RootsChat.Com

Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: whiteout7 on Friday 13 February 15 20:54 GMT (UK)

Title: 700 unmarked graves, Mission Ground Cemetery
Post by: whiteout7 on Friday 13 February 15 20:54 GMT (UK)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=11401726

A leafy, green inner-city park could be home to up to 700 graves of some of the pioneers, vagrants, waifs and strays of early Whangarei.

Local researcher Joan Leversedge has been working with Whangarei District Council staff to piece together the story - and faces - behind the Mission Ground Cemetery in Selwyn Ave, which was a "public burial ground" some time from 1852 to 1941.

While initial research found 83 names of people buried there - which have been engraved on a cairn at the site - Ms Leversedge is appealing for information about another 57 names, and believes there could be up to 700 people buried on the 0.3-hectare site.
Title: Re: 700 unmarked graves, Mission Ground Cemetery
Post by: whiteout7 on Friday 13 February 15 20:57 GMT (UK)
I've posted this out of interest. I did a search in paperspast and was able to locate one funeral here. There really needs to be a place where people in this burial ground are listed if there in no paper record in Whangarei!

Title: Re: 700 unmarked graves, Mission Ground Cemetery
Post by: whiteout7 on Saturday 14 February 15 04:35 GMT (UK)
There is a link to make contributions to this graveyard on findagrave:  Whangarei's Mission Ground Cemetery records

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=mr&MRid=47792282
Title: Re: 700 unmarked graves, Mission Ground Cemetery
Post by: Jayzelle on Sunday 15 February 15 19:49 GMT (UK)
Super to see this posted, thank you. The names currently on the Find a Grave site are only those already recorded on the memorial cairn. I will find a way to make the list of the additional names identified since the cairn was engraved available online. Once I have confirmation or otherwise the names are correct, I'll update Find a Grave with the 'final' list. The cemetery was also known as Waiarohia, Rust Lane, Rust Ave and Whangarei cemetery.
Title: Re: 700 unmarked graves, Mission Ground Cemetery
Post by: whiteout7 on Sunday 15 February 15 23:14 GMT (UK)
That would be great Jayzelle, I know some researchers that are quite interested there are certainly a few mysteries in Northland as to where different people are buried.
Title: Re: 700 unmarked graves, Mission Ground Cemetery
Post by: Jayzelle on Wednesday 18 February 15 01:56 GMT (UK)
Greetings
Here is a list of the names, sorted by category, as at 18 February 2015.
Please be aware that the data is in a constant state of change.
We are keen to know:
Also, if anyone would like to share information to help enrich these peoples' life stories in the second volume of 'In Memoriam - Mission Ground Cemetery 1840-2010', that would be wonderful.
Many thanks for bringing this forum to my attention and for any information your community can provide.
Warm regards
Jayzelle

Title: Re: 700 unmarked graves, Mission Ground Cemetery
Post by: whiteout7 on Wednesday 18 February 15 08:31 GMT (UK)
Frederick and Maria Potbury, Whangarei arrival in NZ:

"The New Zealander" Saturday 30th January 1858
ARRIVAL - Jan 28 Tamar barque, 556 tons Captain Joseph John Ross from London to Auckland

http://www.ozlists.com/genies/shipping/news_nz/nl5801.htm

and a burglary of the Potbury's shop in Whangarei in 1864
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=OW18640806.2.23&e=-------10--1----0--

After Federick Potbury died in 1866,  Mrs Anslie McGregor was sent to live with Maria Potbury, as a young girl to keep her company.
http://whangarei.recollect.co.nz/nodes/ocrtxt/2774/12266


Ann Maria Potbury's shop appears to have been on the corner of Cameron and Walter Street and was up for sale in 1884 (the same year she died aged 75)
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH18841231.2.3.4&srpos=1&e=-------10--1----0Potbury%2c+Walton+street--

http://whangarei.recollect.co.nz/nodes/ocrtxt/2832/12318



Title: Re: 700 unmarked graves, Mission Ground Cemetery
Post by: prkhan on Sunday 21 February 16 07:34 GMT (UK)
Re Frederick and Maria Potbury:
Frederick and Maria were cousins and married 2 Jan 1851 in Holy Trinity Parish Church in Windsor, Berkshire.
Maria was the sister of Mr George Ross (1804-1888) of Parua Bay.
I have a very grainy photocopy of a photograph of Maria Potbury with mention in an accompanying article about businesses of the time.  The photograph was supplied by Northland Regional Museum.
I have copies of Marriage and both Death certificates.

Title: Re: 700 unmarked graves, Mission Ground Cemetery
Post by: prkhan on Monday 22 February 16 00:10 GMT (UK)
Thanks for the pm Jayzelle......... I'm new to Rootschat and apparently need to post 3 times before I can send a pm.  Will get back to you asap. 
Title: Re: 700 unmarked graves, Mission Ground Cemetery
Post by: Jayzelle on Tuesday 17 September 19 00:14 BST (UK)
Two further volumes of 'In Memoriam - Mission Ground Cemetery 1840-2010' will go to print within the next few months. The attached pdf shows the names of the people whose stories are included, sorted by volume, in alphabetical order.
Title: Re: 700 unmarked graves, Mission Ground Cemetery
Post by: prkhan on Wednesday 18 September 19 23:33 BST (UK)
Hello Jayzelle,
Can you let me know the process for ordering or pre-ordering volumes 2 and 3. 
Regards, Trish Khan (Australia).
Title: Re: 700 unmarked graves, Mission Ground Cemetery
Post by: Jayzelle on Thursday 26 September 19 23:22 BST (UK)
Thanks for your pm, Trish. I'll post details of where to order as soon as the availability date is certain.
Regards
Joan
Title: Re: 700 unmarked graves, Mission Ground Cemetery
Post by: Jayzelle on Wednesday 25 March 20 00:01 GMT (UK)
Great news! The book designer, who is making good progress on the layout for In Memoriam Volumes Two and Three, has advised she is able to work from home during New Zealand's impending lock down against the pandemic. Maybe the books will go to print this year after all.
Title: Re: 700 unmarked graves, Mission Ground Cemetery
Post by: Jayzelle on Saturday 01 August 20 21:13 BST (UK)
'In Memoriam - Mission Ground Cemetery 1840-2010' Volumes Two and Three have been published and the complimentary copies dispatched to the recipients.

All three volumes of the 'In Memoriam' series can be obtained from the Copy Press in Nelson. The book shop is at copypress.co.nz/product-category/history/new-zealand-history/

Many thanks to all who contributed to this long-running project.