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Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: Revolution on Saturday 29 November 14 09:31 GMT (UK)
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Hi
A slightly different tack for me looking at my Searight/Seawright ancestors. Is anyone able to lookup the ITMs for these Searight families please. I dont know if all three are linked but very coincidental they all got married around the same time in the same place. Their surname is very unusual and is often spelled either way. Robert is my direct ancestor.
Robert Searight
b Abt 1845 - possibly Ireland.
m 1868 to Elizabeth Morton in Charleston, Nelson-Marlborough, New Zealand
d 14 Aug 1873 in Greymouth, Westcoast, New Zealand
Was chopping down a tree and it fell on him. He died a few days later. I have the papers past article.
Andrew Searight
b unknown
m Lucy Spring in 1869
d 4 Feb 1889 Reefton, Buller, West Coast, New Zealand
Was chopping down a tree when it rolled and decapitated him. I have the papers past articles.
Catherine Searight
b unknown (someone on ancestry who says Catherine is her great grandmother says she was born in Fairy Glade, Killeleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland)
m in 1871 to Robert Patterson in Reefton, Buller, West Coast, New Zealand
d unknown
Im not in a hurry for these. Thank you in advance.
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Hi Revolution,
I'll add them to my list.
Spades
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Many thanks again Spades. Where would we be without all the help you provide!
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Just one suggestion, ... don't join the forestry service ! ;)
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Hi Revolution
This may be of help in connecting these SEARIGHT families ?
At FamilySearch, the following NZ Probate files are viewable.
https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1865481
- Andrew SEARIGHT - 1889 - Reefton
- Lucy SEARIGHT (2 files) - Hokitika - 1896 & 1897
- Robert PATTERSON - 1903 - of Reefton
- Catherine PATTERSON - 1946-1947 (she had died in 1935)
I've only skimmed through each of these, and extracted information I think may be of interest.
Andrew SEARIGHT :
Died Intestate - 1889. His wife Lucy SEARIGHT was Granted Letters of Administration in his estate on 15 March 1889.
Following the death of Lucy SEARIGHT in 1894 (and without her not having "completely adminstered the estate"), her son Joseph Frederick SEARIGHT, applied to the Court to become the Administrator in the Estate of his father, Andrew SEARIGHT.
In the document "Bond by Administrator and Sureties", the following persons were named.
Joseph Frederick SEARIGHT of Reefton, Baker's assistant, [Administrator] ... Robert PATTERSON* of Reefton, Storekeeper ... and David HAROLD of Reefton, Baker [Sureties]
I found nothing on this file which gave a clue as to the birthplace of Andrew SEARIGHT.
[Note: Robert PATTERSON of Reefton, Storekeeper, appears to be the same man who died in 1903 and who was also the husband of Catherine PATTERSON (nee SEARIGHT) (d. 1934). ]
Lucy SEARIGHT : Died 1894. Will attached.
Nothing much of interest, but it does name her children.
continues next >>
~ Lu
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Extracts from Probate Files ... continued :
Robert PATTERSON : Storekeeper of Reefton - died Intestate, 1903.
Again, nothing much of help in these Probate documents. Sons, James and Isaac PATTERSON applied to administer the Estate with the consent of their mother Catherine and their siblings, all of whom are named.
Catherine PATTERSON :
Will (attached) - dated 30 September 1934. Catherine PATTERSON died 8 June 1935.
Probate file dated 1946 - 1947 : Catherine PATTERSON's daughter, also named Catherine PATTERSON, a Spinster of Reefton, had been appointed sole executrix. A note on file says "delay in Probate was due to Catherine (the daughter) being of the opinion that Probate was not necessary until she was advised to the contrary, at a later date by her present solicitor".
At Image 273 (Probate of Catherine PATTERSON), her daughter Catherine states > ... I am informed by James PATTERSON, son of deceased, that Catherine PATTERSON was born at Ballaghey*, Northern Ireland.
[Note: * Correct spelling is probably "Bellaghy" ... in Londonerry (a.k.a. Derry). ]
~ Lu
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Catherine PATTERSON's death registration shows that she was 83 years of age in 1935.
So that, (if correct) would make her born circa 1852 ... and aged about 19 when she wed Robert PATTERSON in 1871.
As she's appears to have been a minor (under 21), then it's possible a family member's name will appear on the ITM, giving permission for Catherine (SEARIGHT) to wed. ;)
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Grrr ... RootsChat seems to be on "go slow" at the moment .... long delays in being able to post info here. ???
Decided to search on name "SEABRIGHT" (because it sounds similar).
And the following popped up on PapersPast. ;D
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
"Star" (Christchurch) - 4 February 1889 - Accidents and Fatalities :
Reefton: (death of ) ... Andrew SEABRIGHT
... the deceased was a very old resident here and for years was the manager of the Inglewood Company.
Some 12 years ago a brother of the deceased was killed in a similar manner, near Greymouth.
