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Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: g forgeron on Sunday 24 June 12 15:57 BST (UK)

Title: Alexander Howie DONALD, born Troon SCT 1902-1991
Post by: g forgeron on Sunday 24 June 12 15:57 BST (UK)
I'm looking for information on the death of Alexander Howie Donald, son of Thomas & Fanny Donald nee Howie, born December 1903 in Troon Scotland. He lived in 70 Kana Street in 1977, I wrote to that address but got no reply.

I would also like to know when he went to New Zealand, I believe it was under a scheme called "The Harvesters", but that is just hearsay

All I know is that he was a bachelor and I think he worked in a meat processing plant at one time.
Title: Re: Alex Donald in Matuara
Post by: GLC on Sunday 24 June 12 17:12 BST (UK)
Death
NZBDM
1991/46454   Donald, Alexander Howie  b. 22 December 1902

Title: Re: Alex Donald in Matuara
Post by: Thamesite2017 on Monday 25 June 12 01:50 BST (UK)
That is his address in 1978 Electoral roll..no other person by same surname at the address, he is a caretaker
Bye
Althea

**Name was still on the 1981 Roll**
Title: Re: Alex Donald in Matuara
Post by: Thamesite2017 on Monday 25 June 12 01:54 BST (UK)
1963 address is just Mataura, a custodian
Bye
Althea

You can check the years at ancestry at the free index
He appears 1938 at Takanini(Auckland) as a stable hand

Bye
Althea
Title: Re: Alex Donald in Matuara
Post by: kiwihalfpint on Monday 25 June 12 02:44 BST (UK)
Death
NZBDM
1991/46454   Donald, Alexander Howie  b. 22 December 1902



Buried at Alexandra Cemetery


Cheers
KHP
Title: Re: Alex Donald in Matuara
Post by: spades on Monday 25 June 12 03:46 BST (UK)
Hi g forgereon,

I'm intrigued by your reference to a possible immigration scheme known as 'The Harvesters'. I've not heard of a scheme of that name.

You might find this site of some help. This particular link takes you to a page discussing immigration between 1945-75 but I's only taking a punt with Donald's arrival date. Other pages in the series may also be of value.
http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/history-of-immigration/14

When was he last known to be in Scotland?

Have you tried FindmyPast for passenger lists?

Spades
Title: Re: Alex Donald in Matuara
Post by: Janette on Monday 25 June 12 05:25 BST (UK)
Hello,

FindMyPast has an Alex Donald year of birth 1904 leaving Southampton for Auckland NZ in 1924

Cheers Janette
Title: Re: Alex Donald in Matuara
Post by: Janette on Monday 25 June 12 08:58 BST (UK)
Hi,
Could he have travelled with other family members?
There is a Mr W and Mrs Donald on the same journey

Cheers Janette
Title: Re: Alex Donald in Matuara
Post by: spades on Tuesday 26 June 12 04:53 BST (UK)
Hi Janette,

Can you tell us the name of the ship, please?

Spades




Title: Re: Alex Donald in Matuara
Post by: Janette on Tuesday 26 June 12 04:58 BST (UK)
Hi Spades

It was the Tainui,I PMed the transcript to g forgeron but the feeling was that Alex had travelled on his own and his parents had never left Scotland,I wondered if it was a brother and his wife.

Cheers Janette
Title: Re: Alex Donald in Matuara
Post by: spades on Tuesday 26 June 12 05:52 BST (UK)
Hi G,

You might find the Archives New Zealand Research Guide on Migration of some use.

http://archives.govt.nz/resources/research-resources

Spades
Title: Re: Alex Donald in Matuara
Post by: BegClonrode .... on Tuesday 26 June 12 06:02 BST (UK)
Quote from: kiwihalfpint

Death
NZBDM
1991/46454   Donald, Alexander Howie  b. 22 December 1902

Buried at Alexandra Cemetery



Hello...

The burial record for the Alexandra cemetery ashes burial found by KHP is on the Dunedin Council cemetery website.

The record mentions a cousin. Maybe you can email the "For further information" address on the webpage and see if they have the name/address of the cousin.

Link to burial record...
http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/cemeteries/cemeteries_search?recordid=155417&type=Cremation

If the above link doesn't work here is the search page for the Dunedin Council cemetery database
http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/cemeteries/cemeteries_search

Regards
Beg
Title: Thomas Donald jockey??
Post by: g forgeron on Thursday 04 August 16 18:08 BST (UK)
My late uncle Thomas Donald, was born 1903 in Troon, Ayrshire.He  emigrated to New Zealand in 1926, and died in Ranfurley in 1991. He never married. The family legend has it that at one time he was a jockey. Who, and, or where, can I find out if this is true. Is there some kind of central register of jockeys?

