RootsChat.Com
Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => New Zealand Completed Requests => Topic started by: kiwielaine on Monday 24 April 17 05:45 BST (UK)
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David Wilson died 15/07/1957 aged 76. Is anyone able to give me a district/location for his death, or better still, where he's buried? I'm hoping it's in the Canterbury/Christchurch area.
Thanks
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Hello...
Looks like he died in Havelock North
http://tinyurl.com/kogcs9z (http://tinyurl.com/kogcs9z)
Regards
Beg
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A picture of the headstone.
http://cemeterybase.hdc.govt.nz/
Cheers
KHP
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Thanks for that. Back to the drawing board :)
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Can you give us more information to help you?
Cheers
KHP
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Ok, a rather long explanation. David BRAY born 4th May 1881 to James and Louisa at Akaroa. After the death of his mother 2 years later he was "adopted" out to a Mrs WILSON. Unsure if it was ever a formal adoption, so he could have gone under either surname. NZ BDM records don't show any likely deaths under Bray, and the one I gave above tied in nicely. I was going to order the death certificate had it been in the Christchurch/Canterbury area. A family letter in 1942 (he would have been 61 yo) confirmed he was married and living in the Christchurch area at that time. I have no idea who he married, and unfortunately David Wilson is such a common name it's hard to make any progress. James Bray, his biological father, new wife and rest of family subsequently moved to Taranaki shortly after David's "adoption"
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Quote:
"James Bray, his biological father, new wife and rest of family subsequently moved to Taranaki shortly after David's "adoption"
The rest of the family being David's sisters; Sarah Ann [1877] & Mary Annie [1879] ?
Minniehaha.
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Yes, also their other siblings: Albert James (1873), Amelia (1871), William (1875)
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A family letter in 1942 confirmed he was married and living in the Christchurch area at that time.
Hi...
Does the 1942 letter actually call him "David". Just wondering because if you're unsure of his surname how sure are you of his first name.
And are there any other clues in the letter. An occupation might be helpful.
Regards
Beg
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I guess there is a possibility but it's unlikely that he, or his "adoptive" family, changed his christian name as well. The Bray family have been searching for information about David Wilson/Bray for many years. I presume this is because of their knowledge of that letter, or other information (not known to me) that he indeed went by David Wilson for most of his life. The letter mentioned that he had also married, so I would presume the letter writer (James Bray's second wife) knew this bit of information and would also know if he had kept his Christian name or not. No other clues about occupation or anything else that would help the search.
The big brick wall remains intact it would seem :)
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Perhaps another possible candidate?......
1946/18394 Wilson David 65Y
Minniehaha.
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Perhaps another possible candidate?......
1946/18394 Wilson David 65Y
Minniehaha.
Seddon Cemetery.
https://www.marlborough.govt.nz/services/cemeteries
Cheers
KHP
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His Will [?] proved in the Christchurch Supreme Court......
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9NJ-6D86?mode=g&i=146&cc=1865481
EDIT:
P. S. Sadly not connected with above death....
Minniehaha.
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Perhaps another possible candidate?......
1946/18394 Wilson David 65Y
Minniehaha.
Seddon Cemetery.
https://www.marlborough.govt.nz/services/cemeteries
Cheers
KHP
Thank you for that. I did find his probate on Family Search
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSMN-LVV3?mode=g&i=223&wc=7H16-GH7%3A1045248401%2C1588876868&cc=1865481
Died intestate with no known nok and death certificate says he was not married and born in Scotland :(
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Hi again...
I have a list of men called David born in 1881 plus or minus 2 years who died post-1942.
Only three hundred-ish names for you to check against the Deaths Fiche for death registrations in Canterbury. Even quicker by using the NZSG Burial Locator CD, if you have access to it.
Plus another three hundred-ish men called David but also with a middle name(s).
Just X the box asking you to sign into Dropbox/Google.
Then click the Download/DirectDownload box to save the file to your computer.
http://tinyurl.com/l7ugfeo (http://tinyurl.com/l7ugfeo)
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The Bray family have been searching for information about David for many years. I presume this is because of their knowledge of that letter
If you're in contact with the BRAY family it may be worth asking for a look at the letter, assuming they still have it. Fresh eyes, new resources etc..
Regards
Beg