Genealogy Chat

I forgot Mary Ann would not have been married in 1914, but I doubt if she would have been enrolled that early. I will look though next time I get to town when our rooms are open (Tues probably). Have you emailed the BMD people in NZ? Do you have a credit card? I will Pm you.

Thank you so much for taking the time to find this information out for me. In 1914 she would have been Mary Ann Grayson, as they didn't marry until 1915. I believe she may have been working as a domestic servant for the 'Harding' family who owned a sheep farm, before she was married. Next step is to find out if there is a way to order and pay for the death cert online. Thanks Dawn

Births of children: Sept quarter of 1916, Cyril John, Waipukurau district. Sept quarter of 1917, Ronald Grayson, Waipukurau district. Sept quarter of 1918, Lilian Mabel Mary, Waipukurau district. June quarter of 1920, Rosalind Ivy, Waipukurau district. Dec Quarter of 1923, Thomas Henry, Waipukurau district.

John Thomas DREANEEN was buried in Waipukurau cemetery on 18 Aug 1933, Block XII, plot 202. The headstone reads: In loving memory of John Thomas Henry, beloved husband of M. A. Dreaneen, died 16 Aug. 1933. Electoral Rolls: I cannot find either of them in 1914. In 1919 in the Waipawa electorate John and Mary Ann are in Gaisford Terrace, Waipukurau. John is a driver, Mary is 'married'. 1922, John still in Gaisford Tce, driver. Mary Ann is on the supplementary roll #1, in Lindsay Rd, Mt Vernon, Waipukurau, 'married'. 1928 and 1931 they are both in Lindsay Rd, John is a horse driver. 1938 Mary is in 11 Nelson St, Waipukurau, 'widow'. 1946 the electorate is renamed Hawkes Bay. Mary's details remain unchanged. Also in Nelson St is Ronald, presumably her son, a labourer. 1954 Mary ann is still in Nelson St. That is as far as I could go.

Thank you all for your replies. Steven, I have recieved your pm and I am going to email them now. Thanks for your help.

Hello Dawn, I rang the bdm folks and asked how to go about ordering a death cert from overseas. They replied that you can order a cert by email. (edit) i have PM'd you the email address as i couldnt figure how to get it past this sites filter I didn't inquire what the cost and details were...i'm sure they will provide all that info in their reply. Best of luck Steven Read (no relation - i think!)

I have two New Zealand death certificates from 1922 and 1929 and confirm that they do contain most of the details mentioned in Peter's post, certainly gave their place of birth in England and the number and sexes of living children. Carolyn

The info was the same as Peter said on my 1926 and 1932 certs. I got the photo copies which are a bit cheaper than the official certs. I think the info is the same, but the photo copies are from the register and the official certs are typed in on a form, with the info coming from the reg, so there could be an error. I know with my grandparents marriage, the official cert has my grandmother born in York, New Zealand (I think that is what it says, cant find it at the moment) whereas the cert photocopy from the church reg has it as York, England. I will try to remember to ask in our gen rooms tomorrow about ordering a NZ cert from England, or I could phone the BDM people to ask later.

Does anyone know if a death cert in 1933 would have as much detail as Peter listed earlier in this thread? I am trying to find John Dreaneens place of birth which I believe to be in the UK but i'm not sure. Would this be on a NZ death cert in 1933? Thanks as always Dawn

At a guess from the conversation with her granddaughter it was probably about 45 years ago that she was in the porirua institute so she'll have been about 75ish at the time. I wonder if she was there for a long time? Do you think there will be any way of tracing any records from there? Do NZ bmd have an index as in the uk? If so, now that I have her date of death is there any kind person out there that would be able to help me find out how to order the certificate because I am really curious now!! Thanks again Dawn

Hi Dawn You are very welcme The old porirua institute was a long standing mental institution,although I am surprised it was still in existance when MaryAnne died as most of them were phased out prior to that. Unfortunately as in the uk all sorts of people were admitted to these places including the elderley who had simple dementias which at 109 I imagine the poor old thing probably did. It will be interesting when you get her death cert Regards Tania

First thought that came to mind with Porirua Institute was an institution for the mentally unwell. Then I wondered if it could be the Womens Institute. Any Wellington members out there that can help on that one?

Hello All, I have been in contact with Mary Ann's granddaughter which was so exciting for me. She had no idea that she had relatives oversea. Unfortunately she had only met her grandmother once when she was very young, so the search for info is still continuing. Apparently Mary Ann was at the 'Porirua institute' so the plot thickens. Not sure where to go next with that information. Any ideas anyone? Thanks Again to you all Dawn

Can any of you kind people please advise me how I apply for a NZ death cert? Can it be done online. I now have Mary Ann's date of death and she was 109 years old when she died!! I only know her name and date of death. Is that enough? Thanks Dawn

I can't thank you enough for this Tania. You have been an amazing help. Also thank you to Peter and everyone else for all there help and information. All the best, Dawn

I have found her grandaughter who will be delighted to fill you in on the family Check the general board Regards Tania

NZ Death cert gives 1.When & Where died 2.Name and surname 3.Rank/profession/occupation (eg widow) 4.Cause of death 5.Duration of last illness 6.Medical attendant by whom certified 7.When he last saw deceased 8.Name and surname of father 9.Name and if known maiden surname of mother 10.Rank/profession of father 11.When and where buried 12.Name/religion of minister 13.Where born 14. How long in NZ 15.Where married 16.At what age married 17.To whom married 18.If children living number,age and sex 19.Signature/description/residence of informant 20. Registrar and date of registration .........always providing the informant knows the answers Peter

I have just found this web site in this months Family Tree magazine.... NZ Genealogy Datebases - http://www.*nzgdb.*co.*nz To quote the magazine.... 'A site for and by the people with New Zealand Ancestors....'

Sorry for the confussion. I was thinking about Rose when I was writing that (too early in the morning and rushing to get the kids to school!!). Can anyone tell me what information I will find on a New Zealand death cert please. Looking at Mary Ann and Johns marriage cert (I have a photocopy of the original) it appears he was also born in England although I can't read where. I wonder if they came across from England together? But I can't find him on our BMD records. He was 38 when they married in 1915. Also I have just spotted that the copy of Mary Ann's birth cert I have is dated 12 June 1973. Could that be a clue to the year she died? Would they have needed the birth cert for any insurance or burial reasons?? Just a thought. Thanks again Dawn

Hi fellow Kiwis, John Thomas Henry Dreaneen was Mary Ann's husband - he was a carrier when he died in Waipuk. NOT her father. Glad that we're on to it and able to repay some of the help that we get from the English Gentlefolk on this site. Keep posting and I'll check when I get home B