Alexander MacLennan, maori killings? *COMPLETED*

[Kiko]

Hi,

My grand-uncle, Alexander MacLennan, is unfortunately known as the biggest exterminator of the natives of Tierra del Fuego (Patagonia, South America). Some versions say that, before coming to Tierra del Fuego, he took part in the killings of maoris in New Zealand. Are there any references about this in New Zealand?

Time frame would be 1891-1895.

This could explain why I've never found any arrival of an Alexander MacLennan from Scotland to Patagonia during that time frame.

Thanks,
Francisco

[percy porter]

One in Dunedin which is a couple of years outside the time frame.

http://archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?OID=13264756

Alan NZ

[Thamesite2017]

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast
papers past can be searched for names

but it does not sound feasible given the dates you suggest

The maori wars/ New Zealand were much earlier 1860s
http://www.newzealandwars.co.nz/
He certainly would not have been doing these acts in the 1890s...would have been in jail if that was the case
Bye
Althea

[Janette]

Hi Francisco,

1891-1895 seems too late for the Maori Wars,things had settled down by 1865 and a lot of the british soldiers returned to the UK on board the "Rob Roy"
Was Alexander in the british army?
The only Alexander MacLennan in Paperspast is a Rev so probably not your man,
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=q&hs=1&r=1&results=1&t=2&txq=Alexander+MacLennan&pbq=&dafdq=&dafmq=&dafyq=&datdq=&datmq=&datyq=&tyq=all&ssnip=&fuzziness=&e=-------10--1----0-all&x=42&y=10
Cheers Janette

[Kiko]

Thanks for your feedback, which does clarify things quite a bit. The time frame I have is accurate, because I have him well reserached until 1891 in Scotland and from 1896 onward in Patagonia. My only gap is that period of 5 years.

Obviously many stories about him have been exagerated, so probably the New Zealand one is fiction. Was he in the British army? One version I have says yes, so I'll now try to concentrate on that one.

Thanks to you all,

Francisco

[SPC]

Was he in the British army? One version I have says yes, so I'll now try to concentrate on that one.

Essentially all of the Imperial (British) Army had left NZ and Australia by 1870, so if he was in the British army it is unlikely he was in NZ.

Simon

[Kiko]

Thanks, Simon, interesting you mention Australia because that eliminates the last little doubt I had.

Cheers,
Francisco

[sageglass]

Kiko, I landed here on this post when I googled my grandmother's grandfather,  Alexander Maclennan.  Might he be the same one you refer to?? Married to Margaret?  Children: Mary, John, Murdoch and Donald?  If so, would you share your information? 

Sage

[Kiko]

Hi Sage,

It wouldn't be the same Alexander because my one did not marry and had no descendants. But maybe I have some information on your Alexander, especially if he was from Gairloch. The names of the 4 children you mention were very common in my MacLennan family. Do you have his wife's surname? If you do, I might be able to find him.

Cheers,
Kiko