Genealogy Chat

If I can return the favour Christine let me know. If you have English ancestors maybe? I am a full member on Ancestry, happy to do look up's, ask away:)

Samantha, I'm so pleased to have been able to help you. I've been thinking for a long time that it is surprising that more people from England aren't looking for people in New Zealand as the majority of the european immigrants here were either English or Scottish. It wasn't hard to help you as you already had most of the information. Good luck with the rest of your searching. Christine

OH CHRISTINE....YOU'RE AN ABSOLUTE STAR. That is the fisrt bit of information I have been given on the "elusive" Esther Merry. I COULD KISS YOU!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH

Samantha, Went to the library and this is what I found: Marriage 1952 Merry Esther Evelyn Christain Folio 13262 McMillan John Duncan Folio 13262. So probably the only advantage of getting marriage cert is finding out John McMillan's info. And - McMillan Andrew John Ernest Folio 8421 Dec Qtr 1953 Auckland. Christine

I really do not know the answer to that Christine, I assumed she married a native of the country. Her last but one address in UK included NAAFI in it, maybe her husband was in the armed forces, all speculation of course. I have sent more in an email Thank you Sam

Hi Samantha, As you know his full name and birth year it would be easy for you to order the birth cert from www(.)bdm.govt.nz NZ$26.00 then you will find out the parents. Did Esther have other Merry relations in NZ that she was coming out to? Christine

Hi Christine I wouldn't be brave enough to telephone them :) I have looked at listings in the White pages, I wrote to one, A J McMillan, Benfield Ave, no reply, that was about 6 weeks ago. I would happily write to others. Family rumours said that Esther had Andrew on Dec 23 1953, and his name was Andrew Jonathon McMillan. My grandmother (Esther's sister)also had a son that day, called him Andrew Jonathon, what a coincidence, so whilst taking this onboard I wonder if that story got a little glorified over the years, if you know what I mean. Another bit of info, but again could be "Chinese Whispers" Esther sometimes went by the name Christian, Lord knows why. Also i have something here written and signed by her, she put "Esta". I have her birth record, she was registered Esther, 2 middle initials K C, or B C, cant quite make it out. Thanks for your help Christine

Hi Samantha, That Mt Albert address is not very far away from me - shame Andrew is still not there. There isn't too many A McMillan's in the Auckland phone book though - he could still be living in Auckland so you could phone them a go or write to their addresses. I could see if I could find his birth in 1953 then you would have his initials and that would narrow it down a bit. I'll get back to you. Christine

Firstly, thank you for your interest Christine. The relative is my great Aunt, Esther Merry b1916 in Berkshire UK, she was in contact with all her family until an argument caused a rift in the early 50's. Then older family members tell me she emigrated to NZ, married a McMillan, and had a son in '53 Andrew. I do have a last known address, obviously dating back many years, Sadgrove Terrace, (2 I think) Mt Albert Auckland NZ Esther would have had 2 living siblings when emigrated (one of them my grandmother) both have since died. The whole family were not known for their longevity unfortunately, but if Esther is still living she would be 88. It would be wonderful if she was, failing that I would love to get in touch with any of her relatives in NZ. She could have had more children, the information I have is so scant I'm afraid. What do you think? Do you see a way I can go about this? I'm tempted to request a marriage cert, but the search fees could be pricey, at least I would know her husbands full name. I'm not sure that would be any help.

Hi Samantha, We have BDM on fiche at libraries but they don't give too much information until you order the cert. Who are you looking for and what was the person's full name who came out to NZ - do you know if he is alive? Christine

Are there any resources like our FreeBMD that cover NZ? Info on anyone possibly still living is hard to find anyway, but added to that, an emigration...... and I've come up with nothing! I emailed the national BMD, very helpful, but it could cost me lots of £££ with searches. Any ideas? (Relative b1916, emigrated 50's, where they married & had children)