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Messages - oscar123
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« on: Tuesday 08 April 14 11:41 BST (UK) »
Thats a great story with your mother and her neighbour!
Alex and Margaret Townsend are my gg grandparents. I live in Ramarama, South Auckland here in New Zealand, around 2 minutes away from the farm where they settled when they came to NZ. There's lots of Townsends from Alex's line over here, they had 13 children.
Margarets brother Gordon came over with them as well in 1870. I'm in touch with a couple of Hugh's decendants, one in Carrick and another in Scotland. It's a shame you hadn't seen this thread earlier as I was in Ireland for a month over Christmas and even stayed with a Mcdowell while in Ballyclare.
Really interesting to hear your mothers neighbour had a photo from NZ, definitely a small world. Our family thought there was no contact between Ireland and NZ families but obviously there was lots with the Townsends and the Mcdowells. I'd be quite interested to hear what your mothers neighbour has to say about the Mcdowells as we know very little about Margarets family.
Craig
Thanks for all the info - my mother will be delighted when I fill in these gaps for her.
What I can do in relation to the neighbour is see if she would be happy to communicate with you... I suspect at her age that it would need to be by good old fashioned letter !
A quick glance at Ramarama on Google tells me you live in a beautiful part of the world.
I have travelled as far as China and Japan but never to Australia or NZ .... I retired last year so if I make it down your way at any point I'll be sure to let you know and maybe arrange to meet up.
Is it possible for us to exchange e-mail addresses? - I'm not sure of the protocols on this site...
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« on: Monday 07 April 14 10:09 BST (UK) »
Hi Michael,
Yes, Hugh is Alexanders brother. He was born around 1854 I think. Sarah lamour his first wife died in 1896, buried in Gleno with James and Martha Townsend (took a pic of the grave in January). Hugh then married Elizabeth Milliken in 1898. They had a sister called Margaret who married Robert Brennan in 1862. I know there were a couple of other brothers but can't confirm their names, possibly William and Andrew. I have lots more info about the family and am in contact with other decendents of Hugh.
What is your line from Hugh? How did you come across the Townsend family photo from New Zealand?
Hi Craig
Thanks for the quick response.
Hugh Townsend was my great grandfather on my mother's side. One of Hugh's children - the last by Sarah - was Eliza Stuart, my grandmother. I have a treasured photo of Hugh and family at the family farm just outside Carrickfergus taken at the christening of my grandmother in 1895. Sadly her mother, Sarah died shortly after that as you know.
My part in the present research is a little complicated but I will try to explain. My mother (80 next month) moved back to her home town of Carrickfergus last year. Her neighbour invited her for dinner and in the conversation produced the photo of Alex Townsend and family in NZ. My mother spotted an immediate resemblance with her grandfather, Hugh..... bizarre but there you go.
Turns out that the neighbour is a descendant of a John McMaw who married Jennie McDowell - I believe a sister of Margaret McDowell - Alex's wife.
Lots of pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. I know that Hugh - when he re-married - moved to Scotland so I have always been aware of distant relatives there and my mother is still in touch with some but none of us knew anything of the siblings of Hugh. I guess there are folk in NZ who share the same great, great grandparents with me....
What is your connection in all of this and are you in NZ?? Are there still Townsends in Alex's line in NZ?
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« on: Sunday 06 April 14 10:45 BST (UK) »
Hi Shelley,
This is my family line as well. I went to the Townsend reunion at Te Aroha in the early 90's. I've done a bit of research going back into Ireland and have found Alex's and Marg's parents + brothers and sisters (some decendents are here in NZ as well). I can get information to you by email if you want as I have birth & wedding cert's and the Townsend Family photo from 1917/18.
Cheers,
Craig
Craig
I realise this is an old thread but I have just come across it. I have just been loaned a photograph of the Townsend family which may be the same as the one you mention. I reckon it was taken just a few years before the death of Alexander Townsend in 1918. My interest is this - my great grandfather was Hugh Townsend from Raloo (?). I don't have birth dates for him but I believe he may be related to Alexander Townsend - possibly a brother. Hugh Townsend married Sarah Larmour on 28 April 1876. Hugh's parents were James and Martha Townsend.
From your research are you aware of the names of the siblings of Alexander Townsend or can you throw any light on my thoughts ?
Appreciate your help.
Regards
Michael.
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