o'neills in Rakaia NZ

[Lucy2]

Ah  ....  just checked the Waimairi Cemetery  ... and buried in the same plot (AN 35 - Plot 11)  is   ...

Emily HODGES - died 1983 - aged 99 years

Lucy O'NEILL's, spinster sister.   

[This Emily served in WW1 as a nurse - next of kin was Josiah HODGES (father) of Loburn, Rangiora (Christchurch).
Emily seems to have been a remarkable lady.  During the war she survived the bombing and sinking of the hospital ship she was aboard ... went on to become a hospital matron in NZ.   Whoops  ... off topic, sorry ... an inspirational story though ... and she would have had a markedly different life to that of her sister ?]

[Lucy2]

Back on topic  ...   

I wonder if Wayne has a copy of Benjamin O'NEILL's death certificate (printout) ?

If not, then it may be worth getting.   Would/should, confirm this last marriage and might give other interesting information ? [I'd usually advocate getting the marriage cert. as this is first-hand info provided by bride and groom  ... but with his death printout, you'd get (hopefully) the ages (but not names) of his surviving children.

~  Lu

[jck1103]

Hi Lu
wow you,ve been a busy bee thanks for info 
re 1928 electoral roll Frances Nellie returned to uk without Leslie Benjamin so thats why she,s not there, he followed eventually but not sure what year. Benjamins death cert would be interesting perhaps Wayne has it.  So far I have 3 legitimate children for Benjamin and Mary (Ross) 12 legitimate children for Benjamin and Elizabeth (Cunningham) 1 legitimate child for Benjamin and Emily(Aitcheson) making a total of 16  i know there are reputed to be more if i,ve missed any can you let me know. there are 25 quoted in the newspapers 9 is a big number to be short !!

am still wading through newspapers 

Emily Hodges sounds fascinating ! will save her for another time though.

will be interesting to know contents of further electoral rolls
thanks again  jacky

[Lucy2]

Hi Jacky

What's actually great, is that dear old Benjamin, was so talkative when standing before a Magistrate !   

And it's to be hoped too, that he was rather good with his maths ?

http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz

"Ashburton Guardian" - 11 December 1911 -Local & General

^ In this article he states that he'd raised

   *   nine (9) sons  .... and ....  twelve (12)  daughters. 

So as at December 1911  ... a total of 21 !! 

[And after this date, I'm fairly sure, there was a "breeding programme" with Lucy (the eventual 4th wife). ?? ]

~  Lu

[Lucy2]

Grrr   ... I checked the 1922 electoral rolls (covering about 8 different areas) and no sign of the O'NEILLs (only Walter and his wife Elizabeth).    Bit strange.

The electoral boundaries were re-configured in 1922 with some areas being assigned new names, but I'm sure I covered them all.       Anyway, when I've got time, will look at the 1925 rolls.

~  Lu

[jck1103]

ok lu

know it can get frustrating cant it i just wish the authorities would leave things alone !! the east end of london is also a nightmare for boundary changes  will wait to hear from you

thanks jacky

[Lucy2]

Hi Jacky

Haven't forgotten about this - should have some more info, soon.

[jck1103]

hi lu

no problem  am still reading newspapers 

regards jacky

[Lucy2]

Hi again Jacky

... ooh, yes, .... you definitely need to keep reading those (NZ) newspapers !     

Have just found a whole lot more about Benjamin and his family ... which doesn't necessarily pop up when you search on "Benjamin/ Ben, O'Neill".       Will add details in following posts.

Back to electoral rolls though   ... I searched 1925 :

**  Benjamin (farmer) and Lucy (married) were at Dennett Street, Avon Electorate (same as for 1928 listing).

**  Walter O'NEILL (farmer) / Elizabeth (married) were at Brookside (Ellesmere roll).

**  Joseph George O'NEILL of Cass, surfaceman, and Dorothy O'NEILL, married were on the Hurunui Electoral roll :

So not very interesting  ... or helpful to the "cause".