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Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: amdunnage on Wednesday 14 September 11 02:08 BST (UK)

Title: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: amdunnage on Wednesday 14 September 11 02:08 BST (UK)
Hi there,  I am new and reseaching my husbands family.  Looking for any information on george henry fife of new zealand. I have no dates for them but a list of their children and nothing else.
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 14 September 11 02:18 BST (UK)
Hi amdunnage

   ... welcome to RootsChat.   :)

Can you give us an idea please, of where (in NZ) George Henry and Sarah lived ?

[Providing that the offspring of of George and Sarah are deceased, then it is OK to post the names of these children in this thread.]

~  Lu
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 14 September 11 03:13 BST (UK)
Hello again.

Is there a FIFE family link to the South Island ... Stewart Island / Southland / Otago ... maybe ?

New Zealand Deaths

1908 - FIFE - George Henry - 55 years  (born about 1853)

1965 - FIFE - George Henry - 87 years (born abt. 1878)
[This is likely the child "Henry George FIFE" - birth registered 1877 - son of George Henry and Sarah FIFE.]

Still looking for you.   ;)

~  Lu
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 14 September 11 05:23 BST (UK)
Hi

I came across this transcription on a website which had records for a SMITH family.   [Not sure where this SMITH lady fits into the picture, but she shares a plot with these FIFE people. ]

http://www.familytreecircles.com/smith-burials-bluff-new-zealand-31512.html

BLUFF CEMETERY - Plot 82

SMITH - Elwa Evelyn - 1934 *

[ ^^ This appears to be "Elva Evelyn SMITH - d. 1934 - aged 49" ]

FYFE [sic]  - George Henry - 87 yrs - 1965
FYFE [sic]  - Mary - 47 years

Transcription reads ...

In loving memory of Mary Waari FIFE died 28 April, 1941 aged 47 years and her beloved husband George Henry FIFE, died 10 February 1965, aged 87 :

---------------------------

~  Lu
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 14 September 11 05:34 BST (UK)

     **   Correction  **

Sorry, I made a typing error with the name in the death reference. 

It should read ...   "Elma Evelyn SMITH "

Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 14 September 11 05:56 BST (UK)
Hi again

You'll find quite a lot of FIFE information at the following site.

http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp

In search boxes, enter "Surname - FIFE" and "Country - select > New Zealand".

Scroll down to info under the heading of "International Genealogical Index" (IGI).

A caution though.   ;)   Much of the information has been "submitted" and sources have not been quoted.  [Sometimes the info listed does prove to be correct, but best practice is to try and locate official records to verify same.]

                                                        see next    >>
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 14 September 11 06:22 BST (UK)
Amongst the IGI listings are several for "George Henry FIFE" born around 1854, which give varying info.

One is an "extracted" record - meaning it comes from a usually reliable source (in this case a baptism record ).

I only question that it states, "Ruapuke, Auckland".  ??   :-\

There is a place "Ruapuke" (North Island) located near the coastline between Raglan and Kawhia.   However, I believe the place of baptism should read "Ruapuke Island"  (which fits in with the South Island location of the other FIFE family listings.)     [Ruapuke Island - now uninhabited - approx. 15 km SE of Bluff - but once had a Maori population of around 200.  More info can be had via "Google".]
                                                                           see  next  >>

Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: Lucy2 on Wednesday 14 September 11 06:54 BST (UK)
George Henry FIFE  (bc 1854)

Parents shown as :   

Josiah FIFE  - apparently also known as "Harry KINGI" ... and mother as, Zilla (Zillah) HAPAIAHO :
-------

George Henry (Henry George) FIFE - b. 1877 - parents shown as George FIFE and Sarah (or Sally) GRAY (or GREY) :
Marriage of George and Sarah, shown to have taken place, Ruapuke Island, Otago, on 30 August 1876.

Marriage - Henry George FIFE / May TUPAI - shown as being at Bluff on 7 June 1911 :
-------

Note:   Unable to find records for the above two marriages (though that doesn't mean that they didn't take place.)
The reason for this may be ... "that prior to 1911, there was no compulsion to (officially) register Maori marriages".
[Also the official registration of Maori Births and Deaths, did not come into force until 1913. ]   (Info source :  NZ BDM website)
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 16 September 11 11:05 BST (UK)
I presume this is the family as listed in NZ BDM index

FIFE George Henry & Sarah

Children registered on NZ BDM Index

1877/14100   Fife    Henry George     Sarah   George
1885/13991   Fife    Maria            Sarah   George Henry   
1888/6559   Fife    Thomas Robert Sarah   George Henry   
1891/8230   Fife    James William     Sarah   George Henry   
1893/16438   Fife    Eliza             Sarah   George Henry
1900/13983   Fife    Charles        Sarah   George

Signal Hill
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 16 September 11 12:04 BST (UK)
However, I believe the place of baptism should read "Ruapuke Island"  (which fits in with the South Island location of the other FIFE family listings.)     [Ruapuke Island - now uninhabited - approx. 15 km SE of Bluff - but once had a Maori population of around 200.  ]

Otago Witness , Issue 1260, 22 January 1876, Page 7             PRESBYTERIAN SYNOD OF OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND.
The annual session of the Presbyterian Synod of Otago and Southland was duly commenced on the 12th, in the First Church,[Dunedin] with the customary ceremonies.................

