Milne Family - Robert Fraser and Elizabeth Milne (Second generation)

Robert Fraser was born on the 1st August 1862 in Skene, Aberdeen, Scotland. Fraser would have been 3 years old when he arrived in New Zealand with his parents, John and Jane. The youngest of twelve children Fraser was their seventh sons.
The Milne's were very keen on their riddles. Many entries can be found in the newspapers.

NEW RIDDLES.,
Otago Witness, Issue 1492, 19 June 1880

ANSWERS TO RIDDLES,
Otago Witness, Issue 1495, 10 July 1880

On the 21st April 1886 Robert married Elizabeth Phillips, the sister of Jane Ann his brother Alexander Innes' wife.

MARRIAGES.,
Otago Daily Times, Issue 7550, 29 April 1886

Farming at Woodlands in 1890-1896, Robert and Elizabeth had five children during this time.

Mary was born on the 24 November 1886, named after her Aunty Mary possibly, who passed away in the same year on October 20th. Not until 1918, when Mary is 32 years old, she marries Aubrey Cyril Witting (1896/14058 Otautau -1971)(m.1918/5175). Aubrey is a school-teacher from Invercargill. In 1935 Mary and Aubrey resided at 12 Maitland street, Invercargill. Mary died on the 12 Dec 1961, aged 75 and buried with her husband at the Eastern cemetery.

(b.1886/18489 d.1962/31360).

Roberta (Ruby) was born in 1890. From 1911-1914 Roberta, a spinster, living at Woodlands. In 1915 she marries David Tweedie Wilson (1885-1961) (m.1915/7312). In 1914, David is a farming at Mabel Bush. Two children follow, Gladys (1918-1984) and Alexander (1921-1993). In 1935 they are living at 55 St. Andrews St., Invercargill, David is a labourer. Roberta dies in 1952, at the age of 76 years and buried with her husband David, their two children, Gladys (66 yrs) and Alexander (71 yrs), their partners and a grandson at the Eastern cemetery Invercargill.

(b. 1890/5024 d.1952/20755)

Frank Cameron, Robert and Elizabeth's eldest son was born in 1891. In 1914 at the age twenty-two, Frank married Elizabeth Florence Reid (1894-1919) (m.1914/5411). Frank is a Cheesemaker living in Woodlands. Two children followed Elizabeth Florence Lilian (b.1915/22470) and Robert Ian (b.1917/4743) sadly two years later Elizabeth dies on the 19th August 1919, only 24 years old (d.1919/7216). Elizabeth is buried with her parents at the Lumsden cemetery. Childbirth?
With two young children, three years later in 1922 Frank (30 yrs) old marries Isabella Stewart Somerville (23yr) (m.1922/2148). In 1924 they have a daughter Isabel Wilson (b.1924/???). Sadly in 1933, Isabel, her mother and Isabella sister Jean were killed in a car accident. Isabel was only 9 years old (d.1933/15493) and her mother Isabella, 34 years old. (b.1899/1932 d.1933/8983).

Isabel and her daughter are buried together with Isabella's parents Isabella and John Someville at the Eastern cemetery, Invercargill.

A FATAL PLUNGE, Otago Daily Times, Issue 21947, 8 May 1933

The following year Frank (43yrs) marries Isabella's sister, Margaret Stuart Someville (25yrs) (b.1909/1613 m.1934/10443 d.1960/21662). Children???? In the 1946 Frank and Margaret are living in Wyndham, Frank's occupation is Cheesemaker. By 1957 Frank is retired and they are living at 508 Tweed Street, Invercargill. On the 18th August 1958 Frank dies age 68 and is buried at the Eastern cemetery, Invercargill with his wife Margaret who died 23 years later on 3rd November 1981 aged 72.

(b 1891/8085 d.1958/27903) 

Alexander Innes, Robert and Elizabeth's fourth child, was born on the 4 February 1893. Alexander Innes attended Southland Boys' High School from 1907-09 and in 1911. In 1914 he is living at 21 Eye Street, Invercargill and is a teacher.

