RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: Jo Harding on Saturday 26 October 13 11:11 BST (UK)
-
Hello Roots Chatters,
There has been a brick wall concerning the whereabouts of Edith Ethel Kerridge who emigrated to New Zealand in 1904. She had a daughter shortly after her arrival and the child was placed in an orphanage, then adopted some while later.
Despite a huge search by many members of her family, she disappears without trace. She is thought to be in Wellington in 1908 as there is an entry in the 1908 census which looks to be for her. The only problem is that there is another Edith Kerridge around in that area.
Does anyone know of any other resources which might be used to trace her in Wellington? Were there any street directories for that time? Any other records for residents in Wellington?
Jo.
-
Hi Jo,
I don't see a birth that fits,but there is this one
1905/23193 Kerridge Mary Ellen mother Ellen father NR the exact date is 6/7/1905
Could Edith have changed to Ellen?
Cheers Janette
-
There is a burial of Mary Ellen in Karori Loved niece of Patrick O;Donnell
http://wellington.govt.nz/services/community-and-culture/cemeteries/cemeteries-search
Cheers Janette
-
Loved niece of Patrick O'Donnell
Hello Janette...
No proof but possibly not.
The Marriages CD has an Edwin Henry KERRIDGE marrying an Ellen O'DONNELL in 1910.
BDM NZ lists them having a few children before the 100-year cutoff. Interestingly one is an Edith b.1912
-----
Hello Jo,
Don't suppose you know the exact birth date of Edith Ethel KERRIDGE.
From 1972-ish onwards BDM NZ started recording date of birth on a death certificate. If she died in NZ after 1972-ish you might get lucky and find a matching Edith, assuming the informant knew her d.o.b (although a quick guesstimate has her born c.1880 so by 1972 she'd be in her 90's which somedays seems near impossible)
Regards
Beg
-
Hi Beg,
Her birth
Births Sep 1881
Surname First name(s) District Vol Page
Kerridge Edith Ethel Brighton 2b 223
FindMyPast index
Last name First name Year of birth Sex Departure year Port Destination country Destination
KERRIDGE E E 1881 F 1904 London New Zealand Wellington
Cheers Janette
-
Hi,
The NZSG hold a Pedigree Collection which looks to be her birth, which states 24 June 1881, Brighton, SSX, England.
Cheers
KHP
-
FindMyPast index
Last name First name Year of birth Sex Departure year Port Destination country Destination
KERRIDGE E E 1881 F 1904 London New Zealand Wellington
Cheers Janette
Just to add further information .....
Occupation was a Ladies Maid. The ship "Ruapehu" departed on the 2 November 1904.
Cheers
KHP
-
Despite a huge search by many members of her family, she disappears without trace. She is thought to be in Wellington in 1908 as there is an entry in the 1908 census which looks to be for her. The only problem is that there is another Edith Kerridge around in that area.
Jo.
Hi Jo,
I see there are Private Photos on Ancestry that has Edith Ethel Kerridge living at Marjoribanks Street, Wellington, which matches the 1905/1906 Electoral Roll address for Wellington for a Edith Kerridge.
Cheers
KHP
-
Hello Jo...
Would tracing the daughter be of any use or do you already know her fate.
I just ask because there's a likely 1905 birth on the Births microfiche.
-----
b.24 June 1881, Brighton, SSX, England.
Hi KHP...
Nothing matching on BDM NZ Deaths.
Regards
Beg
-
Hello Roots Chatters,
Sorry that I haven't had chance to reply to your posts sooner.
Yes, Edith Ethel Kerridge was born in Brighton, Sussex, England in 1881. She was the daughter of Henry Francis Kerridge and Eliza (Hayler). She emigrated on the Ruapehu as you have found.
She is to be found living in Marjoribanks Street, Wellington in 1908. After that there is no trace of her as yet. Her daughter was named Rata but this name was changed on her adoption. The details for her daughter are established and her family are in contact.
There has been much research on Edith Ethel Kerridge. Up to now, no marriage, or death for her anywhere. It is possible she returned to the UK but there is no evidence to suggest that she did. The only thing that is certain is that she must have died, question is where and when?
Jo.
-
I see the marriage of an Edith KERRIDGE in 1916 to a Angus MCKINLAY.