CHURCH EXTENSION [COMMITTEE] REPORT
Read by Rev. Dr. Stuart..............

Mr A. Trail, our missionary in Stewart's Island and the teacher of the half-caste and Maori children at "The Neck," is doing a good work in this lonely parish.  The Committee beg the favourable attention of the Synod to the following memorial from the School Committee and residents on "The Neck".
                               " 'The Neck,' Stewart Island, Dec. 4 1875
   "Rev. Sir— We, the undersigned members of tho School Committee, and residents at The Neck are desirous to obtain a loan of £50 for five years (without interest) from the Synod to supplement the local subscription in hand, which amounts to £50, in order that we may at once obtain the grant of £200 from the General Government for the erection of the school buildings.  The grant will not be made till we have raised the £100, and unless we can obtain this loan we ask for it will be some time before we raise that amount.  We propose to refund the loan by five annual instalments of £10.
   "We are, rev. sir, your obedient servants,
      "William Joss, John Owen, John Newton
       Henre Kingi, William Lee, Henry Fife,
       John Brown, John Wm. Pore, Moses Orehore,
      Hoani Tui(r?)ere, William Shebe,
      Rodger Owen, Robert Owen, Piripi." .....................

Old maps show a Reserve for Landless Natives at The Neck an early settlement area across Paterson Inlet from Oban, the only town on Stewart Island

Signal Hill
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Thursday 22 September 11 02:46 BST (UK)
Southland District Council Cemetery Records have Sarah FIFE
Buried in a Cemetery on Ruapuke Island   .      
                         FIFE
                         Sarah
      
Address                  Bluff
         
Date of Death       9 Mar 1911
Age                     50
Year of Birth        1861
Place                  Ruapuke
Cemetery              Ruapuke
Location of Grave   unknown
Plot                      unknown
Grave Markings

This appears to be the same Sarah in NZ BDM   
         
NZ BDM              
Reg No              1911/3136
Surname            Fyfe
Forenames         Sarah
Age                   50
[~Year of Birth    1861]

Signal Hill
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Thursday 22 September 11 03:05 BST (UK)
Ruapuke    Ruapuke    Ruapuke

I only question that it states, "Ruapuke, Auckland".  ??   :-\

There is a place "Ruapuke" (North Island) located near the coastline between Raglan and Kawhia.   However, I believe the place of baptism should read "Ruapuke Island"  (which fits in with the South Island location of the other FIFE family listings.)     [Ruapuke Island - now uninhabited - approx. 15 km SE of Bluff - but once had a Maori population of around 200.  More info can be had via "Google".]

I agree with you Lucy. The Waikato Ruapuke is unlikely.

Ruapuke near Stewart Island is almost certainly the relevant one with its relatively large population in the "early European days"

I discovered another Ruapuke Island [alternate name] of a very small island off the north of Waiheke Island.   This may explain the confusion of an "Auckland" location for Ruapuke (This Auckland location is incidentally known to Ggl).

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 23 September 11 04:08 BST (UK)
AMD

Are you there ?   Does any of this help ?   What more info are you looking for ?

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: carlolsen on Friday 23 September 11 05:49 BST (UK)
 ::) I hope he/she is still there to, the thread is very interesting.  ::)
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 23 September 11 06:37 BST (UK)
Hi Carl

Here is a deviation

http://www.bluff.co.nz/history2.html
The main Maori settlement in the area which became known as Southland, was Ruapuke Island, which with its seven pas was the base of the paramount chief of the South Island, Tuhawaiki, otherwise known as 'King of the Bluff' or Bloody Jack'. Smaller Maori settlements were scattered along the Southland coast, including villages at Ocean Beach, Omaui and Oue on what is now known as the New River Estuary.

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 23 September 11 07:01 BST (UK)
And another deviation

TRAILL Family Ruapuke,  The Neck Paterson Inlet, and Ringaringa

I suggest that the record of the Traill family shows the movement of settlement areas of Stewart Island.   The Traill family is well know as Stewart Island European pioneers.   The Neck is east across the mouth of Paterson Inlet from Ringaringa.  Ringaringa is a "suburb" of Oban the town settlement of Stewart Island.   Ringaringa is also the site of Wholers Grave - note Wholers in the name of Arthur Traills second son Frederick below.

Traill, Arthur William    born 24 Nov 1852    Rousay, Orkney, Scotland                              
Married  1 Jan 1878 Ruapuke Island NZ            
died 3 Dec 1936   Stewart Island New Zealand        
                              
