RootsChat.Com

Research in Other Countries => New Zealand => Topic started by: orkrad on Sunday 15 February 26 21:08 GMT (UK)

Title: Francis Russell Smith born London 1853 died naseby 1907
Post by: orkrad on Sunday 15 February 26 21:08 GMT (UK)

 Hi everyone   I have quite a bit of information on Francis Russell Smith a direct ancestor. He was a collector of maori artefacts and I remeber several years ago finding references to him and his collection  in Papers Past. I have tried in vain to unearth this information once again.  Please can someone point me in the correct direction. Thanks  Orkrad 

Title: Re: Francis Russell Smith born London 1853 died naseby 1907
Post by: spades on Monday 16 February 26 01:57 GMT (UK)

Hi Orkrad,

I can't much on him either. Can you provide some dates of birth and death and where he lived, please.

Regards,

Spades

Title: Re: Francis Russell Smith born London 1853 died naseby 1907
Post by: maddys52 on Monday 16 February 26 09:11 GMT (UK)

Quote from: spades on Monday 16 February 26 01:57 GMT (UK)

Hi Orkrad,

I can't much on him either. Can you provide some dates of birth and death and where he lived, please.

Regards,

Spades

His death notice - died 2 Sept 1907 at "Newington", Naseby.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19070902.2.13

Most likely this baptism:
Francis Russell, son of Alfred William (solicitor) and Elizabeth Jessie SMITH at St John, Islington 18 June 1853.

Title: Re: Francis Russell Smith born London 1853 died naseby 1907
Post by: mckha489 on Monday 16 February 26 09:33 GMT (UK)

I don’t see anything in paperspast either.

Was his collection donated to a museum?
Not mentioned in will.

Found something here..
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01u87/

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01u88/

Title: Re: Francis Russell Smith born London 1853 died naseby 1907
Post by: orkrad on Tuesday 17 February 26 02:57 GMT (UK)

 Many thanks maddys52, Spades and Mckha 489.  Yes those are the links I was looking for. We have two items ( taonga) from Francis Russell  Smiths collection and wanted to check their provenance before donating them to a museum as we have no Maori ancestors ( tupuna). I was hoping to find something about their history especially if they were gifted to Francis or if he purchased them. Many years ago I was told by a specialist in Maori  artifacts that they dated from 1840-1850. I was hoping that one of our very  knowledgeable rootschatters might have  some extra information.  His daughter ( deceased since 1983)  believed that most of the collection that Francis owned was  donated to the Auckland Museum but not  attributed to him. Thanks  Orkrad

Title: Re: Francis Russell Smith born London 1853 died naseby 1907
Post by: maddys52 on Tuesday 17 February 26 08:15 GMT (UK)

Well done finding those links mckha. Here are a few more:

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW19040706.2.222  (6 July 1904)

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/AS19150223.2.72 (23 Feb 1915 - giving collection to Auckland Museum)

Title: Re: Francis Russell Smith born London 1853 died naseby 1907
Post by: mckha489 on Tuesday 17 February 26 08:37 GMT (UK)

And well done Maddy!
Especially the Auckland Museum one.

Title: Re: Francis Russell Smith born London 1853 died naseby 1907
Post by: orkrad on Tuesday 17 February 26 08:55 GMT (UK)

Thanks Maddy.The article from the Auckland Museum was really helpful.Its good to know the origin of Frances s collection at Long last.Regards Orkrad