That Watt is unexpected!

William Hogg Watt memorial Fountain

There comes a time in all family history research when you want to have a look down some of the branches that makes you wonder if there are anyone of interest. They are still your family members, but never been researched. I am one of those people who likes to have a look down some of the lines to see what there is to be found. Here is one story about one surprise that I encountered during my research.

One of my great, great Aunts married was married in Palmerston North to a man with the surname of Watts. The name of the aunt was Amelia (Minnie) Milverton and I decided that now would be a great time to see where the paternal side of the family could be traced back to. A quick search through Paperspast bought me an article about when they were married in 1904, so I was able to buy the marriage certificate. I was more interested to seeing a family member that had travelled from America listed on the marriage certificate. Amelia had married John Harold Watt and John’s father, John Paton was also present at the wedding.

I managed to trace the family back two generations to the town of Wanganui. One of the people was called William Hogg Watt and on a whim, I did a Google search on him. The result was one that had me very surprised and unexpected. I found that William happened to be a parliamentary member on several occasions and also the first mayor of Wanganui. I was very interested especially since I was actually going to visit the town on a trip to New Zealand and this would mean I have some research to do on the family. I did find that John Paton Watt also had a service record being a volunteer rifleman for the Wanganui area.

When conducting further research into the town of Wanganui, I found there was an archive centre and the museum, which could help me find information. The archives in New Zealand held the probate record for William H Watt, which I was going to look at. I soon learnt Where William and his wife were buried and there was a water fountain dedicated to William Watt. I was wondering at the time what I would end up finding and how long it would take me to find all the information that I was looking for. I wanted to explore the town as well to see what else there was. A picture of William Hogg Watt was also provided in my searches especially though Wikipedia.

Once I entered the town of Wanganui, the first thing I found was actually the memorial fountain to William Watt as I walked towards the place I was going to stay for the next several days. After dropping my belongings off I visited Drury Hill a war memorial and then to the Old town cemetery, where after a little bit of searching I did find the grave of William Hogg Watt and his wide Frances. The first research area I visited was actually the Wanganui museum and after a look around they directed me to the archives room to the side of the building. The people inside were expecting me, but not before the museum lady had given me a print off from Paperspast about the death of William Hogg Watt. They did mention that Trove was like Paperspast, which did surprise me that they knew about the website in Australia. The archive centre had a little bit of information that I was able to read and I also corrected some of their information as well. To get the family tree photocopied I was able to walk through the museum / archive storage area, which had plenty of interesting stuff in the background. I told them what I was studying at university and they all think I would soon be after their jobs in the future. You never know though it could happen.

The lady from the archives did mention that I should visit the research library, which was my next stop of the day. The day before I had the lady in the research room think I was after the borrowing library until I explained what I was after. I don’t know if this is because I am young, don’t look like a researcher or even that I have tattoos within view. I did find plenty of research material amongst the research library. There was a general outline about the life of W.H. Watt, who was one of the first settlers and was in the shipping business with another man by the name of Taylor. William’s son, John Paton was with the Wellington West Coast Regiment as a volunteer and promoted to Colonel once he retired. I managed to be shown a book about the history of Wanganui that mentioned William Watt several times including the business ventures and even his religious preference. One lady had written a children's book about the Watt memorial and it was interesting too. Towards the end of the day I had plenty of information to work on and also the contact details of the family members who had provided the information.

When searching for information many people are willing to help you out, although it might not be possible to copy everything you see. There may be restrictions, but knowing where the information is to be found does make everything easier in locating it at a later date. The only downside I did have was a record I ordered through the National Archives in Wellington was actually in the wrong area. The record was actually of someone else in Wanganui. I provided them with the record and last I seen they were searching for the correct record within the archives. I am happy I was able to help them with correcting the mistake. That is all part of the research process.

