RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: dragonlady403 on Thursday 19 July 18 14:26 BST (UK)
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Hi there - as part of my research on the extended members of one of my ancestral lines - today, I located a couple of obits for one of my 3rd gr uncles (who is from one of the earliest settler families in the Tokomairiro district)
The obits both mention Thomas moved to Oamaru 70 years before his death where he was a founding member of the volunteer fire brigade.
But one obit also mentioned that he "wrote a number of interesting articles on life in Oamaru in the early 'seventies', 'eighties" and nineties". I would love to track down some of those "interesting articles"!!!
His details are:
Thomas Brookes born 1855 Tokomairio, Otago (to Thomas Brookes Snr and Isabella Johnstone)
Thomas died 14 Nov 1939, Dunedin, NZ
I have quite a bit of info on the family (including his parents and several siblings), so at this point I am specifically trying to track down any of these articles he may have written---I would assume for a local publication?
ANY HELP at all, as always, would be gratefully received:)
Thanks!!!
Regards, Carol
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Morning.
Sent a PM.
The Christchurch Press weekly, weekend newspaper the WEEKLY PRESS specialized in such articles. Probably the articles were too recent to be captured by PapersPast, at this stage. Could pay to see how far the PRESS coverage goes. If lucky the article/s may also have been published in their week day editions.
The last time I looked the WEEKLY PRESS had not been digitized.
Alan.
PS Added:
Canterbury Titles and dates on line
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/all
Otago
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/all
Being a Northener I'm not familiar with all these titles, and there is plenty to choose from.
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Hello,
You could try contacting the following.......
Hocken Library…….
https://www.otago.ac.nz/library/onlineforms/reference/
Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.....
https://www.dunedinnz.com/visit/see-and-do/tours/qualmark/toitu-otago-settlers-museum
Added- North Otago Museum...
https://www.culturewaitaki.org.nz/North-Otago-Museum/contact
Minniehaha.
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Hi again.
Just had a quick look up. Would appear that by profession they were town cerks of long standing. Putting them in a good position to be knoweldgable about local history, personalities, and ok with the written word.
Have you checked out Alexander BROWN ?? Pen names were not unknown in those days.
Alexander BROWN.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BH19061101.2.14?items_per_page=100&page=13&phrase=2&query=Thomas+Brookes&sort_by=byDA
Alan.
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Hi Fresh Fields - I got your msge and will send you a reply tomorrow with specifics to see if they line up with the timelines! Thanks for your efforts:) Regards, Carol
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Minniehaha- thanks for those links, I will investigate further. I only discovered the obit today where they talked about his writing on local history - so a bit sketchy myself at the moment.
ONE THE PLUS SIDE- I am going to Dunedin later this year:) WHOOP WHOOP!!!!!!
As a Kiwi born and raised (lived abroad for over 40 years) I'm ashamed to say I've never been further south than Christchurch (as an 8 year old!).
I'll be back "home" in a few weeks and have specifically sorted a visit to Dunedin for genealogical and "pure pleasure" purposes. So I'm hoping to visit the Settlers Museum and Anderson's Cemetery and various other places of interest relative to the family:)
Regards, Carol
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Fresh Fields - just to clarify, we are talking about Thomas Brookes Jnr. His father and one of his brothers were Town Clerks. Thomas Snr died in 1886.
Thomas Jnr Brookes was born 1855 and died 1939. The obits are from 1939:)
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Fresh Fields - just to clarify, we are talking about Thomas Brookes Jnr. His father and one of his brothers were Town Clerks. Thomas Snr died in 1886.
Thomas Jnr Brookes was born 1855 and died 1939. The obits are from 1939:)
Thanks.
You have 24 hours in which you can MODIFY your orginal post, should you choose. 1885 / 1855
From my quick look I would still suggest that you seek out articles in print that look to fit the bill, then check out the credited by-line. The use of pen names was more common than often realized.
Alan.
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Fresh Fields --- MODIFIED, THANKS for that:)
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Hello Carol,
You could also try contacting the Oamaru library......
https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/our-facilities/libraries/Pages/default.aspx
I'm sure you will enjoy Dunedin; the 'Edinburgh of the South'. A lovely city........
Minniehaha.
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His probated will......
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9B9-KSS6-5?i=666&cc=1865481
His will was executed in Auckland in 1925.
Minniehaha.
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Thanks for the reference to the Oamaru Library Minniehaha- that might also be a good source, because I have a hunch his articles would have been local.
I had a copy of his Probate - as I recall he referred to a sister he didn't have. When I was fishing around a couple of days ago I found a woman with the same christian name, but I think she's actually a niece. I need to check it out further.
Since I have Scottish rellies from the Edinburgh area... Dunedin should be an excellent fit!!!
:)
Regards, Carol
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Fresh Fields.... this link you provided may well be exactly as you suggest!
