Duvauchelle

[slimbridge]

Hello,
I am interested in the brothers Duvauchelle. I understand there were three brothers, all born in France between 1810 and 1820. I am confused as to their names - I think they were Jules , Louis and Edouard. I am not certain of their occupation, though Jules is described as a surveyor, who went to New Zealand from New South Wales as a surveyor. I found a reference which indicated Louis joined him at the French settlement at Akaroa. It  seems that Edouard may have also joined his brother off a whaling ship. It seems that the Duvauchelles did not settle in New Zealand, leaving about 1845.
Can anyone help me identify the movements of these men? Or give me any further information on them, please?
Mary

[Sarndra]

I cannot help you in relation to your men, but there is indeed a Duvauchelle Bay not far from Akaroa which would seemingly be named after your men.  It may be that research into this area could help you gain some more background.

There is a good map indicating it's position here in relation to Akaroa:

http://www.fairbrass.net.nz/other/otherImages/peninsula.gif

Some photos of and around Duvauchelle here:

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/558241855ZZpkJO

It's a beautiful area...my own ancestors were prominent around here also with Pawsons Valley being named after them.

All the best in your search

Cheers
Sarndra
www.sarndra.com

[Shadwell]

With such a distinctive name I thought this would be easy, but not so.  But it seems you were right about Jules.  I finally found a reference on the site of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors at http://www.surveyors.org.nz/Documents/PART%20IV%20THE%20PIONEER%20LAND%20SURVEYORS%20OF%20NEW%20ZEALAND.pdf Here I found the following description (a slight spelling change in the surname), which I hope you'll find informative.
Kind regards, Chad.


DUVACHELLE, J A
A young French surveyor, he came to the Bay of Islands in 1840, about the time of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi to survey the land claimed by E. Vafler and other French claimants, who were putative owners of land in the Bay of Islands and on Banks Peninsula. Eventually he settled on land which was granted to him at the northern end of Akaroa Harbour situated on the Bay which now bears his name. He acted as and agent for the French claimants before the Land Claims Commission.

[Shadwell]

Not sure if this is one of yours.  A search of State Records of New South Wales at http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/indexes using the "Duvachelle" spelling shows a Mons Duvachelle arriving in NSW from Port Nicholson (Wellington, NZ) in 1844.

[Shadwell]

Hi Mary
Are you also aware of a Mr Devauchelle arriving Sydney 16 Feb 1845? http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~nzbound/1845sydneygazette.htm

[jorose]

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ has a few hits for Duvauchelle - including some early mentions in 1843/1844 which are probably of your men (later ones seem to be referring to the placename).

http://genforum.genealogy.com/australia/messages/61412.html - J. A. Duvauchelle was a witness to a marriage in NSW in 1836.

[slimbridge]

Thanks Jorose
It was the 1836 marriage witness J A Duvauchelle that led to my search for Duvauchelles.
Then as I searched on I found references to Mr or Mons Duvauchelle in paperspast and NSW shipping - then I found there was more than one man of that name, hence my question to this forum
Mary

[alamar]

Hi Mary

A summation of what’s available would suggest that Jules and Louis Benjamin Duvauchelle came from Rue on the Somme. Jules had lived in the Bay of Islands and came to Akaroa with Bishop Pompellier, a few weeks after the French/German settlers arrived. He set up and ran a store in Akaroa township. A third brother named Edouard arrived on the whaling vessel Hera in 1842. You are correct in that they never occupied the land assigned to them and all three left for Hawaii around 1845 as you thought. There are apparently descendents of Edouard in Honolulu but Jules went on to Algeria and Louis to Chile. Hope this helps.

Alan

[Kiwicousey]

Hello Slimbridge,

 My brother lives in Devauchelle. Wonder if he can be of any help. He grows peonies & other flowers for the overseas market. Mainly Japan. It is a very beautiful part of New Zealand. I will forward this on to him & see if he is any help. I do know at present he will be full on with picking the peonies so please don't hold your breath!!
Regards,
Kiwicousey.