#52Ancestors, Week 35, Back to School

My Mum was a teacher – now retired.

When we were at primary school she used to help out in class with reading – what would eventually become reading recovery. Before she married she had trained as a nurse, but could not complete her training because nurses weren’t married women in the 1950s.

She decided to become a fully fledged teacher at some point in the late 1960s, but first needed to get some qualifications. This meant studying a couple of School Certificate subjects by correspondence and sitting the exam at the end of the year. It was probably good for our future years to see her commitment to study too. I have vague memories of Dad studying when I was much younger, but with Mum we would all be doing homework or study together.

Our move to Wellington most likely disrupted Mum’s plans, and for the first year there she worked at a clothing importer. In a dreary grey building which looked out onto the big deep hole in the ground which would become the BNZ Building at the Willis Street & Willeston Street corner.

She became a student teacher in 1974 and loved the experience – or most of it – graduating in 1977. I remember taking the day, or afternoon off work to go along to watch. Primary schools were where she worked. Khandallah, Newlands, Tairangi, Maraeroa…

Reading and literature were important, Math meh ! (until the 1,2 & 5 cent pieces were discontinued – then there were cages rattled). In the early 1980’s she was the teacher at Hutt Hospital’s children’s ward and in the later years of that decade began to specialise in working with children with special needs as they were integrated back into mainstream classes.

This role morphed to become Resource Teacher Learning and Behavioural and was itinerant; working with a group of schools in a geographical area. She became an advocate for children. Supporting their teachers; searching for solutions and opportunities to enable every child to be the best that they could be and often supporting their parents through the ups and downs that red tape creates.

Don’t tell her something can’t be done; there is bound to be a solution. This is a lady who is determined in everything she does. You need her on your side – you won’t get far trying to go against her, believe me.

Teaching lit her passion, and it is still burning even now.

#52Ancestors, Week 36, Work

I don’t think I have anyone in my tree with an occupation which would be considered out of the ordinary.

Farmers, ag labs, railway employees, tailors, builders, engineers, teachers, nurses, domestics, grooms, coachmen, taxi drivers, truck drivers, mechanics, publicans, gardeners, sailcloth weavers, glovers, fitters, bakers, millers, labourers, clerks, cordial manufacturers and nurserymen can all be found scattered through my tree.

When my Cooper ancestors came to New Zealand in 1841 Samuel the head of the family was a tailor. A trade he had worked at in Montacute, Somerset before emigration. I don’t know where he learnt this trade, perhaps from his father although he died when Samuel was quite young; so maybe not.

Samuel and Elizabeth bought with them seven children. John the eldest was my great great grandfather. He was about twenty when they left England and followed his father and became a tailor. Two other sons began ginger beer and cordial manufacture businesses. Thomas was reputed to be the first to do so in New Zealand. Frederick who was just fourteen months old when they emigrated went on to establish a firm which operated for over 100 years.

F. Cooper Ltd.

It was recognized as a world leader in the production of seed peas for freezing and canning as well as a well established reputation as a producer of other quality seeds.

Fred married Ellen Carpenter in 1863. She was born in Wellington in 1842 shortly after her parents had arrived. Together they set up shop in Manners Street, near Herbert Street. Herbert Street no longer exists, but their shop was on the site, or very close to, where McDonalds now operate on the corner of Manners and Victoria Streets. They sold groceries, fruit and other needs of early settlers as well as seeds and plants from a nursery which Fred had already established between Taranaki and Hooper Streets. In 1866 they placed a half page advertisement in the Wellington Almanac. Their business prospered and four years later in the same publication they advertised that they had been able to erect a large building adjoining the shop where they intended to conduct all of their business.

By 1880, they had outgrown the space between Taranaki and Hopper Streets and extended their interests to Alicetown, south of the present Ewen bridge on the western side of the Hutt Valley. Here they established the Bijou Nurseries. In spite of economic fluctuations they were able to build on their early steady solid growth and in 1890 were obliged to find a larger building. This time on the east of Manners Street near the junction of St Hill St (today this is the laneway running between ASB Bank and Subway on Manners Street through to Bond Street).

