A tale of migration and marriage.

[Johnf04]

In 1843, my wife's 2nd great grandfather, Thomas BATH, emigrated with his family to Tasmania, where he lived in a place called Buckland. At Buckland, he managed a farm owned by John GATEHOUSE.

About 1852, John WARD and family also emigrated to Tasmania, and were living at Buckland. In 1855 William HOPCROFT arrived in Tasmania, and went to work for John WARD.

In 1859, Thomas's daughter Charlotte married John GATEHOUSE. Also in 1859, the WARD family, and William HOPCROFT left Tasmania for Southland, New Zealand, where John Ward took up land at Gropers Bush.

In 1860, Thomas BATH paid a visit to Southland, where he arranged to go into partnership with William HOPCROFT, in a farm and accomodation house.

In 1862, William HOPCROFT returned to Tasmania, married Thomas's daughter Elizabeth, and then went back to Southland with her.

In 1863, Thomas BATH and family left Tasmania for Southland, and joined William HOPCROFT at Gummies Bush.

In 1864, my wife's great grandfather William WALKER arrived in New Zealand, and went to work for his cousin John WARD.

In 1867, William WALKER married Thomas BATH's daughter Sarah.

[Ruskie]

Interesting (but complicated). 

The families obviously knew each other, mixed together for many years and intermarried. I am sure many immigrants have similar stories. This is a little more confusing because they too-ed and fro-ed to NZ so much. 

[Johnf04]

I simplified it - it is possible that William Hopcroft knew John Ward before emigrating - they lived very close to each other in the 1851 census. Also, William Walker's older brother Thomas Henry preceded him to New Zealand. When William Walker came, he was accompanied by another cousin, John Proctor. Thomas Henry Walker and John Proctor married sisters - of the Boniface family - a well known family around Riverton in Southland.

[Ruskie]

I simplified it - it is possible that William Hopcroft knew John Ward before emigrating - they lived very close to each other in the 1851 census. Also, William Walker's older brother Thomas Henry preceded him to New Zealand. When William Walker came, he was accompanied by another cousin, John Proctor. Thomas Henry Walker and John Proctor married sisters - of the Boniface family - a well known family around Riverton in Southland.

There is more?!  Yes, I think families often knew each other back in the old country before emigrating.

[Johnf04]

Oddly, the contemporary Walker family descendants we've asked know nothing about the connection with the Wards.

[Ruskie]

Oddly, the contemporary Walker family descendants we've asked know nothing about the connection with the Wards.

Maybe their research has not been as thorough as yours. It does not surprise me that some descendants know less or more than others.

Whereabouts in the UK did the families come from?

[Johnf04]

John Ward and the Walkers were from Staffordshire, although John was living in Worcestershire, where William Hopcroft was born, in 1851, before he emigrated. The Baths were from Cornwall.

Added: We didn't know of the connection with the Wards until we traced William Walker's father's siblings, last year. We did know, though, from William Walker's obituary that he had worked for a John Ward when he first came to New Zealand.