Looking for James SMITH born Wellington c'1911

[spades]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for more information about Charles Joseph SMITH. NZ BDM Historical Indexes online list him as being born on 3 July 1911 (registered at Wellington), the child of Jennie SMITH, father ‘NR’ (i.e. Not Recorded). There is a matching death in 1999 for a male of that name with exact date of birth, aged 87.

The only other piece of information I have found is a school record for a Charles Joseph SMITH who started at Te Aro Infants (School) on 5 July 1917, and his birthday given as 4 July 1911 (sic). His guardian was a C.J. SMITH.

To provide some background, Charles Joseph James SMITH was the second child of the widowed Jeannie SMITH née MITCHLEY (c’1870-1958), and a Charles SMITH, about whom I know absolutely nothing.

Charles and Jeannie’s first child was Violet Mildred SMITH, born at Petone, Wellington in 1909, died 1995.

It is possible that James SMITH was also born at Petone.

A descendant provided this information: that Charles and Jeannie’s son was named ‘James SMITH’, that he married a woman named Maureen in Auckland and that they had a daughter, and that James worked on the wharves before going to Australia.

I haven't found a likely birth of a James SMITH to Jennie or Jeannie Smith, so I wonder if perhaps 'James' might have been 'Joseph'?

Any information or ideas gratefully received!

Spades

NOTE: Edited to reflect new information.

[kiwihalfpint]

Hi Spades,

Ok I will get the ball rolling.

I haven't found a likely birth of a James SMITH to Jennie or Jeannie Smith

Could be 1912 .. there are a few trees on the Ancestry site for a Violet Mildred Smith (14 March 1909) with a mother named Jennie MITCHLEY Vigus (1869 to 1957) and father John Smith.

But as we know, we take trees with a mountain of salt.  Are you able to view the trees through the library when you go on your travels?   Looks like some of them have been copied.

Cheers
KHP

[Eyesee]

Spades

A Jeanie MITCHLEY married a John SMITH in 1892 according to NZBDM.

Ian C

[spades]

Hi Ian,

John SMITH (1864-1904 Christchurch) was Jeannie's (first) husband. As far as I know she never married Charles SMITH.

Hi KHP,

I think those trees will be inaccurate. Violet was certainly not the daughter of John and Jeannie SMITH, as he died in 1904.

Spades

[kiwihalfpint]

Violet was certainly not the daughter of John and Jeannie SMITH, as he died in 1904.

Spades

Yes, I saw that, but I also saw where she was listed as being on the wrong side of the blanket.  Hence the mountain of salt!

Cheers
KHP

[kiwihalfpint]

Spades, I will throw this in .... whether for the scrap heap or not

1946 E/R Wellington, Brooklyn
Jennie Smith, 3 Levina Avenue, Widow (WW)
James Smith, 3 Levina Avenue, Labourer (WW)
Violet Mildred Smith, 3 Levina Avenue, Spinster (WW)

1954 E/R Wellington, Karori
James still at 3 Levina Avenue, Labourer, while Jennie and Violet are at 18 Plunket Street


Cheers
KHP

[spades]

Well, blow me down, there was a James! That's certainly the right family, KHP.

So was he father or son, I wonder?

And if he was the son, when was he born (just looked again through NZ BDM without an obvious result)?

Spades

[kiwihalfpint]

And if he was the son, when was he born (just looked again through NZ BDM without an obvious result)?

Spades

Reply #1 I mentioned possibly 1912   Can't be the father, Jennie was a widow


Cheers
KHP

Just a thought I wonder what the Wellington Branch have in their index drawers, is it worth a visit?

[spades]

I can't see a likely birth for a James SMITH in 1912, 1911 or 1913. Can you?

No, probably right about him being the son, you'd think Jeannie would say she was married if her partner was also there.

Spades