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