argus 1958. Gura, Philliip. F. American Transcendentalism: A History.: Hill and Wang, 2007. Holdings, Henslow. "Memories Magazine: Denniston Vol.60." Memories2006. Hutton, L. The New Statistical Account of Scotland. Vol. vol 6. ed. anonymous: William Blackwood and Sons, 1838. Hutton, Lewis. Old Newmains and the Villages Around Wishaw. Catrine, Ayrshire KA5 6RD: Stenlake Publishing Ltd., 1999. Laslett, John. H. M. Colliers Across the Sea: A Comparative Study of Class Formation in Scotland and the American Midwest, 1830 - 1924: University of Illinois, 2000. Lawson, T.a.K., David. Historical Atlas of Kent. ed. anonymous: David Brown Book Co, 2004. Board, Local Government. Land Owners in Ireland: Genealogical Publishing Co.Inc., 1871. News, London Illustrated. "The Depopulation of Ireland." London Illustrated News1851. Mathews, Ella. Yesterdays in Golden Buller. 14 Oxford Terrace Christchurch: Pegasus Press, 1957. Meyer, K. L. Coaling From the Clouds. 2nd ed.: Brick Row Publishing Co Ltd., PO Box 85-057 Auckland for NZ Railway and Locomotive Society, 1983. Reprint, 2nd. Millar, J. H. High Noon for Coaches. ed. anonymous: A. H. A. W. Reed, 1953. Munro, W A. The Denniston Affair: W A Munro, 1951. Munro, W. A. A History of Denniston: Denniston High School and Waimangaroa Centennial Committee, 1980. O'Donnell, B. When Nelson Had a Railway. ed. anonymous, 2005. Patterson, B.Akenson, D. H., ed. The Irish in New Zealand, 1990. Pattrick, Jenny. The Denniston Rose. Auckland: Random House, 2003. Pattrick, Jenny. The Illustrated Denniston Rose and Heart of Coal. 1st ed. Auckland: Random House, 2006.
51
Power, B. White Knights, Dark Earls: The Rise and Fall of an Anglo-Irish Dynasty. ed. anonymous: Collins, 2000. Power, B. Images of Mitchelstown, Stories and Pictures of My Own Place. ed. anonymous: Mount Cashell, 2002. Power, B. Michael Cusack. ed. anonymous: Mount Cashell Books, . Richardson, Len. The Denniston Miners Union 1884-1984, 1984. Scally, R., J. The End of Hidden Ireland: Oxford University Press, 2007. Sean McMahon, J. O. Brewer's Dictionary of Irish Phrase Fable Brewer's Dictionary of Irish Phrase Fable. ed. anonymous: Stirling Publishing Co., 2004. Stidolph, Thelma FranceandDiana. "Sarah and Sydney Stidolph: Their Story, 1991." . Tomalin, C. The Life and Death of Mary Wollstonecraft. ed. anonymous, 1992. Voller, L. C. Rails to Nowhere: The History of the Nelson Railway. ed. anonymous: Nikau Press, 1991. News, Weekly. "Farewell to a Ghost Village." Weekly News1956. News, Westport. The Westport News, 2011/12/01 1958. Times, Westport. The Hill in the '80's: Westport Times and Star, 1930. Willis, S. Canterbury Marriage Licences Volume 3: 1810-1837. ed. anonymous, . Wilson, Rhona. Wishaw. Catrine, Ayrshire: Stenlake Publishing Ltd, 1997. Wright, Les R. Denniston, Then and Now: Friends of the Hill, 1998. Yonge, J. Stone's Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough and Westland Directory. ed. anonymous, 1917.
52
Appendix 1 Census of Scotland 1871, Parish of Wishaw, the James Kelly and Hugh Holmes families
53
Appendix 2 Census of England 1871, Parish of Northfleet, Kent, William Todd and Family
54
Appendix 3 Parish of Cambusnethan, Co. Lanark, Hugh Holmes and Jane Kelly Marriage, 1868.
55
56
Appendix 5 Parish of Cambusnethan, Co. Lanark, 1876, Marriage of Richard and Agnes Holmes
57
Appendix 6 Parish of Cambusnethan, Co Lanark, 1877, registered birth of James Holmes
58
Appendix 7 Parish of Cambusnethan, Co Lanark 1881, registered birth of Jane Holmes.
59
Appendix 8 Parish of Cambusnethan, Co Lanark 1864, Registered death of Mary Kelly
60
Appendix 9 Birth Certificate, Henry William Todd, North Aylesford, 1862
61
Appendix 10 Census of England 1841, Parish of St Dunstan, the Dinenage family
62
63
Appendix 12 Census of England, 1891, St Andrews Road Gravesend, Kent
64
HOLMES FAMILY TREE