Ellen and Fred had a family of eight children. Their two sons and three of their daughters joined the family business. In 1899 their son George aged twenty was sent to England to investigate prospects and returned with a contract to export seeds to the United Kingdom.

Fred died in 1908 but the business continued to grow in the hands of the two sons. In 1909 they erected a five storey building on the corner of Mercer and Willis Street; in 1913 they needed another building, this time in Dixon Street, near Willis Street. They operated from this site until at least the 1960s. The business passed to another Fred Cooper, grandson of the founder in the 1950s.

Coopers were at one time the largest seed house in New Zealand. In 1974 F Cooper Ltd was sold to Arthur Yates & Co Ltd. Yates had begun a similar business in Auckland in 1883, expanding to Australia in 1887. The Yates Seed Division was sold to South Pacific Seeds in 2003. The brand name  for commercial growers was changed to Terranova Seeds. Today Terranova Seeds are still the largest vegetable seed supplier in New Zealand.

References:

https://newspaperarchives.uhcc.govt.nz/?a=d&d=UpperHuttLeader19600317.2.3&

https://www.grassland.org.nz/publications/nzgrassland_publication_2494.pdf

#52Ancestors, Week 33, Family Legend

There are no All Blacks amongst my family – that I know of. No mountain climbers or explorers…or are there ?

Rumour has it that Davis Strait to the north of Canada maybe misspelt and should be Davys Strait. It is named for Captain John Davis (also spelt Davys).

He was born about 1550 near Dartmouth in Devon and died off Bintan Island near Singapore in 1605. He attempted to find the Northwest passage through the Canadian Arctic to the Pacific. It is in this area where you can find Davis Strait – near Baffin Bay.

He made three attempts in 1585, 1586 and 1587 after first proposing the idea to Sir Francis Walsingham, principal secretary to Queen Elizabeth I in 1583. He was unsuccessful in this exploration but imagine the sights which he and his crew will have seen. Narwhal, walrus, seals, icebergs, indigenous peoples.

He is reputed to have commanded the Black Dog against the Spanish Armada in 1588 and sailed with Thomas Cavendish (leader of the third circumnavigation of the Earth) on his last voyage in 1591. He discovered the Falkland Islands on 9 August 1592 while seeking a passage through the Magellan Strait and sailed with Sir Walter Raleigh to Cadiz and to the Azores in 1596-97. He later accompanied expeditions to the East Indies in 1598 and 1601. On the third of these voyages on 1605 he was killed by Japanese pirates.

Davis (Davys) also invented a device call the backstaff or Davis quadrant which was used up until the 18^th century to determine latitude by reading the elevation of the sun. In 1594 he wrote a treatise  on navigation “The Seaman’s Secret” and his 1595 work “The World’s Hydrographical Description” dealt with the Northwest Passage.

So Captain John – I wonder if you DO fit in my tree somewhere ? If not, it is still a pretty good legend to hold on to.

Reference: https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Davis

#52Ancestors, Week 32, Youngest

Oldest last week, youngest this week. I did think about my brother – he’s the youngest in my nuclear family, and it is his birthday this week too. But then, I thought I would follow the theme from last week.

So Happy Birthday little bro. Another trip around the sun completed safely and great things to look forward to on the next trip.

Looking at my tree, I can see I have made some additions this year. My cousin had her second daughter in June 2018 and there are three others, either here on or the way.

Family history often focuses more on the people who have gone before, researching their lives and trying to form a better picture of who they were and what their lives were like. It is great being able to add new people and happy events to the family though, because all the research is for them, ultimately.

It got me thinking about relationships though, and how often branches of our trees grow at different pace to others. I have looked at the relationship of these youngest people compared to my daughter since they are related to her on both branches of her tree.