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BH19061101.2.14?items_per_page=100&page=13&phrase=2&query=Thomas+Brookes&sort_by=byDA
It certainly falls well within the parameters of his apparent articles and they are about Tokomairiro which is where he grew up. Also, the dates (now that I corrected his dob) could also work.
I think writing under a nom de plume also sounds like it could fit, because one of the obits referred to Thomas as a "retiring" man. I will investigate further:) THANKS!!!!
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Hi Carol,
This is outside the brief & possibly surplus to requirements but does explain why Thomas was in Titirangi, Auckland in 1925........
Marriage:
1885/1673 Mary O'Brien Thomas Brookes
Birth:
1885/12943 Brookes William Mary Thomas
Son's death:
1925/3404 Brookes William 39Y
Estate details:
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19250914.2.129.4?end_date=31-12-1925&query=william+brookes+death&start_date=01-01-1925
Probated will of William BROOKES:
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9GW-4851?i=16&cc=1865481
Burial record for William Brookes
Date of birth
Unknown
Date of death
2 September 1925
Age at death
39 years
Gender
Male
Region
Central and Hauraki Gulf Islands
Cemetery name
Otahuhu Cemetery
Plot location
Otahuhu Cemetery, Area 2, Plot, Plot 554
Remains type
Body
Date of burial
2 September 1925
Minniehaha.
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He was married and had a son???? Feel free to go outside the brief anytime Minniehaha! I had him down as unmarried.
I wonder what happened to William that he died so young. Hmmm
THANKS:)
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Genealogy research can be full of surprises..... ;D
Death of the wife of Thomas (junior):
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19240807.2.47?query=mary+brookes+thomas
Minniehaha.
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Cemetery details:
Cemetery Details
Surname BROOKS*
Forename MARY
Age 50 Years
Gender Female
Date of Death 6 Aug 1924
Last Address 6 ST ANDREW STREET, DUNEDIN
Next of Kin
Funeral Director Cole & Springer
Cemetery ANDERSONS BAY CEMETERY
Location Block 81. Plot 18
Date of Burial 8 Aug 1924
Type Burial
Occupation
Place of Birth
Date of Birth Not recorded
Notes Original reference:- A19241137
Occupation:- MARRIED
Native of:- IRELAND
Years in NZ:- 47
Place died:- DUNEDIN
The following burials are also in this Plot
O'BRIEN MARTIN 80 Years, Burial, Died 11 Dec 1941
Headstone images for this Plot
[There are images]:
http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/cemeteries/cemeteries_search?recordid=6236&type=Burial
*Incorrectly recorded as "Brooks"
Minniehaha.
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Yes they often get the name wrong:(
Thanks for her death details...I was looking for census docs earlier (got sidetracked as I do) to see if she and Thomas lived together for the term, or portion, of their marriage.
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I note there is also a Martin O'Brien buried in the same site as Mary... he is also from Ireland and born in 1861 while Mary's birth is around 1874.
I discovered the records for them both... they are brother and sister:) NICE!
Thanks Minniehaha
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More "off topic"........
Re your reply#11 and mention of the sister, who wasn't a sister. This birth appears to be the most likely and the one you found also?
1865/11814 Brookes Milly Brookes Emma NR
Added:But maybe not......
Death:
1866/5537 Brooks Milly 5M
Do let us know if you make any progress about the articles you are looking for.......
Minniehaha.
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Fresh Fields and Minniehaha... thanks so much!
I'm going to contact the local places you've suggested (the Oamaru Library etc) to see if I can track down exactly what articles Thomas did write. The Alexander Brown person seems to be likely, but in the articles I read, the writer makes reference to relatives who don't exist (they might also be names given to protect the living!).
Re Milly - I'm not sure whose daughter she actually was because the father wasn't listed and the mother is not one of the "sibling group". So she may be the daughter of one of the sons - hence Thomas' reference to her as a sister.
Checking!!!
Thanks and VERY BEST regards,
Carol
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Hi again.
Spent a little time over a cuppa looking for starters. However it is hard to judge if the articles referred to were written looking back in time, or at a time like their Diamond Jubilee, or earlier.
There is evidence of one or more Alexander BROWNS residing in the general area, but to date those articles are the best fit for using the old name of TOKOMAIRIRO ahead of Milton.
Hope to have another look when I have more time, as early pioneers interest me.
Alan
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Thanks Alan. Actually this line of the family are amongst the first in the area and the Toitu Otago Settlers Museum even have some photos of Thomas' parents:)
I was quite shocked to learn how far back we go in NZ; no-one in the family had any idea how deep our NZ roots were!
Regards, Carol
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Pleased to see you have been in touch with the Museum, because as well as the local Bruce Herald, there was a strong Otago Early Settlers Assn, which no doubt published many members recall of the past, in publications that have not been digitized by Papers Past.
Alan.