[Note: Above refers to the death of Andrew SEARIGHT (misspelled as "Seabright"). And Robert SEARIGHT had actually died in 1873 so ... more like 16 years (rather than the 12 years quoted in newspaper article.]
~ Lu
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Catherine Searight
b unknown (someone on ancestry who says Catherine is her great grandmother says she was born in Fairy Glade, Killeleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland)
m in 1871 to Robert Patterson in Reefton, Buller, West Coast, New Zealand
d unknown
Hi Revolution
Yes I saw that Ancestry message board post.
However, there are a couple of Ancestry trees relating to PATTERSON, one of which give this info ??? [CAMERON tree I think it was ? ]
Catherine SEARIGHT
born: 27 March 1852 in Bellaghy, Co. Derry, Ireland
Robert PATTERSON
born: 17 September 1838 in Killyleagh*, Ireland
[* Pretty sure this is Killyleagh in Co. Down ? ]
Caution is always advised with these online family trees (especially where sources of information have not been quoted. ] ;D
~ Lu
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Noticed also that Archives New Zealand at Wellington, have this Coroner's file. [The Coroner's report into death of Robert SEARIGHT doesn't appear to have been published in any of the newspapers - that I could see, anyway ? ]
http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=24320350
Coroner : Greymouth - 17 September 1873 : Inquest proceedings ... and Robert SEARIGHT - 1873
It may contain further info (hopefully place of birth ?? )
~ Lu
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Thank you Lu - thats fantastic!
I did not think of looking for the Seabright variant and now have a definitively link to my Searight ancestor. Ive ordered the marriage and death certificates and Spades is assisting with the ITMs.
I didnt see the archway file previously. I dont want to overload Spades with my requests :o but will add that to my list of files to be sought.
Thats my tree. I put in information for that part of my tree based on heresay to see if it brought up any matches. It did but no one has linked all three Searights. The newspaper articles appear to provide a relationship between Andrew and Catherine in their probates with Robert being involved. At least thats the way Im reading it.
Robert Searights wife remarried a man named Mawhinney and had more children. Its one of their descendants who gave me the possible place of birth. Its plotted in but at this stage will remain unconfirmed.
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Hi Revolution,
I'll add the Coroner's Report to my list. ;)
Spades
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Searight update:
Today I received the death certificates of Robert and Andrew plus the marriage certificates of Robert, Andrew and Catherine Searight.
At Catherines marriage to Robert Patterson the witnesses were Robert and Elizabeth Searight. Catherine was listed as a minor. They married in Brighton on the West Coast. The minister was Joseph White
Andrew married Lucy Spring in Mr Daniel Lynch Sawn Hotel in Hokitika in 1869. Andrews age was listed as 23. Witnesses were John McAlister and Isabella Newton. Minister A Martin.
Robert Searight marriage to Eliza Morton on 3 July at the residence of Rev Joseph White, Charleston, West Coast. Witnesses Margaret White and John Reid Pattinson? Glasgow, Miner of Charlston.
Andrew Searight death 2 Feb 1889 at Devils Creek - Progress Mine. Age 50 years (Im not sure why there is such a big difference between his marriage and death) Father listed as William Searight and mother was Rosanna Smith. Birthplace Londonderry, Ireland. Had been in New Zealand for 28 years (I still haven't found a shipping record for them). 5 children survived him.
Robert Searight death 13 Aug in the Grey River Hospital, Greymouth. Listed as 32 years old. Occupation publican.
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Images of the 1868 and 1871 ITM Notices sent.
Spades
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Thank you Spades.
Interesting the marriage ITM for Robert Searight says his length of Residence was 4 days. Does that mean he was in Charleston for 4 days or in New Zealand?
As I still havent been able to find the Searights arriving in New Zealand Im hoping it might be the latter.
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Hi Revolution,
Length of residence meant the person's length of stay in the intended place of marriage, in this case Charleston.
You might find this topic helpful in your search for their arrival, especially the section, When did they come?, which gives some ideas about where to look.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=493441.0
Spades
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For elimination purposes, a family named SEABRIGHT arrived at Dunedin in 1861 from Melbourne aboard the Dunedin.
I can't see any SEARIGHT arrivals at present.
Spades
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http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
"Otago Daily Times" - 1 December 1864 - page 8
Unclaimed Letters - received at Chief Post Office, Dunedin, during October, remaining unclaimed on 30 November 1864.
SEAWRIGHT - Robert
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Thank you Spades and Lu
Very promising the 1864 Searight.
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Hi Revolution,
Perhaps you should make enquiries from Toitu Otago Settlers Museum in Dunedin about a possible arrival. They have excellent records.
www.toituosm.com
Spades
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Thank you Spades - Ive just emailed them.
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Images sent of 1873 Coroner's Report for Robert SEARIGHT.
