Monthly Archives: Apr 2019

Back in 1979 when our late grandma – Hilda (Biddy) passed away after my exam and the last grandchild – Ella who she welcomes to the world several weeks before Biddy passed away. One day I came down with the flu, and I decided to look through books among other items in the boxes. I came across one of Biddy’s old school exercise book with many names of people around New Zealand, Australia and the UK. I remember most of the names of people I met during my early years until Biddy passed away. I asked my mother and Shorty (Poppa/Allan) by saying who these people are? Shorty replied these people were related to our family over many years. Biddy always take me everywhere we go BUT she never mentions how we related to cousins etc. I did not realise that Bibby was so of a genealogist in her days.

 

One day my mother asked me to write a letter to cousins of the Watkinson back in the UK and informed that Bibby passed away etc. I don’t recall if I wrote or my mother wrote a letter. The names of our cousins back in Nottingham were John and Nellie Ellis. My mother recalled something about the advertisement ‘Looking for the Watkinson family of Papakura, NZ’ in the newspaper before or after the war times. Biddy replied to these people – John and Nellie, and that was how we became connected to our family. I visited Ernest and Beryl Watkinson, and we talked about their days because Beryl came out to New Zealand from Nottingham. Ernest met John and Nellie and their children – Barrie and Patricia (Pat). He stayed with John and Nellie several times. I became a genealogist until today.

 

After 1981, I decided to travel to the UK and to meet up new cousins, meet Deaf people and the Deaf Society Inc and catch up with an old friend of ours. I visited Nottingham city where many famous legends about Robin Hood, King Arthur and many other knights. I visited and stayed with Barrie and his wife Kate Ellis and every trip I returned back to the UK, Ireland, Europe, USA etc. and I always visited Barrie, Kate, Pat and Michael (Pat’s husband) many years. Barrie and I did many exploring our genealogy around Nottingham, Warwick, Sheffield and other areas. I met many other cousins, and we always have long talks over genealogy.  One of my favourite visit to a cousin was Mollie Leverton – Barrie’s aunty.

Barrie and Kate always said they will come to visit us in New Zealand one day. Finally, they came to visit us after 1995, and I arranged the Watkinson clan afternoon tea to meet Barrie and Kate. This meeting place was taken at my late granduncle Len’s place. The four brothers of the Watkinson finally met again especially Ernest met earlier, and his renew catch up.

 

Now I am going to share the rumoured scandal, but honestly, it was not appalling or embarrasses in the family. With my frequent visits to Mollie Leverton, out of the blue, she gave me the photos of her husband – Ronald, a young girl – Mollie and other images. Mollie told me about William Horace and his family then Barrie and John Keith – a nephew to Barrie and Mollie, cleared up the confusing jigsaw puzzles from time to time. John K. keep in touch with me when any of us trace any records through genealogy websites, archives, government archives such as war records.

 

 

The Leverton family….

There were 6 children born to William Leverton and Mary Jane (Jennie) Gunn back in 1899. William’s parents were rather a mystery to us because of the birth father was unknown. His mother was Mary Leverton (b. 1842) who worked in a pub in Nottingham as a young servant. William was an illegitimate child and born in 1866 because Mary was an unmarried woman.  Mary’s parents William Leverton, senior (b. 1808/d.1892) and Catherine Oldham (burial. 1872) arranged a ‘cash payment’ for Mary to wed William Seagrave in 1874. Mary (1842) was only 9 years old according to the census record in 1851, BUT in the census record 1861, Mary was 19 years old. In Census record 1871, Mary was 28 as an ironer and William was 4 listed as a grandson.

Then we have a male child – William Horace (b. 1887) to William Leverton (b. 1866/d.1951) and Mary Jane Gunn.

William H. was deserted from the army (King’s Own Rifle) in Jersey, the Channel Islands during the World War One and changed his name to William L. Hamilton to relisted the army in World Wars Two. He married three times and had three children – one son was killed in RAF WW2 and second son killed in a motorcycle accident. William H. died in 1962.

Note William senior was a cottager and the land he held was 12 acres land from 1851. William, junior (b.1866)’s mystery father was the possibility of any Baron/prosperous father. William Seagrave was a coal miner.

The puzzle must resolve and clear up the confusion.

Photos copyrights: Jean’s genealogy research files.

William Horace Leverton/Hamilton Obtains from Archives UK Miltary -World War One belongs to Keith J. Leverton

 

I was reflecting the past of many soldiers went to the Gallipoli, and not everyone came back home. Yesterday, it was ANZAC Day – combine with Australia and New Zealand.

I just remember Great uncle Roy Watkinson of Te Awamutu was telling me about Joseph and Sarah Ann Watkinson and their three boys. Great uncle Roy have got the paintings, silverware, medals and papers from the lawyer on behalf of Harold Watkinson – the last surviving family members through Joseph and Sarah Ann Watkinson.

