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Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: ChrisWd on Monday 03 February 14 10:49 GMT (UK)
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The reverend Edward Houchen born 1829 in Norfolk married Anne Gilham in 1865 and had nine children between 1866 and 1881. In 1883 or thereabouts the family emigrated to New Zealand. They built a house which they called Porthcurnow in Takapuna near Auckland. Anne died there in 1891, Edward died 1902.
One of their sons Henry Houchen married Eliza Katherine Owen in 1906 at St Barnabas, Mount Eden. She was the daughter of George Burgoyne Owen who was a prominent Auckland merchant and his wife Selina (nee Osbourn). Henry & Eliza had at least one child, Harry Owen Houchen born 1907 in Auckland. Harry Owen Houchen married Beatrix Elizabeth Ellett in 1935 in Westminster, London.
I would appreciate any further information on any of the above.
Best regards,
Chris
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Not sure if you want to go back or forward?
EDWARD Houchen Baptised 15 November 1829, St Margaret, Wereham, Norfolk
Parents JOHN/SUSANNA
Fathers Occp Gentleman
Siblings;
SUSAN (HouchIn), 30 March 1817
JOHN, 20 March 1818
THOMAS WILLIAM, 08 Sept 1819
BIRCHAM, 15 Jan 1821
GEORGE AUGUSTUS FREDERICK, 30 Jan 1823
HENRY, 27 June 1827
ARTHUR, 15 June 1833
(Source FreeREG)
1841 Census
Turnpike Street,
Wereham, Norfolk
HO107/755/15/Wereham
John HOUCHEN, 50, Independant
Susan, 55
Susan Jnr, 20
Bircham, 20
George, 15
All born in County
John HOUCHEN Married Susanna Buttingham BIRCHAM, 18 May 1816,
Saint James, Westminster, London, England
(Source Familysearch.Org)
I saw a Tree with Susanna as Susanna BRETTINGHAM which looks incorrect to me, Buttingham/Brettingham is a christian name of hers, not Surname.
Trish :)
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Susanna Brettingham BIRCHAM Baptised 18 January 1795, St Nicholas, Wells-next-to-the-Sea, Norfolk
Birth 12 Jan 1795
Parents;
Thomas BIRCHAM and SARAH nee MOOR or Moore
Siblings Baptisms;
ANN (Burcham), 20 Nov 1785
WILLIAM, 07 Nov 1789
SARAH, 18 Nov 1791
(FreeeREG)
Thomas BIRCHAM, Single Man of Holt Parish Married Sarah MOORE, Single Woman of Holt Parish, 06 January 1785, St Andrew, Holt, Norfolk
Witnesses Judith and Ann Chaplin
(FreeREG)
Susanna is with her Sister Sarah in Middlesex in 1851. As you now Edward is there also.
Sarah BIRCHAM Married William AGER, 29 July 1819, Saint James, Westminster, London.(F/S.Org)
1841 Census Sarah Bircham age 80, nee Moore is with the Agers in Middlesex.
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Sorry if you already have all of this Chris but have gotten carried away with it (must be my NZ upbringing!)
I would say this is Thomas Birchams Parents Marriage;
William BIRCHAM Married Ann BRETINGHAM, 03 Sept 1759, Kelling, Norfolk
(F/S.Org)
Possible Baptism 01 Jan 1760, St Margaret, Cley next to the Sea for THOMAS Bircham to WILLIAM/ANNE
(FreeREG)
I will leave this now to the NZ Experts :)
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Thanks Trish,
I have all the John & Susanna Houchen children plus one other....William born 1825. I believe they were all born in the old Wereham Hall and baptised at St Margaret of Antioch in the village. I've seen the memorial inscriptions to the Houchens in the church many times and it's one of the reasons I'm interested in tracing the family.
Interestingly David Cameron the Prime Minister is the 4th great grandson of John & Susanna Houchen.
I had Susanna Bircham's parents but not their marriage details. Thank you for this information.
John and Susanna's youngest son Arthur was killed in October 1854 or thereabouts when he was on active duty in the 1st Royal Dragoons in the Crimea. He was obviously involved in the Battle of Balaclava but I've been trying to find out if he was one of the casualties of the famous Charge.
