Identification John Hardy/West

[today1]

JOHN HARDY (often called Jack) Lived in Wellington and Petone.  Not born in new zealand under hardy.  His partner Mary Alice Hardwick told the children his name was really West, no other information than this so not known whether John is accurate either.  The age he gave himself as makes his birth about 1888, no John West born in new zealand fits either, so possibly born in England.   Had to be a reason he changed his name.  Would like to find out where he came from.  Grandfather.  Died 29 Nov 1966, Lower Hutt

[spades]

Happy New Year, Today1,

To start off, what can you tell us about his military service, please? Did he serve in the New Zealand or the British Army? Do you know his service number? Did he serve in WW1?

If he served in the New Zealand Army his service record should be available to view for free on Archway.

Spades

[today1]

Hi Spades, I dont have any specific information at all, only that he was in nz army in some way, homeguard maybe?  He was a blacksmith by trade, but im not sure that he worked in that area.  His partner came from Kaipara and was there until 1914 and sometime between then and 1921 Wellington/petone, her whole family was up there, so it may be he was in that area at some stage.  I have looked at electoral rolls.  Sometime back now I went through the WW1 records but was unable to identify him.  I've also checked all the John Wests born in New Zealand and was able to find all their deaths...so none of those him.

[minniehaha]

Did your grandfather marry in New Zealand?

1925/10466   Margaret   Morton   John   Hardy      ??


Minniehaha.

[today1]

No minnie, they never married but were together from sometime after 1914/1919 to 1953 when she died.  Her name was Mary Alice Hardwick.  They had 4 children Lillian who died young Rosemary who went to Tasmania, George, and Arnold.  I have all of their information.  The children were registered under Mary's name Hardwick

[wivenhoe]

"...The age he gave himself as makes his birth about 1888"

When is he giving information about himself?

"...He was a blacksmith by trade, but im not sure that he worked in that area"

Where are you seeing him described as a blacksmith?.

[today1]

No Wivenhoe this information came from John to my father and the information about his name change was given to my father by his mother Mary.  He died when I was about 13 but he didnt speak about his past, only from when he met Mary.  The only other thing was he had a whole album filled with photos taken in fiji...very old and a yacht that also featured in them but my father had no idea why. 

[wivenhoe]

"..The children were registered under Mary's name Hardwick"

John HARDY / WEST is not named on birth certificates of children born to Mary Alice HARDWICK, there is no marriage to find in NZ for this couple, and you are not able to see them on electoral rolls.

What the earliest sighting you have of John HARDY / WEST?

When couples are having children together but are not married, it is worth considering that one or both is still married to another person.

What is on the death certificate, 1953, for Mary Alice  eg marital history etc.  What birth year do you have for her?

[today1]

Mary was born in Kaipara Northland in 1901.  I dont have the death cert, but I know my father did at one time, and didnt have any information that assisted.  She went under the name of Hardy, only one partnership.  They are on the electoral roles which I have on Ancestry, but dont have a sub at this time to give you the info.  They lived in wellington and petone.  Just realized i do have those dates  1928, 1935, 1938, 1946, 1949, 1951