I note your mention of another Edith KERRIDGE in Wellington, but have you eliminated this?
Spades
-
In reply #5 Kiwihalfpint mentioned that NZSG hold a Pedigree Collection form which lists her date of birth.
Was this form submitted by a member of your family or do you have a copy of the form?
-
Was this form submitted by a member of your family or do you have a copy of the form?
Spades,
Looks like the same member submitted a form for the daughter Rata and probably could be the same person who has a tree on Mundia and Private Photos on Ancestry.
Cheers
KHP
-
Good find, KHP. ;D ;D
-
Hello Jo,
We have not found the registration of the birth of the child born to Edith Ethel about 1904. Could this be because:
(a) the birth was not actually registered or
(b) the birth was registered under another surname?
If the latter, from what you have learned about the child, are there any clues as to a possible surname to be found here? Just looking for any crumbs.........
Minniehaha.
-
Good find, KHP. ;D ;D
Well, it depends if it is the daughter that matches the 1905 birth for Wellington. ;D
Cheers
KHP
-
Hi Minnie...
I think the only crumb could be found in the Salvation Army archives, mentioned in the Mundia tree found by KHP. Maybe they had additional contact with the mother (Edith).
Mundia doesn't mention it but the daughter has a second marriage to James Peat STEWART and the Hawera burial is under the name of LENNANE (I think) so possibly a third marriage.
-----
The only thing that is certain is that she must have died, question is where and when?
Hi Jo...
Assuming Edith died in NZ and assuming she didn't change her name :-) it's no problem to send you the Edith's listed on the BDM NZ Deaths website who would have been born between 1875 and 1885. There's only 500-ish names. Get a few family members together and you'll eliminate the non-starters in no time.
She is to be found living in Marjoribanks Street, Wellington in 1908
[...]
The only problem is that there is another Edith Kerridge around in that area.
Also curious how you know that it's your Edith living in Majoribanks Street in 1908 and not the other Edith you mentioned.
And, vice versa, when you come across references to her how do you know the other Edith isn't your Edith.
One last point, aren't the McVICARS living at that Majoribanks address (no.35) from 1907 onwards (according to PapersPast) or do I have the wrong number.
Regards
Beg
-
Maybe we should search further afield for Edith Ethel?
In "Papers Past" there are several mentions about Miss E. Kerridge in 1913 participating in shooting competitions.
'Wairarapa Daily Times'.
Just a thought..............
Minniehaha.
-
Hello Rootschatters,
Thank you very much for all your efforts on this one.
I have posted a reply but it didn't work, so here goes again.
Firstly, the respond to posts from Spades. A family member has researched the marriage to Angus McKinlay and this isn't the right Edith. That is definite.
The other Edith that is about Wellington at that time has been identified as the daughter of parents from NZ. She is younger than our Edith too.
I don't know about the form submiited to the NZSG. I didn't post this and don't know who did. I will pursue this with the family contacts I have. Rata married three times as someone has noticed, so there are a number of relatives descended from her in NZ. I don't have a copy of the form and cannot get the Mundia tree etc on Ancestry for some unknown reason. Do you have the name of the person who submitted this please? That way I can tell if they are known to me and the other family members.
I did think that Rata's birth certificate had been obtained but looking through old messages it appears that her adoption certificate is the source of information held. I cannot see any reference to a birth certificate for her.
There have been comments on her birth name as I am told it is of Maori origins. I have her birth as 28 June 1905, Wellington, but think that may have come from her adoption certificate.
The other Edith has been eliminated as she is too young to have been eligible to vote. She wasn't 21 years of age in 1908, the legal voting age.
It would be helpful to have the names for "Edith" deaths for ladies of that name born between 1875-1885.
The residence in 35 Marjoribanks Street is the right one. The details were taken from Wises Directories of Wellington. Entries for that address in those were as follows:
1905 and 1906, Anderson, Wm Francis, Driver.
1907 Coffee, Jas J, Civil Servant.
1908, no entry.
1909-1911, Fisher, Dvd, Carpenter.
Marjoribanks Street is a bit of a mystery and the owner as per the title deeds was traced but it didn't yield any further clues about this.
Other addresses for her are: 1904/5 14 Thompson Street. This is the address on Rata's adoption order.