John Houchen built a new Hall in Wereham village in 1832 and I think the family moved from the old Hall to occupy the new residence soon thereafter. John's father, also called John Houchen, had been born in the old Hall in 1742. The ownership of the old Hall is quite convoluted. John Dethick, a London merchant had been Lord of Wereham Manor up until 1751 when he conveyed the manor and demeaned lands to a John Heaton of the Plas Heaton estate in Denbighshire. This transfer did not, however, include Wereham Hall. John Heaton had previously married Martha Adamson daughter of another Wereham gentry Christopher Adamson in 1734. It's not clear to me if John Houchen senior acquired old Wereham Hall when the manor changed hands in 1751 or whether the family remained as tenants until the new Hall was built mant years later.
I'm not sure when the old Hall disappeared but the 'new' Wereham hall was probably demolished in 1962 after it had fallen into disrepair. It was described as a neat three storey mansion made of brick and slate roof with large gardens and pleasure grounds. John Houchen (younger) who commissioned the new Hall was a conveyancer, i.e. a legal specialist in aspects of buying and selling real estate.
Edward Houchen, John and Susanna's son, attended North Walsham school in Norfolk and was admitted to Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge in 1849, obtaining a B.A. in 1854 and his M.A. in 1857. He was ordained in 1856 and became a priest in Norwich and subsequently took up several curacies between 1858-71. He was the vicar of Playford in Suffolk from 1871 until 1874, then became the curate of St Sampson, Porthcurnow near Penzance in Cornwall from 1877 until he emigrated in 1883.
Edward Houchen's eldest son, Edward Charles married a woman called Laura Margaret Vernon in 1897 in Te Mata, Waikato. They seemed to have had 6 children. In 1922 Edward Charles acquired some land on the outskirts on Hamilton and settled some of his family in a farmhouse there. The property was gradually expanded and I think it is now known as Houchen House Retreat.
Sorry for the ramble but I find this history quite fascinating.
Regards,
Chris
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No need to apologise. I too find my and others Ancestors fascinating :)
I await others replies to you query with interest.
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Hi Chris
Edward and Anne are buried in O'neill's Point Cemetery
Clement and Henry are there also
http://www.northshorecity.govt.nz/Services/OnlineServices/pages/IFCemetry.aspx
Cheers Janette
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Clement married
1928/3013 Grace Chalklin Hedges to Clement Houchen
There is a Grace is buried in Purewa cemetery
http://purewa.need.co.nz/details.asp?id=29507&type=Burial
This may be the daughter Grace
Cheers Janette
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Hi,
From the NZ Gazette Entries, page 1156, in 1908 looks like Clement Houchen was an Officiating Minister. There is another mention of Clement in the NZ Gazette 1922, page 187.
School records show that on the 25 February 1884 Clement was admitted to the Sumner School. The birthdate given was 4 July 1878 (these are always taken with a pinch of salt), by 1886 he was attending Devonport School, this time the birthday was 2 July 1878. Apparently his last school was Mt Hobson,
Cheers
KHP
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1881 census,I presume they all came to NZ
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Edward Houchen M 51 Wereham, Norfolk, England
Wife Anne Houchen F 39 Lyddington, Rutlandshire, England
Daughter Grace Houchen F 14 Knaresborough, Yorkshire, England
Daughter Mary Houchen F 13 Pakefield, Suffolk, England
Son Edward C Houchen M 10 Penzance, Cornwall, England
Son Henry Houchen M 8 Playford, Suffolk, England
Son Arthur Houchen M 7 Penzance, Cornwall, England
Son Harold A Houchen M 5 Sandulph, Cornwall, England
Son Clement Houchen M 3 St Sampsons, Cornwall, England
Daughter Susan M Houchen F 2 St Sampsons, Cornwall, England
Daughter Infant Houchen F 0 Exeter, Devon, England
Cheers Janette
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It appears they arrived in Port Chalmers on the "Bombay" Jan 1884 having left London via Plymouth on the 28th Nov 1883
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=ODT18840124.2.3&srpos=29&e=-------100--1-byDA---0houchen--
Cheers Janette
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Hi
Also try our PapersPast website for items on HOUCHEN family and descendants.
