Immigrants to New Zealand 1850s from Scotland

[tkgafs]

Hello,

I intend to have a holiday in New Zealand in 2018 and have some ancestors who emigrated to the country from Scotland in the 1850s. What would be the best resources to look for any descendants they may have had.

thanks in advance

[rosie17]

I would say by checking out birth records marriage and death electoral registers all depends if they remained in the same place ...A lot of people moved about maybe even Australia ...You could also try the Library to search archives that are available ..Enjoy your trip lovely place really lovely country
Rosie
Should have added try www.familysearch.org or Ancestry/ Find My Past ..Check with your local library for Ancestry
Rosie

[Janette]

If you would like to post the ancestors names we could maybe help you find where they were living and also come further forward,

Cheers Janette

[tkgafs]

That would be a great help, I made a mistake with the date though they probably went to New Zealand around 1900 - 1910.

The family bible simply lists the following three family members as going to New Zealand with no further information as when or where they went.

John Ferguson born 6th December 1874 in Borgue, near Kirkcudbright Scotland
James Ferguson born 12th March 1881 in Rerwick, near Kirkcudbright Scotland
Alexander Ferguson born 26th June 1888 in Culdoach, near Kirkcudbright Scotland

These three are some of my grandmothers brothers, making them my great great uncles.

Their parents are William Ferguson and Margaret Beattie who where married at Balmaghie, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland on 29th May 1874

There is a family tree on Ancestry that has an Alexander Ferguson marrying a Lillian Mary Oliver in St. John's Church, Wellington, NZ on 27th March 1919, but I'm not currently a member of Ancestry so cant see any evidence.

Any help would be gratefully appreciated

thanks

tim

[Janette]

Hi Tim.

Did the boys have middle names and do you know their occupations?

Cheers Janette

[Janette]

Hi Tim

I have found Alexander's WW1 file

http://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE13780233

He states he had lived in NZ 7 years so arrival round 1910,he gave a Wellington address with John his NoK

Cheers Janette

[Lucy2]

Hi Tim

The next-of-kin listing on the WW1 NZ Army record for Alexander, shows his brother's name as
"John B. FERGUSON".

The form which records next-of-kin shows that this brother was living (outside of Wellington) at Palmerston North.
[I have some further info for Alexander and wife Lily, which shows that at one time they also resided at Palmerston North. ]

    ~  Lu

[Lucy2]

Tim ... the following is the brother of Alexander FERGUSON :

NZ Death

1943 - FERGUSON - John Beattie - 67 years [born circa 1876]

There is a Probate file for him, available for viewing at the FamilySearch website.
Here is the link >

https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1865481

John Beattie FERGUSON -- Palmerston North -- Year:  1943

It confirms his birthplace as Kircudbright, Scotland.

John also had a wife > Susan > and it seems his marriage was possibly in Scotland ?
As yet have not found any issue to this couple.

   ~  Lu

[Lucy2]

Hi Tim

The wife of John Beattie FERGUSON was Susan Bailey* or Baillie* FERGUSON.
[Spelled as "Bailey" in her husband's will ... and as "Baillie" on NZ electoral rolls and NZ Death index. ]

NZ Death

1945 - FERGUSON - Susan - 60 years  [born circa 1885]

There doesn't appear to be a Probate file for this lady.

   ~  Lu