                              
   Children                
1. Traill, Henrietta Eliza "Etta"   b. 2 May 1879   The Neck, Stewart Island, NZ   d. 16 May 1905   Invercargill NZ            
2. Traill, Frederick Henry Wöhlers   b. 10 Oct 1880   The Neck, Stewart Island, NZ   d. 30 Apr 1905               
3. Traill, Arthur William   b. 17 Jan 1884   The Neck, Stewart Island, NZ   d. 31 Jan 1976   Ringaringa Stewart Island NZ            
4. Traill, Edwin   b. 20 Oct 1885   The Neck, Stewart Island, NZ   d. 25 May 1905   Hastings?            
5. Traill, Charles   b. 17 Jul 1887   Ringaringa, Stewart Island, NZ   d. 4 Apr 1957   Hutt Valley?             
6. Traill, William   b. 30 Dec 1890    Ringaringa, Stewart Island, NZ   d. 18 Apr 1978   Auckland NZ            
7. Traill, Robert Henry "Roy"   b. 1 Dec 1892   Ringaringa, Stewart Island, NZ   d. 11 Sep 1989   Riverton NZ            
8. Traill, Gordon Stuart,     b. 16 Dec 1895      d. 6 Apr 1915   drowned at sea off Stewart Island NZ

SH            


Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 23 September 11 07:34 BST (UK)
Another possible WOHLERS link to FIFE in Stewart Island

Daughter of  Sarah   & George Henry FIFE   
Eliza [NZ  BDM   1893/16438]

Elizabeth Wohlers FIFE married John Morrison WILLIAMSON in 1913 [NZ  BDM   1913/2304]
and died in 1954
WILLIAMSON Elizabeth Wohlers Mata 59Y [1954/20535]

I think Eliza / Elizabeth are all highly likely to be the same

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: carlolsen on Friday 23 September 11 09:03 BST (UK)
 :)I hope AMDUMNAGE is not missing all this, it is far to interesting.
         Perhaps a chatter with more nouse than me could PM her. They after all are new and may be having trouble. I mean the information comeing in must be of extreme interest to them.  :) :)
                                                                                    Carl.
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: spades on Friday 23 September 11 10:09 BST (UK)
Hi Carl,

They have only posted once so their PM facility won't have activated (it takes three posts).

They might be away.

Spades
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: carlolsen on Friday 23 September 11 10:28 BST (UK)
 :)Thanks Spades i hope that's all it is.
                                                      Carl. :)
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 23 September 11 12:27 BST (UK)
We now have George Henry FIFE in three generations father, son and grandson

In 1877 George [later shown as George Henry] and Sarah had a son birth registered as Henry George but found in other places referred to as George Henry
1877/14100   FIFE   Henry George         Sarah        George

14 years later    another son of George and Sarah
1891/8230   FIFE       James William    Sarah   George Henry

20 year later James William FIFE married Janet Mary Louisa TIPENE 1911/2443

SH

and the same year George Henry Gordon FIFE was born
1911/24818   FIFE George Henry Gordon Janet Mary Louisa   James William

Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 23 September 11 12:38 BST (UK)
Hi Carl,

how about you track down amDunnage just in case ;) 8) ???

You will need outside sources    Hopefully she is getting her email notifications !   :-X  My guess is younger generation who don't use caps or other punctuation ! ;)

original post might be seen as identifying RC member so deleted assumptions based on thread's origin; but you can see them in  her post on 14 Sept and now they won't appear on Ggl.  SH

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 23 September 11 13:02 BST (UK)
Carl,

I found this on website  or Family Tree relating to John Lidiard source detail lost in transmission.   It shows that there were marriages taking place very early in Foveaux Strait are including Ruapuke.

In early 1844 Bishop Selwyn arrived in Foveaux Strait, visiting all of the communities, performing marriages and baptisms. On February 4th at James Spencer’s house, Bishop Selwyn married John Lidiard to Kearaki. John signed his name on the register. William Stirling also married his partner, and six children were baptised. Visitors to Bluff were impressed with the community that had developed there, but the settlement's days were numbered.

and later

At the age of 14, John Lidiard’s daughter Nancy travelled to Ruapuke Island to marry James Lee, the son of John Lee, who had also been in the Bay of Islands in the early years. Within three years James had died and in 1854, Nancy married the son of another new settler Edward Stevens. A short time later while Nancy was pregnant with their child, Edward lost his life too.

Two times a widow by the age of 19 and an unmarried expectant mother, these were heartbreaking times for John and his daughter. Two years later Nancy met her third husband William Thomas and together they raised her only child Edward Stevens.


SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 23 September 11 13:28 BST (UK)
Children of  George and Sarah FIFE  and their Spouses

FIFE George Henry & Sarah

Children registered on NZ BDM Index

1877/14100   Fife    Henry George     Sarah   George
1885/13991   Fife    Maria            Sarah   George Henry   
1888/6559   Fife    Thomas Robert Sarah   George Henry   
1891/8230   Fife    James William     Sarah   George Henry   
1893/16438   Fife    Eliza             Sarah   George Henry
1900/13983   Fife    Charles        Sarah   George

Marriages of George Henry & Sarah's children

1911/9187   May    Tupai    George Henry    Fyfe
1926/9119   Reta Jane    Forsyth    Charles Victor    Fife
1907/1619   Maria    Fife    Joseph    Newton
[Thomas died aged 8]            
1911/2443   Janet Mary Louisa    Tipene    James William    Fife
1913/2304   Elizabeth Wohlers    Fife    John Morrison    Williamson

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 23 September 11 13:39 BST (UK)
Deaths of George & Sarah FIFE's children