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
~ Lu
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Hi again,
Arthur, Harold and Henry Houchen also attended Devonport School in 1886, with the last school being Mt Hobson.
Arthur's Birthdate shown as 1 March 1874
Harold's Birthdate shown as 24 January 1876
Henry's Birthdate shown as 13 Aug 1872
The School Records have the following comment - Archives NZ - Auckland YCBK 1433/3a
Cheers
KHP
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Archway has digtised army files for the Rev Clement and Henry as well as numerous other files
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/CallItemAdvancedSearch.do
Cheers Janette
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It appears the daughters Grace and Susan M. did not marry.
NZ Deaths
1949 - HOUCHEN - Grace - aged 83 years [bc 1866 ]
1966 - HOUCHEN - Susan Margaret - 87 years [bc 1879 ]
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@ PapersPast
(Short) Obituary for Edward HOUCHEN
"New Zealand Herald" - 3 October 1902 - page 5
Death of 3rd son, Arthur, in Canada.
"New Zealand Herald" - 10 September 1914 - page 1
HOUCHEN - Arthur .... aged 40 ... died V ... ? (Victoria ??), Vancouver ...
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Also from 'Papers Past'.........
'The New Zealand Herald' dated 16.12.1903 has an advertisement concerning the Takapuna Convalescent Home, "Porthcurnow". The resident nurse was Miss Houchen.
[A number of other advertisements for this Home too.]
Minniehaha.
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"Auckland Star" - 19 October 1944 - Personal
.... appointment of Mr H. O. HOUCHEN as Technical Manager for British Overseas Airways Corp. in the Middle East ...
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Edited to add : "Evening Post" (Wellington) - 19 October 1944
... similar article, plus a photo of H. O. HOUCHEN.
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Here is the history of the house
http://houchenhouse.org.nz/?page_id=46
Cheers
KHP
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"Auckland Star" - 1 April 1938 - page 10
Photograph and article re: Miss G. HOUCHEN.
[Photo is labelled "Miss M. HOUCHEN" ... but article refers to Miss G. Presumably this is Grace HOUCHEN ? ]
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There are a couple of photos of the house here
http://www.aucklandtransport.govt.nz/moving-around/biking-cycleways/Documents/AT-NSCC-Brochure-Map-TakapunaMilfordWalk.pdf
http://www.flickr.com/photos/peteshep/5637300098/
Cheers Janette
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Edward C Houchen's children's school records:
Leslie attended Raglan School on 2 Jul 1906, birthdate shown as 20 Feb 1908, he left school to go to Te Mata.
Edward attended Te Mata School on 10 March 1908, birthdate shown as 18 September 1899. His destination after school was for home, probably to work at home.
Winifred Maud attended Te Mata on 24 November 1909, birthdate shown as 26 November 1903. Last day for this lassie was the 14 June 1912. Comment on this record is deceased.
Grace attended Te Mata on the 15 November 1911, birthdate shown as March 1898. Her last day being 19 December 1913, presumably to work in the family home.
Cheers
KHP
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Clement was awarded the Military Cross
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=AS19161128.2.41.9
Cheers Janette
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Edward C Houchen's children's school records:
Winifred Maud attended Te Mata on 24 November 1909, birthdate shown as 26 November 1903. Last day for this lassie was the 14 June 1912. Comment on this record is deceased.
Sad. :(
Death of a Winifred Maud HOUCHEN in 1912 - record at NZ BDM (online) gives age as 83 years. Would appear to be an error ... and should probably read as "8 years" ? (Winifred Maud HOUCHEN d/o of Edward Charles and Laura, was born in 1904.)
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NZSG Cemetery Fiche shows that Winifred Maud Houchen burial location is the Raglan Public Cemetery .... Fiche Number C01.08.
Edward Charles year of death 1939 and Laura Margaret Houchen 1957 are also at Raglan Public Cemetery.
Cheers
KHP
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HOUCHEN - unnamed infant daughter on 1881 UK Census :
... appears to have been Winifred Kathleen.
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
"New Zealand Herald" - 26 November 1908 - pafe 1
Marriage Notice :
GILFILLAN - HOUCHEN
...23 November 1908 at St. Peters, Takapuna by Rev. C. HOUCHEN ... Leslie Bruce GILFILLAN to Winifred Kathleen, 4th d/o late Rev. Edward HOUCHEN.