Any help would be appreciated
Title: Re: Thomas Donald jockey??
Post by: spades on Thursday 04 August 16 19:06 BST (UK)
Hi G,

I found New Zealand Racing very helpful when I had a similar enquiry some years ago.
https://www.nzracing.co.nz/Home.aspx

Spades
Title: Re: Thomas Donald jockey??
Post by: minniehaha on Thursday 04 August 16 19:21 BST (UK)
Not part of the brief but I went looking for his death, without success. Was Thomas DONALD his full name?


Minniehaha.
Title: Re: Thomas Donald jockey??
Post by: Janette on Thursday 04 August 16 20:17 BST (UK)
Not part of the brief but I went looking for his death, without success. Was Thomas DONALD his full name?
Minniehaha.

I don't see this name in any of the passenger lists either

Cheers Janette
Title: Re: Thomas Donald jockey??
Post by: Janette on Thursday 04 August 16 20:26 BST (UK)
 On FindMyPast there is an Alexander DONALD born 1903 arriving in NZ in 1926 his UK address was 11 Burassus', Troon occupation given as labourer,is this your man?

Family Search entry
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D4W9-XYJ?i=22&wc=MP7N-R99%3A119034101%2C119049801%2C119100101%3Fcc%3D1609792&cc=1609792

This looks like this man's death

1991/46454   Donald    Alexander Howie    born 22 December 1902

His birth may not have been registered until 1903

Cheers Janette

Title: Re: Thomas Donald jockey??
Post by: Janette on Thursday 04 August 16 20:38 BST (UK)
A previous thread

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=603745.0

It appears Thomas was the father of Alexander

Cheers Janette
Title: Re: Thomas Donald jockey??
Post by: Janette on Thursday 04 August 16 20:42 BST (UK)
The cemetery record for this chap gives his occupation as retired horse trainer

Surname    DONALD
Forename    ALEXANDER HOWIE
Age    88 Years
Gender    Male
Date of Death    30 Sep 1991
Place of Death    MANIOTOTO HOSPT
Last Address    CHAPMAN RD R D 1 ALEXANDRA
Funeral Director    Harborow & Co Ltd, P O Box 81, ALEXANDRA
Date of Cremation    3 Oct 1991
Type of Service    
Ashes Disposal    Return To Funeral Director 4 Oct 1991
Occupation    
Place of Birth    
Date of Birth    Not recorded
Notes    Original reference:- C19911004
Occupation:- RT HORSE TRAINR
Relationship to deceased:- COUSIN

Cheers Janette
Title: Re: Thomas Donald jockey??
Post by: Lucy2 on Thursday 04 August 16 22:04 BST (UK)
Probate File at Archives New Zealand, Dunedin office >

DONALD - Alexander Howie - of Alexandra - Ret'd. Farmer -- Year :  1991

Title: Re: Thomas Donald jockey??
Post by: Janette on Thursday 04 August 16 23:46 BST (UK)
From FamilySearch


Alexander Howie Donald
New Zealand, Central Otago, Cemetery Gravestones
Name    Alexander Howie Donald
Event Type    Death
Event Year    1991
Burial Date    26 Mar 1992
Burial Place    Alexandra
Age    89
Birthplace    Troon Scotland 1902
Residence Place    Chapman Road Alexandra
Occupation    Retired
Religion    Chapel, Innes Street Alexandra(funeral director's address)
Informant's Name    Harborow & Co
Record Number    1403
Cemetery    Alexandra Cemetery
Burial Area    F Blk
Cemetery Section and Lot    R/13
Burial Plot    0128
Method of Disposition    Ashes
Headstone Inscription    Alexander Howie DONALD (Sandy) Born Troon Scotland 22.12.1902 died 30.9.1991. 'Remembered by his N.Z.Families.
Burial Site    Black granite plaque set in concrete.

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9C3-L478?i=333&wc=MXM7-XZS%3A387513401%3Fcc%3D2115582&cc=2115582

Cheers Janette
Title: Re: Thomas Donald jockey??
Post by: minniehaha on Friday 05 August 16 07:32 BST (UK)
In reply #5 there is a reference to a previous thread. In this thread mention is made of the 'Harvesters' Scheme'.

Here are a couple of websites about this scheme which may be of interest. It does seem as if it applied to Canada rather than New Zealand............


https://genealogyensemble.com/2015/03/04/the-harvester-scheme-and-the-empire-settlement-act/

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19281006.2.136


Minniehaha.
Title: Re: Thomas Donald jockey??
Post by: minniehaha on Friday 05 August 16 07:51 BST (UK)
(An unclear) headstone photograph for Alexander Howie Donald..........

https://billiongraves.com/grave/Alexander-Howie-Sandy-Donald/7303875


Minniehaha.
Title: Re: Alex Donald in Matuara
Post by: minniehaha on Friday 05 August 16 08:39 BST (UK)
Hi,

You could try contacting Dunedin Library to request a scan of the death notice. (Of course providing the exact date of death).