1965/30889        Fife             George Henry              87Y
1962/40542        Fife             Charles Victor             62Y
1909/6016         Newton      Maria                           24Y
1894/3250         Fife    Thomas                                 8Y
1932/626           Fife               James William           40Y
1954/20535        Williamson Elizabeth Wohlers Mata    59Y
         
SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 23 September 11 13:48 BST (UK)
Deaths of Daughters-in-Law and Sons-in-Law

1941/30675   FYFE   May Waari    48Y  [not a 100% match]
          [Reta / Rita Jane FIFE nee FORSYTH death not found]         
1964/33536   NEWTON    Maria Elizabeth    76Y
          [Thomas - no spouse - died an infant]
1964/42232   FIFE Janet Mary Louisa    82Y
1954/20535   WILLIAMSON   Elizabeth Wohlers Mata    59Y [Her name gets longer at each appearance]
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Sunday 25 September 11 22:47 BST (UK)
Carl

Here is another amusing
Glimpse into history with Fifes / Fyfes

Otago Witness , Issue 2308, 26 May 1898, Page 9      [Advertisement]
GREAT DRAPERY STORES.
No. 7.— OUR UNIVERSAL BLANKET PARCEL— contains a pair of Doublebed Fleecy wool Blankets, 1 large size Austrian stripe 1 Rug, suitable for bed, sofa, or buggy 1 large Coloured Counterpane, fringed or plain border : suitable for double bads. Fyfe and Cuming respectfully ask you to try this parcel, feeling sure you will be highly delighted. Sent carriage paid for.

MATRIMONY

No. 9.— Ladies anticipating and about to celebrate the most delightful event in their life should take our advice and secure one of our wonderful Matrimonial Parcels—a big quantity sent out and universal satisfaction given. We can, with confidence, recommend it. Wouldn't it be a grand present

THE MATRIMONIAL PARCEL contains 1 pair extra quality real Witney Blankets, large size, for double beds; 1 pair good Witney Blankets, for ordinary use, full size 1 pair full-size pure white twilled Cotton Sheets 1 pair real Bolton twill Sheets, extra large size 1 superior white Marcella or, honey-comb Quilt— lovely design, nearly 3yds, long 2 pairs of very handsome white 1 Nottingham lace Curtains, with very handsome design and border 6yds superior twill pillow Cotton 2 nice quality toilet Covers, full size 1 set very pretty toilet Mats 6. large size Turkish Towels one white Tablecloth, 1 unbleached Tablecloth— both full size 6yds good linen check Glasscloth ; very pretty Gipsy Table Cover, and Oriental silk Rug for sofa or bed covers. This useful and every-clay Matrimonial Parcel sent, carriage paid, to your own door for £5. A splendid and extraordinary parcel.

SH

Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: carlolsen on Monday 26 September 11 01:17 BST (UK)
 :'( S/H between you and Lucy 2 there's alot of very early NZ history for AMDUNNAGE i do hope she is getting it. I wish my history was as facinating.
                                                                    Carl. :'(
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: Lucy2 on Monday 26 September 11 01:20 BST (UK)
Carl

Here is another amusing
Glimpse into history with Fifes / Fyfes

Otago Witness , Issue 2308, 26 May 1898, Page 9      [Advertisement]
GREAT DRAPERY STORES.
No. 7.— OUR UNIVERSAL BLANKET PARCEL— contains a pair of Doublebed Fleecy wool Blankets, 1 large size Austrian stripe 1 Rug, suitable for bed, sofa, or buggy 1 large Coloured Counterpane, fringed or plain border : suitable for double bads. Fyfe and Cuming respectfully ask you to try this parcel, feeling sure you will be highly delighted. Sent carriage paid for.

SH


Mmm ... there doesn't appear to be any connection between FYFE and CUMING and the George Henry FIFE family.   ???

[FYFE and Cuming were a Dunedin-based firm of drapers and clothiers whose principals were Frederick CUMING and Maxwell I. FYFE.      Maxwell Instone FYFE was born c. 1853 in Scotland, according to his (Dunedin) cemetery record. ]

~  Lu

Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Monday 26 September 11 01:43 BST (UK)
FIFE   FYFE

Lu,

No connection except ....

Papers Past search for Fife returns some Fyfes and many other Fs including Fit Fire Pipe fide as well as references to the Scottish Fife County/Shire and its Dukes, Duchesses, Earls etc and Fife Wheat  even plenty of graphics etc rendered by OCR as FIFE

There are some Fifes who appear in some places as Fyfe notably the burial of "our " Sarah
« Reply #10 on: Thursday 22 September  »

Yes you're right as usual post was entirely diversionary & off topic - pure interest and amusement.

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Monday 26 September 11 01:47 BST (UK)
Lu,

Have you found any possible birth for George FIFE ?

I have only so far only a totally off the wall derivation possibility

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Tuesday 27 September 11 02:45 BST (UK)
FIFEs Titi Islands "Muttonbirding Rights"

Found this (which does relate to George FIFE  ;D)

BENEFICIAL OWNERS EX KAHITI GAZETTE 1924
(Extract from Kahiti o Niu Tireni No. 3, 24th January, 1924.]
Schedule of Owners of Titi Islands ascertained by Native Land Court

POHOWAITAI, MOUTERE.
13    Charles Fife,    m.
31    George Fife,     m.
66    James Fife,      m.

