Genealogy Chat

Antipodes and Linda

Thank you for taking the time to get back to me.

I discovered the new NZ BMD yesterday and found the marriage. Winifred was born in the last quarter of 1899, so it looks as though she may have married on or close to her 22nd birthday.

The additional information about Winfred's job, the ship's name, sailing date, and David's WW1 service, are all new to me - thanks.

As a cashier in those days, Winifred is likely to have been in contact with the public (cafe, restaurant, cinema, department store) which would give her the opportunity to meet a nice young serviceman from NZ - if he was over here.

This is quite possible because two of David's uncles were fighting in WW1. Both had been killed in action by 1918 - one in France and the other in Gallipoli. The family were very strong loyal to the homeland. My father (Winifred and David's oldest child b 1922) signed up for WW2 and met my mother over here - hence my own antipodean birth!

I shall certainly follow up the service record - thank you for finding that information. I did attempt to find out if David had been in the services, but had no joy.

Now I've just got to try and track my Scottish and Cornish ancestors from here to NZ!

Minerva

She didn't have much time in new Zealand before she married

Name: Winifred STANDING
Date of departure: 27 May 1920
Port of departure: Liverpool
Passenger destination port: Wellington, New Zealand
Passenger destination: Wellington, New Zealand
Date of Birth: 1900 (calculated from age)
Age: 20
Marital status:
Sex: Female
Occupation: Cashier
Passenger recorded on: Page 9 of 26

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Ship:
Official Number:
Master's name:
Steamship Line:
Where bound:
Square feet:
Registered tonnage:
Passengers on voyage:

MAHANA
135700
W Kershaw
Shaw Savill & Albion Co Ltd
New Zealand
27092
7509
972

Heather - thanks for the swift reply.

I hadn't thought of penfriends - my grandfather was a brilliant letter-writer, sending me looooong, descriptive letters, regularly until his death.

I'll try to find service records for David - his mother's two youngest brothers (the younger only 10 yrs older than David, and Kiwis), both died in WW1. I can see how I missed that... 2 generations running into each other! Can genealogy GET any harder? *rolleyes*

Anyway, thank you again for the suggestions.

Minerva

Hmm,. it is a puzzle isnt it. I wonder if she corresponded with him - a sort of early postal bride? I know they did this in the USA in the 19th century and I believe in Aus and NZ - women would sort of go out on spec to marry a guy they had only written to?

The Kiwis did fight with us but then the war ended in 1918 and id have thought if she met him here she would have married and returned with him. You could try to find a military record for him?

Did you ever see the Piano ? That was a case of a girl going to NZ wasnt it and marrying a man she had never met.

Interesting for you. Good luck with it :)

In 1920, Winifred Emily STANDING b 1899 (Steyning register) sailed from Liverpool to Wellington, NZ.

By 1922, she had married David Mackie ROBERTSON b 1896 NZ, and given birth to my father.

The puzzle: how did this marriage come about?

Winifred had family here including a sister, Ivy Violet b 1905. She lived in NZ for the rest of her life and pined for 'home'.

Could she have met David in England? Did Kiwis fight in Europe with the allies in WW1? Or did she just 'take off' to see the world?

I have no idea, and no relatives left to ask. So, your suggestions are very welcome!

Minerva