1 December 2014

Faces from the past: My great uncle Alex

Alexander Andrew SCHULTZ,
date unknown but possibly taken during
or immediately after World War 1
I have just recently acquired boxes and boxes of old family photos, which as a keen amateur genealogist is something I am really very excited about. In time I want to share them with as many family members as possible, so as a starting point I thought I would share some on my blog.

Amongst the photos were these three which have been identified as being of my 2x great uncle, Alexander Andrew SCHULTZ. 

Alex was of one of the younger brothers of my maternal great grandfather and was born on the 28th of February 1890 in Gordon (East Gore), New Zealand. He was the eighth child of nine born to Marianna (nee RYDZEWSKA) and Johann SCHULTZ, Polish immigrants who arrived in New Zealand in 1872.

As a member of the Wanganui
Garrison Band, NZ Champions 1937
I don’t know a lot about Alex as yet but like my great grandfather Jim (who was one of his older brothers), he was a painter and paperhanger by trade. He was educated in Gore and spent some of his adult life living and working there before moving away to live in Wanganui, where he died in 1963, aged 72 years. 

As far as I am aware Alex never married nor had any children. His main interest in life was playing the trombone and he was a member of many different bands throughout his lifetime. He enjoyed playing in band competitions and regularly travelled throughout New Zealand to compete.

In the future I hope to find out a lot more about Alex and the rest of his siblings, especially to see what life was like for them during the period of the first world war. Carrying a surname that was often thought of as being German may have been problematic for them so I would love to find out more about this time in their lives.

24 November 2014

Happy 100th birthday Grandad

Today, the 24th of November 2014, marks what would have been the 100th birthday of my maternal grandfather, John Francis (Jack) EGAN.

Jack was born at Otautau in Western Southland, the eldest child of Hanora (nee COSGRIFF) and James EGAN, farmers from nearby Wrey’s Bush. He had two younger sisters, Molly and Kathleen, and a younger brother James. Jack’s mother died when he was only four years old and his childhood after that was quite unsettled, being brought up by his elderly grandmother and his father. After his mother’s death his younger siblings were taken away to be raised by others so Jack very rarely saw them. 
St Kevin's College Dux 1933

After his grandmother's death in 1926, and with his father becoming blind after a failed operation, at the age of 12 Jack was sent away to boarding school at St Kevin’s College in Oamaru. Here he excelled academically and also on the sporting field, showing talent in many different sports including cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics and shooting. He became Dux of the college in 1933.


While a pupil at St Kevin’s College he captained the 1st XV rugby team and also the 1st XI cricket team. He eventually went on to play provincial rugby at fullback for both Southland and then Otago, captaining the Otago rugby team during the late 1930’s. He captained the South Island Varsity rugby team, then the NZ Varsity team, as well as captaining the Otago cricket team.


Otago rugby captain 1937
Jack attended Otago University and then Teachers Training College. After an initial teaching post to the Hawkes Bay he returned south and spent the rest of his life either teaching or as headmaster in primary schools throughout Otago and Southland, including at Nightcaps, Kaiwera, Wendon, Hokonui, Balclutha and Mataura. 

Jack married in December 1944 to Mary Dorothy (Doris) SCHULTZ. They had a very happy marriage and went on to have a family of four children; Maureen, Dorothy, Paul and Brian.
Lieut. J.F.EGAN
NZ Army 1939 - 1945

Jack came from a long line of hard-working Irish immigrant families and he had a very strong work ethic, a trait which he tried to pass on to both his children and his pupils. He enjoyed giving back to the communities in which he lived and often organised the production of stage shows and musicals, coached sports teams, served on numerous committees and even spent some time as an elected member of the Mataura Borough Council.

My grandfather John Francis (Jack) Egan died on the 20th of October 1977, while still serving as the headmaster of the Mataura Primary School. He was aged only 63 years old. I was only six years old at the time and have only a few vivid memories of him. But from what I can remember of him as both my grandfather and also as the headmaster of the school I attended, he was a kind man who was firm but fair. Right throughout his career as a teacher, and then later as a headmaster, he very quickly gained the admiration and respect of his fellow teachers, his pupils and the whole community. 

