Genealogy Chat

hi Huia dont know if you can help but im trying to find out were my dad went ,his name was herbert morgan and he signed up as steward on the ss Trewyn bound for auckland new zealand,he was prevouis was in the australian army,thank you joyce from holland ps the year was 1 october 1923

I have printed out these pages to take to town with me. Davids will be first, then Marys, then Jills, being the order in which they were posted. I wasnt expecting so many look-ups! But happy to help, after all I might want help with my lot in England some time. I believe in giving as well as receiving.

Hi Huia No rush on this one - Herbert FORDER (born in Norfolk, England in 1868). According to his naval records (Royal Navy) he drowned at sea on 22 Oct 1886 - the ship he was on was the Diamond - which was in Auckland, NZ at the time. I have asked for look ups on Findmypast but no joy so wondered whether he was registered over there. Many thanks Jill

Hi Huia I'm never in a hurry for information, just very grateful for any assistance that I get. Thanks for being able to take the time to look them up for me. regards David Adelaide South Australia Australia

Hi Huia Thanks for the offer. Could you please have a look for the death of James(Jim) Whetton,according to the inscription on a family grave he is commemorated as having died 21 March 1921 aged 31 in New Zealand.I do not know the location in NZ but would be grateful for any help. Many thanks Mary

Hello David. As I said, I hope you are not in a hurry for the info. Tues is my usual day out (25 min drive to town). I will be going in on Fri but dont know if I will have time to do any lookups, no promises, no disappointments, but will certainly look things up next Tues, all being well. Huia.

Hi Huia Hopefully you can help me. I am attempting to locate the Marriage of my Grand-parents and subsequent Births of my Father and his 2 sisters. I do know my Fathers Birth Date and, according to him, where he was born, but the others are pure conjecture as the family has different dates for them. Grand-Parents: Alfred Ballinger (b 25/10/1871 Tower Hill, Victoria, Australia) - Emily Jane Pritchard (b 6/8/1869 Maitland, New South Wales, Australia) - Marriage date and where, is unknown. I have searched both Victoria and New South Wales Records with no success, so New Zealand is my next hope as their 3 children were all born there. Children - Florence Emily Ballinger (b 28 Aug 1916), Alfred George Ballinger (b 30/8/1918). Zillah Edna Ballinger (b 9 Aug 1920). All born possibly in Auckland, NZ although they may have been born in Nelson NZ as Dad used to talk about living there. Of the birth dates, only my Father's is relatively accurate as the other 2 are subject to conjecture. I haven't been able to find any reference to them immigrating from Australia in passenger lists so when they arrive is NZ is guess-work. Hoping you can help Regards David Adelaide South Australia Australia

I told a lie! I did find the birth in 1916, 6150 which is the 4th quarter of the year in Palmerston North. I was thinking of another look-up which I didnt find. If I get time tomorrow I will look for marriages, will also look at electoral rolls for about that time, but possibly not until next week as our gen rooms are only open on Tues morning 10 to middday and I am meeting somebody at 10 elsewhere. I can look up the BDM index any time the library is open.

I was a bit pushed for time today, didnt find the 1916 birth. I will have another look tomorrow when hubby goes for a hair cut, otherwise on Tuesday which is my usual day for town. Will look a few years either side of 1916.

I am going to town tomorrow. If I get time I will have a look at the births index, also marriages for the sister. Otherwise it might be next Tuesday. I dont go to town every day. Huia.

The website for Internal Affairs, BDM, is www(.)dia(.)govt(.)nz remove dots. It has cost of certs or photocopies and info on how to order. Not sure about ordering from overseas but it does mention it. I can look up names provided you are not in a mad rush (I am a busy 'girl', and provided you have an approximate year and preferably area. The more info the better. But please, no Bob Jones or Bill Smith!