Author Topic: [COMPLETED] NZ's first anarchist? Research help on Philip Josephs  (Read 20144 times)

Offline garagecollective

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[COMPLETED] NZ's first anarchist? Research help on Philip Josephs
« on: Thursday 21 October 10 23:51 BST (UK) »
Hi everyone,

First time poster. I'm researching early anarchism in NZ (1890-1920) and need some help!

Philip Josephs was a Russian born Jew who started New Zealand's first anarchist collective in Wellington, 1913. Throughout the First World War his mail was censored and his office raided by Police in 1915 (I have Police files from Archives NZ). I would like to know more about his arrival to NZ, and even contact his living relatives. This is what I already know:

He was Naturalised in 1921 (NZer's Naturalised pre 1948). From this I know that he was born in Libau, Russia. His age is given as 44, making his birth date 1877.
He lived in Wellington, worked as a Tailor from 1906 to 1917 (Wises Street Directory & Papers Past). Not listed in 1918 but back in 1919. All records of him in Wises end in 1922.

Rumor has it he skipped the country in 1917 to visit Russia. He may have gone back there in 1922/23...

What I would love to know is:

 a) how Russian's predominately came to NZ. Was it via the UK? Are there shipping records for Russians arriving in NZ?
b) any records of Josephs arrivals or departures. There is evidence of him speaking at meetings in 1906.
c) links to his family today.

His name is spelt 'Josephs' with the 's', not 'Joseph' if this helps.

Look forward to any advice people can give me! Learning this as I go along so bear with me.

Jared

Offline lil growler

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Re: NZ's first anarchist? Research help on Philip Josephs
« Reply #1 on: Friday 22 October 10 01:36 BST (UK) »
Hi Garagecollective

Have you seen this http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19080903.2.48&srpos=1&e=-------10--1----2phillip+josephs--

seems he may have gone bankrupt. I haven't found anything on the NZSG index for him. I didn't find an entry for him at petone settlers Museum database.

Nothing burial information on here either http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/cemeteries/search/search.php
lil
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Offline Janette

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Re: NZ's first anarchist? Research help on Philip Josephs
« Reply #2 on: Friday 22 October 10 01:51 BST (UK) »
Hi Jared,Welcome to Roots chat

Here is a Papers past 1905 article

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0a5d/



Cheers Janette

Offline Janette

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Re: NZ's first anarchist? Research help on Philip Josephs
« Reply #3 on: Friday 22 October 10 02:38 BST (UK) »
Hi Jared,

it appears he may have had 2 children

1906 Albert  Josephs to Sophia and Philip
1909 Harold  Josephs to  Sophia and Philip


https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/Search/Search.aspx?Path=%2fqueryEntry.m%3ftype%3dbirths

Cheers Janette


Offline Thamesite2017

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Re: NZ's first anarchist? Research help on Philip Josephs
« Reply #4 on: Friday 22 October 10 03:18 BST (UK) »
He may have come via England or america..will look at some shipping sites
Bye
Althea

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Re: NZ's first anarchist? Research help on Philip Josephs
« Reply #5 on: Friday 22 October 10 05:12 BST (UK) »
1911 Albert Josephs schooling at Johnsonville,
1916 Thorndon, 1917 Bunnythorpe, 1919 Sanson
So that may help tracking movement in more detail
Bye
Althea

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Re: NZ's first anarchist? Research help on Philip Josephs
« Reply #6 on: Friday 22 October 10 05:18 BST (UK) »
Appears to be older children than the 2 given above

Oldest is Jennie born 1898, so finding her birth may give you more info on family before NZ
Doesn't appear to be in the NZ birth list

Bye
Althea

Offline garagecollective

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Re: NZ's first anarchist? Research help on Philip Josephs
« Reply #7 on: Friday 22 October 10 06:11 BST (UK) »
Thanks everyone for your efforts.

Lil Growler: thanks for that. I've already seen that before (isn't Papers Past awesome).

Janette and Althea: Likewise, I'd seen that article, but I hadn't been able to find anything on his children. After his house in Khandallah and workshop on Cuba Street was raided in 1915, he moved to Hawkestone Crescent. He then disappears, re-emerging as a farmer in Bunnythorpe (which matches the records you found).

Any other suggestions for research? I doubt he was on the electoral role as he was an anarchist. I wonder where and when he died?

A sincere thank you! Once my paper is published I'll be sure to let you all know. Otherwise you can check out the Labour History Project that I design for: www.lhp.org.nz

Jared

Offline lil growler

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Re: NZ's first anarchist? Research help on Philip Josephs
« Reply #8 on: Friday 22 October 10 06:23 BST (UK) »
Jared


Yes, Papers is a great site, isn't it.

Have you seen this http://www.takver.com/history/nz/tm/tm07.htm It suggests that Phillip may have gone back to Russia for a short spell and returned again to NZ.

lil
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