Let me explain how our family connected to Joseph and Sarah Ann Watkinson. Joseph had got a brother called Matthew Watkinson and maybe a sister Elizabeth, who came to NZ. Their parents were Charles and Martha Watkinson, and they have eight children. Our family linked to Matthew Watkinson. Matthew and Joseph were devoted Christian as in Methodist religion back to England. They came to Port Albert, New Zealand with the Abertlanders between 1862 and 1867. To my understanding that Charles and Martha Watkinson came to New Zealand as well.

Matthew married Sarah Cross (Croft) in Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom and they have got 8 children. Joseph and his wife Sarah Freer have got three sons. My family came from Matthew and Sarah Watkinson. Families are living around New Zealand and overseas.

Now looking at the last surviving family of Joseph and Sarah Ann Watkinson in New Zealand.  Joseph and Sarah were involved with the Methodist Church in Auckland – Pitt Church on the corner of Pitt Street and Karangahape Road and other Methodist churches around NZ and overseas. Their sons were Harold, Arthur Edgar and Percy and these sons have different skills in the family. Joseph was a treasurer of the Mission Funds under the Methodist Church. Joseph died in 1950 at the age of 94 years old.

Harold worked for New Zealand Engineers Tunnelling Company before the war, and after the war, he worked for Public Works New Zealand. Harold married Hilda Mowlem. Harold served World War One and Two, and he returned back to New Zealand. They have no children, and Harold was the last surviving member of the Joseph and Sarah Ann’s family. He died in 1964 and buried in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.

Arthur Edgar married Elizabeth Pilkington Paul. Arthur was a photographer/artist in Whanganui, and he bought the business of W. H. Partington – photographer. Arthur’s wife, Elizabeth’s half-sister – Dame Christina Allen/Allan Massey GBE married William Ferguson Massey who later became a 19th Prime Minister in New Zealand. Arthur died first with the influenza pandemic then Hilda died after 11 days with the influenza pandemic as well. They have no children. I do not have any photos of Arthur or Hilda in my genealogy research files, but I would love to have a picture or more of Arthur and Hilda than his works, one day.

Note: Elizabeth Pilkington Paul’s father was Walter Paul, and her mother was Elizabeth (Lilly) Pilkington. Walter married twice – his first wife was Christina Peace Allen and his second wife were Elizabeth (Lilly) Pilkington. So Christina Allen Paul came from the first family while Elizabeth Pilkington Paul went from the second family of the same father.

To my surprise that Elizabeth’s half-sister married to William Massey who he became a Prime Minister of New Zealand.

Percy was single and served the first World War. He worked as a coachbuilder. Unfortunately, he was killed in action in Ypres, Belgium – 12th October 1917 at the age of 27 years old. He was due to attend to Arthur and Hilda’s wedding.

Wow – in my family from my late father’s side: Two Prime Ministers and one MP (Members of the Parliament) through bloodline while a third one was not a direct bloodline. Today I am working with Hamilton Methodist Social Service, and I was a trustee for the Deaf Christian Fellowship under the Methodist Church.

Photos copyrights: Christina Allen Paul Massey

Hon. William Ferguson Massey

Harold and Percy Watkinson

Joseph, Sarah and possible Harold or Percy Watkinson from Jean Masters – Personal photos from My genealogy.

Stocking up old woods from the old house into the large farm barn. We are heading into mid-Autumn season now.

We were googling many websites such as Trademe, Neighbourly site, rural newsletters for the price of firewoods. The prices have shot up, and the prices range between $65 (3.5m3) to $900.00 (two-three months). We were lucky to use old woods from the old house and trees including branches from our property over four years since we moved here.

We do have a heat pump for warm heating during cold Autumn and through Winter or to use cooling heating through Summer. BUT we do not regularly use over four years, and in the past, I did use the warm heat for the room where I was working from home than at work in the early hour of the morning. I used a couple hours only until the sunshine came to heat the sunroom. Our power bills were NOT shocking or horrors, and it remains under $135.00 for three Winter months.

Today the trees are showing signs of autumn colours while our dogs are out hunting wild rabbits near the black wattle hardwood trees. It was a beautiful and warm afternoon at our property. Each night the temperature drops down, and I wore a winter cardigan in the evening. Every morning around 4am, we get up as my partner prepare for his work while I make his lunch. The temperature remains chilly than cold between 2oC and 6oC.

So much to do around the gardens and clearing out the old house before the winter hits here.

 

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co.nz/attachments/f11/86012d1524174976-air-rifle-hunting-pics-20180419_211142.jpg

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/05/08/armys-next-squad-weapon-will-fire-a-never-before-seen-ammo-combination/

The debate over gun ban around New Zealand since the Christchurch Attack last month.