Already this year a new 2^nd cousin and 4^th cousin once removed have been welcomed and added with another 4^th cousin once removed and 5^th cousin once removed on their way. You can see how far back the common ancestors are for these new family members; great grandparents, 3x great grandparents and 4xgreat grandparents. These new little twiglets are all on my side of her tree.

On her paternal side of the tree though things are a little different. In the past couple of years there have been additions who include a 1^st cousin once removed and THREE 1^st cousins twice removed. Their common ancestors are much closer – her grandparents ! Those three 1^st cousins twice removed are the GRANDchildren of her first cousins.

My side of the tree doesn’t stand a chance catching up to that growth. But nevertheless, each new little twig that I add to the tree is welcome. I hope that someday all my hard work will answer any questions they might have about their ancestors.

Searching for Mary Ann and remembering her

They say that when we are gone we live on, as long as people still speak our names or tell our stories. I reckon my ancestors are all pretty lucky then, to have me searching for them, trying to discover all that I can; who they were, where they lived etc - and then sharing that with the rest of you.

So today, one year and one day since relocating to Victoria, we made a trip to Melbourne. I had done some inquiring you see, something I kept telling myself I had to do one day. So one day came !

I knew that my 2 x great grandmother was buried at Melbourne General Cemetery from her death certificate. But where ? Have you seen the SIZE of that cemetery ? And the records aren't online just yet. So I emailed and asked and got a reply very quickly.

From their information I also learnt that her "husband" was buried in the same plot as well as one of her daughters and an infant grandchild. I had been unable to find his death before, but now I had a date. 

Certificate purchased !

I know a bit more about him too now. He was from Cornwall and came to live in Geelong with his parents as a young child. What enticed him to go to New Zealand then ? Haven't solved that piece yet. But he returned to Australia in March 1876 after his father died and made him executor to his estate. Looks like that might have been when great great grandma Mary left her husband in Kaikoura and her ten eldest children and started a new life in Melbourne. (You might remember her from here)

Anyways, back to today. We went exploring in Albert Park/Middle Park/South Melbourne. What a lovely area. Today it still has quite a bustling village atmosphere.

We found the house where they lived

and walked the streets she will have walked

spotted the school where the children likely attended (emailing on Monday)

Then we caught the tram to the cemetery and armed with the information in my email reply and the map we went walking.

And found her resting place with a bit of divine intervention steering me in the right direction. Not so many magnificent headstones in the Wesleyan "compartment" that they are in, and none for them either. No wrought iron surround, just SCHNEIDER at the foot of the simple concrete border. The married name of her daughter Mary Ann (Mollie), the last of the four interred.

Still waiting for some of the descendants of those three children to get DNA tested, or share information. It has taken over 60 years to get this much of the puzzle solved, so what is a few more ? There is still time.

Mary Ann Barratt (married name Cooper; known as Nicholls) 1831-1903

Charles Nicholls 1837-1900

Mary Ann Cooper (known as Nicholls, married name Schneider) 1873 - 1932

Baby Schneider 1907-1907

©we remember you still©

#52Ancestors, Week 31, Oldest

Oldest what ? or oldest who ?

I thought about “oldest child” but that would be me and didn’t feel right. So instead, I looked to see who was born the longest time ago – the “oldest” person in my tree.

The “actual” oldest person I found that I have added to the tree was Elizabeth Delebere 1338-1428 who is really only in my tree by association. Her husband was Oliver St John 1346-1437. Their grandson Oliver reputedly married Margaret Beauchamp when she was about 14. She later married John Beaufort and then Lionel de Welles. The only child from her second marriage was Margaret Beaufort; the Red Queen (if you are a Philippa Gregory fan) – mother to Henry VII.  Anyway, one of the descendants of the first marriage (to Oliver St John) is a direct ancestor of my mother’s first cousin on her mother’s line. Confused ?

The next eldest people are Christophe Du Prie 1570-1657 and his wife Marie Boutelie 1570-? I am fairly confident that they are my 11xgreat grandparents in my mother’s paternal line. I don’t know too much about them. But I am pretty sure they were Huguenot refugees who left France seeking refuge in Spitalfields, London and becoming part of the silk industry there.