These are the three surviving sons of George Henry & Sarah FIFE

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Tuesday 27 September 11 02:51 BST (UK)
Titi (Muttonbird) Islands POHOWAITAI

The most southwesterly of the Titi Islands is found SW of Stewart Island

Apparently has 6 Huts presumably only occupied during the Titi harvest.   Rises to height of 103 m

http://www.nztopomaps.com/4979/Pohowaitai-Island/Southland

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Tuesday 27 September 11 02:56 BST (UK)
amdunnage

Hi and welcome to Rootschat

Could you make two more posts to this board however brief.

Then I will be able to send you a Personal Message (PM) with some details of living relatives of your husband.

Rootschat Rules prevent me from posting those for public view.

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Tuesday 27 September 11 03:20 BST (UK)
FIFEs on Ruapuke

Maori Land Court Records have two separate records for beneficial owners with the name FIFE (and several as a Trustee) for land on Ruapuke Stewart Island

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: amdunnage on Friday 30 September 11 07:08 BST (UK)
Thank you so very much for your help I am truely overwhelmed and it is greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: amdunnage on Friday 30 September 11 07:11 BST (UK)
I am sorry I have not replied earlier but I have been rather unwell and unable to get to the computer.

I now know alot more than what I did before I first posted and still learning.

still trying to find connections of sorts but as I am unsure as to who is still living I do not want to post names and get myself into trouble  :)
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: amdunnage on Friday 30 September 11 07:22 BST (UK)
I have a possible birth date for George Henry as 1853/1854.  His son James b1891 is my husbands Great Grandad and am having great trouble trying to find names for his children as I only have nicknames or part names and cannot find any records for this family at all.
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 30 September 11 07:35 BST (UK)
Lost at Sea      -     possibly the Father of George FIFE

The Old Whaling Days
[About Feb 1834] a sad accident took place in connection with the Preservation Bay whaling station. A boat's crew went to Ruapuke Island for a few days' recreation, and, as they did not return for some time, another boat was sent in search of them. On arrival at Ruapuke they were told that the boat had sailed for home. Nothing had been heard of them when the Sydney Packet sailed [ arr Sydney 14 Mar 1834 ]. Their loss was a severe one to the whaling establishment as three clever headsmen and two boat steerers were among the number. Their names were Fife, Williams, Russell, Lee, Garvin and Bonnivar.

Source   http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-McNOldW-t1-body-d1-d5-d6.html#n110


Fife
and Lee are families with a long association with Ruapuke

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 30 September 11 07:44 BST (UK)
Which James FIFE ?

Hi AMD

There is a confusing elemet in the FIFE family as I have found 2x James William FIFEs one born 1891 and one 1914.

The earlier one  married
Janet Mary Louisa TIPENE
in 1911

The only son I can definitely attribute to this marriage at the moment is
George Henry Gordon FIFE b. 4 Aug 1911   d.2003 (the 3rd George Henry!!!)

Later children - born after the first year of marriage  - will not yet appear on the NZ BDM index because of the 100 year cutoff

SH

Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 30 September 11 09:48 BST (UK)
Hi AMD
Here are a list of definitely deceased Fifes with connections with Southland - not sure yet if all are related


Name                            [AKA]            Born    YoM         Spouse                 Died
FIFE, George Henry                            1853                 Sarah                        1908
???,   Sarah                  [FYFE]            1861                George Henry FIFE          1911
FIFE, Henry George      [George Henry]  1877   1911           May TUPAI             1965
FIFE, Charles Victor          [Charles]      1900   1926      Reta Jane FORSYTH      1962
FIFE, Maria                                       1885    1907       Joseph NEWTON        1909
FIFE, Thomas Robert                          1888                                                  1894
FIFE, James William                            1891   1911      Janet Mary L TIPENE        1932
FIFE, Elizabeth W Mata   [E Wohlers]    1893   1913       John M WILLIAMSON     1954
TUPAI, May             [May Waari FYFE]  1893   1911       Henry George FIFE       1941
TIPENE, Janet Mary Louisa                   1882   1911      James William FIFE       1964
WILLIAMSON, John M                      Bef 1893   1913      Elizabeth W Mata FIFE   1971
FIFE, George Henry G                    4 Aug 1911                                                2003
FIFE, Rewi                                       1953                       14 Jan 1986
TOPI, Thelma Amelia                          1914   Aft 1934   James William FIFE   6 Nov 2009
FIFE, James William                            1914   Aft 1934   Thelma Amelia TOPI   27-Aug-1964
???, Raywyne Kay FN                 17 Nov 1942  Aft 1959   Carroll James FIFE   18 Oct 1996
FIFE, Janet                                        1853                                                      1870
FIFE, John                                       1908   1931         Thelma D WAGHORN   27 Jul 1985
WAGHORN, Thelma D                         1907   1931           John FIFE            6 Jan 1992

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Saturday 01 October 11 06:04 BST (UK)
Who was Husband of Sarah FIFE ?

