Just found a cousin in New Zealand need a bit of help

[slewis]

Hello and thank you
 all I know is that his name John Anderson born 1911 in Auckland,  he and his brother name possibly Len or Roy were put in an orphanage.
Then there is nothing until his war records except that he put a Mrs Sinclair as a next of kin from Rangiora when he signed up .
And really that is all I know.
Kind regards Sue

[Lucy2]

Hello Sue ... and welcome. 

In talking of John ANDERSON, you refer to his "war records".

*   Can you tell us please - did he serve in say, the New Zealand Army ??
If so, can you supply details of his service number ?

If in fact he fought for another country ... or served in another of the forces, those details would be appreciated too.

  ^ ^    Please ignore above questions .... have now found that information.    ^  ^

Added:   >
*  Would be interested to know how it is that you have the name (or names)  of the brother(s) of John ANDERSON ... (Len or possibly Roy ) ??

The more snippets of information you can provide, will make it easier for us to find details for you. 

*   Could you also please explain how John is related to you ... you've mentioned he's a cousin ?
Do you have the name of an ancestor-in-common that you could provide to us ?

     ~   Lu

[slewis]

Hi Lu
I have just come across a first/2nd cousin through DNA on her father’s side,  the information I have given you is all she has.
I have no idea how we are connected it’s got to be through a uncle/aunt or grand uncle or aunt
It’s crazy to be so close, I don’t even know what side of my family. It’s going to be interesting when we do find out if we ever do.
Kind regards Sue

[Lucy2]

Hi Sue

Thanks for the reply.     Can now better understand the situation you're faced with. 

It seems that possibly the information about John ANDERSON's war records has come from the following site > 
 https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C134103?n=2149&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch&ordinal=0

[Ancestry.com also has much the same information in its series "NZ Army - WW2 - Nominal Rolls" ]

Unfortunately, the New Zealand Army  WW2 records are not available online - and there is a very long waiting time (still, I think), if you were to order a record for a soldier via the NZ Defence Force.

As to finding John ANDERSON or the person he nominated as his next-of-kin > "Mrs SINCLAIR of Edward Street, Rangiora" (Canterbury, NZ) ... I haven't had any luck so far in locating either on electoral rolls for the period before or after John enlisted for war service.
John ANDERSON was apparently a "tractor driver" c. 1939 ... probably working on a farm in rural Rangiora.   He shared the same address as "Mrs SINCLAIR" ... but she may well have been his employer's wife ... or any other sort of friend for that matter.   

Can do a bit more digging tomorrow when I have more time.

   ~  Lu

[minniehaha]

https://heritage.christchurchcitylibraries.com/Cemeteries/interment.asp?id=31028

The above could be his burial details?

Minniehaha.

[Lucy2]

For Sue  >

Looked earlier through our online Birth records  - (as suggested by mckha, previously) :

As far as I could see (also searching at another site where birth registration places are available), only one of the 9 John ANDERSON births (1911-1912) was registered in the Auckland area.   And that was for child who had an additional forename.   2 daughters also born to same family.  So, NOT the John ANDERSON you're seeking.

Still there are a few other records to look over (ANDERSON name takes a bit of extra effort ). 

    ~  Lu

[Lucy2]

https://heritage.christchurchcitylibraries.com/Cemeteries/interment.asp?id=31028

The above could be his burial details?

Minniehaha.

 
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19561213.2.35

[mckha489]

https://heritage.christchurchcitylibraries.com/Cemeteries/interment.asp?id=31028

The above could be his burial details?

Minniehaha.

 
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19561213.2.35

That ones probate is online, he had a wife and children.
Found the wife and John in 1935 electoral roll. So I don’t think it would be him.

This is the marriage for that one.

1934/8896   Enid Jean   Lewitt   John   Anderson

[Lucy2]

Cheers Mckha

Had also found that same information ... plus wife / sons for the John ANDERSON d.  December 1956.
[He'd also been listed at St Albans in 1954 as a "Tea Room proprietor"  - although described as a labourer in other mentions ??/]

Yes, can rule him out.   

   ~ Lu