ChCh Library BMD look-up please!**COMPLETED**

[lubok]

Hello

I've just been told about the "Card Index of BDM" which is held at Christchurch Library.
Would someone please be willing to look up these two marriages for me?

Sophia WOODCOCK and James NIVEN in Christchurch on 11th June 1873

Sarah WOODCOCK and James CALDER in Christchurch on 20th Jul 1880

and one death:

James NIVEN, died 24 June 1924 in Christchurch.

Are there also records of births to the couple (baptism entries) ?


Many thanks!!

Rachel 

[Kea]

Hi Rachel,

I will try and do these for you tomorrow.

Cheers
Stephanie

[Thamesite2017]

Don't forget the transcriptions online and newspapers thanks to Beverley

James Niven  & Sophia  WOODCOCK  m. 11 June 1873, at St Luke's Church
ages:  both full age,      occ: labourer   
witness:  David Woodcock,  Miss Emily Woodcock,  Thomas Hobbs.
There are others
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~ashleigh/

BYe
Althea 

[lubok]

Hi Stephanie and Althea
thanks for your help!

I have just come across a snippet about James Niven's death that a fellow Woodcock researcher gave to me in the past which I've just remembered:

It's possibly my James Niven (in Wednesday 25 June 1924 Christchurch Press):
"(Press Association Telegram.)
Invercargill, June 24.
James Niven, mail carrier at Birchwood, was found dead with a gun-shot wound over his left eye. His body was found lying in bed, undressed. A rifle was grasped in his hand. He leaves a widow."

I wonder if there's anything further that I can find out??

I don't have his death index info as such, neither the marriage for Sarah WOODCOCK and James CALDER in Christchurch on 20th Jul 1880 - so I'm still keen, Stephanie!
Thanks!!

Rachel

[Kea]

Hi Rachel,

The NIVEN/WOODCOCK marriage Althea has already given you. Unfortunately no POB or parents' names.

I couldn't find baptisms for any children to this couple. Note that this is an index of local baptisms, marriages and burials and it is not complete. So this doesn't mean they didn't have any children.

James CALDER married Sarah WOODCOCK, 20 July 1880 at St Johns Church, Christchurch.
James: 32 years, bachelor, grocer.
Sarah: 25 years, spinster.
No POB or parents' names.
Witnesses: Charles SAMUELS, cabinet maker, Sydenham, Sophia RICE, Sydenham, Thomas ELDRIDGE, verger, St Johns.

It seems Sarah died in 1891 (perhaps at the birth of her 4th child - see below) because James CALDER remarried ...

James CALDER married Margaret WELLS, 9 Jun 1892.
James: 43 years, widower (1891), grocer. Born London, residence Rangiora.
Parents: William (veterinary surgeon) and Eliza nee STEPTOR
Margaret: 31 years, spinster, housekeeper. Born NZ, residence Rangiora.
Parents: William, farmer and Mary nee MCCLEARY.

I found baptisms for 4 children to James and Sarah WOODCOCK :

1. Chesterfield Morton CALDER, born 12 Aug 1881, baptised 18 Sep 1881.
   Parents: James and Sarah, Sydenham, grocer.
   Sponsors: Frederick SIMPKIN, Julia SIMPKIN, father

2. Frances Louise CALDER, born 26 Mar 1883, baptised 20 May 1883.
    Parents: James and Sarah

3. Mabel Beresford CALDER, born 9 July 1886, baptised 21 Nov 1886.
   Parents: James and Sarah, grocer, Tuam Street.

4.  Leslie Benjamin Cooper CALDER, born 5 Oct 1891, baptised 15 Nov 1891.
    Parents: James and Sarah, Rangiora, grocer.
    Sponsors: C. SAMUEL, R. COOPER and Mrs DURMAN

James had at least one child with 2nd wife Margaret (Maggie)...

Winnifred Maggie CALDER, born 16 Nov 1895, baptised 20 Jan 1896
Parents James and Maggie nee WELLS, Sydenham

I also found marriages for Chesterfield, Leslie and Mabel and burial of Chesterfield, 15 Feb 1927.
Let me know if you want those marriage details.

Margaret CALDER nee WELLS was buried 30 Jun 1917 aged 56.Wife of James.

Re the death of James NIVEN, there was no record for his burial. If it was your James who died in Invercargill, that would explain why he wasn't in the CHCH index. A death notice or burial information might tell you if this is the "right" one.

Hope this helps,
Stephanie

[lubok]

Hi Stephanie
thank you so much for your efforts!
Sadly, none of the sponsors at the baptisms nor the witnesses at the marriages ring any bells for me at this stage. I was hoping for a POB and parents names for Sarah Woodcock's and James Calder's marriage, to see if she was linked to my Woodcocks.
However, this information is very valuable and I'll keep a note of it on my files - for who knows what may pop up in the future?!

Thanks so much again!

Best wishes
Rachel

[KatC]

I was looking for a William Wells and Mary McCleary in Drumgor, Co Armagh, Ireland.   Rangiora, NZ  was a common location for family to move to.  Mary was born 1833 and William 1837 and were married at Seagoe Ch or Ire, Lurgan, Co Armagh, Ireland in 1859.  I have no knowledge of them afterwards.   Does this sound like your couple?

Mary's parents were Thomas and Elizabeth Jones and there is a very strong hint that they are remembered as Thomas and Margaret Jones by New Zealand family members,  They had a son John whom I've mentioned who died horribly  in Parnell, Aukland, but lived in Linwood, Christchurch at some point.  He had married Elizabeth Smyth.