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Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: Printer on Thursday 18 January 18 00:44 GMT (UK)
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Hi,
I have just been sent a picture of the 1878 Napier Rifle Volunteers. It isn't very good quality, but Sgt-Major FOX is (37).
I was wondering if anyone might be able to provide any further details about Sgt-Major Fox - full name, date of birth, place etc. His picture appears below the large centre one. Is there any list of all the volunteers?
I would also like to know more about the Napier Rifle Volunteers. Thank you.
Printer
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There are various mentions in Papers Past http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lct/
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Here is a little about them....
http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d2-d11-d10.html
Minniehaha.
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Further to Minniehaha's link, there is also http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lcu/
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Hello TwiggyTree,
I tried to amend my posting but it was too late. Yes, there are quite a few entries in PapersPast, but according to the Cyclopedia of New Zealand, the Napier Rifle Volunteers was formed on 5 March 1878, and took the place of the Napier Engineer Corps which had disbanded.
http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc06Cycl-t1-body1-d2-d11-d10.html
Many PapersPast articles are before 1878.
Here's an amended picture showing (arrow) Sgt -Maj FOX.
Printer
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He arrived in Napier in 1860.
His daughter was a Mrs Cooper.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lcv/
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There are three letters at Archway https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz regarding him. I have no idea whether this would have his full name or not.
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Perhaps his daughter was Emily Francis Cooper, as noted in the will of a Catherine Fox
[http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lcw/] 1900, Napier;
who then was mentioned in the will of a Thomas Fox as 'Kate' [http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lcx/] 1886, Napier ???
Paperspast death notice for a Thomas Fox http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lcy/ and a coroners inquest http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lcz/
Does that fit?
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Hello TwiggyTree,
Thank you, all very informative and something to search through.
One PapersPast article though mentions Thomas FOX was a Sergeant-Major who arrived in Napier with the 2nd Battalion 14th Regiment. The Sgt-Major Fox I seek was a volunteer which means he might have been in business and was a Volunteer in his spare time.
Good to have some names though to work on. Regards.
Printer
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This information appears to be at variance [date-wise] to that contained in the link at reply # 2......
Appointed captain of the Napier Engineer Corps [commissioned, 13.9.1878]
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBH18781107.2.10?query=napier%20engineer%20corps
Mention of this organization in 1880
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBH18800403.2.13?query=napier%20engineer%20corps
Minniehaha.
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Hello Minnihaha,
Thank you for your replies and help. Yes, that's what I also found rather confusing. In 1878 the Napier Rifle Volunteers replaced the Napier Engineer Corps (which had disbanded), yet from 1860 in PapersPast, reference is made to Napier Rifle Volunteers and now, in 1880, Napier Engineer Corps is mentioned again, in PapersPast.
I have been trying to find a Family History Group in Napier that might be able to clarify this.
Printer
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Hawkes Bay Knowledge Bank may be able to help
https://knowledgebank.org.nz/
Also there used to be volunteer genealogists at the libraries who helped answer local enquiries.
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Hi TwiggyTree,
Thank you again. Will see what they can help me with. Regards.
Printer
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If it is the male who died in August 1886, here is the death entry at BDMH stating his middle name:
1886/3743 Fox Thomas Peter 52Y
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Would the Wises directory be able to help trace the all the Fox families that may have lived in that area for the process of elimination?
Have you thought about approaching Waiouru Army Museum ? https://www.armymuseum.co.nz/
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This takes him as far as 1883.........
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBH18830329.2.6?query=sergeant%20major%20fox
And further to reply #7, another report of the inquest:
“When a sergeant in the 14th regiment”……..
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HBH18860804.2.14?query=thomas%20fox
Minniehaha.
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Hello Minniehaha,
Thank you. I will follow up with the local contacts provided, as the Sgt-Maj Fox I seek does not appear to be the Thomas Fox who took his own life in 1886. Appreciate your help. Regards.
Printer
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Have you explored the electoral roll for Napier for FOX?
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ldq/
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I also found someone selling the roll of infantrymen who served in the 2nd battalion of the 14th (Buckinghamshire) Regiment of Foot (which may be able to be accessed some other way?):
http://www.theoriginalrecord.com/database/search/search/mulhern
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One PapersPast article though mentions Thomas FOX was a Sergeant-Major who arrived in Napier with the 2nd Battalion 14th Regiment. The Sgt-Major Fox I seek was a volunteer which means he might have been in business and was a Volunteer in his spare time.
Printer
Hi Printer
Admit to not have read through this thread as thoroughly as perhaps I should have ;), but was curious about you having dismissed the Thomas FOX who died by suicide at Napier in 1886. ???
The following link gives a little more information on this Sergeant FOX ... specifically stating that ... "on retiring from the service, he was appointed drill instructor to the Volunteers ... ".
It goes on to mention his later appointments up to time of his death.
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WH18860803.2.13
???
~ Lu
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2nd Battalion / 14th Regiment ... some background information in case it's of help.
14th Regiment of Foot (Buckinghamshire) 2nd Battalion in New Zealand 1860 - 1870
http://ellott-postalhistorian.com/articles/14th-Regiment-History.pdf
~ Lu
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Hi again Printer
I have more information on this man Thomas FOX (d. 1886), if you require it.
~ Lu
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Son William, mentioned in the inquest report.......
1930/21595 Fox William Catherine Thomas Peter
[Actual date of birth:23.1.1862]
Minniehaha.
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Hello Lucy2 & Minniehaha,
Thank you for your assistance. While there was a chance that you had solved my dilemma, I have now been advised that Thomas Fox is NOT the man shown in the picture I posted. There is no Fox, with the christian name of Thomas, in the family I am seeking. I appreciate your efforts in helping me. Regards.