1905 S.A. Maternity Home. Miss Fanny Shackleton adjutant.
Thanks for the advice re The Salvation Army as a source of information. I will pass this on.
The details on the press report for an Edith Kerridge competing in a shooting match is of interest but I suspect this relates to the other E Kerridge as she lived in Pahiatua and her family were farmers.
Jo.
-
Hello Jo...
There are four separate people on Mundia who have posted trees of Rata.
The following links should work. Let me know if they don't...
http://www.mundia.com/au/Person/6422842/-1292411018 (http://www.mundia.com/au/Person/6422842/-1292411018)
http://www.mundia.com/au/Person/11426685/1593404057 (http://www.mundia.com/au/Person/11426685/1593404057)
http://www.mundia.com/au/Person/28171555/12491248045 (http://www.mundia.com/au/Person/28171555/12491248045)
http://www.mundia.com/au/Person/31516274/18060543060 (http://www.mundia.com/au/Person/31516274/18060543060)
-----
Records for the Salvation Army Children's Homes don't seem to start until 1915, which is a bit of a nuisance. But still worth a look as Edith may have had later contact with the Sallies.
At the bottom of the following webpage is the location of the Salavtion Army Archives (NZ). I believe drop-ins are welcome so are you anywhere near Upper Hutt.
http://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/our-community/bcm/archives-heritage
-----
There have been comments on her birth name as I am told it is of Maori origins.
Rata may have actually been Reta, which may be a variation of Rita. So not necessarily Maori.
The BDM NZ Births fiche actually has two listings for the birth of Rata/Reta. Both are registered in Wellington.
Year/Folio - Name - Quarter
1905/3482 - KERRIDGE, Reta Gertrude - (Jul-Sep)
1905/4931 - KERRIDGE, Reta Gertrude - (Oct-Dec)
If you want to purchase her birth certificate you can phone BDM NZ. Ask what the difference is between the two folio/page numbers. Specify a scan of the birth register (aka printout costing NZ$20.40), not a transcription (aka certificate costing NZ$26.50).
0800 22 52 52 (New Zealand only)
+64 (4) 463 9362 (Outside New Zealand)
-----
Here's a link to a list of Ediths, Ethels and Edith Ethels. The names are from the BDM NZ website. No guarantee your Edith is amongst them or that I've copied the information correctly :-)
I haven't really proof-read the list so let me know if there's a problem.
Click on the following link then on the "Download" button in the top right-hand corner to download the list as a text file.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0wow/ (http://www.rootschat.com/links/0wow/)
Regards
Beg
-
Hello Beg,
Many thanks for your efforts once more.
I don't recognise the names of the people with entries on Mundia trees. I have asked a family member if they mean anything to him.
I am in the UK but will suggest to relatives in NZ that they consider approaching The Salvation Army archives.
I don't think anyone has realised Rata had variants, or that it was a variation of Rita. Having said this, there are other reasons to think it may have been the Maori name. I won't go into detail here.
I cannot get into the link for the deaths. It just keeps trying to load and never does. Any ideas?
Thanks again.
Jo.
-
Hi Jo...
If you PM me your email address I will email the list of names to you direct.
Most annoying that it's not loading. Hope that's not the normal scenario as I use "the cloud" quite extensively for file sharing. Will be really annoyed if any of my previously shared files also failed to load.
Would some kind rootschatter mind clicking on the following link and telling me if it loads a list of names ...thanks :-)
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0wow/ (http://www.rootschat.com/links/0wow/)
Regards
Beg
-
Receiving it loud and clear,Beg ;D
Cheers Janette
-
Ditto!
Spades
-
Thanks :-)
-
Hello Beg,
For some unknown reason, the second link you have posted works fine. Another explanation might be that I have tried it on a more modern computer.
Thank you once again. I shall have plenty to keep me occupied by the look of it.
Jo.
-
Hi Jo,
I don't if you are a member of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists, but they have recently a new database, NZSG New Zealand Illegitimacy Records 1877-1950.
Members may write a request a search for information. This is a collection of information from various sources.
http://www.genealogy.org.nz/
Spades
-
I am very interested in the NZ Illegitimacy Records as above. Has anyone enquired and could tell me what sort of information i might find please?