They were from Valenciennes, in the north of France, close to what is now the Belgian border. Valenciennes was known for its wool, fine linens and lace. It was also a religious hotspot and for many years under Spanish rule. The 16^th century was a time of turmoil religiously. Protestantism was challenging the Catholic church in Europe and in Britain. Protestants attacked Catholics, and were massacred in retaliation; there were up to EIGHT civil wars between 1562-1598.  Some sources estimate that the Huguenot population in France fell from 2 million to 856, 000 between 1562 and the mid-1660’s.

Christophe and Marie left France in the early 1600s after the Edict of Nantes was issued in 1598. This edict reaffirmed Roman Catholicism as the state religion in France but granted Protestants equality and a degree of religious and political freedom. Although initially enforcement of the Edict alleviated the persecution and pressure to leave France, it became more irregular over time with life becoming so intolerable that many fled the country.

The “strangers” were welcomed to London and permitted to worship by thirteen year old Edward VI (coincidentally a descendant of Margaret Beaufort – above) who as a Protestant himself supported the reformation in Europe and saw the need to provide for the refugees fleeing to London. He granted a Royal Charter in 1550 giving them this freedom. Anyone who knows their English history will know that the pendulum swung back after Edward’s death and the persecution began again in their new homeland under the rule of Mary Tudor, until her sister Elizabeth I assumed the throne.

Christophe and Marie’s first child Daniel was born in Valenciennes in 1598, but their subsequent children all appear to have been born and baptised in London in one of the French Protestant Churches in Spitalfields.

Over time the spelling of their name changed, becoming Dupree by the mid-late 1600’s when their great grandson married. Many of their descendants were still recorded as weavers in the mid 1700’s and still living close to Spitalfields.

Maybe I should try my hand at lacemaking – it could still be in my DNA.

#52Ancestors, Week 27, Independence

I’ve been struggling with this topic for almost a month. I don’t have anyone (that I am aware of) who fought in the War of Independence, and most of my ancestors emigrated as part of a family unit rather than on their own. The ones who did travel alone, travelled to join family already living at their destination.

So, since I didn’t have a blog (or even facebook) back in 2007, I thought I would document my solo trip to Scotland now.

I had started planning a trip to the UK because I had never been. Plans of an OE when I was young just never eventuated. I began planning, thinking I might make it a celebration for one of those significant birthdays. Turns out it wasn’t for a significant birthday – but it did happen.

Mum and Dad came with me, I think we were away about 4 weeks, but only together for two of them. At the beginning we spent time in Warwickshire, reconnecting with Mum’s family and exploring teeny hamlets and towns in Oxfordshire, Shropshire and Wales. Then to Somerset to do the same with Dad’s family.

Walking in the footsteps of those who had gone before us. My soul, feeling like this was where it should be. It just felt right.

Then we went our separate ways. Mum and Dad to visit friends in Wiltshire and London, then on to Ireland. We’d meet up again before leaving for a few days in Frankfurt on our way home.

I caught the train from Taunton to Edinburgh. This was going to be my adventure. I had booked the train tickets online before leaving New Zealand and had a rental car booked to be collected in Edinburgh. I had a map book, and I had already pre-booked all my accommodation.

So, I caught the train. I watched the countryside flash by my window not really sure exactly where I was. I had to change trains at Carlisle. The train from Carlisle to Edinburgh got delayed by an hour, maybe two, in the middle of nowhere because a freight train ahead had broken down and there was no way to pass. The guard came through collecting everyone’s details and by the time I was back in New Zealand a refund of my fare was waiting for me. Imagine THAT !

Anyway, it was later than planned when I disembarked from the train. Not dark, but getting toward dusk. I walked, following my paper map to the B&B I had booked. I think it was about 20-30 minutes. I probably walked the longest, most roundabout way, but I got there, checked into my room then found a wee pub down the road for dinner.