Doris & Jack EGAN, about 1975

I would love to have had my grandfather in my life for a longer period of time as I was growing up. From what I have been told he had a great knowledge of our family history that unfortunately was never written down to be passed on. I think that him and I would have gotten on so well together and I can even picture in my mind conversations that I would love to have had with him that sadly never got to take place. 

I would love for him to still be around today to see his grandson Brendan (only 2 years old when he died) carving out his own career as a school teacher and now head of Religious Education at the Catholic secondary school that he himself worked so hard to help fundraise to build. Jack had dreams of his own children being able to be educated at St Peter’s College in Gore, but the building work was delayed and it wasn’t opened in time for any of them to attend. But after his death six of his grandchildren, including myself, did get to be educated there, and in more recent times two of his great grandchildren (my own two children) have also attended this great school. 
Brendan and Bridget, Aug 2014.
Wouldn't Jack have been so proud of these two !!!

Besides rugby and his family, two of Jack’s other great loves in life were drama and debating. I would love for him to have seen my daughter Bridget (his great granddaughter) scoop the senior debating awards at a recent Catholic secondary school debating competition, with his grandson Brendan also as the debating team coach. And at the same event another Egan family member (the great granddaughter of his cousin) won the junior debating awards. I bet Jack would have been just so proud if he had been there.


Another fullback in the family
And I bet he would have loved to have had the chance to stand on the sidelines and watch my son Mark (his great grandson) playing his favourite sport of rugby in the very same fullback position that he once played in, slotting the ball between the uprights from way out wide by the sideline, just as he did all those decades ago.

I believe it is such a shame that younger generations aren't able to get to know and love those from the older generations, since they often have so much in common but never have the chance to actually meet. But that's just the way life works; - people live and then they die but their genes still live on. My kids may not realise it, but I firmly believe that they have a lot of their great grandfather in them and that his legacy lives on through them and all of their cousins.

I know my grandfather Jack will still be keeping an eye on us all from Heaven, and I hope he is proud of how his family has grown and what they have all achieved. He was a hard working man who gave back to the community as much as he could. I believe he has every right to be proud of his family as it was him who instilled in us all the ethic to work hard to achieve well in this life, the willingness to help out and to give back to others, and the desire to do our best at all times. 

Happy 100th birthday Grandad. I think of you often and really wish I could have spent more years with you and had the chance to have known you better !!!






______________________________



( For the full story of the early years of the marriage of Jack’s parents and the subsequent splitting up of the family please follow this link. )


22 October 2014

Following in footsteps from the past

Mark HURRELL driving 'Sammy the Bull'
Last Saturday was a very big day for my 16 year old son Mark. It was the day he had been waiting on for so long. After six months of driving fast-work he was finally getting to drive in an actual race. It wasn't a totalisator race though, just a workout race, but that didn't worry him. It was his first ever real race and that was all that mattered.

Mark has been keen on harness racing since he was just a young boy. My husband Ross is also a big harness racing fan and has spent many years following the horses. Back in his younger days he even bred and raced a few himself. We have close friends who breed and race horses so his interest in racing has never waned. And now he has passed this love of the horses and racing on to our son. 

Harness racing is the absolute number one favourite thing in Mark's life. Nothing else is as important to him as the horses. He had no real interest in school, and despite the fact I wanted him to stay at school for another year, all he wanted to do was work with the horses. No amount of convincing him otherwise was going to change his mind so last month he left school and began his harness racing career. He has worked part-time in a local stable for the past year but now he gets to spend as much time as he wants there, without the interruption of having to go to school. In the past six months he has learnt so much and has gained so much experience working with and driving numerous different horses. He is now ready to begin the next phase of his career to become a fully fledged race driver. 

Harness racing is not a career path chosen by many. But looking back into my family history I have found several branches of my family involved with harness racing. One branch in particular though, on my maternal side, was right into it in a big way. Let's step back in time to early last century, and it is at this point in time I have found three of my great grandmothers brothers who were all involved with the harness racing world.