-
Hi Telephonist,
It's effectively an index reading the researcher to primary sources which can vary greatly in detail, or lack of it.
As an example, I received this information from my request:
NZSG New Zealand Illegitimacy Records 1877-1950.
Name: Annie MURDOCH
Information: Child: Male (born 28/04/1905)
Mother: Annie MURDOCH (later LA FRENTZ)
Father: John HANNA
Maintenance: 7/6
Source: 1912 Auckland Guard Book Order File# 2067
For more information refer to:
Agency:
Serial:
Accession:
Auckland Guard Books (1894 - 1950) BADW 10331
Using this information I located the relevant file on Archway:
Title: Auckland Maintenance Order Guard Book Folio 1928 - 2139 (R3918056) 1912 - 1913
BADW 10331 A207 131 / a 16
Hope this helps. :)
Spades
-
Thanks so much for this example, is joining the NZSG the only way I can find information to search.
-
Hi Telephonist,
It's a members-only service, I believe.
Perhaps email them and ask. They offer a wide range of other benefits well worth the cost of membership.
Spades
-
Thank you, Spades, this may be worth pursuing.
Jo.
-
Her daughter was named Rata but this name was changed on her adoption. The details for her daughter are established and her family are in contact.
Hi Jo ... arriving here from your other thread ("Maori records").
I can't help (as yet) with any information for Edith Ethel KERRIDGE, but here is the registration of Rata's birth from the NZ BDM online index (where it is possible, with some tinkering, to deduce the "date of birth").
1920 / 25604 - GIBSON - Rata Gertrude
Parents: Annie Ellen and Arthur Henry GIBSON
D.o.B. = 28 June 1905
Interesting that this wasn't registered until 1920 ? ... and why, if her christian names had changed at adoption, these weren't used in the registration. ???
[PapersPast ("Evening Post" - 19 January 1926) confirms in an engagement notice that Gwenda Eleanor was the only daughter of Mr and Mrs GIBSON of Ngaio, (Wellington) ... but only a son gets a mention in the obituary of Arthur Henry GIBSON (d. 1940).]
But back to Edith KERRIDGE, the birth mother. (see next ) >>
~ Lu
-
Hi,
The NZSG hold a Pedigree Collection which looks to be her birth, which states 24 June 1881, Brighton, SSX, England.
Cheers
KHP
Re: Edith Ethel KERRIDGE (above) ^ :
Hi KHP ... I take it that the above refers to a birth cert. which has been "donated" to the NZSG collection ? I'm assuming too it would be a registry image of same (as provided by GRO) and not a photocopy ? [Not sure how the NSZG Pedigree collection works ? Is it a repository for "unwanted" certs. ... maybe those purchased "in error" by researchers ? ] Hope you can enlighten me ? ;)
Cheers
-
... if NZSG hold a copy of the birth of Edith Ethel KERRIDGE (1881 - Sussex), then someone must have information, (possibly from the birth registration or adoption record for Rata G. KERRIDGE ?? ), which provided the lead to this particular E.E. KERRIDGE ?? [ Or not ?? Maybe they got a "wrong certificate" and hence, donated it ?? ] ;D
http://www.genealogy.org.nz/
Go to "Resources" (top bar) and click on "Members Interests" > enter surname "KERRIDGE".
A current NZSG member is researching (amongst others), these names :
PAYNE - NZ - Wairarapa
KERRIDGE - NZ - WN (Wellington)
KERRIDGE - ENG - Sussex
???
-
Hi Lu,
The NZSG Member would have filled out and submitted a Pedigree Registration Form, of their direct family line, they were/are (providing they are still members) searching for when they joined. So No, it is not an unwanted certificate, but getting in touch with the contributor would provide more information.
Cheers
KHP
-
Thanks for the clarification, KHP. :)
Cheers
~ Lu
-
Hi,
In response to Beg's post of 31 October where a list of all the Edith Ethels was provided - I would be delighted to find out how it is possible to search the NZ BDM indexes online without entering a surname? Could be a very useful trick.
Cheers,
Joy
-
PM sent :-)
-
I thought it might be an idea to provide an update following this post.