Spades
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Fascinating, thanks Spades. Interesting to see Moore Mawhinney listed on the report as he married Roberts wife after Robert died.
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I also heard back from the settlers museum in Otago. A very comprehensive response and thanks to the staff there.
We do have a number of details of passengers on ships, however they are neither complete nor comprehensive by year. They are compiled from newspaper reports, assisted immigrants debtors lists and similar. A great deal of records were destroyed by fire, or possibly never recorded in the early period, especially the gold rush. There are no immigration barracks records remaining in existence.
For your information I have checked across our holdings including later material, these include: NIPS (Newspaper Index Passenger Shipping) to and from Dunedin from 1848 on (taken from newspaper columns); assisted passenger lists from 1872-1888; Assistant immigrants debtors lists; Morning Herald reports from 1881; Miscellaneous passenger lists from other immigrant ships; Passenger lists in the Otago Provincial Gazette and passengers list to Port Chalmers and Bluff from 1875-1882. We also hold a number of shipboard diaries within the archive that I have checked; also a visitation diary from 1848-1858 which records most families living in Otago, by the Rev. Thomas Burns. I have also searched our OASES database, an index of settlers and immigrants to Southland and Otago, to no avail.
I would suggest contacting Archives New Zealand for their immigration list holdings and possibly looking at the ex-passenger lists from Victoria available online, as many of the emigrants to Otago came through Australia in this period. http://prov.vic.gov.au/index_search?searchid=42 If you know the family’s origins the exit port may be a good line of enquiry to follow. Once you have a ship name you may be able to work forward from there.
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Hi Revolution
Hadn't had time earlier to look too thoroughly for your SEARIGHT family coming to NZ.
This appears to be Robert arriving as an "unassisted" passenger into Victoria.
[Initially found him on ancestry.com where his name had been indexed as "SEAUGHT" ] ;D
From PROV.VIC website >
Inward Unassisted passengers to Victoria - 1839-1923
SEARIGHT - Robt. - 18 years - 1857 - (vessel) "David G. Fleming"
Additional info sourced from ancestry.com and FindMyPast websites >>
SEARIGHT (indexed as "SEAUGHT" - @ancestry) - Robt.
Aged : 18 [bc 1839] Occupation : Labourer Nationality: Irish
Per "David G. Fleming" - departed Liverpool UK - 2 August 1857
Arrived : Melbourne, AUS - 28 November 1857
--------------
Sounds like the voyage to AUS might have been a bit "hairy" ... AUS newspapers have details re" complaints from passengers.
~ Lu
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Also >..
Unassisted to Victoria, AUS :
SEARIGHT* - Andrew
[* Indexed as "SEAVIGHT" @ancestry ... and as "SEATIGHT" on PROV VIC website. ]
Aged : 18 years [bc 1843 ] - Occupation: Labourer
Nationality : Irish
Arrived : Melbourne - 12 August 1861 - from Liverpool
Ship: "Empress of the Sea"
~ Lu
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Searight update:
At Catherines marriage to Robert Patterson the witnesses were Robert and Elizabeth Searight. Catherine was listed as a minor. They married in Brighton on the West Coast. The minister was Joseph White.
Hi
* Did the ITM tell you who "gave permission for Catherine SEARIGHT to marry" ??
~ Lu
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Searight update:
Andrew married Lucy Spring in Mr Daniel Lynch Sawn Hotel in Hokitika in 1869. Andrews age was listed as 23.
Andrew Searight death 2 Feb 1889 at Devils Creek - Progress Mine. Age 50 years (Im not sure why there is such a big difference between his marriage and death)
.... very likely that the informant to his death, didn't know his precise age ?
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
"Star" (Christchurch) - 4 February 1889 - Accidents and Fatalities :
Reefton: (death of ) ... Andrew SEABRIGHT
... the deceased was a very old resident here and for years was the manager of the Inglewood Company.
Some 12 years ago a brother of the deceased was killed in a similar manner, near Greymouth.
... above article also mentioned that Andrew SEABRIGHT [SEARIGHT ] was aged about 45 years.
1861 - to AUS - aged 18 [bc 1843 ]
1869 - marriage in NZ 1869 - aged 23 [ bc 1846 ]
1889 - Death in NZ - aged 50 [bc 1839 ] .... or aged 45 [bc 1844 ]
~ Lu
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Hi Lu
The Searight researcher I just contacted was unaware that any of the Bellaghy Searights went to New Zealand so you have may well found the link!
Remarkably difficult to find information unless you take abroad approach. I would never have thought of Seavight or Seatight. :o
I dont have that ITM at present for Catherine Searight.
Thank you again!
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The Empress of the Sea last voyage to Australia was the one Andrew was on.
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/5707469
http://www.paradisedivers.com.au/sites/f-empress.htm
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Image of the outstanding 1869 ITM notice sent.
Spades
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Thank you Spades (again) for your time and effort.