James Smith to NZ 1873

[kiwismith]

 
 My Great Grand Father was James Smith, he came out to NZ in the late 1870's aboard the sailing ship Lutterworth. I have all his / our info on down from there. But everything going back from him is pretty much a mystery.  His parents names were Charles & Myra Smith and apparently he was from Warwickshire.  He was about 18 - 20 years old when he made the voyage.

He died in 1931 after having lead a full life in the Hokitika area of NZ.  He was survived by his wife Maggie & numerous children the last of whom passed away in 1983. he being Eric Smith my grand father.

The point of this post is to hopefully learn more about Charles & Myra Smith my great great grand
parents

This is my first post here so please excuse this being somewhat disjointed.

[AMBLY]

Hi kiwismith

http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc05Cycl-t1-body1-d3-d25-d9.html

Is a biography of James - it is written when he was still alive, and thinking  he would be the likely the source of his bigraphical information:

Farmer and Sawmiller, Koiterangi - farm is known as “Camelback,” ...in the centre of the Koiterangi district...

Mr. Smith was born in Warwickshire, England, in the year 1857, and at about sixteen years of age came to New Zealand by the ship “Lutterworth,” and landed at Port Moeraki.

........ About 1879 Mr. Smith removed to the West Coast, and took up land in the Koiterangi district, where he has since resided....... Mr. Smith is married, and has eight children.

Regarding the names of his parents - what was the source of the information (as Myra is an anagram of Mary I wondered if the sole source was a death certificate and could therefore be wrong?)

Did he give any of his children middle names which could be surnames (of his mother, for example)?

Did you find him on a passenger list for the Lutterworth in 1873 (early 1870's) ?


Cheers
AMBLY

[kiwismith]

Hi Ambly,

Yes I was aware of the article you mentioned. That was where I found the name on the ship James Smith came out from England on.  As for his parents names that information came down to me from family members.  He / they named two of their children Charles & Myra so I always felt there maybe credence to this.

I found a log for the Lutterworth, but no passenger list. But the dates of the voyage seem to fit.

My apologies...  Our son was born over 12 years ago & at that time I put all my research aside so I'm very rusty.  I have just reloaded Family Tree Maker on my computer (thank goodness it still runs on Win 7). I found my data file & now must search for all my scanned documents.  But it's time to begin the search again.  Hopefully more information is now available.

Many thanks for the reply....

[skylark]

When was James born? sorry the answer is below!

[kiwismith]

On his headstone it says 1854 - I have a photo.  I have had no luck in finding further evidence of his exact birthday or his birth place.  But everyone in the family always said he was born in Warwickshire.

[Canterburynorth]

Hi,

Probably a silly question but have you had any joy with census's?

Leandra

[Jamjar]

The only Charles and Myra showing on the 1881 census:

 Charles SMITH 37 Hagley, Worcester, England Police Constable      
 Myra SMITH 37 Romsley, Worcester, England            
 Charles A. SMITH 14 Romsley, Worcester, England           
 Theresa A. SMITH 11 Romsley, Worcester, England           
 George H. SMITH 6 Wollaston, Worcester, England          
 William SMITH 4 Wollaston, Worcester, England          
 Flora SMITH 5m Blakedown, Worcester, England

There's always the possibility they came with him, I guess.     

[Canterburynorth]

Can't see any death for Myra Smith on NZ BMD

[Jamjar]

Just stumbled on this:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,369249.msg2440687.html