The information on the Salvation Army archives posted by Beg proved to be the breakthrough as far as some of the details were concerned. A family member visited the archives, having made contact with them first. They hold much valuable information, too personal to list here. While we still don't know what happened to Edith Ethel Kerridge after 1908, the circumstances of her emgration to NZ are now known. There was a considerable amount of information on Rata, including the identity of her father, quite a surprise there!
There were clues to follow up which might yield more information, hopefully the whereabouts of Edith Ethel Kerridge later on.
The original birth certificate was obtained but appears to have some strange features, won't go into details here.
Than you to all who contributed as the outcome has resulted in a great amount of progress and made some people very pleased with this.
Jo.
-
Hello Jo...
Thanks very much for the update. Nice to know that progress has been made, even if it's not in the intended direction.
Could I ask a question or two. I totally appreciate if you'd rather not answer :-)
If dealing with a government department you would have had to jump through serious hoops to be given the name(s) of an adoptee's birth parent(s). I'm wondering just how stringent were the Salvation Army archivists. You make it sound like a phone call and a drop-in was all that was needed.
Basically could anyone off the street, with the details from this thread, wander into the Salvation Army Archives and find out the same information.
And were there any costs involved at the Salvation Army Archives. Minimum hourly charge or similar. Might be good to know for future reference.
The original birth certificate was obtained...
Just curious. Is this the birth certificate for Edith or Rata or the birth father.
As I said, totally appreciate if you'd rather not answer the above. Not a problem.
And if you do manage to track down Edith Ethel please let us know.
All the best
Beg
-
Hello Beg,
I think it might be bestter to answer your queries via PM. I have sent one to you with details.
Jo.
-
Hello Jo...
Thanks for the info on the Sallies. And it's good that the family aren't giving up the search for Edith. I reckon she'll turn up either in Australia or back in the UK.
I was using ancestry at my library and was wondering if anyone had eliminated the "Edith E KERRIDGE" who died in Battersea, London in 1961. Her age at death is given as 80 so born c.1880.
Doesn't mention if KERRIDGE is her married name. Would also be nice to know what the middle "E" is short for without having to purchase a death certificate.
Newspaper death notice? Electoral roll? I'm not sure what resources are available in the UK.
Regards
Beg
-
I was using ancestry at my library and was wondering if anyone had eliminated the "Edith E KERRIDGE" who died in Battersea, London in 1961. Her age at death is given as 80 so born c.1880.
Doesn't mention if KERRIDGE is her married name. Would also be nice to know what the middle "E" is short for without having to purchase a death certificate.
ENG - Probate Calendar
KERRIDGE - Edith Elizabeth - widow of 90 Muncaster Road, Battersea - died 8 December 1961.
Probate granted to Florence Amelia COUPLAND : [L 7236-4s-0d]
[KERRIDGE - James of 90 Muncaster Road, Battersea - died 2 September 1954. Admin. to Edith Elizabeth KERRIDGE, widow.]
From what I can work out from ENG BMD, London Electoral Registers, etc., James Charles KERRIDGE was firstly married to Louisa HAIN (on e/reg. at Southwark up to 1932). [ There were several children of that union who appear on later e/registers (from c. 1935) living at 90 Muncaster Road, Battersea with James Charles KERRIDGE and Edith Elizabeth KERRIDGE. ]
FREE BMD
MARRIAGE - SEPT - 1933
James C. KERRIDGE
Edith E. HAIN*
[* same surname as previous wife. ]
~ Lu
-
Hello Beg and Lucy2,
Yes, the death of Edith E Kerridge in 1961,aged 80, has been seen and eliminated as per the information given by Lucy2.
I have a feeling that our Edith Ethel Kerridge left NZ after her daughter was adopted in 1909. She must have been a remarkable woman to have taken the decision to emigrate to NZ on her own in 1904 after an unhappy love affair broke up. She then had all the difficulties of having an illegitimate daughter in a foreign country and no family support. Next, her daughter goes into an orphanage where she remains until her adoption. It will be interesting to find out what happened to her in later life.
Jo.
-
STONES DIRECTORY am sure there would have been one back then, my copy is later 1941. which covers Wellington to Hawkes Bay and over to Taranaki and in between.. its a godsend for research! lists alphabetical who lived where, streets.. numbers in big towns...