William WALLIS (1884 - 1968), Joseph WALLIS (1894 - 1972) and Thorley WALLIS (1901 - 1973) were all harness racing trainers and drivers, each achieving their own fair share of success. They lived and breathed harness racing, much like their great great great nephew Mark does now. Harness racing was only in it's infancy way back when they were training and driving, but looking closely at these photos of them below, not too much has changed. The gear the horses wear is still quite similar, although now days most horses wear some "added extras" that help them out that wee bit more (things such as blinkers, murphy blinds, ear plugs, shadow rolls, nose flappers, spreaders and boring poles). Perhaps one of the main differences is the fact that the harness the horses wear is no longer made of leather, but is instead made of a plastic coated nylon which is much easier to keep clean and doesn't needed oiled, therefore a lot less work.


William WALLIS, pictured with 'John Dillon', date unknown

Joseph WALLIS, pictured with 'Indian Child', 1922

The shape of the carts these horses have on from almost 100 years ago are also very similar to what is still used now days by the majority, although some trainers are now beginning to use 'speed-carts' based on American designs which do look quite different. 

But I guess the biggest difference is the fact that the horses now days are no longer ridden. In early harness racing in New Zealand almost all horses were ridden. Back in the 1920's when the WALLIS brothers were starting out in their harness racing careers, most race meetings would be half ridden races, half cart races. But carts quickly became the norm and ridden races were eventually phased out completely by the late 1950's. It was only earlier this year that I saw for myself for the very first time an exhibition "saddle-trot" (a ridden race) at a local race meeting. It was run to show the spectators the way that harness races used to be run way back in the past and was very interesting to see. 



Thorley WALLIS, pictured in the winners circle with 'First Glance', 1922

 As well as my WALLIS family and a branch of my EGAN family who were all trainers and drivers, my own father and grandfather (Ron ENGLISH and Robert ENGLISH) were huge, huge harness racing fans. Although Dad or Grandad didn't actually work in the harness racing industry, they followed the horses almost religiously and one of their favourite past-times was to attend race meetings all over the countryside (and have the odd wee bet). They both passed away before Mark was born and I wish with all my heart that they were still here now to see him drive. I have no doubt at all that they would be extremely proud and absolutely chuffed with what Mark has chosen to do with his life. And I bet they are looking down from Heaven with huge smiles on their faces, thoroughly enjoying watching their grandson living his dream. 




"The biggest adventure you can take
is to live the life of your dreams."
~~ Unknown  ~~


17 October 2014

Family Treasures: ..... it ain't just a rock !!!

This seemingly innocent little rock isn’t just any ordinary old rock. Sure, it doesn’t look like anything special but to me it holds a much deeper meaning than the fact it is just a rock.

As I child growing up I can recall seeing this rock holding open the front door at the Mataura home of my great uncle Bert (Herbert RENSHAW, my paternal grandmothers younger brother). The home had previously belonged to Bert's parents, my great grandparents Herbert and Bessie RENSHAW. After Bert died in 1986 this rock then moved to my grandparents home and it was at this point I actually started to wonder, … what on earth has Grandma kept that rock for !!!

But it turns out that this rock is special; perhaps not to anyone outside the family, but it is to our family. This is the very same rock that held open the front door at the home of Herbert and Bessie in Bothwellhaugh in Scotland. They were married in 1910 and not long after that Herbert found this rock while walking home from work in the nearby coal mines. I guess it may have appealed to him and he thought it ideal to hold the door open due to the fact it has a perfectly flat bottom which makes it sit so well on the floor. And for it’s actual size (140mm long) it is a pretty heavy rock.

Herbert and Bessie outside their NZ home
When Herbert and Bessie emigrated to New Zealand in 1926 the rock was obviously packed in with their belongings and came with them, to continue its job on the other side of the world. I guess in a way they brought a tiny piece of Scotland with them.

Over the years it appears as though it has had a few coats of paint. It is predominantly black now but showing through is various shades of brown and cream. The true colour of the rock is only evident on the bottom where it’s normal grey colour shows through. I will never re-paint it though, I will leave it the way it is as I think it’s unique colour allows it to tell some of the story of its past.

It’s role in my home today is a continuation of it’s role for the past 100 years. It sits in the doorway that goes from my dining room into the passage that leads to the bathroom, laundry and the back door. It sits right up against the doorframe to prevent the door from closing properly so that my beautiful birman cat Sophie can have access through to the laundry where her food and dirt box are located. 