In our family on my late father’s side, several cousins and uncles uses guns for their jobs such possums, wild ducks and rabbits culling under the District Council and Department of Conversation and of course farmings, police and army officers. In our neighbours, there were ex police officers living here and they used weapons for their past jobs. Outside Eureka, there is a Clay shooting club and they have restricted rules for all members including the new members when using guns and proof of the gun license. This photo here showed my late grandfather on the right with his mate form the rabbit shooting in their old days.

I am used to weapons for I know it is dangerous to use. My late grandfather and his chaps took me out to duck shootings during the school holidays when I was young. My grandfather always give me instruction for our safety when they are shooting and gesture language as I am deaf. Here is a photo of me as a young tom girl with a duck and my late grandfather’s dog -Snow. Snow was the favourite family/working dog in our grandparent’s lives.

What about sport like Olympic Games including Paralympic Games, Clay Shooting? What about farming to control wild rabbits, deers, possums? The Police and the Military Service are okay.

In the farming area, is it okay to let wild rabbits or possums becoming more destructive to our lands, gardening and trees in the parks even in the National Parks?

Many possums plus stoats , rats, ferret to kill our native wildlife birds and native trees. Most people blame Australian people and other European people bought pest animals such as goats, ducks and possums here hundred years ago. In New Zealand, possums are pest animals and in Australia, the possums are not pest animals to Aussies, the possums are protected under the Wildlife Acts 1975.

I would like to see how the Members of the Parliament look at the type of weapons and to work with the Police and the military officers first. Then make the decision on the type of gthe into the gun laws where people can uses guns for sports, farm jobs such as culling, etc.

I prefer people not to use guns for hobbies or the state of their unstable minds like mental illness. The problem is whether a person love to collect military weapons as a gun collector. There must be a way on making tough rules on when to use guns, who can use guns for through special license and have background check before entering the gun clubs. What about exports and import rule under the Customs? I believe the Custom staff does not do the job properly because there are people still bring guns from oversea easily.

A beautiful sunny day and I walked in the sunroom after doing food shopping in Morrinsville today. I came to realistically that our daily routines coming to the sunroom from work and this room has not cleared over months. We did not have a chance to stop and look at the sunroom but we do notice often.

All the tools belong to my partner for he likes to do carpentry in the sunroom. Yes we do have a double carport next to here and a double garage further away from here. The main problem is electricity- nothing in the double garage but in the barn, yes and it was cut off and too old to do the retiring from old wires to new wires. In the carport, two cars parks there and often we shifted our cars outside the carport so he can do tools by plugging from the house.

He leaves tools there in the sunroom instead of putting away. Is that a male’s way of leaving there as a man’s cave?

Our sunroom is not exactly a man’s cave, our dogs sleep here and in the other rooms during the day while we are out working. I like to sit here during the Autumn and Winter season so I can catch the warmth and sunshine.

Mm, perhaps I will clean up while he is at work today, but not sure when he gets home as he is working a long hours today. Next weekend it is an Easter weekend and a lovely and long weekend some hope to catch up with the list of jobs to do around home.

Waking up to find a chilly with beautiful sunshine Autumn morning today. Letting the dogs out for a run around the property not long ago.

Today it is another year add to my age – 55 years. Reflecting all these years of my life has passed each year was full of surprises, sadness, joy, injuries/health issues, moving to the new pasture – a new home,  job changing, getting older and still have my wisdom etc. Count my blessing each year!

 

 

How great are the gardens we have in our rural home!

The garden project is not finishing due to my new diagnosis last year and a step back for the delaying in completing the previous project from mid-autumn 2018 to now. This Easter Weekend 2019 to next year, I am determining to achieve the last push of the garden project into less garden maintaining such as weeding, composts, garden edging around the gardens. I am aiming to grow plants in the greenhouse through the winter season, self seedings in the ground, to produce more fruit crops for work (kitchen – Meals for the Homeless people), Jacek’s request on jams, soups, summer meals and for us.

I hope to arrange a small team – a working bee group to help me out while my devoted partner is working a long hour each day. But I often work with Jacek who has multiple disabilities during the weekend because he works five days a week.

Over the Easter Weekend, we plan to not travel anywhere at least if my partner’s son would like to see us when he is not busy as well. We have a job to do over the Easter Weekend – tidy up the section where there was an old house sitting there for many years, to store woods as fire woods that will last us more than 4 years, clean out any unwanted rubbishes and take to the dump or burn it. Then we will make a new section which will be a small herb garden along with several small fruit trees such as blueberries shrubs and an apricot tree to be pair with another current apricot tree. As well a tiny section of native shrubs and bulbs of Dahlia.

Oh, what a bliss life we have in here and we are SO grateful to get out of the city of Hamilton nearly 5 years ago. BUT we don’t get any family members visiting here for 3 or 4 years ago. They are missing out heaps of our changing gardens and missing out the chance to play or to camp in our large property.