HOLMES FAMILY TREE Henry McGowan --- Margaret [Robertson] d. < 1864 Mary [Reily] 6 Sept 1854 Dalry Ayr Scotland
Robert Holmes Farmer/labourer Belfast Co Antrim?
m.??
Hessie McKay(Mckechie) Jane (McQuachon)
James Kelly c1811 To NZ 1883 d. 31 Jan 1900
Mary McGowan b. 1827 d. 3 May 1864 6 Russell St Wishaw Jane Kelly [mother Mary Reily] b. 5 June1846 Wigtown m.Hugh Holmes 14 April 1868 Wishaw d. Nov 12 1919 Westport
Jane Kelly b.c1847 Stranraer Wigtown, Scotland d. 10 Nov 1919 Westport
m.14 April 1868 6 Russell St. Cambusnethan NZ c1881/2
Hugh Holmes miner b Co Antrim Ireland 1848? d 17 Nov 1916 Denniston George Hill Alexander Hill Wishaw d. 2 March 1947 Denniston
Thomas b.12 Feb1847 Co.Derry N. Ireland m.Rosanna Isabella Gregory b.19 Feb 1908 Denniston
Henry b.4 Feb1857 Kirks Pond? Hamilton Lanarkshire James Kelly Waimangaroa 1894 Mary [Davis] Born Park St Wishaw b 1874 b. 2 August 1861 Waimangaroa d. 26 Oct 1941 d 9 Sept 1954 Carpenter NZ 1883 Mary? b. 1901 m. Frank Eckersly m. 31December 1875 Cambusnethan Lanarkshire Regist. Wishaw 3 January 1876 NZ 31 Oct 1883 Westland
Mary Holmes b.c1874 Wishaw Lanark 14 Branchal Road Wishaw d. 10 March 1942 Denniston Mary[Sneddon?] b. c1879 Wishaw d. 27 March 1894 Denniston [15 yrs]
Richard James Holmes miner b. 2 June 1849 Co Antrim 12 Branchal Road Cambusnethan d. 3 February 1925 Westport NZ
Agnes Kelly b. 1859 10 Charles St Glasgow Scotland? d. 2 May 1939 53 Peel St Westport NZ
Note: issue 2 M [47, 41] & 3 F [44, 42, 32] From Richard Holmes death cert William Hugh b. 11 April 1886 b.17 Jan 1885 d. 17 April 1886 Denniston Waimangaroa d 11 Sept 1950 nm Robert b. 11 April 1886 d. 6 June 1886 Waimangaroa Isabella b. 3 March 1888 Denniston d. 7 Sept 1922 Granity nm Margaret Walter Leslie Jean b.23 July 1892 b 7 Oct 1900 Alf Leach] Denniston d 5 Aug 1987 m. Carruthers m. Ida May Te Aroha Swallow 1927 d. 1954 James Kelly Holmes [after m. 22 Aug 1906 Agnes father] Kohatu, Motupiko b. 19 June 1877 12 Branchal Road Cambusnethan m.1909 Lanark Scotland d. 18 Jan 1935 Nelson
Hessie McKay Holmes b c 1883 (ship manifest) d.1968 Dalziel Lanark d 6 July 1907 [m William Dunn]?? Arr NZ 1883 London-Well.
Mary b. 19 Jan 1879 34 Camnethan d. 27 March 1894 Denniston
Jane Kelly b. 20 March 1881 37 Camnethan
Margaret Ellen Cusack b. 30 Aug 1888 Maketu Auckland d. 28 Oct 1906 Nelson Mary Annette Blanchet
James Cleveland Holmes b 22 Oct 1906 Nelson d.25 March 1986 Tauranga
65
CUSACK FAMILY TREE
CUSACK FAMILY TREE Joseph Wright James By lineage convention? Johanna Cusack Coolyregan [GriffithsValuation] By lineage convention? Mary Crauley?
Catherine By lineage convention? Thomas John Wright [b.1837 Enniskillen Ireland?] b. 11April 1838 Clonfeacle, Co Tyrone? d. 29 Oct 1917 Rama Rama NZ Stonemason
Michael Lawlor
Mary Condon
m. 1862 Co Kerry
James Cusack b. 5 June 1842 Gamekeeper
m. 21 Feb 1860 Michelstown Co Cork
Margaret Luther b.1832 Michelstown
Bridget Lawlor b.1839 Ireland d. 21 Oct 1917 RamaRama NZ
Catherine [nee Griffin] b. 7 Sept 1857 d. 20 Sept 1932 Rama Rama NZ NZ 24 Feb 1885 SS Doric
Johanna b. 6 March 1861
Margaret b. 20 Feb 1871 Ellen b. 8 Oct 1864
Mary [Russell or Howard]? b. 9 Jan 1873 m. 12 Nov 1896 Michelstown Ellen, 18 June 1897 Thomas 6 Nov 1898 Family arr. NZ13 Feb 1865 Ganges
Honora b. 7 June 1874
James Cusack 11 Feb 1863 Michelstown Cork d. 15 Aug 1949 Nelson
m. 4 May1887 Maketu
Sarah Wright b. 1866 Maketu d. 9 July 1950 Nelson
Joseph b. 1869
Mary b. 10 Jan 1872 m. James Watson Te Aroha
Ellen b. 4 Feb 1864 Tralee Co Kerry d. 2.30 pm 2 Feb 1865 Aboard Ganges
James Augustus b.7 Aug 1889 Ebor St Wellington mViolet May 1935
Mary Catherine b 21 June 1898 Mangakino [Tunicliffe]
Margaret [Irline] b. June 1909
Frances Bridget Sgt William Joseph b. 1891[nee Cox] b.15 Aug 1896 Belgrove Nelson d. 3 Dec 1979 n.c
Walter Leslie b.1900 d. 5 Aug 1987
Beatrice Elsie [Ricketts] b.15 Oct 1905 d. 22 Aug 1989 n.c.
Beatrice b. Dec 1901 d. 15 Sep 1904
Josephine Houston m. 7 Jan 1948 n.c.
Margaret Ellen Cusack b. 30 Aug 1888 Maketu d. 28 Oct 1906 Nelson
m. 22 August 1906 Kohatu Motupiko
James Kelly Holmes b. 19 June 1876 12 Branchal Road Cambusnethan Lanark Scotland d. 18 Jan 1935 Nelson
James Cleveland Holmes
66
TODD FAMILY TREE