Who knew that something so inconspicuous as a chunk of painted rock could hold such a special meaning. I only hope that in another 100 years time it will still be serving the same purpose in a home belonging to one of my descendants.

13 October 2014

Faces from the past: My great, great grandmother, Marianna Rydzewska

Marianna (nee Rydzewska) SCHULTZ
This beautiful photo used to hang high on the wall in the front bedroom at my great grandparents home in Stratford Street in Gore. This is the face of my maternal great, great grandmother, Marianna Rosalia RYDZEWSKA. She was born in Muhlbanz, West Prussia (now part of Poland) on the 19th of August 1859, the second daughter of August Valentin RYDZEWSKI and his wife Rosalia Marianna SLIWINSKA.

In July 1872 Marianna (age 13), her parents and her siblings Johann, Francisca and Paulina left their homeland behind and sailed from Hamburg, Germany on board the sailing ship ‘Palmerston’,  disembarking at Port Chalmers, New Zealand on Christmas Eve 1872. During the voyage Marianna met a very handsome young gentleman by the name of Johann Valentin SCHULTZ (age 25), and he became her husband three years later. They were married in the Catholic basilica in Invercargill, New Zealand on the 24th of November 1875.

Like many of the other Polish immigrants, after arriving in New Zealand Marianna and Johann anglicised their names to become Mary REGEFSKY and John SCHULTZ. After their marriage John and Mary went on to have a family of nine children, two of whom died as babies; Frank (b.1877), John (b.1879), Martha (b.1881), Joseph (b.1882), Thomas (b.1884), Adam (b.1886), James (b.1887 - my great grandfather), Alexander (b.1890), and Thomas (b.1893). 

Many of the Polish immigrants that settled in southern New Zealand lived in the area of East Gore then known as Germantown, with many of them working on the development of the railway. In time some of them were able to purchase land and John SCHULTZ purchased 200 acres at Croydon Bush, west of Gore. Life was tough for immigrant families trying hard to settle in a new country where they often struggled to be understood, but John and Mary worked hard to develop their land and raise their young family. 

But after several very poor years on the farm, and heavily in debt, John found himself in trouble and had to sell his land. The farm was auctioned off and he had to find other ways to feed his growing family. He spent time working on the maintenance of local roads, and also made some extra money shooting rabbits. However, his debt was too much for him and he was eventually declared as bankrupt in July 1887. 

From the "Mataura Ensign"
17 April 1894
From the "Mataura Ensign"
20 April 1894
In 1893 John fell seriously ill with tuberculosis and then contracted pneumonia and could no longer work to support his family. He died on the 2nd of November 1893, aged just 47. Mary was 34 years old and seven months pregnant at the time, and was left a widow with seven young children to raise on her own. Her parents and her brother and two sisters were all living locally, so they would have been available to give her some support and help. 

But it must have been a very tough time for Mary as six months after John’s death I found an interesting report in the newspaper of a concert being held to benefit Mary and her young children. There were mixed reviews of the actual concert but in total it raised over £18 for her, which was a fair amount of money way back in 1894. They must have been a well-liked family for the town to do this for them.

Although Mary never fully came to grips with the English language and struggled with it throughout much of her life, she became a naturalised New Zealander in May 1926. My late nana (Doris, nee SCHULTZ) told me that as a child she would go to the home of Mary (her grandmother) each day after school and do chores for her. At times she struggled to understand her grandmother but remembered her fondly and said she was always very, very kind to her. 

Mary died aged 72 on the 22nd of January 1932 after a long battle with cancer of the liver. She was buried with John and their two young sons, Thomas and Adam, in the Gore Cemetery.

I have nothing but admiration for Mary and would love to have been around 100 years ago so I could have known her. To me she seems like a very strong woman, and I guess she would have had to have been to put the bad times behind her and carry on and raise her seven children on her own. To do it in this day and age would be difficult, but to do it 125 years ago would be extremely hard, especially too as she struggled so much with the language in her new homeland. I am very, very proud to be descended from Mary, such a beautiful, kind and strong Polish woman.

5 October 2014

Those we love never truly die ......