For the next couple of days I explored the city on hop-on hop-off buses, and by foot. I loved the architecture. I walked the Royal Mile, stroked the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, shopped and frequented Café Nero which also had an internet café (remember them ?). I could catch up on email news – and have coffee. I ate at the Hard Rock Café at least once.

Then it was time to pick up the rental car. And drive. In a place I had never been. Without a navigator. Without a GPS. But, I had places I wanted to see. Scotland was for Lauren – and for the book-geek in me.

I found my way back to the B&B and parked the car ready for the journey to begin. My plan was a very roundabout route to Glasgow; backroads, avoiding motorways with horrendous numbers of lanes and exits. I went south first, through Melrose, Galashiels, Selkirk, Ettrick and Yarrow. Following the steps of Lauren’s paternal grandmother’s family and Mary Queen of Scots. Traquair, Mountbenger and on. The plan was to go across country a little through Carstairs, Carluke then across to Larkhall, another family hamlet. But when I got to Carluke something was on in town, a parade of some sort and roads were closed all over and I couldn’t work out where I needed to go. So I doubled back for ages and then followed some signs to Glasgow. Suddenly before I knew it I was in a long queue of traffic; I had missed Larkhall and I was about to be on the M74. What the hell !

Thanks goodness for queues. They gave me an opportunity to study the map, work out which exit I needed. SIX or EIGHT lanes to navigate ! Once off I was in the city…with a million one way roads to manage. I’m not sure which was worse, navigating the one way system or the multi-laned motorway. Eventually I found my way to the next B&B up near the School of Art and parked the car for the night.

I didn’t look around too much. I was so annoyed about my foiled itinerary, and tired from driving that I just walked into the city and found McDonalds for dinner. You always know what you are getting with them, so always a safe bet on holiday. Best thing about B&B’s is the amazing breakfast in the morning. If you eat nothing else all day, at least you will have started out well.

I did go back into the centre of town next morning, in search of a better sports bag type bag to carry my stuff and to look at the Information Centre and souvenir shop quickly. Then I was on the road again. Fortunately I had booked a B&B which had great access onto the road I needed to follow to get to the Highlands.

Next stop Fort William…with many quick stops on the way to capture the scenery. I stayed at a private B&B for a couple of nights and drove to Mallaig and the Silver Sands at Arisaig. I had to stop at the Glenfinnan monument on the way back, because earlier it was off limits while filming was taking place for “Maid of Honour” a movie with McDreamy from Greys Anatomy. I remember there were Harry Potter fans there too since the Glenfinnan viaduct features in those movies.

Churches, and churchyards, the Clan Cameron museum – there is lots to explore there. Next I was off to Aviemore, but I drove north to Fort Augustus, Drumnadrochit, a little diversion to Beauly and then to Inverness and Culloden. Listening to Leona Lewis and Rihanna (Umbrella-ella-ella) on the radio. It didn’t take as long to get to Aviemore as I thought, so I had a bit of time to wander about the town.

It’s a ski town, in the Cairngorms, but it was mid summer when I was there. Glorious sunshine. Don’t let anyone tell you it rains all the time in Scotland. NONE the whole time I was there. The next morning I was heading back to Edinburgh, my whistlestop tour was almost over.

So with stops on the way at Pitlochry, Perth and Linlithgow I was back in Edinburgh.  Found my way to the car rental place and a cab back to the city for one last walk around. I had changed my accommodation too, choosing somewhere closer to the train station as I was on an early morning train to London the next day.

It was an amazing time, I hadn’t got lost  - really – just driven a few extra miles in a roundabout fashion occasionally, and I had a list of places I wanted to come back to, if ever I had the chance.

Next morning, early, I was in a cab  then on the train ready for the next part of my adventure which included 2 days at the tennis. Queens – Stella Artois – in West Kensington near Barons Court station, the week before Wimbledon. Andy Roddick won that year, the last year it was known as the Stella Artois Championship.

So, there you have it – Independence.