MIDDLE ISLAND NATIVE CLAIMS
(REPORT BY MR. COMMISSIONER MACKAY   RELATING TO).
G-.— 7
Sess. 11.—1891. NEW ZEALAND.
Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency

388, Sarah Fife, female, quarter-caste, Stewart Island.
389, Henry Fife, male, half-caste, Rakuira.
390, Maria Fife, female, half-caste, Rakuira.
        (Nos. 388 to 390 are the wife and family of W. Hohaia.)

SH

Source
http://www.atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1891-II.2.2.5.12&e=-------10--1------0--

Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Saturday 01 October 11 06:18 BST (UK)
Sarah FIFE and W HOHAIA

The previous post was  from a list of "Landless Natives" from the southern part of the South [= Middle] Island in a lengthy report there are also lists  of  those who held land both enough to live on and smaller (or poorer) land holdings
(I have been putting these lists into a spreadsheet to make searching easier.)

The Three Fifes are those who we would expect to see in 1891 - according to the NZ BDM Index (see reply posts #8 or #23).
But where is George Henry FIFE,  (b 1853) who appears on NZ BDM Birth index as father of all 6 of Sarah's children ?

Is he the same person as W. HOHAIA ?

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Saturday 01 October 11 06:36 BST (UK)
Teoti HOHAIA

Excuse my scant knowledge of Te reo to say nothing of search skills :-[

On another  list - of those "insufficiently provided with Land "

Enclosure 8 in No. 2. SCHEDULE G.
Return of Natives and Half-Castes in the South Island insufficiently provided with Land
572. George Fife ,(Teoti Hohaia), male, half-caste, Rakiura, 10a. 2r. 30p.—Has a family of three children.

Looks like James William was born between pages of the report - unless I've missed an other one !

Still don't know where the "W" comes from....not really the same as a "T".

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Saturday 01 October 11 06:44 BST (UK)
There is one more HOHAIA found in the OCR scanning of the document

SCHEDULE H.
Return of Natives and Half-castes in the South Island owning Land over 50 acres.

112. Harete Toko Hohaia, female, Maori, Rapaki, 61a. 0r. 19p.

maybe the rich auntie ?

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: Lucy2 on Saturday 01 October 11 13:58 BST (UK)
Hello amdunnage

   ... welcome back - trust you are now on the mend.   :)

I feel sure that there will be a lot more oral (rather than written) history available for the FIFE family and descendants.     And it seems present-day family members who can offer you help with this, shouldn't be too difficult to track down.   :)

If you try a "Google" search using this simple search term

            FIFE + ruapuke island

you'll be returned, some interesting snippets.    Amongst these is a PDF (ex Justice Department) relating to a Ministerial review concerning the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004, presented on behalf of the FIFE and TOPI Whanau.
[It includes a gentleman's name - which I'll refrain from adding here.]

On the second page of search results, can be found messages posted to other genealogy forums - one of which mentions the existence of "Ruapuke Island registers of inhabitants" commencing from (I think), 1850.   Sounds promising.

I hope you'll be able to find some useful contacts.   

Best of luck.   :)

~  Lu
 
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Sunday 02 October 11 03:38 BST (UK)
Hi AMD & Lucy

Is this the Register you referred to ?  -  Held at Christchurch Libraries

http://christchurch.bibliocommons.com/search?q=Church+Records+and+Registers+--+New+Zealand+--+Ruapuke+Island&t=subject

Ruapuke Registers Typescript Copy of the Register Kept by the Rev. J.F.H. Wohlers of the North German Mission Society at the Ruapuke Island Mission, Foveaux Strait, N.Z By Wohlers, J. F. H. (Book - 2008)
929.3 WOH Available in some Locations

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Sunday 02 October 11 09:01 BST (UK)
I have looked at a few search results for Owners (the majority are current beneficiaries of Maori Land Holdings) at the official Website

http://www.maorilandonline.govt.nz/gis/owner/interestSearch.htm

It pays to have full names first or else look at specific pieces of Land.

There is some FIFE interest in the second- most-northern section of Ruapuke

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Monday 03 October 11 09:17 BST (UK)
Did any FIFEs play Rugby ?