Every once in a while the reality of life, ….. and in fact death, causes me to stop in my tracks and reassess my life and my place in this world. This past week has been one of those very reflective weeks.

After years of soul-searching I think I now have a better understanding of how this life works and I realise that God has an individual plan for each of us. We are never privy to this information though, we can only hope that the life he has planned for us is going to be a long and very happy one. 

Last Thursday afternoon my maternal uncle, one of my mothers younger brothers, passed away suddenly after a very short illness. He lived in Australia so I hadn’t seen him for several years. But that doesn’t make it any easier. In fact it probably makes it all the more sad and difficult due to the fact that, even though long periods of time had passed since I last saw him, I now know that this is one more very loved family member that I am never going to get to see again.

It’s made me once again realise that our time on this earth is finite, and we never know when it will be our turn to say goodbye. It has also made me realise that over the space of hundreds and hundreds of years, all of my ancestors I have lovingly searched for and wanted to find out so much about, they too have suffered loss and grief, often in circumstances that we today will never comprehend or fully understand.

It’s made me all the more determined to keep searching and keep recording what I find about my family members who have gone before me. As I’ve previously stated on this blog, I feel it is my purpose on this earth to be the link between the past and the future. So with renewed vigour, and a bit of a heavy heart, I will continue with my mission to document, preserve and share their stories. All of our ancestors and our much loved family members deserve to be remembered, and if they are remembered they will never truly die.

_________________


Paul John EGAN
Feb 1950  -  Oct 2014


My Uncle Paul was a free spirit. He loved life and he lived it his way.
He loved his family and his five sons meant the absolute world to him. 


Rest in peace Uncle Paul.
You are loved by us all and you will never be forgotten.
Sending lots of love and hugs to all your family in Australia.
x x x x x

_________________


"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die"
~  Thomas Campbell  ~



12 September 2014

Family Treasures: - A tale of tragedy and strength

This very inconspicuous, old cane basket is one of my family treasures. It's a bit worn around the edges, it’s a bit grubby in places, and anyone who didn’t know it’s history would probably send it off to the dump. But my maternal great grandfather James Francis (Jim) EGAN made this basket many, many years ago. He made it totally by hand, which is a feat in itself, but the most amazing thing about it is that when it was made, Jim was totally blind.


James Francis (Jim) EGAN
James Francis (Jim) EGAN and his twin brother Michael Patrick EGAN were born on the 28th of December 1876 at Frankton, in Central Otago, New Zealand. They were the first-born children of Irish immigrants William and Mary (nee DWYER) EGAN, who had arrived in New Zealand in 1867 onboard the ship ‘Elizabeth Fleming’.

Jim's father, William EGAN, was accidentally killed while gold mining in February 1878 when Jim and his brother Michael were only 13 months old. Their family subsequently shifted south to begin a new life farming at Wrey’s Bush in Western Southland. His mother, Mary (nee DWYER) EGAN, was a very strong, determined Irish woman who ran her own farm with the help of her brother-in-law James EGAN, and later on with the help of her three growing sons; Jim, Michael and William (who was born 8 months after his father’s tragic death).

6th of August 1913, the marriage of
Jim EGAN & Hanora COSGRIFF

James Francis (Jim) EGAN was married in August 1913 to Hanora Mary COSGRIFF and before long they had a family of four beautiful young children; Jack (John Francis, my maternal grandfather, b. 1914), Molly (b. 1915), Kathleen (b. 1917) and James (b. 1918). Happiness for them was short-lived however, as Jim's beautiful young wife Hanora fell ill when their baby James was only eight months old. Hanora was admitted to hospital in the nearby town of Riverton and underwent an operation to remove a large hydatids cyst from her liver. After the operation she went into shock and the following day (the 27th of July 1919) she died, aged just 30, leaving Jim a widower with four very young children to raise on his own. His mother Mary, now 75 years old, was able to help him to a certain degree and after much discussion it was decided that the eldest child Jack (only four years old) would remain living with his father and grandmother. Toddlers Molly and Kathleen went to live with relations of their mothers Cosgriff family, and baby James went to live with a local family nearby who raised him as one of their own.