Samuel Dinenage b c1796 Kent d Dec 1855 Gravesend Kent 1841 census Felicete Amable b. c1792 d. 1875 Kent James West m 1822?? Baker b1796 Northamptonshire d 1854/6 Elizabeth b1801 d1885
4th Gen
3rd Gen.
William Bartholomew Todd b.1812 Staplehurst Kent d. April1891 Milton Gravesend Kent
m Sept 1838 North Aylesford Kent
Ann b 1829
William b 1832
Sophia Dinenage b. c1822 d. March 1891 Milton [69]
John Lysaght m.1833 Co Cork Mary Roche b 1802 d.1875 Co Cork d31 Dec 1862 Mallow C. Cork Michael b 1838 & John b 1840 m.4 Feb 1865 Wairau Felix West Ellen Lysaght Marlborough NZ Baker b. 12 July1834 b.1834 Fermoy Cork Ireland Northamptonshire d 29 June 1887 d 13 June 1916 Sydney Westport 53 yrs
Lydia A b. c1849 2nd Gen.
William Thomas b. c1850
Frederick W b. c1859
Thomas b. c1860
Sophia b. 1866
George John Bapt. 24 Jan 1869 b. 29 Jan 1869 Ellen b. 15 May 1870 Westport Westport m John Graham 1 Jan 1902 n.c m.21 May 1893
Joseph b. 31August 1872 d. 9 Nov 1872 Westport
Felix William b. 25 April 1875 WestporT WWI
Registrars Office Westport Henry [aka Harry] William Todd b 5 May 1862 North Aylesford, Northfleet, Kent d 16 July 1952 Westport Coal Agent/Railway Foreman Arr Wellington NZ 22 Sept 1892 RMS Coptic d. 19 Jan 1934 6 daughters, 2 sons Westport
Elizabeth West b. 1874-77? Westport No BDM record Chr. St Johns Anglican d. 18 Oct 1930 Westport
Mavis Felicite Dinenage b. 17 July 1894 d 3 Jan 1949 105 Napier Road Palm Nth
Mona Ellen Dinenage William Felix Valda Valerie Dinenage b. 6 Feb 1898 b.29 July 1904 b. 29 Oct 1895 d.1974 d. 20 March 1905 Rita Josephine d 30 July 1901 Nada Muriel Dineage b. 23 June 1901 b. 1 Jan 1897
Vladimir Valerie Dinenage b. 19 Oct 1905 Westport d. 24 Feb 1994 Tauranga
Hylton Hylas Arthur b. 24 July 1908
Melven Allan b. 27 May 1916 d. 4 May 1986
Olivine Ronda b. 19 April 1913
m. Patrick Francis Thorpy d. 1963 Greymouth

