RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: Valsgirl on Wednesday 04 May 11 05:43 BST (UK)
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My Grandfather migrated from Co. Down, Nth Ireland to Lower Hutt in 1928. He was employed all his working life an a gardener (nursery /market gardens) by the Orr family. There were many Orr families in Co Down. I'm thinking it is not by pure coincidence that my Grandparents & their young son arrived in NZ, and straight away found employment at Orr's Gardens. On line I see Robert Orr's Historic Home, where the gardening business would have surrounded. I have tried emailing Orr House, to find the history of the original owner & his family, but have not received a reply.
I have searched Papers Past & found an appropriate 1932 death notice for a Robt Orr, but couldn't find an obituary.
I'd love to know why my Grandfather brought his family to Lower Hutt, while his siblings chose to migrate to USA. Would anyone have details, enabling me to connect Robert Orr & his family to Kilkeel Co Down?
With thanks, Valsgirl
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Hi Valsgirl
If you can confirm is death on Nz bmds that would be great. You could also then search online for the cemetery where robert was buried, there should be burial info that the cemetery can give you, (ring or email them) this should enable you to find the funeral director. If you contact the funeral director then they can give you info that might just include where Robert is from and a date of arrival etc.
Did a quick search on found a Robert Murray Orr and a Robert richard Orr in Karori Cemetery one in 1961 & 1969.
http://www.wellington.govt.nz/services/cemeteries/search/details.php?id=20408&Service=Cremation
Hope this helps
Rotosis
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Hi Valsgirl,
The Robert Orr death in 1932 was aged about 80 years and buried in Taita Old Cemetery. Here is the link for the council.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0d2a/
Cheers
KHP
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Hi again,
Robert Orr's Probate. You can ask for someone to do a look up for you.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0d2c/
Have you checked your SPAM in case the reply from Orr House went there?
Cheers
KHP :)
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Hi Valsgirl
For many years I was a resident of Lower Hutt and the Robert Orr family home was a prominent feature surrounded by expansive market gardens and employing many people.
For several years I lived very near the house which towered over the neighbourhood.
I understand the house was built around 1885.
The market garden operation ceased in the 1960's and the estate was subdivided.
I shall send you a pm with more information about the house and contact details.
Regards
Kiskeam
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Many thanks, Rotosis, KHP & Kriskeam, for you interest in this query.
Thought, by chance someone may be reaearching this Orr family & know Robert's birtplace. I have:
Robt. Orr (abt 1852 - 1932) married Ellen Burt, in NZ 1886
Their sons
Thomas William (1887 - 1958) m Maude Violet Sommerville (abt 1883 -1967), in NZ 1917
Robert Richard (1889 - 1961) m Myra Kinniburgh Hill. in NZ 1912
I have no certificates. The above details have been sourced from NZbmd online.
I could, if my curiosity becomes too great, buy Robert's death Certificate, hoping that the details given are correct.
My Grandmother's death certificate states she was born in Scotland, because that is what my father, who gave the details, believed. I've discovered she was born in Co Antrim, as were her ancestors on both sides back for at least 3 generations!
I'll follow up the Taita Cemetery lead.
Thanks again, Valsgirl
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Hi, there was an Orr family living in Kingston Street, Lower Hutt in the 1950s - the chuildren attended Dyer Street School, Boulcott Scholl and Naenae College.
If they are related, it might be worth checking on www.oldfriends.co.nz - Donald Orr was a very good tennis player from memory
DonL
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Thanks DonL,
I'm a member of that school site & have found it very helpful for family history research. Didn't think of using it to find Orrs.
Can't see any Orr family registered at the schools you mention, but have sent an email to Nigel Orr, now living in Lower Hutt, so will see if that brings me luck.
I did send another email, last week to Robert Orr House, but again they haven't replied.
I appreciate you showing an interest in my query & reminding me to look on "oldfriends".
Valsgirl
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Would anyone have details, enabling me to connect Robert Orr & his family to Kilkeel Co Down?
With thanks, Valsgirl
Hi Valsgirl
The Petone Library now houses all heritage material for Hutt City, and I'm sure they will be able to assist you with further info regarding Robert ORR.
Try this link >>
http://www.library.huttcity.govt.nz/Leisure--culture/Libraries/Family-and-local-history/
A search on the catalogue brings up 17 hits for "Robert ORR", amongst which is a publication entitled "Keeping it in the Family" (mentioning that 3 generations of Robert's family were raised in the house.) [Hopefully this might contain some genealogical info. ? ] ;)
~ Lu
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... oops, sorry ... that link seems not to work. :-[
Try >
http://www.huttcity.govt.nz/
> click on "Leisure and Culture" > "Heritage and Archives"
which brings you to a link to "Heritage Centre" and an email address for enquiries.
~ Lu
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Thanks Lucy2,
I did work out the correct address & I have sent a query to "Ask a Librarian", this afternoon.
I enjoyed reading some Hutt & Petone books ( parts of them!) on this site. I thought, wrongly, there may be some mention of Robert Orr. The publication / item "Keeping it in the Family" sounds just what I need. I'm hoping the Librarian will tell me how I can get hold of this.
Previously, I've found Local Libraries an excellent source of information, thank you very much for pointing me in this direction.
With much appreciation,
Valsgirl (Brisbane, Australia)
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Hi, I found the old post and was not sure if you had any luck with your search, I can help you out as my parents still live in the original home.
Regards
Orrbodies
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I can remember my Dad telling stories about your Grandfather, my Dad (born 1924) is still alive and I am sure would be able to tell you more, as a new user I am as yet unable to reply to a personal message.
Any suggestions.
Regards
Orrbodies
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Hi I am related to Robert Orr . He was born in Calderwood East Kilbride Lanarkshire Scotland on the 29 July 1852 some 3 years prior to the introduction of Statutory Registration. His parents were William Orr and Jane Mann . I have a lot on info if you wish more do let me know .
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Thank you CaledonCol, for your interest in my post.
Orrbodies, a direct Orr descendant, see above post, contacted me and I was able to discount a relationship between the Lower Hutt Orr family and the Co. Down Irish clan.
I did meet the lovely old Mr. Orr, when we visited Lower Hutt about 4 years ago, and he gave us a tour of his garden, informed us of historical facts about his property and reminisced about his employee, my Grandfather, William Bingham.
Good luck with your research,
Valsgirl
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You may like to take a look at the link below. 👍
http://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/1326
I was born and lived in the Hutt Valley until recently! The house is very familiar to me!!
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No relation to the Manchester Orr's?
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Not that I am aware of....
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Hmm. Have ye researched that area?
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Hi all, I have a letter dated Sept 1937 signed by Robert R Orr of Orr Brothers Horticulturalists, Lower Hutt, New Zealand. This was sent to my Grandfather who ran an engineering business in the UK. I am happy to forward a copy of it on, to an Orr family descendant, should they be interested. I am UK based, but in the Wellington area for a few days, until the end of February 2023. Many thanks. Ross.