Cemetery trails New Zealand, Part 1

Cemetery trails New Zealand, Part 1

New Zealand has some really nice cemeteries and many of the headstones tell the story of how the towns were built from some of the prominent people who reside there. There are headstones within the cemeteries that are unique too and do not look the same as many of the others. One headstone near Opononi in The Hokianga is actually a lighthouse. Some are small that it takes around half an hour to walk if not shorter and others you can spend nearly one whole day and not see everything. The unexpected ones are actually within the city themselves. These are some of the cemeteries that I have visited while on my last trip to New Zealand. Many websites to the cemeteries will provide with more details and even maps of the cemetery with plot locations

Symonds Street Cemetery

Symonds street cemetery is located in Auckland, which was established around 1942. Several main roads in Auckland do split the cemetery including the motorway, which resulted in many graves being taken out during the 1960s. There are a few notable people of New Zealand history buried there and the graves have been reinforced with metal at the rear of the headstones since they are close to the roads, One of the most notable people is William Hobson, the first governor of New Zealand. I don’t know how many people notice the cemetery when they walk past. The cemetery is actually divided as well in the upper Queen street part where Symonds street, the Grafton Bridge and K’ road all meet up. I don’t know how they managed to build the Grafton bridge and keep several of the graves that are now underneath the actual bridge, but it is an interesting wander. Many parts of the cemetery has started to become overgrown. Auckland public library has information about the cemetery and headstones.

Waikumete Cemetery

Another one of Auckland’s older and largest cemeteries, which was established around 1886, The cemetery is also a reserve for wildflowers that do look wonderful during summer. The cemetery is notable in several aspects. It has a monument for the Erebus, which crashed in Antarctica, Monument to the Influenza epidemic where a large number of people were buried in 1918, Holocaust memorial and the cenotaph near the soldier’s plots within the cemetery. I have several family members buried here and I have found them all. In one area there are several mausoleums to several prominent families. The easiest way to access the cemetery is by train and entering close to the sextons house. The roads are easy to follow although a printed map of the cemetery is helpful especially when you are trying to find a certain plot. Many may not exist anymore or are falling apart if they are old.

Maori war and Early settlers cemetery – Battle of Rangariri

The battle of Rangariri is actually one of the battle locations from the New Zealand wars between the white settlers and the Maori in 1863. The battle for Rangiriri was between British soldiers and Maori from Waikato. The state highway actually goes through the old battle ground. Some of the soldiers involved were buried in the cemetery and by all accounts it is meant to be bigger. It is considered to be one of the most historic sites in New Zealand. Local setters are buried in the cemetery too and there is a monument to those who fought the battle. The gateway and a sign to the side tells the story of the cemetery and the battle.

Heads Road Cemetery aka old Wanganui cemetery, Wanganui

It is the original town cemetery that was open from around 1843 until it closed in 1915. It hasn’t been changed dramatically like several other cemeteries in Auckland and Wellington. Every boxing day there is a motorcycle race that uses part of the roadway.  A local road divides the cemetery into two parts. Several notable people to the town are buried here like William Hogg Watt a prominent member of the town and John Ballance former Prime Minister. It is a nice walk once you find it, although the road is busy and only one side of the cemetery has a fence.

Bolton street cemetery, Wellington

Bolton cemetery is similar to Symonds street cemetery in Auckland when half of it has been pulled up for the motorway. The cemetery is located behind the parliament buildings in Wellington. The walk can be steep and hilly in many places although once you have crossed the footbridge over the motorway then its all uphill. Maps are actually provided at the entrance and several other places. Some of the paths can be steep. The map gives you points of interest like the Seddon memorial and other notable people in the cemetery. There are sign posts letting you know what some objects are like the Sextons house.

Barbadoes cemetery Christchurch

Is the oldest cemetery in Christchurch and contains early residents. Was actually hit with the two earthquakes and the damage can still be seen with headstones lying on the ground. Also there is some land slippage and cracks in the earth that is all part of the quakes. Nice cemetery to wander around on a nice day. The granite map was a touch hard to read with being wet and the sun was shining on it. The cemetery is divided by Barbadoes street and is one busy main road.

Picton general cemetery

This cemetery is actually out of the way and close to where the entrance for vehicles to use for entry onto the ferry that goes to Wellington. Next door to the cemetery is actually a hostel called Tombstone. It seems to have casket handles for doors knobs and other paraphernalia.  Many of the earliest town residents are buried here and has a mix of the old graves with the new. The views from the cemetery are spectacular and you could see the mountains and the water.