A post for largely topical interest

Otago Witness , Issue 2331, 3 November 1898, Page 29   
October 28.—
On Wednesday, 19th inst.,[ie this month - October]  the Stewart Island football team journeyed over to Ruapuke to play the return match with the Ruapuke team, the game resulting in a draw. Captain H. Roderique conveyed the team there and back in his smart craft the Rosetta. The match was played the following day.   All Ruapuke turned out, the spectators numbering about 100 people, to witness the first match ever played on Ruapuke Island.    The day was dull, and it was blowing hard. Ruapuke won the toss, and played with the wind in their favour, while the Stewart Islanders played a defensive game.   The first spell Symonds (Ruapuke) managed to get the ball from Cotter, who did some nice passing, and scored a try, which was converted by Cotter.   Play was then kept in the Stewart Island twenty-five. After some hard play Russell, Taylor, and Rita managed to get the ball over the line, only to be forced down by Stewart Island.    The second spell was in Stewart Island's favour, but some of the team displayed a very selfieh spirit.    After some good passing by Martin, Campbell, Bernstone, and Joss, Bernstone managed to score, which was converted by Marshall. After more fast play on both sides, time was called.    For Stewart Island Roderique, Strahan, Campbell, Bernstone, Martin, Carstensen, and Marshall played a good game;  while Russell, Cotter, Taylor, Topi, H. Rita, and Symonds showed up well for Ruapuke.    Messrs Westlake and Anglem acted as line umpires and Mr Joseph Dixon gave satisfaction to both sides with his decisions as referee.   After the match the teams were invited to dinner by Mr and Mrs Russell at their residence. Somewhere about 60 people sat down to partake of the good things, of which there was plenty.    In the evening a concert and dance was held in Mrs Russell's large dining room, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion.  Songs were given by Miss K. Kihau, Miss Jessie Gilchrist. Miss B. Waitiri, and Miss May Russell, also by Messrs A. Russell, T. M'Leary, J. Strahan, T. Orr, and G. Fife. Mr J. Westlake kept the company in roars of laughter with his comic songs, dances and skits. Mr A. Russell danced a jig, and Miss Kihau and Miss May Russell danced a very pretty skirt dance.   After the concert dancing was kept up till daylight, Messrs Russell and Westlake acting as M.C.'s, while Miss Jessie Gilchrist (piano), and Messrs Anglem and Parry (violins), and Mr Maurice Topi (bagpipes) supplied the music.
Sports. — During the day and in the evening of the following day the Ruapuke athletic sports were held on Mr John Topi's lawn which looked very pretty, all the fruit trees round about being in full bloom.   Great interest was taken in the various events, especially the Ladies' Race. 
The 160 Yards Championship of the island evoked a great deal of interest, and ended in a win for J. Spence (Ruapuke) by a few inches from Joe Dixon (Stewart Island).   The tug-of-war was won by Stewart Island after an exciting pull of 28 minutes with Ruapuke. After the sports every person on the island was invited by Mr and Mrs Maurice Topi to dinner in their house, the largest on tho island. After dinner singing and dancing were kept up till 1 o'clock in the morning.  At  6 o'clock the same morning the Stewart Island party left for home, after spending three very happy days.    The kindness which was shown to the visitors by the people on the island cannot be too highly spoken of, special mention being made of Messrs Cotter, Russell, Parry, and Topi.   
The following are the results of the sports : — Running long jump, A. Russell (Ruapuke) 1, W. King (R) 2; one-mile cross country, S. M. Cotter (R) 1, W. King (R) 2; 100 Yards Championship of the Islands, run in heats, J. Spencer (R) 1, Joe Dixon (S. I.) 2 ; running high jump, T. Jacobs (R) 1, Kavanah (S. I.) 2; one-mile walk, Kavanah (S. I.) 1,  B. Anglem (R) 2, E. Taylor (R) 3 ; quarter-mile, J. Spencer (R) 1, E. Taylor (R) 2, J. Newton (R.) 3;   Ladies' Race (16 entries) 100 yards, Mrs M. Topi 1, Miss Jessie Gilchrist 2, Mrs A. Russell 3;  Tug-of-war, 10 men a-side, Stewart Island 1, Ruapuke 2, All-comers 3. A 2 inch rope parted in this event, which caused a great deal of merriment amongst the spectators.

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Sunday 09 October 11 03:51 BST (UK)
CENSUS OF THE MIDDLE ISLAND NATIVES IN 1848 AND 1853.
When I found this I thought I would find a list of Fifes but I cannot see any  :o

http://atojs.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/atojs?a=d&d=AJHR1886-I.1.2069&cl=&srpos=0&e=-------10--1------0picton--

1886.     NEW ZEALAND     CENSUS OF THE MIDDLE ISLAND NATIVES
MADE BY Mr. COMMISSIONER MANTELL IN 1848 AND 1853.

Return to an Order of the House of Representatives, dated 6th July, 188S.
Ordered, " That there be laid on the table of this House a list of names of all the men, women, and children, and the names of each hapu of the Native people residing in the several districts in the Middle Island to whom reserves have been made, and which were set apart by the Hon. Mr. Mantell in the years 1848 and 1852, and that the same be printed.' '—(Mr. PRATT.)
Copy of Census of the Native Residents in 1848 in the Ngaitahu Block.
No.      Name.      Sex.      Tribe or Hapu.

Maybe it is complimentary to the list published some 5 years later of "landless natives" , or maybe the names are not obvious as they are maori (we might say now Te Reo) names and not the Missionary names as may have been used for official records (in English).   

Even some of the place-names are not familiar to me and certainly the order of place-names seems to be not even geographic.

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: amdunnage on Friday 14 October 11 06:18 BST (UK)
Thank you so very much for the information you are giving me.  It certainly is helping me to fill some of the huge gaps I have :)

I am in awe that complete strangers are willing to help me and the information is such interesting reading.
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 14 October 11 21:29 BST (UK)
AMD

We think there is much interesting too !   8)

Are there any specific places where you are missing info or of special interest to you  ?

SH
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: amdunnage on Wednesday 11 April 12 02:38 BST (UK)
Thank you so very much for all your help.  I am now stuck on information on Josiah fife (possibly Harry Kingi) I believe his son George Henry b 01 January 1854 is my husbands Great Great Grandad but is not yet confirmed.  Is it possible to get any information on Josiah?  He married Zilla Hapaiah but cannot find anything at all except births of 3 children.
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: seischeck on Tuesday 04 September 12 11:45 BST (UK)
Hi,
    Thanks for all the work you guys put into this, I stumbled across this via google, my grand mother was Elizabeth Wohlers    Fife,  Williamson.  The 6 pages here have filled in quite a few gaps.