Back when Jim was in his late teens he had begun to experience problems with his eyesight and only a few years after his wife’s tragic death it had got to the stage that he was having real difficulties with everyday life on the farm due to his deteriorating sight. In February 1926 his mother Mary died aged 82, and he was left living alone with his now 12 year old son Jack, and with eyes that were failing him badly. Not long after this he underwent an operation to try and save his eyesight but it didn’t go according to plan and instead Jim was left totally blind. And so began a new phase of his life, learning to live in a world of total darkness.

After a few months of trying to return to live at home it was decided that it would be best if Jim left the family farm and moved north to Auckland, to the NZ Blind Institute, to learn the necessary skills to adjust to his new life. After a very fond farewell from the locals, Jim left Wrey’s Bush for good, and would only return periodically for visits in the years that followed. Social occasions held to farewell Jim each time he visited were often reported in the local newspapers and they provide a great insight into life at the time. 

The following is a newspaper report of his initial farewell, printed in the Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle’ on the 8th of February 1927:

Complimentary Social at Wreys Bush"

"When it was made known that Mr Jas. Egan had decided to take up a course at the Auckland Institute for the Blind, the residents were unanimous in deciding he should not leave without them showing their practical sympathy in his affliction and their appreciation of his many acts of kindness and willingness to assist in any movement or gathering, for the benefit of others. Particularly has he been known as the founder and leader of “Egan’s Orchestra”, whose name throughout the District was a bye word for first class music. Mr Egan had for some years suffered from defective eyesight, and an operation became imperative. Unfortunately the result was not successful and he was totally deprived of sight. With commendable determination to be of use, he decided to go to the Institute, fully resolved to accomplish some purpose. On Tuesday evening the hall was packed to its fullest extent, visitors being present from all parts of the district. Mr John Boyle, Heddon Bush, was Chairman, and in a few appropriate remarks, explained the object of the gathering expressing pleasure at the spontaneous response of the whole neighbourhood. An enjoyable concert programme was submitted. Items were rendered by the following: Misses A Ronald, J Ronald and Matheson. Dances by Misses Caulfield and Anderson. H.E. Philip Comedian, provided a fund of humour.

Mr Jas. G Johnston, one of the oldest residents of the district, in making the Guest a present of a well-filled wallet, said he found great difficulty in making an appropriate speech. He wanted Jim to feel he had the sympathy of them all in this time of trial. He assured him of their best wishes for the accomplishment of the task that lay before him and for his ultimate success for the battle of life. “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” was heartily sung at this juncture. Mr D.J. Heenan, Beaumont, said the occasion was both uncommon and sad. He regretted the circumstances. Mr Egan had been hard against it, having lost his wife a few years ago while his family was still young. Although his fresh affliction had overtaken him, he was not downhearted, but with the heart of a lion, he was game and would not give in. He assured him of their prayers for his prosperity. Mr P Sinclair also spoke, referring to the fact that almost everyone present had at some time danced to music supplied by Mr Egan.

Mr Egan, on rising, received a great ovation. In a voice that could be distinctly heard, though deeply touched by emotion, he said words failed to come to thank them for what they had all done for him. He was overcome with gratitude for their spontaneous gift, although not so much for the gift, as the spirit which prompted it. It spoke volumes for their charity and kindness. He was not going to give in and prayed that God would bless and reward them all. “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” was again taken up by the crowd and after a few more items, the chairman called for three hearty cheers for all who had assisted in the evenings entertainment. A dance followed during which a dainty repast, provided by the ladies, was handed around.”