Printer
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Have you explored the electoral roll for Napier for FOX?
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ldq/
Could be the next best plan?
Minniehaha.
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Hi Minniehaha,
When time allows, yes, I will be checking the Electoral Roll and the other sites that have been suggested. Thank you.
Printer
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You may then also need the probates search link https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1865481
There were some FOX men in Waipukurau.
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Napier Library genealogy group
Ancestry Group Details and Next Meeting Time
Every month Napier Libraries' Ancestry Group meets to learn, discuss and share their knowledge and findings. The group is run by Glenda, who brings a lifetime of experience and advice for those wishing to advance their genealogy research. To help us manage demand and ensure everyone receives the individual attention they require bookings are necessary for those new to the group - to find out more please email research@napierlibrary.co.nz
Next Meeting Date: Friday 2nd March 2018 10.00 a.m. for first timers and 12.30 p.m. for existing group members. Please note sessions are now being held in Taradale Library.
https://www.napierlibrary.co.nz/reference-databases/genealogy/
Napier Cemetery database
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lds/
The Napier museum is called the MTG. Currently this is where their library is temporarily housed.
There are at least some named images of the Rifles here:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01ldt/
They may be able to help further.
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Hi Twiggy Tree,
Thank you. All noted. I am going to be busy. Regards.
Printer
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Printer
Please do continue to share your findings, especially when you establish who your Mr FOX is.
Twiggy
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Hello Printer:
I see that some of your research names include Paget and Mummery.
Would this be for William Fox and Margaret Mummery
one of their sons was a John Fox who married a Hannah Paget?
Regards Crowfeet
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Hello crowsfeet,
Yes, Fox and Mummery are the family from Kent, and their son John Fox came out to NZ in 1858. He married Hannah Paget in 1860. I have done quite a lot of research on the two families.
I am trying to make the connection, if there is one, with the Napier Rifle Volunteers. Regards.
Printer
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Hi Printer,
I have a distant connection to the Fox line when William John Fox, son of John and Hannah married Mary Jane Lawrence.
I was interested that John Fox was a volunteer Quartermaster Sergeant and a life member of the E Battery in Christchurch, and that indicates that the family were certainly into the idea of military service whether as volunteers or professionally.
As he had a lot of children it is very hard to know which one could have been the elusive one you are hunting.
As you probably know John Fox was the licensee of the Zetland Hotel and most of the family were also in that hospitality trade in the Canterbury area. I haven't discovered any links to the North Island.
Regards Crowsfeet
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Hello crowsfeet,
I have sent you a PM.
John Fox was the only member of the family to be involved in the Volunteers. However, two of his sons, and also a nephew, did enlist and take part in the Boer War in South Africa.
I am trying to find out if the Sgt-Maj Fox in the picture of the Napier Rifle Volunteers could in fact be John Fox!
Printer
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Hi Printer,
If you search on Archway, Archives New Zealand's search portal, for 'Capitation Rolls - Napier Rifle Volunteers', you will find the rolls commence from 1866.
Would you like me to peruse a couple of these rolls for you to look for a John FOX?
I have to admit to being a bit confused regarding the reference to the man FOX discharged from the 14th Regiment who appears to have subsequently served in the Napier Rifle Volunteers. Is he a different individual from the man you are seeking, or does he remain a possibility?
Spades
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Hello Spades,
The FOX that I am seeking as a possibility was John Fox (1836-1907), who as far as is known spent his time in Christchurch after his arrival in 1858. But as he was a Quarter-Master Sgt in E Battery, it is also possible that he could have gone to Napier at some stage in his life. The picture shown in the earlier posting only mentions "Sgt FOX".
The Thomas Fox who retired is NOT a relation. He later took his own life.
I would appreciate any assistance that you may help me with. I am recovering from an illness at the moment and have limited time to spend searching. It seems to be a longshot that my John Fox could be the Sgt mentioned. Thank you.
Printer
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Hi Printer,
I visited Archives NZ this morning and took photos of the capitation rolls for the Napier Rifle Volunteers for the years 1866, 1874 and 1876. No mention of a man named FOX in any of them.
You are welcome to these images; just send me a PM with your email address.
I have had a look on Archway for any rolls pertaining to the Napier Engineer Corps but can't see any.
I'm curious about your mention that John FOX, "spent his time in Christchurch after his arrival in 1858. But as he was a Quarter-Master Sgt in E Battery,..." I might have missed an earlier reference but can you tell us the source for the latter statement?
Is it possible that John FOX served in a volunteer artillery unit in Canterbury, not Napier? This seems more likely if you have no independent evidence that he was ever in Napier.
A quick quick on Archway shows that there certainly was such a unit in Canterbury, the Canterbury Artillery Volunteers, which coincidentally had an 'E' Battery.
https://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=21940704
Where did John FOX die?
Spades
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Hi Printer,
Here are some links for background reading.
The Role and Structure of the New Zealand Volunteer Force 1885 – 1910.
file:///C:/Users/House/Downloads/crawford_thesis.pdf
Patriotism, Mateship & Dashing Uniforms https://www.otago.ac.nz/library/pdf/hoc_fr_bulletins/Bull_45_Volunteers.pdf
The Cyclopedia of New Zealand (1903)
[Canterbury Provincial District]
[Canterbury Militia and Volunteer District]
http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d17-d1.html
The Cyclopedia of New Zealand (1903)
[Canterbury Provincial District]
Brigade Troops—Headquarters
http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d17-d4.html
Spades
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Here's a mention of Sergeant-Major FOX of the Christchurch Artillery.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01lxt/
Spades