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FREE BMD
Birth - Jun - 1881
HOUCHEN - Winifred Kathleen
Reg: Exeter (Devon)
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Mary HOUCHEN (d/o Edward and Anne) - aged 13 yrs (bc 1868) on 1881 Census.
Not sure if this is her death in NZ ?? (No obvious marriage record found in NZ).
1948 - HOUCHEN - Mary - aged 83 years [bc 1865 ]
???
Edit: Wrong lady. Above Mary HOUCHEN was a widow of Wellington, NZ.
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The following though may be Mary HOUCHEN (bc 1868) ???
Archives New Zealand (Wellington) have the following probate record >
HOUCHEN - Mary - 1950
Spinster of Pensao Santos, Madiera
???
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Mmm ... unsure if the Mary HOUCHEN who died in Madiera, Portugal, is part of the Edward / Anne HOUCHEN family as there isn't an age given in any records which might identify her further.
Obviously though with a probate record appearing in NZ, there would seem to have been some New Zealand connection. ??? [I can't see a New Zealand birth for a Mary HOUCHEN. ]
There is also an England Probate (1950) :
HOUCHEN - Mary - of Pensao Santos Estrada Monumental Madiera and care of Messrs Charles Stevens and Drayton (solicitors) 11 Gower Street, Bedford Square. Mary HOUCHEN died 19 July 1949 at Pensao Santos. Probate London 31 January to Conrad Hampden DRAYTON, solicitor and Herbert Clifford FORD, fruitgrower. Effects (in England) L 1851-0-0 (pounds) :
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Mary HOUCHEN - Death Notice ?
HOUCHEN - on 19 July 1949 at Casa Blandy, Funchal, Madiera, Mary HOUCHEN.
All communications to Charles Stevens and Drayton, Solicitors, ... ? Street, Bedford Square, WC1.
["29-7-1949" is written in ink across the notice. Source: Andrews Newspapers Index Cards, 1790-1976 @ ancestry.com ]
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Mary HOUCHEN
Have found a Mary HOUCHEN > with birth year ranging from 1868 to 1870 > making many journeys to Italy, Gibraltar, Portugal etc. in various years from 1927.
In late 1922 > per the "Berrima" from Sydney, NSW, a Mary HOUCHEN, occ. Domestic, born c. 1869, travelling to London. Last country of permanent residence is given as New Zealand.
Will follow up on her other "travels".
~ Lu
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Mmm ... a great many passenger lists to view (some of which I've only quickly glanced at.)
However, I do now think (given the lady making numerous trips to Portugal was born circa 1868-9) that she is most likely to be the daughter of Edward and Anne HOUCHEN.
It seems this Mary HOUCHEN resided in Christchurch NZ (where her father had been prior to moving to Auckland).
Mary HOUCHEN is last on a New Zealand electoral roll in 1919 at 146 Park Tce. Christchurch North, at which time she is shown as a spinster.
see next >>
~ Lu
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Passengers for Sydney, Australia ...
Per ship "Moeraki"
From Auckland, NZ
Arrived Sydney : 25 September 1922
Miss M. HOUCHEN
[And as mentioned earlier -- per "Berrima" from Sydney, Nov. 1922 - Mary HOUCHEN, occupation, domestic - born about 1869, passenger to London. ]
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Passengers for Sydney, Australia ...
Per ship "Moeraki"
From Auckland, NZ
Arrived Sydney : 25 September 1922
Miss M. HOUCHEN
[And as mentioned earlier -- per "Berrima" from Sydney, arrived London 21 November 1922 - Mary HOUCHEN, occupation, domestic - born about 1869, passenger to London. ]
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Mary HOUCHEN - 59 [bc 1868] - occupation: Nil - to Gibraltar per "Kashima Maru" departed London 31 December 1927. Last address: 55 St. Georges Square, SW1
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Incoming to UK :
To London - ship "Suwa Maru" - May 1928
Embarked at Gibraltar >
Ticket # 58 - Miss M. HOUCHEN - 60 years [bc 1868] - no occupation - UK address: 5 George's Square, Westminster - Last country of residence: Spain
Ticket # 59 - Miss S.M. HOUCHEN* - 49 yrs [bc 1879 ] - no occupation - Last country of residence, ENG - UK Address: 10 ...??? Court, 6 ? Cavendish St. London :
[* Looks to be Mary's sister, Susan Margaret HOUCHEN ? ]
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Hi,
jannette, kiwihalfpint, lucy2 and minniehaha.....many thanks for all this information. It will take me a while to sift through it but it looks fantastic.