A report of his visit in February 1929 included the following:
“…….. during a recess Mr D Sinclair, on behalf of the company, congratulated their guest on the rapid advancement he had made in the art of basket making and his proficiency on the typewriter. The residents had had the opportunity of seeing samples of his work which he had done during his holiday and could see for themselves the fine class of work he could turn out ……….”
The ‘Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle’ dated the 11th of February 1930 reported the following:
"Complimentary social was tendered to Mr James Egan in the Wrey’s Bush hall on Wednesday 5th inst., prior to his return to the Jubilee Institute for the Blind at Auckland. The hall was well filled with friends and many had come some considerable distance. Dancing was enjoyed by music supplied by Egans’ New Orchestra (4 instruments).
During supper adjournment, Mr D Sinclair expressed the pleasure of seeing their guest in his own town again and looking well and happy. They were all proud to know that despite the affliction that had overtaken him he had not lost heart, but by the excellent tuition and training he had received at the Institute, he was in the happy position of feeling himself in a large measure independent and self-reliant. Samples of his work were before them and had attracted the admiration of everyone. He had mastered the Braille and could do the bookkeeping by that system and was very proficient at the typewriter. He hoped that many of those present would write now and again to Jim and they would be surprised at the well-written reply they would receive. The speaker concluded by congratulating their guest on the success he had achieved by grit and determination and in conjunction with all those present wished him continued success and good health. “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” was heartily sung. An acceptable and suitable presentation was also made. Mr Egan on rising to reply was accorded an ovation. He thanked them sincerely for their many expressions of good will and practical sympathy and assistance. He did not like leaving again after his holiday, but realised that it was all for the best but was always glad to get back to the “Bush” again. He wished one and all Goodbye and Good Luck."

During his time living in Auckland Jim continued to enjoy his music and played the clarinet in the Blind Institute Band. On one occasion the band undertook a nationwide tour of New Zealand, including a visit to the deep south, and this allowed Jim another chance to catch up with all those at home in Wrey’s Bush and also have many friends and family come to hear his band play.

The NZ Blind Institute Band; date unknown but probably taken in the late 1930's.
My great grandfather James Francis (Jim) EGAN is second from the right in the middle row.

Basket making was one of the many new skills that Jim EGAN learnt while at the Blind Institute. From what I have been told, he was a very fast learner and picked up new skills easily. So long as he was told which colours of cane were sitting where when he started, he could turn out a beautiful basket in no time at all. I was also told that over the years most members of his wider extended family had all been given baskets made by him. But I'm afraid my basket is the only example I know of or have ever seen. It was given to me about ten years ago by a grandson of Jim’s younger brother William. There may still be other examples out there but I guess the stories of how they came to be in the family may have been lost over time and the baskets eventually disposed of.

In his later years Jim returned from the Blind Institute in Auckland and spent his last few years living with his son James and family in Invercargill. He died from cancer of the throat and oesophagus in Invercargill on the 24th of April 1947 at the age of 70. He was buried alongside his beloved wife Hanora, his mother Mary and his uncle James at the Wrey’s Bush Cemetery in Western Southland.

My great grandfather Jim EGAN had more than his fair share of tragedies in his lifetime, including the death of his father when he was only a baby, the loss of his wife after only five years of marriage, and then the subsequent loss of his young family as they were taken and raised by others. And as if that wasn't enough for any man to have to endure, he then had to spend well over half of his life living in total darkness. But he did so with dignity, with courage, with strength and determination, and without so much as a single grumble or a “why me”. He took life as it was dealt to him and made the most of the opportunities he was given.


10 September 2014

Family Mysteries: - A voyage across the seas

My gt, gt grandfather
Robert Speirs LINDSAY
In the late 1880’s my paternal great, great grandparents made a voyage from Scotland to the United States, and then back again the following year. They were unmarried at the time they left and married when they returned, but that in itself is nothing unusual. What is unusual however, is the fact that they were both from very poor families, so how or why they made this voyage is a complete mystery to me.

My great, great grandfather Robert Speirs LINDSAY was born on the 25th of September 1868 at Tollcross, Shettleston, Lanarkshire, Scotland. He was one of the youngest of a family of at least twelve children of Andrew and Elizabeth (nee SPEIRS) LINDSAY. 

Robert LINDSAY's parents, my 3x great grandparents
Andrew & Elizabeth (nee SPEIRS) LINDSAY
His wife Janet CLOSE was born about 1868 in County Down, Ireland. Exactly where or when I have been unable to ascertain yet. She was one of at least eight children of James and Agnes (nee WILKINSON) CLOSE who emigrated to Scotland from Ireland between 1873 and 1878 when Janet was aged between five and ten years old. Both the LINDSAY and CLOSE families lived in very close proximity to each other in Bothwell, Lanarkshire where the men of the families all worked as coal miners. In fact in 1891 the families were actually next door neighbours in Bellshill, so they would obviously have known each other well.