m.Frederick Hongi Rewi Stidolph 20 Sept 1919 m. Reginald Arthur Whitwell Claridge 25 Jan 1927
m. James Cleveland Holmes 26 July 1933
m. Lola Norris Edmonds 1934 m. Mike Gilbert Mary Crawford b 1917 Lochore Scotland d. 17 June 1991 m. 9 June 1938
b. 6 Nov 1947
67
THE CUSACK GENERATIONS
THREE NZ CUSACK GENERATIONS
James Cusack 11 Feb 1863 Michelstown Cork d. 15 Aug 1949 Nelson FIRST GEN James Augustus Mary Catherine b.7 Aug 1889 b 21 June 1898 Ebor St Wellington Mangakino m. Violet May Thorne m. NewtonTunicliffe 4 May 1914 19 Oct 1918
m. 4 May1887 Maketu
Sarah Wright b. 1866 Maketu d. 9 July 1950 Nelson
Margaret [Irline] Frances Bridget b. June 1909 b. 1891[nee Cox] m. 22 March 1932 Belgrove Nelson Patrick Dennis Roughan n.c Margaret Ellen b. 30 Aug 1888 Maketu d. 28 Oct 1906 Nelson
Sgt William Joseph Beatrice b.15 Aug 1896 b. Dec 1901 d. 3 Dec 1979 d. 15 Sep 1904 m. Mary Irene Chant
Beatrice Elsie [Ricketts] b.15 Oct 1905 d. 22 Aug 1989 n.c.
Walter Leslie b.1900 d. 5 Aug 1987 m. Ida May Swallow 1927 Greymouth
m. 22 August 1906 Kohatu Motupiko
SECOND GEN
Josephine b.1927 m. 7 Jan 1948 Joe Houston n.c.
Kevin Newton b. 1921 Patricia b.1927 m. ?
James Kelly Holmes b. 19 June 1876 12 Branchal Road Cambusnethan Lanark Scotland d. 18 Jan 1935 Nelson
Unice May b. 1929
Valerie Marie b. 1931
Shirely Margaret b. 1936
James Cleveland See slide 3
Violet Winifred b. 1915 Onewhero Jean b.17 April 1916 m. Percy Nils Strand 23 Nov 1940 m. THIRD GEN Mark David b. 20 Nov 1958 Andre Maree b.18 Dec 1959 m. Trevor Simms 1981
Valerie Josephine b. 3 Dec 1938 m. Brian Victor McNabb 31 May 1958
James Michael Joseph b. 5 Nov 1939 m. Sarah May Richards 22 March 1958
Stephen Carey b. 8 June 1961 m. Andrea Shea
Shirley Clare b. 4 Dec 1963 m. Phillip Malthus m. David Henry
Lisa Valerie b. 23 Jan 1970 m. Stuart Brown 26 March 1995
Faye Jeanette b. 1947 m.
Warren Nils
68
ARCHIVED PERSONAL DOCUMENTS

VLADIMIR VALERIE TODD: Archived Document History
Born Westport 19 Oct 1905 Certificate of Proficiency, Standard VI, 14 November 1918, aged 13 yrs 1 month. Record of Intermediate Course, Westport, 1919, 1920. Dated 31 December 1920. Education Department, Wellington 10 December, 1921
Memorandum, Botany practical submission has been accepted for the requirements of the Preliminary Certificate I this subject for Class D examination, January 1922, M (r) Vladimir Todd, Esplanade, Westport. Pitmans Shorthand Certificate, 15 September, 1921 Reference from W. T. Slee, Land Agent, Broker etc Westport, 28 November 1922, known for 8 yrs, reference for teaching profession Teaching for just 2 yrs before joining Fair drapery in 1924 Reference, J W Fair, Drapery Importers. Westport, 21 January 1930, been employed since April, 1924. Moves to Greymouth and Thorpys Warehouse 1930 Married 26 July 1933 Reference, Thorpys Economy Warehouse, Greymouth, employed from April 1, 1930 March 1 1935 Reference, Mayfair Department Store March 1, 1935 to August 10 1935, Head Saleswoman and staff Supervisor (12 staff) leaving the district. Holmes move to Palmerston North Gary born Palmerston North 9 Nov 1936
JAMES CLEVELAND HOLMES: Archived Document History