I'd been having trouble tracking down the names of Edward Charles & Laura Margaret Houchen's children. They apparently had 8 but I could only account for the names of 6....you've added another one to the list.
I've been in touch with Houchen House and they have very kindly offered to send me some details of the Houchen family tree.
You've managed to clarify exactly when Edward and his his Anne emigrated to NZ. It must have been a considerable undertaking for them given the number of children they had.
There's a very interesting article in the Waitomo news dated 27th August last year about Clement Houchen the Chaplain Caption in WW1 who was awarded the M.C. Information for the article had been supplied by Clement's great-nephew Owen Houchen who apparently lives in Te Kuiti.
It's fascinating to piece together the background to this branch of a family that has roots so far away in a small village in west Norfolk in England.
Best regards,
Chris
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Hi,
jannette, kiwihalfpint, lucy2 and minniehaha.....many thanks for all this information. It will take me a while to sift through it but it looks fantastic.
I'd been having trouble tracking down the names of Edward Charles & Laura Margaret Houchen's children. They apparently had 8 but I could only account for the names of 6....you've added another one to the list.
I've been in touch with Houchen House and they have very kindly offered to send me some details of the Houchen family tree.
You've managed to clarify exactly when Edward and his his Anne emigrated to NZ. It must have been a considerable undertaking for them given the number of children they had.
There's a very interesting article in the Waitomo news dated 27th August last year about Clement Houchen the Chaplain Caption in WW1 who was awarded the M.C. Information for the article had been supplied by Clement's great-nephew Owen Houchen who apparently lives in Te Kuiti.
It's fascinating to piece together the background to this branch of a family that has roots so far away in a small village in west Norfolk in England.
Best regards,
Chris
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Hi Chris
There is a probated will for Laura Margaret Houchen, Widow of Hamilton, who died in 1957, at Archives New Zealand, Auckland. You can order a copy of it if you are interested.
Clement Houchen was, for a time, Anglican Minister at Helensville. He had land in Whangaroa, and records of these are also as Archives New Zealand, Auckland.
OAKLEIGH
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Hi Chris,
Happy to do newspaper death notice look ups for:
Susan Margaret Houchen (died 1966) &
Grace Houchen (died 1949), if helpful?
[If there are other Auckland Houchen deaths outside "Papers Past" coverage could someone let me know please?]
Minniehaha.
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Just realised that there are four of the Houchen family buried @ O'Neills Point Cemetery. (See reply #6). If you like I can visit the cemetery to see if there are any headstones to be photographed.
Also C. Little & Sons attended to the funeral/burial of Henry Houchen. I can have a look at these records for you if you wish...........
Minniehaha.
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Many thanks Oakleigh.
Minniehaha, that would be very useful. Thank you.
Regards,
Chris
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Will do Chris.
Death notices probably later this week. Not sure when I will do the cemetery trip but fairly soon.............
Minniehaha.
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Hi Chris, here are the newspaper death notice transcriptions:
'The New Zealand Herald', Auckland, Saturday, June 25.1966.
HOUCHEN, Susan Margaret. On June 24 1966 at a private hospital (of Torbay), last surviving child of the late Edward & Anne Houchen, of Takapuna, in her 88th year. A service will be held at the Purewa Crematorium chapel at 2 p.m. on Tuesday.
'The New Zealand Herald', Auckland, Monday, October 3 1949.
HOUCHEN. On October 2 1949 at her residence, 3*5 Secombes Road, Epsom, Grace, eldest daughter of the late Rev. Edward Houchen. R.I.P. Requiem at the church of the Holy Sepulchre, Khyber Pass, at 9 a.m. today (Monday). Funeral service at 3.30 p.m. today (Monday). Interment at Purewa Lawn Cemetery.