I first became aware of this mystery voyage when I located Robert LINDSAY and his wife Janet (nee CLOSE) on the 1891 Scottish census. Robert (aged 22) was recorded as a coal miner, living at Bellshill in Lanarkshire. What was notable about the census entry for his family was that his eldest son Andrew (age 1), was recorded as having been born in Bleurfield*, America while their second son, James (4 mths), was recorded as being born in Lanarkshire, Scotland. 

The 1891 census of Scotland showing Robert and Janet LINDSAY and their two sons

The subsequent purchase of the birth record for the second son James Close LINDSAY (born 15th November 1890) recorded that his parents were married on the 25th of October 1888 in Clearfield Co, Pennsylvania, America. So that was now two references to America. I obviously needed to look into this a bit further.

A quick search on Ancestry.com turned up a marriage record for a Robert LINDSAY (age 20) and a Jannett CLOSS (age 21) on the same date as mentioned above (25th of October 1888) at Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. This was definitely my couple, but what on earth were they doing in America? This marriage record also revealed that Robert was a miner working and living at the Morrisdale Mines. Another search soon found the baptism of their first son Andrew LINDSAY, born on the 6th of August 1889 and baptised “in the church” at Morrisdale on the 12th of January 1890.

On the 8th of February 1890 the ship 'Anchoria' arrived in Glasgow, Scotland, having sailed from New York. On board were 'John' LINDSAY and his wife Janet and their 6 month old son Andrew. Despite being recorded as 'John' and not Robert, I believe this is probably my family returning to Scotland as no other record for them returning home can be found.
When exactly Robert and Janet went to America I haven’t yet ascertained. I have found a record on Ancestry.com for a Robert LINDSAY, coalminer, leaving Glasgow on board 'State of Nebraska', arriving in New York on the 18th of July 1888. Whether or not this is my Robert I am not sure. And if it is, where then is Janet?

But the most important question, ......... why they went to America, is still the big mystery I hope to solve. There are so many questions I want answers to.
  • Where did they get the money from to make the voyage? 
  • Did their families know they had gone or did they run away together? 
  • Did they go together or did Robert go first and then send money for Janet to come too? 
  • Was Robert enticed over there by American coal mining companies seeking employees?
  • Why did they choose to return to Scotland and not stay permanently in America, a land of so many opportunities?

So many questions, ….… so many answers I may never find, but I will keep searching.


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Footnote: Robert and Janet (nee CLOSE) LINDSAY went on to have four children together: Andrew (b.1889), James Close (b.1890), Elizabeth Speirs (b.1892) and Robert (b.1894).  Sadly Janet died from pneumonia in May 1896, aged just 28 years. Robert remarried in October 1899 to a widow, Bridget FOX (nee MURPHY), who had two young sons of her own. 

Robert and Janet’s two youngest children, Elizabeth Speirs (my great grandmother) and Robert were aged just 3 years old and 20 months old when their mother Janet died. They were brought up from then on by their paternal grandparents, Andrew and Elizabeth (nee SPEIRS) LINDSAY. The two eldest sons, Andrew and James (6 and 5 years old), also went to live with their grandparents initially, but later returned to live with their father and his new wife. They were still living with their father in 1901 aged 11 and 10 years old, but are later shown on the 1911 census aged in their early twenties living back with their very elderly grandparents in Green St, Bothwell.

The LINDSAY Family; date unknown but thought to be taken immediately after WW1.
Back: Elizabeth (nee McPHERSON, wife of Andrew LINDSAY), Bridget (FOX, nee MURPHY, 2nd wife of Robert Speirs
LINDSAY), Bessie RENSHAW (Elizabeth Speirs, nee LINDSAY, my great grandmother), Robert Speirs LINDSAY
(my gt, gt grandfather), Nellie (Helen, nee BLACK, wife of James Close LINDSAY), James Close LINDSAY.
Front: Thomas & Patrick FOX (Bridget's sons, not sure which one is which), Andrew LINDSAY, Robert LINDSAY


Note: * The “Bleurfield” recorded on the 1891 census is obviously a transcription error made by the enumerator and should read “Clearfield”. All subsequent census and birth entries record the name as “Clearfield”.