ORR James Murray. Can you fill in some of the gaps in his life?

[minniehaha]

Hi everyone,

Things have been very quiet on [NZ] Rootschat in recent times. However I would like some help with this one please.

James Murray ORR was the first teacher at my old primary school in Merton, north of Dunedin; commencing there when it opened in 1868.

I am doing some research into the beginnings of the school and would like to know a little more about this man.

It appears that he had been married prior to his arrival in New Zealand (?) as two step-daughters are mentioned in the will of his New Zealand wife.

Cemetery details:
Surname   ORR
Forename   JAMES MURRAY
Age   80 Years*
Gender   Male
Date of Death   6 Oct 1931
Last Address   KAIKORAI VALLEY ROAD DUNEDIN
Next of Kin   
Funeral Director   Hope And Sons, P O Box 5013, Andersons Bay, DUNEDIN
Cemetery   ANDERSONS BAY CEMETERY

Location   Block 3. Plot 155
Date of Burial   9 Oct 1931
Type   Burial
Occupation   
Place of Birth   
Date of Birth   Not recorded
Notes   Original reference:- A19311014
Occupation:- SCHOOL MASTER
Native of:- SCOTLAND
Years in NZ:- 50
Place died:- DUNEDIN

*Incorrect
   
The following burials are also in this Plot
  BLACK CHARLOTTE ELLIOTT 82 Years, Burial, Died 5 Aug 1956
  ORR EMILY HENSHAW 100 Years, Ashes Burial, Died 11 May 1955

Marriage:

1926/5240   Emily Henshaw   Martin   James Murray   Orr

Death notice:

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ODT19311007.2.44?end_date=30-11-1931&items_per_page=10&query=james+murray+orr&snippet=true&start_date=01-10-1931&title=AHCOG%2cBH%2cCL%2cCROMARG%2cDUNST%2cESD%2cLCM%2cLCP%2cLWM%2cME%2cMIC%2cMTBM%2cNOT%2cOAM%2cODT%2cOW%2cOSWCC%2cSOCR%2cST%2cTT%2cWSTAR

Short obituary:

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AG19311104.2.79?end_date=31-12-1931&items_per_page=10&phrase=2&query=j.+m.+orr&snippet=true&start_date=01-01-1931

Will of Emily Henshaw Orr:

https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=14688753&digital=yes

Will of James Murray Orr:

https://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=22071773&digital=yes

Death:
1966/24726   Orr   Marion Johanna**

**I have not found where Marion was buried.

Hoping you can fill in some of the gaps.

Minniehaha.

[Eyesee]

Minniehaha

According to NZBDM Charlotte Elliott and Marion Johanna ORR's parents were James and Flora. There is a marriage for a James ORR and Flora McKENZIE in 1869. There are a few other children on the NZBDM to a James and Flora in this time frame as well. There is a death for Flora in 1924 as well as what appears to be one of the daughters Margaret Flora McKenzie ORR in 1977, born 1877.

Flora is buried in Southern Cemetery with McKENZIEs, on Dunedin cemetery website. She was buried from same address as James in his death notice.

Flora's death notice
https://www.rootschat.com/links/01r04/

Ian C

[wivenhoe]

Evening STAR 13 Apr 1927 p11
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19270413.2.101?
....Monthly Meeting Committee of the Early Settlers Association....James Murray ORR 25 Kaikorai Valley Road (Henrietta 1860).....

[wivenhoe]

North Otago Times 23 Jul 1869 p2
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NOT18690723.2.7?

On 16th July, at Woodlands, Waikari, Dunedin, by the Rev John Williams, Baptist Minister, James Orr, Teacher, Merton, to Flora, fourth daughter of the late Mr Ewan Mackenzie.

[kiwihalfpint]

**I have not found where Marion was buried.

Minniehaha.

Hi Minnie,

Send an email to Mangere Cemetery, that is if someone is there during lockdown. There was also a notice in the paper, so another email to the National Library, once you narrow the death date might be a quicker response than the cemetery.


Cheers
KHP

[kiwihalfpint]

Deleted what I had put down.  I think the 1966 Marion could be the wrong person, as on further research there is a Marion Johanna Newton Orr who on the E/R for Eden in 1957 was a teacher and a spinster. Disappears after that. Death age was 87 years so born abt 1879.

Think if you get the death notice, the death date was 3 Feb 1966, this will confirm whether it is your lass or not. and to be buried in Mangere Cemetery is a looooooong way from way down South.


Cheers
KHP

[minniehaha]

Thank you wivenhoe, KHP & Ian C for your helpful input. Something to work on.


Minniehaha.

[kiwihalfpint]

Just to add a bit more for your thinking cap Minnie.

On the 1896 E/R Marion Johanna Newton Orr is a teacher/spinster, living in Gala St, Invercargill, James Orr, Invercargill, teacher.

1905/1906 for Otago a teacher along with Margaret Flora McKenzie Orr.

First appears in the North Island in 1919, sometimes without the Newton names.

So I am going to put down what I deleted in my post.

From the NZ Cemetery Records.

Along with the details of Marion, there is James Haldane, 72 years, died 3 Sept, buried 15 Sept 1962, Invercargill (dates given) .. and a John Bell Orr, aged 82 years, buried 19 Aug 1968 born Scotland.

So perhaps I am wrong in assuming that it isn't Marion... apologies.

Cheers
KHP

[minniehaha]

Hi KHP,

I have now put together some more details concerning the family of James Murray ORR:

Births:

1878/14013   Orr   Margaret Flora McKenzie   Flora   James   -   
1887/16462   Orr   Haldane James   Flora   James   -   

1875/9513   Orr   Marion Johanna Newton   Flora   James   -   

1880/7627   Orr   Adelaide Jane Marsh   Flora   James      

1871/35339   Orr   Mary Lydia   Flora   James   -   

1873/43643   Orr   Charlotte Elliott   Flora   James      

Deaths:
1962/32954   Orr   Haldane James   72Y [there is a WW1 file for him]
1894/6615   Orr   Mary Lydia   23Y
1977/46957   Orr   Margaret Flora McKenzie   8 December 1877

Marriage:

1916/6930   Adelaide Jane Marsh   Orr   Donald James   Gray

Death:
1971/27694   Gray   Adelaide Jane Marsh   85Y

Thank you for the information provided. 

Minniehaha.