Understanding handwriting on a NZ Death certificate for Henry Kennedy

[orkrad]

  Hi there

Don't believe all you read in death certs. It depends on who supplied the information to the undertaker. I have several death records from NZ with wrong information on them !

It is interesting to note that Rachel's death cert records her parents as Mc Erlane which could easily be interpreted as Mc Lean. It also appears that she was born in Co Antrim on or around 1850's  which might be verifiable  if you wanted to check that out.

Regards Orkrad,

[orkrad]

 Hi

 This may be of interest

Just found Rachel KENNADY on the Family Search website  (New Zealand Archives- Passenger Lists 1839-1973). She is listed with her husband Murty KENNADY (aged 24) and a son John (aged 6 months). They arrived in  Canterbury New Zealand on 25 Sept 1862 on the ship Mersey . Rachel is aged 22 and her husband is a Farm labourer.

Unfortunately it does not lead us to Rachel's maiden name but it puts her birth in Co Antrim  in the 1840 range and this might be difficult to trace without having details of her Religion, likely Parish or Townland.

Regards Orkrad

[Bsidec]

The plot thickens...She must have been born in 1840ish if she was 22 yrs old in 1862. But still with no def surname other than could be McBlane or McErlane might be difficult to find out. Thanks anyway all you kind people. I will be looking up that passenger list.

There must be someone out there who knows of this family!!

[Ruskie]

I'd say the starting point for your search should be probably be to presume the surname is Mc Lean. Note that the informant is not a relative on either of those d/cs.

As you have three certificates which give slighty different names, if I were you I would seek out a marriage or birth certifcate, probably Henry's, to double check Rachel's surname.

When searching for McLeans also consider variations in spellings such as Maclean etc. irish and Scottish spellings can vary a lot. Rachel is often spelled with an 'a' so maybe use an asterisk when searching for Rachel too. 

If Rachel has been in NZ for 40 years you can estimate year of arrival to look for her immigration if you haven't already done so. Added: I see that Okrad has located this for you.

After you determine Rachel's maiden surname, start a thread on the appropriate Irish board for tips for further regarding the families. Provide a link to any related threads on the families so others know what information you have already been given. Don't get your hopes up though, as Irish family can often mean a dead end.

[Bsidec]

Its impossible to order a birth cert for Henry if you don't have the correct date.
 I so wish ppl in those days gave their children middle names, things would be so much easier. Henry had no children and never married. Rachel and Murtagh were married in Ireland and their son John was also born in Ireland. He lists Belfast as being his place of birth.
Any other children  Murtagh and Rachel had and apparently there were around 3 more according to info on their death certs, must of been born in NZ but with no names I am at a stand still. Thanks anyhow. I will keep searching. I have a neat photo of a house they lived in here in Canterbury many years ago and the dates when they purchased the land.

[kiwihalfpint]

Sorry - edited my message, thought I could have helped with names from the school records, but then realised they wouldn't have been on my resource.  Apologise.


Cheers
KHP

[orkrad]

 There is a birth for a Margaret KENNEDY in 1866 in BMD online historical records. The mother is Rachel and the father is Mortimer. This may be one of the children you think was born in NZ. Since there appear  to be different spellings of Rachel's name it is not improbable that Mortimer was Murtagh or Murty at various times depending on the person  doing the recording.

If the name Margaret is one known to the family it might be worth asking for a transcript of her birth certificate.

Regards Orkrad

[Ruskie]

I see your dilemma Bsidec. I thought you were descended from Henry, but am now guessing you are descended from John? If so, although he was born in Ireland, did he marry or die in NZ?
(Sorry if this has already been covered - am in a bit of a rush and don't have time to reread the whole thread).
Failing that, the birth that okrad found looks worth a punt. I do wonder though, if the father's name is Mortimer, what they will have written as Rachel's surname considering the variations we've seen already. It is possible that he decided to go by the name Mortimer in NZ as Murtagh was a bit too unusual.
It would be worth trying to unearth the other children as well. You say that there were 'around three' births in NZ - information you got from their d/cs? That seems a bit vague. Did they name these children or just put a number?

[orkrad]

 Hello again

Cant find a birth for Henry KENNEDY  but noticed he was born at Moeraki Downes Cust canterbury . Thought this link might interest you http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz//tm/scholarly/tei-Cyc03Cycl-t1-body1-d4-d14.html.

Regards Orkrad.