In June of 1915 Alexander (Glenorchy) joins the Eighth Otago Mounted Rifles and served overseas for the following four years. Alexander's WWI military record.
The John Favel listed below, with Alexander, is my great-grandfather

SEVENTH REINFORCEMENTS.,
Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12565, 11 June 1915

On the 24 June 1919, Alexander married, Jennie Evelyn Wakefield (1885-1963) at Aigburth, St Anne, Lancashire, England. Alexander returned to New Zealand on 1 September 1919 aboard the "Athenic" possibly his bride Jennie accompanying him. Arrival of war brides into Wellington 1919

In 1919 Alexander and Jennie are living in Pembroke, Central Otago and Alexander is teaching.
(NB. There is also a younger Alexander Milne  from Lawrence teaching in Otago at around the same time he is also a return serviceman)

Alexander and Jennies first child Mary is born in 1920, Alexander Wakefield arrives in 1923 and their third child Elizabeth in 1924. 

School Vacations.,
Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle,
Volume XVIX, Issue 961, 24 December 1923

The 1928 Electoral roll records Alexander and Jennie living in Nighcaps. Alexander is teaching.

OTAUTAU PROGRESSIVE LEAGUE.,
Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle,
Volume XXVI, Issue 1294, 18 November 1930

All three Milne children are mentioned in teh newspaper article below, I think, Miss Mary Milne presented with School Dux (although Mr Milne refers to her parents?) Alex and Betty taking part in the concert too.

OTAUTAU SCHOOL CONCERT.,
Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle,
 Volume XXVII, Issue 1350, 22 December 1931

Alexander teaches at various schools in Southland including, headmaster at Otautau school from 1923-1931 and head teacher at the District High in Alexandra 1935-1938.

ALEXANDRA .,
Otago Daily Times, Issue 22353, 29 August 1934

PERSONAL,
Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette,
Issue 1957, 29 August 1934

The 1938 Electoral roll records Alexander and Jennie living in Alexandra.

PERSONAL, Dunstan Times, 18 September 1939

Alexander joins the 4th Otago National Reserve in 1939 - WWII 3/18/1209

By 1946 Alexander and Jennie are living at 5 Claremont Street, Dunedin their son Alexander is an Engineer.

On the 24 April 1952 Alexander and his English wife Jennie, with their daughter sailed to Southampton, Hampshire, England aboard the "Rangitane". Elizabeth's occupation is recorded as Mathematician. They return a year later on the 21 February 1953 departing from London for New Zealand aboard the "Rangitane".

In 1954 Alexander has retired and is living with his wife Jennie in Wanaka, Central Otago. Three years later at the age of 64 Alexander dies and his buried at the Andersons Bay cemetery. Jennie passes on the 10 November 1963 and is buried with Alexander in Dunedin (d. 1963/30094).

(b.1893/8810 d.1957/25032)

John "Ewart", Robert and Elizabeth's youngest was born in 1898. In 1916 John is working in Gore for the railway as a fencer and enlisted in the Army Reserves. At the age of 20 in 1918 John married Sylvia Louisa Bonney (m.1918/3813). By 1928 John and Sylvia are living in Timaru, at 13 Market Street and John is working as a shunter for N.Z.R. Sadly in 1930 John was killed in a railway accident. John is buried at the Woodlands cemetery. Sylvia married again in 1934.
(b.1898/6140 d.1930/7681)

SHUNTER KILLED BY TRAIN,
Patea Mail, Volume LI, 21 July 1930

Robert Milne and his sons (from left) Alex, Frank, Robert and Ewart.

Elizabeth  died on the 9th March 1942 aged 78 (d.1942/19479) and Robert on the 5th July 1947 died at the aged 84 (d.1947/29645). They are buried together at the Woodlands cemetery.

Robert and Elizabeth Milne, cira 1935

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz