Finding Jane Donnelly & Captain Alexander Edwards 1877

[janjim]

Hi,
I am trying to find any information in regard to our Ancestor, Jane Donnelly b. 1843, Balmain,Sydney NSW Aust. who married a Mariner, Captain Alexander Edmund Edwards in Wellington, NZ in 1877.   Jane was daughter of Timothy & Eliza Donnelly.

Have not been able to find any shipping records of Jane Donnelly travelling to New Zealand and whether she had any children from the marriage to Alexander Edwards.   We think that he died in New Zealand around 1900, as we later found Jane (now Edwards) living at Stanmore near Sydney, where she died in 1921.

Would love to know more about their lives in NZ, have found a little information regarding Captain Edwards being the Master of the ship "Patea" that wrecked, but not much more on Jane Edwards life in NZ.    There is much history on the Donnelly family here in Australia, her brother was the Legendary Boat Builder, her Father a Sailmaker from Hog Island in Ireland.

Looking forward to any assistance please.

Regards Jan

[Lucy2]

Hello Jan

Just for starters ... >   It appears that the 1877 New Zealand marriage was - for the bridegroom - in the name of "Alexander Edmund EDWARDS"  [ to Jane DONNELLY ].

He appears to have later used the name "Alexander John EDWARDS" as is evidenced in his Will dated 28 June 1899 - accessible at this link >
https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE75223813

Documents in the Probate file tell that he was a Mariner who generally resided in the city of Wellington.  He was buried at the Karori Cemetery in Wellington on 20 January 1900.

Seems there was possibly at least one child of the union > just trying to acertain further details for that and will get back to you.

   ~  Lu

[janjim]

Lucy,
Thank you for this information.   Yes we've seen his second name changed to John in other documentation.  We wonder if he changed his second name as we think he had a brother two years younger than him with the christian name Edmund, who we also think was based in NZ.

Thank you, I look forward to any other information.  Jan

[Lucy2]

Hi again Jan

The following birth was registered at Wellington (NZ) >

1882 / 6435  - EDWARDS - Sydney Alexander

Parents:    Jane and Alexander Edmund EDWARDS

Haven't found a death or marriage for this chap in NZ (Sydney / Sidney - both checked )  ??

   ~  Lu

[janjim]

Wow that's interesting, thank you. 
Jan

Hi again Jan

The following birth was registered at Wellington (NZ) >

1882 / 6435  - EDWARDS - Sydney Alexander

Parents:    Jane and Alexander Edmund EDWARDS

Haven't found a death or marriage for this chap in NZ (Sydney / Sidney - both checked )  ??

   ~  Lu

[janjim]

Hi Lu,
Just finding information now, he married Mabel Wilmshurst in 1905 at Newtown, NSW. He was buried at Rookwood Cemetery 12.7.1973.

Now to find some shipping records, if we can.
Jan

[Lucy2]

Hi Jan

I'll look for shipping records for you, but please be aware that there may not be much information available (for that era).     
Citizens of Australia and New Zealand were able to travel "freely" between the two countries  (that is to say, no documentation was necessary).   In the main, the passenger /or arrival, lists we have in NZ, are for those who arrived here as part of the immigration schemes set up by the provincial governments of the time.   (-- available at FamilySearch - NZ Passenger lists) :

You may care to check Australian incoming shipping records which tend to have more detail.

    ~  Lu

[janjim]

Lu,
Yes have been doing that, still not found any yet.    At least I'm getting the story together now on Jane Donnelly and her family.
Sydney Alexander Edwards died in 1973 up on the Blue Mountains at Springwood, he was a Chemist, not in the sailing fraternity.
Jan

[Lucy2]

Hi Jan

At this link is a notice for the sale of the property at >  22 Ellice Street, Wellington > which was shown in 1899 to be the residence of ... EDWARDS - Alexander, Master Mariner and EDWARDS - Jane, domestic duties.   The notice states that the sale is on behalf of Mrs EDWARDS.

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM19001116.2.57.1

   ~  Lu