 Cheers,

George Henry Williamson. 
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: JRNZ on Sunday 13 January 13 07:03 GMT (UK)
Hi there, if you are still interested in Josiah Fife I may have some enlightening information for you.

I do believe me and your husband are distant cousins  ;D

Anyway, Josiah Fife was also known as Harry Kingi and Hohaia Poheahea. He is listed in the Ngai Tahu blue book under kaumatua number 1129. His wife Hira Hapaiaho is kaumatua number 1127. Josiah may be the father of George Fife, but according to a source he was known for taking in and adopting stray children. Thus, there is a possibility Josiah is in fact George's adoptive father. Despite this, there is still a strong chance that he is his birth father. Josiah/Hohaia's father was known as Manu and his wife was Kakura. Manu's father may have been Teihoka Mahaka and mother Wahakai. My family tree ends at Teihoka Mahaka's father Kaumia and mother Te Haumaia. It seems that Josiah/Hohaia's whanau were originally from Canterbury. I do believe they may have moved to Southland during the war's with Te Rauparaha as did many other Ngai Tahu living in the Canterbury region, although this is not something I can prove. You may, also, be interested to know the name Fife appears out of nowhere, although it seems no coincidence that a few generations earlier a Scotsman called Fife seems to have jumped ship at Stewart Island.

Hope this helps  :)
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: maybenobody on Monday 21 January 13 03:14 GMT (UK)
hi Guys, My brother is george henry after the same who married sarah (Hira) Hapaiako.
I have quite a bit of information about this line (obviously, its my own) and those linking into it.  Email me so we can go further.  By the way, according to Greene's  Ngai tahu whakapapa, manu died without issue. The line of Poheahea comes from Te Mahaka.

Cheers
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: spades on Monday 21 January 13 05:41 GMT (UK)
Hello JRNZ and Maybenobody, and welcome to RootsChat. ;D

To protect members from spam and identity theft we don't allow email addresses to be posted on the forums, instead we encourage members to use the Personal Message (PM) facility to exchange private information.

The PM facility is activated once a member makes three posts on any topic: even just a smiley in a reply to a topic is fine.  :)

If you have any questions or problems you can post them on this topic and myself or other members will help you in any way we can. ;)

Good luck with your research.

Spades
Moderator
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: seischeck on Friday 25 January 13 02:09 GMT (UK)
 8)
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Friday 25 January 13 03:27 GMT (UK)
Hi  Maybe JR and seis

I have notes collected on Fifes which may include something of interest to you amongst the other Southern Fifes.   (Sorted and unsorted 11MB)
This includes a tentative Family Tree which cannot be posted here as it may include living names.
If you post another post on Rootschat you will have access to the Personal Message system and I can email anything which you might be interested in.

Signal
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: maybenobody on Saturday 26 January 13 04:38 GMT (UK)
Hi signal,
maybe I have missed something in teh work I have done.
maybe nobody
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Monday 28 January 13 11:01 GMT (UK)
Hi Maybe

You need to post one more time

Then you can send me a personal message with e-mail address in it

The material I have is not in good formats for direct posts.

Signal
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: maybenobody on Monday 28 January 13 12:13 GMT (UK)
ok
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: SignalHill on Monday 28 January 13 21:11 GMT (UK)
Hi nobody

I have sent some of my 11 MB of notes to George by e-mail (which is better for miscellaneous attachments+.   If you now send me a personal message with your e-mail I can send to you too.

Some are in Open Office format (.odt and .odt) do you have the free Open Office on your computer ?

Signal
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: amdunnage on Tuesday 02 April 13 23:28 BST (UK)
Hi,

  Sorry it has been so long but have had a bit going on.  Am still doing my research and very much appreciate the help you are giving me as it is a great help.  Anything else would be wonderful as I always seem to come against a brick wall.  I think I might be researching in the wrong areas :)

Angela
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: amdunnage on Wednesday 03 April 13 02:34 BST (UK)
I have printed out all your responses and have been reading them and they are so fascinating and full of great information.

I am trying to locate any info on the children of James William FIFE and Janet Mary TIPENE.

Their son John is my Husbands Grandfather but cannot find any info on the rest of their children.  I believe there is about 6 in total but believed they used nicknames so it is making it impossible for me to track down information.
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: JRNZ on Monday 30 December 13 02:40 GMT (UK)
Hi there

From what I can determine James and Janet had five children

George Henry Gordon Fife
Cecil 'Frid' Gray Fife
James William Fife
Nancy Bathea Haumai Fife
John 'Jack' Fife

I have one family tree which has six children listed but it seems they separated Nancy's two given names into two separate people, my father can recall all of the people listed as his grandfathers siblings.

Hope this helps
Title: Re: family of george henry fife and sarah
Post by: lps500 on Friday 15 August 14 09:19 BST (UK)
Hi there,

I found this thread via google.  I am a family member, the grandson of one of those in the post above.  I'd like to help out where i can.