*May be 85?
Minniehaha.
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Hi Minniehaha,
Secombes Road only has 36 houses in it,it starts at Gillies Ave and runs up to Mountain Rd,the lovely old homes are still there
Cheers Janette
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Thanks Janette, that should sort the Houchen house number out. :)
Chris, I have PM'd the information from the funeral director's records in respect of Henry HOUCHEN.
That now leaves the visit to the cemetery. Maybe this weekend; the weather is looking good.
[Re the house number. I meant to show either 35 or 85. Now amended.]
Minniehaha.
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Hi Chris,
Have some photographs for you.
Could you please PM your e-mail address...........
Minniehaha.
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Some HOUCHEN family snippets (forgive me if there is some repetition on what has gone before)....
Henry HOUCHEN married Eliza Katherine Owen in 1906.
One known child, Harry Owen born 1907.
Archives Auckland hold an Application for Consent to Sale in respect of 36 Owens Road, Epsom, concerning Harry Owen HOUCHEN & Beatrix Elizabeth HOUCHEN.
"Papers Past"-
'Auckland Star' dated 19.2.1944:-Auction re contents of 36 Owens Road, Epsom.
Archives, Wellington hold a Military Personnel File for Henry HOUCHEN, also Coroner's Inquest (1923).
Probate/will (1928) held @ Auckland Archives for Henry HOUCHEN, gentleman.
Probate/will (1951) held @ Auckland archives for Eliza Katherine HOUCHEN, widow.
[NZ BDM records her age at death in 1951 as 88 years.]
"Papers Past"-
'Auckland Star' dated 29.12.1927:- Engagement announced between Grace Chalklin (Mrs. Hedges) & the Rev. C. HOUCHEN, M.C., vicar of Tamaki West. [Clement HOUCHEN.]
'Auckland Star' dated 21.1.1928:-His marriage, "Fifth son of the late Rev. E. HOUCHEN, MA........"
'Auckland Star' dated 13.6.1944:-His death notice.
'Auckland Star' dated 17.6.1944:-His obituary.
Grace Chalklin HOUCHEN* died 1983, born 15.9.1882.
(*When you receive the photograph of the plaque on the grave of Clement HOUCHEN you will note that his wife has a different name.)
Minniehaha.
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Winifred Kathleen GILFILLAN, died 1957, aged 76 years.
Probate/will (1957) held @ Auckland archives. Married woman- Murray's Bay.
From "Papers Past"-
These from 'The New Zealand Herald'-
11.6.1897: marriage of Edward Charles HOUCHEN to Laura Margaret.
14.8.1891: death of Anne HOUCHEN.
4.3.1903: value of the estate of Edward HOUCHEN.
22.9.1899: birth of a son to E. C. HOUCHEN at Te Mata, near Raglan.
1.12.1903: birth of a daughter to E. C. HOUCHEN at Te Mata, near Raglan.
Minniehaha.
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I'm referring to posts back in 2014, about the Houchen family emigrating to NZ, originally from Norfolk. I want to be in touch with ChrisWd (rootschat id) who was living at Wereham House, the family home of the Houchen family in Norfolk, UK.
Rootschat members Minniehaha, Janette, KHP, Trish, were all contributing to the post.
I found the post again by searching for Susan Margaret Houchen (one of Edward Houchen's children). Edward Houchen and family emigrated to NZ in 1884.
Please could someone help me with how to send a message to ChrisWd - he appears in the post I'm talking about back in 2014.
Thank you, sorry but I'm not sure about how to use Rootschat so thought this was best thing to do!
Andra Houchen
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Please could someone help me with how to send a message to ChrisWd - he appears in the post I'm talking about back in 2014.
Thank you, sorry but I'm not sure about how to use Rootschat so thought this was best thing to do!
Andra Houchen
Hi Andra,
Welcome to Rootschat. :D You will need to reply to this message twice, a smiley or just a Hi will do, then you can click on Chriswd's name, and send a PM - then you can swap emails or personal details.
Best of luck.
Cheers
KHP
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thank you very much
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hi again for 2nd message, love your cat KHP!!!
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Have seen the message and will be in touch shortly.
Regards,
Chris