Employed Millerton mine 1918 (Annotated photo) Married 26 July 1933 Reference from Sister Mary Bernard, Convent of Mercy, January 1934. Army Certificate of Discharge, 31.12.1945, served 2 yrs 213 days. Newmans Reunion Menu. 1848-1948, Hotel Buller, Westport, October 30, 1948. Long service (retirement) telegram, 29 June 1967 from Jess Pauling, Nelson. Newspaper cutting, retirement article, 1967 (Joined Newmans in 1929)
69

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James and Catherine Cusack

Harry William Todd

Figure 4 James Cusack 1906 1930, Tadmor Ganger [Voller p.210]

Figure 5 Emigration from Co Cork, London Illustrated News, May 10 !851

http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/passengers/passenger.html Land Owners in Ireland. : Genealogical Publishing Co.Inc., 1871. 4

aboard the Ganges in 1865.

1906, at Wai-iti, midway between Kohatu

Nelson newspaper August 19, 1930, James Cusack retirement

Figure 11 Construction of the Belgrove Tunnel. 1890. (http://www.theprow.org.nz/the-nelson-railway/)

Figure 12 James Cusack retirement

Figure 14 Sheridan letter. Ararimu South November 7 1906

Courtesy National Archives; http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/nai000587267/

Head of family Wife Daughter Grandaughter Grandson

Cannot read or write Can read and write

74 (68) 70 (69) 28 (30) 26 (28) 3 2

Agricultural Labourer House Keeper Domestic Servant Scholar

Figure 15 Transcript of the 1901 Ireland Census

Figure 16 Original 1901 Census of Ireland

Figure 17 Transcript of the Census of Ireland 1911

Family Group Record for James Cusack

Newton Isaac Tunicliffe (1896-

Produced by Legacy on 3 Oct 2011

Figure 18 Cusack Family Group Record p.1 [Oct 2011]

Family Group Record for James Cusack

Figure 19 Cusack Family Group Record, p2

Family Group Record for James Cusack

Produced by Legacy on 3 Oct 2011

Figure 20 Cusack Family Record, p.3

Family Group Record for James Cusack

Last Modified: 3 Oct 2011 Produced by Legacy on 3 Oct 2011

Figure 21 Cusack Family Record, p.4

Figure 22 The Westland voyage, 81 days, October 1883

http://books.google.com.au/books?id=fbAJtEeU0rIC&pg=PA54&lpg=PA54&dq=Sunnyside+Row+Wishaw&source=bl&ots=Vlb bEEE8rh&sig=PTZYPkp8qdzG_Edr68eETRoWogw&hl=en&ei=jHOrTpjMKIGaiQLrw4j8Cg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnu m=7&sqi=2&ved=0CEQQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q&f=false

Figure 28 Map of Lanarkshire area, including Wishaw.

Figure 29 Immigrant arrivals in NZ, 1840 1914 Courtesy NZ History http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/culture/immigration/home-away-from-home/summary

Family Group Record for James Kelly Holmes

James Kelly Holmes

Margaret Ellen Cusack

Figure 32 James Kelly Holmes Family Group Record

Figure 33 Richard James Holmes Family Group Record.

Figure 34 Richard James Holmes Family Group Record, contd.

Figure 36 Archived records of the former Golden Gully Sluicing Claim

Figure 39 Extract from the 1870 Buller Electoral Roll

Table 3 Felix West Electoral Roll entries 1870 - 1906

Figure 46 Extract from the Tongariro passenger manifest, 1903.

Figure 47 Extract from the 1905 Westport Electoral Roll

Figure 48 Deck of the SS Tongariro c 1903

Figure 49 Descendants of Felix West and Ellen Lysaght 1887, p.1

Figure 50 Descendants of Felix West and Ellen Lysaght 1887, p.2

Figure 51 Descendants of Felix West and Ellen Lysaght 1887, p.3

William Bartholomew Nth Aylesford

Surname Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd

County Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent

Surname Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd

Forename(s) William Sophia Lydia A William Thomas Frederick W Thomas

Occupation Cowkeeper wife

County Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent

Figure 55 Mariage of William Henry Dinenage, Southanpton, 1850.

Surname Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd Todd

Forename(s) William B Sophia Lydia A William J Frederick W Thomas W

Occupation Cow Keeper Cow Keepers Wife -

County Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent Kent

Figure 56 Passenger manifest for the RMS Coptic, 3 August 1892