My New Zealand Family History: Murray family - John and Violet later Essie Murray

James and Agnes' seventh child, my great-grandfather, John William was born on the 23 September 1884 at Waipahi. At the age of 8 John attended Port Molyneux School. At the age of 22, in 1906 John married Violet Jean Field (m.1906/5328). Five years later, in 1911 John and Violet are living at Port Molyneux John is working as a Flaxmiller.

John and Violet had five children soon after their wedding.

James b. 1907
Thomas Hugh b.1908 (my grandfather)
John William b. 1910
Lauchie McKay b. 1911
Violet Jean b. 1912

Sadly, Violet died at the young age of 27 years on 21 October 1912, not long after the birth of her fith child and only daughter Violet Jean on the 18 September 1912. It is thought that Violet went to live with her Aunty Agnes Cunningham and family at Romahapa.

DEATHS.,
Otago Witness, Issue 3058, 23 October 1912

Thomas is enrolled at Port Molyneux school on the 23 Feb 1914 aged 5 but leaves on the 23 March 1914 to go to Dunedin. The boys are placed in the Presbyterian Children's home, Anderson Bay (Glendining). Thomas Hugh is enrolled on the 12 Oct 1914 and Lachlan on the 5 Feb. 1917 at the Andersons Bay School, Dunedin. Six years later the boys return home and are attending Waitepeka school in 1920. They also spend time at Warepa school. John attends Port Molyneux school from 6 Feb 1923 to 30 Nov 1923 leaving at Std VI.

Page 1 Advertisements Column 6,
Otago Daily Times, Issue 16242, 27 November 1914

AMUSEMENTS,
Otago Daily Times, Issue 16559, 6 December 1915

James, John and Violet's first born arrived on the 21 Dec 1907 (b.1907/25609). At the age of 21, in 1928 James is living in Lanark street, Balclutha and is a hairdresser. By 1938 James has moved to Clyde Street. Between 1 Jul - 31 Dec 1942 James was called up to service (WWII Serial No. 430615). By 1981 James has retired and is living at 98 Charlotte Street, Balclutha. James died at the ripe old age of 89 on the 9 August 1997 in Balclutha. James did not marry.

Thomas Hugh was born on the 20 August 1908 at Mataura (b.1908/25150). On the 10 June 1932 aged 23 Thomas married Ivy Elizabeth Favel (1911-1994)(m.1932/9405). Ivy Elizabeth was born on the 10 November 1911 in Riverdale. Ivy also lost her mother when she was very young. Thomas "Hugh" and Ivy were living at 71 Main Street, Mataura in 1935. Thomas was working as a labourer. By 1957 they had moved to 7 Dover Street and Thomas is the Foreman for the Mataura Borough Council. In 1981 still residing at 7 Dover Street (which I know so well and remember very fondly) Thomas is stilling working for the borough at the age of 73. After a time in hospital following a stroke, Thomas died on the 23 July in 1987 aged 78. Ivy died 7 years later at the age of 82. Thomas and Ivy are buried together at the Mataura cemetery. They had 8 children.

John William was born on the 10 Jan 1910 (b.1910/6001). In 1938 John is a veterinary assistant (not veterinary surgeon!) C/o W. Peirson, William Street, Gore. By 1946 John is married to Elfreda Amy Agneta (1923-2002) (m.????). They are living in 36 Scott street, Mataura and John is working as a Fireman. BY 1978 they have moved to 13 Dover Street, Mataura. Their son Owen John is living with them. John has retired by 1981. Aged 90 years John died on the 26 Sept. 1990 aged 80 years. Alfreda died 12 years later passing on the 2 Nov. 2002. John and Alfreda were cremated and are interred at the Mataura cemetery. Number of children?

Lauchie McKay was born in 1911 (b.1911/23572). Very little is known of Lauchie. In 1943 is living in James Street, Balclutha c/o Mrs Petrie. He appears on the WWII Ballot list - serves on Home Service. In 1946 he is a labourer, working in Riverton. After this Lauchie disappears. The family think he may have gone to Australia however, no contract has ever been made.

Violet Jeannie was born on the 18 Sept. 1912 (b.1912/22779). In 1935, 23 years old Violet is living in Romahapa, a spinster. In 1936 Violet marries Thomas Patrick Scott (1910-1970? ) a labourer. Violet and Thomas are living in Romahapa 1938 - 1969. By 1972 Violet is a widow and is living at 275 Clyde Street, Balclutha. In 1978 Violet is living at 103 Clyde street. Violet died in 1992 aged 80. Any children???

In 1919 John married Essie Catherine Kirk (1897-1966). John and Essie had five children.
George Kirk (21 Feb 1922-
Robert (31 Mar 1923-
Sarah (???-???
Ellen Essie (11 Sept. 1925 -
Silvie (11 Dec 1926-

I have only recently learnt of this branch of the family. If any one our there comes across this blog page I would love to hear from you to fill in the gaps.

John died at the young age of 53 years at Port Molyneux. John is buried at the Port Molyneux cemetery wth his first wife Violet.