RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: Rebecca1819 on Thursday 21 May 15 02:51 BST (UK)
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Hi,
Im looking for information on where my husband's last name originated from. The only information that i have is as below.
His Grandfather is : Sonipea Tovia Masini
DOB : 1922
Country of birth : Niue
DOD : 15/03/1976
Country of death : Wanganui, Rangitikei, Wanganui, New Zealand
Migrated from : Samoa
Gis grandmother is : Aifili Miriama Masini
BOD: 28/12/1925
Country of birth : Samoa
DOD : I think 1989
Country of death : Sydney
Migrated from : Samoa to NZ then Australia
Myths???
The Masini last name is of Italian heritage???
My uncle is named after an Italian uncle???
Back in the days of slavery the Europeans would sail around the Pacific islands kidnapping men, women and children for slavery????
Anyways this about all the information that I have. Any help would be great.
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Hi Rebecca,
My first thought would be although the name looks of Italian origin it may not be; my second thought would be a marriage.
I don't believe there is any evidence to suggest a history of slavery from Pacific Islands. In any case why would a slaver give their name to a slave? This takes you back to a formal relationship.
Do you have any birth, death or marriage certificates or oral family history going back that might provide sound evidence?
I would focus specifically on the following questions;
When did the name first appear in the family?
Where?
Who was the individual?
What was their background?
Spades
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Hi Rebecca
Here is his burial record
Name MASINI, Sonipea
Age 53
Gender
Died 15/03/1976
Warrant 1963
Residence 214 Heads Road
Occupation Painter
Date of Burial 17/03/1976
Officiating Minister Rev Gilmour
Funeral Co-ordinator Dempsey & Sons Ltd
Location Plot 491 P L Ext/IV/8
Dempsey and Sons is now Dempsey an Forrest
http://www.fdanz.org/wanganui
Why not copy and paste the cemetery record into an email and ask them what information they can give you,
Cheers Janette
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As Sonipea was born in Nuie, I would focus on enquiries there. Easier said than done with many family records being oral histories as Spades suggested. Even contact with someone in a government or official capacity like at the Tourist bureau might point you in the right direction if you explain what you are wanting to find out!
Otherwise there is a little information that you might be able to access noted here:
http://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Samoan,_Tongan_and_other_Polynesian_Genealogies
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There was a posting from possible family on this webpage - you might be able to collaborate on your research?
http://www.barrysmith.org.nz/viewc.phtml?offset=620
[Just search for Sonipea on the page]
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May be helpful. Translation from English "moon" to Samoan is "Masina".
Also another reference to names origins in the Pacific Islands
https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Step_3._Learn_about_customs_and_history
Jeanne
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thanks for the replys....
Twiggy,
The Sonipea they were relating to is my husband. Barry Smith was his fathers aunty/cousin husband.
Janette,
I'll give this a go and see what I can get.
Spades,
I dont have any documents, he still has family that could shed some light.
Will keep you guys posted