The death notice may provide a name for the cousin mentioned in the burial records.........

http://www.dunedinlibraries.govt.nz/site-help/contact-us


Minniehaha.
Title: Re: Thomas Donald jockey??
Post by: g forgeron on Friday 05 August 16 16:13 BST (UK)
Many thanks to all who have replied. I must confess to a monumental mistake - too many whiskies I'm afraid - my uncle was indeed Alexander Howie Donald and not Thomas. There are three Thomas Donalds in my tribe, a grandfather, an uncle and a cousin.

He was born at 11 Barassie street Troon in December 1903, sailed on the SS Hororata from Southampton on the 1st September 1926. In the 1938 census he is down as a "stable hand", living in Takanini.

I know he lived at 40 Kana street Mataura for years, but I didn't know he had cousins/family in New Zealand
Title: Re: Thomas Donald jockey??
Post by: minniehaha on Friday 05 August 16 20:24 BST (UK)

Hi,

You could try contacting Dunedin Library to request a scan of the death notice. (Of course providing the exact date of death).

The death notice may provide a name for the cousin mentioned in the burial records.........

http://www.dunedinlibraries.govt.nz/site-help/contact-us


Minniehaha.
Title: Was he a jockey ?
Post by: g forgeron on Saturday 22 July 17 19:25 BST (UK)
I'm trying to find out if the story that my late uncle, Alexander Howie Donald born Troon 1902, died Ranfurley 1991 was a jockey. In 1938 he was a stable hand in Takanini.

I wrote to what I thought was the equivalent of the Jockey Club in New Zealand but didn't even get an acknowledgment

Does anyone know of a website which would hold such information?
Title: Re: Was he a jockey ?
Post by: Janette on Saturday 22 July 17 21:39 BST (UK)
Here  are previous threads with all the information found on this man

I will ask the moderator to merge the threads

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=753359.msg6023272#msg6023272

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=603745.0

I doubt a stable hand would be a jockey

Cheers Janette
Title: Re: Was he a jockey ?
Post by: kiwihalfpint on Saturday 22 July 17 22:46 BST (UK)
Hi,

He could have worked his apprenticeship up from stable hand to jockey, as one of my ancestors did.

The cemetery details give his occupation as Retired Jockey Trainer, as found by Janette in the first link.

Cheers
KHP
Title: Re: Was he a jockey ?
Post by: TwiggyTree on Sunday 23 July 17 01:27 BST (UK)
As per kiwihalfpint an ancestor in our family worked as a stable hand up to a jockey.

NZ Racing was helpful in opening their research library to me when I was in Wellington; as was our local racing club.  The main publication was the The Weekly Press.  The also have the NZ Racing Calendar.

The local club had annuals with each horse, jockey, riding scores and their colours/silks listed in it.  Via this means I was able to trace the career of my person of interest the fastest.

The sports section of the Truth newspaper also had a list of the Winning Jockeys and the odd editorial in Turf Tattle.
Title: Re: Was he a jockey ?
Post by: Lucy2 on Sunday 23 July 17 04:52 BST (UK)
Hi,

He could have worked his apprenticeship up from stable hand to jockey, as one of my ancestors did.

The cemetery details give his occupation as Retired Jockey Trainer, as found by Janette in the first link.

Cheers
KHP

Mmm ... just a query ... doesn't the cemetery record (@ Dunedin database), say
 >   "RT HORSE TRAINR " (which appears to be an abbreviation for "retired horse trainer" .)   ???

I looked at this man on electoral rolls, (1938 - stable hand --  Franklin electorate - already mentioned)  - thereafter shown on rolls as "labourer" .  In 1963 and 1969 - listed as "custodian" ... 1972 / 1978 / 1981 - a "caretaker".

    ~  Lu
Title: Re: Was he a jockey ?
Post by: kiwihalfpint on Sunday 23 July 17 05:31 BST (UK)
Yes, you are right Lu :D, fingers quicker than brain, with Jockey, being the word on the grey matter ;D



Cheers
KHP
Title: Re: Alexander Howie DONALD, born Troon 1902-1991
Post by: spades on Sunday 23 July 17 09:32 BST (UK)
Topics merged.
Title: Re: Alexander Howie DONALD, born Troon 1902-1991
Post by: spades on Sunday 23 July 17 10:15 BST (UK)
Hi g forgeron,

I have merged your three topics on Alexander Howie DONALD into one, and taken the opportunity to change the subject title to include his name (this makes it much easier for search engines to find).

It is best to keep research on one subject together.

Spades

 
Title: Re: Alexander Howie DONALD, born Troon SCT 1902-1991
Post by: g forgeron on Sunday 23 July 17 15:01 BST (UK)
OK, thanks to all who have replied, I'll browse the web sites which you have suggested