As part of Auckland Libraries’ Family History Lunchtime Series I was able to hear Lyn Whelan speaking on ‘Stories on Stone'. This talk on monumental inscriptions provided a wealth of information about the purposes of the inscriptions, what can be found, and tips for using these in our family history research.



Reynolds Family grave, photographed by James D. Richardson Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC284

Monumental inscriptions have the ability to tell as more about the lives of those they memorialise. For family historians the information to be found can range from names, relatives and dates, to unique historical events and clues to the history of the community. Clues are important; they may not provide us any answers but they can point us in the right direction, towards our next step or to new information on family we already knew about.

Inspired by Lyn’s talk I spent time looking into monumental inscriptions of my own family.

Using the Auckland Council page of cemetery databases as a starting point for those who I knew lived in Auckland proved fruitful, as did more specific searches for relatives where I knew the name of the cemetery.


Auckland Libraries has a wealth of information about cemeteries in Auckland, and further afield. Coming into one of our Research Centres opens the door to a wide range of resources and indexes of cemeteries, as well as the help of our knowledgeable staff when your search hits a wall.

My journey into discovering more about my relatives leads me to the next step of visiting their final resting places in Pukekohe. I am lucky enough to still live in Auckland where many of my relatives are buried. Those who would have to travel further afield may find that the wealth of headstone transcriptions and photos now online and in the library provide them with a similar experience. For everyone monumental inscriptions provide us with the ability to use the information we find as the next clues for discovering more about our families and the world they lived in.



The Close Family, photographed by James D. Richardson, 1890-1899 Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC334

Monumental inscriptions for Symonds St Cemetery can be found in our Family History eResources and Databases.


Some photographs of headstones can be found in our Heritage Images database, and there are other photographs that haven't been digitised yet, that can be ordered from Sir George Grey Special Collections.



Central Auckland Research Centre has a large number of monumental inscription and tombstone transcription books available for a wide range of countries.

For those that missed out on Lyn’s talk, or who want to look further, can also find videos of a number of talks that took place during New Zealand Cemeteries' Heritage Week on our website.


Be sure to come along to the Family History Lunchtime Series for 2016 at Central City Library: more information about the talks and booking your place can be found at the link.


Happy researching

Laura

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC339' Showing the grave and tombstone of Samuel Browning at St Andrew's Church, Epsom. The inscription reads: Sacred to the memory of Samuel Browning who died 11th June 1888 aged 87

Our filing cabinets in the Research Centre are real treasure chests, filled with microfiche, microfilm and CDs and DVDs.

Photograph of the 'S S Viti' of the Tasman Shipping Company Ltd (Captain Clough Blair)Heritage Images, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 34-T284

In the first week of February, Auckland Libraries was delighted to have hosted several events to support New Zealand Cemeteries Heritage Week, which was to celebrate the launch on Ancestry of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists (NZSG) cemetery microfiche.


The cemetery microfiche was the culmination of almost 50 years' worth of work by volunteers from the NZSG - a painstaking process of recording and transcribing cemetery headstones from 1400 public and private cemeteries nationwide, including Māori urupa from 1800 right up until 2007.

The official launch day was held on Monday, 2 February, 2015, at the New Zealand Society of Genealogists head office in Panmure where current NZSG President Gay Williams discussed the history of their Cemetery Collection and explained the work that was behind it.

The launch made the news on TVNZ.


Auckland Libraries hosted events in support for the following three days. Subjects presented were:

• S.S.Tararua  - our worst civilian shipwreck, 29 April 1881 - Gay Williams, President, (NZ Society of Genealogists) 

• The shipwreck of the HMS Orpheus on 7 February 1863 - Michael Wynd, Researcher, (National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy)

• The ‘Great Flu’ pandemic, 1918 - Gay Williams

• Hawkes Bay Earthquake 3 February 1931 - Christine Clement

• The Tangiwai Railway Disaster, 24 December 1953 - Gay Williams

• The Air NZ Erebus disaster, 28 November 1979 - Gay Williams

• Why can't I locate my NZ ancestors place of burial - David Verran, Local Historian and Team Leader, Central Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries

• Locating your ancestors through NZSG burial records and Ancestry online (NZ cemetery records 1800 – 2007), Diane Wilson and Gay Williams 

In the first week of February, Auckland Libraries was delighted to have hosted several events to support New Zealand Cemeteries Heritage Week, which was to celebrate the launch on Ancestry of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists (NZSG) cemetery microfiche.


The cemetery microfiche was the culmination of almost 50 years' worth of work by volunteers from the NZSG - a painstaking process of recording and transcribing cemetery headstones from 1400 public and private cemeteries nationwide, including Māori urupa from 1800 right up until 2007.

The official launch day was held on Monday, 2 February, 2015, at the New Zealand Society of Genealogists head office in Panmure where current NZSG President Gay Williams discussed the history of their Cemetery Collection and explained the work that was behind it.

The launch made the news on TVNZ.


Auckland Libraries hosted events for the following three days:

• S.S.Tararua  - our worst civilian shipwreck, 29 April 1881 - Gay Williams, President, (NZ Society of Genealogists) 

• The shipwreck of the HMS Orpheus on 7 February 1863 - Michael Wynd, Researcher, (National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy)

• The ‘Great Flu’ pandemic, 1918 - Gay Williams

• Hawkes Bay Earthquake 3 February 1931 - Christine Clement

• The Tangiwai Railway Disaster, 24 December 1953 - Gay Williams

• The Air NZ Erebus disaster, 28 November 1979 - Gay Williams

• Why can't I locate my NZ ancestors place of burial - David Verran, Local Historian and Team Leader, Central Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries

• Locating your ancestors through NZSG burial records and Ancestry online (NZ cemetery records 1800 – 2007), Diane Wilson and Gay Williams 

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-6097' Showing the headstone and grave of Rev Carl Sylvius Volkner CM, who was murdered on the 2nd March 1865 Read the story in PapersPast Brutal Murder of Rev. Mr. Volkner, Resident Church of England Missionary at Opitiki, Bay of Plenty

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 34-F56F' Picture of the headstone of Josiah Clifton Firth born October 27 1826, died December 11, 1897 Aged 71 years

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC284' Showing the grave and tombstone of Charles Reynolds and his children Eva Alice Reynolds, Ella Maud Reynolds, Ivy Olive Reynolds and Ida Olive Reynolds in Symonds Street Cemetery. The inscription reads: In loving memory of Charles Reynolds who died 8th July 1896 aged 46 years and his children Eva Alice died 31 August 1879 aged 3 years, Ella Maud died 20 Sept 1879 aged 1 year, Ivy Olive died 12 March 1885 aged 1 years, Ida Olive died 26 May 1895 aged 9 years. Not lost but gone before.

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC306' Showing the grave and tombstone of Hannah Matthews and Edward Matthews in Symonds Street Cemetery. The inscription reads: Sacred to the memory of Hannah Matthews beloved wife of Edward Matthews who died 1878 aged 49 years, also Edward Matthews, beloved husband of the above, who died 12th July 1896 aged 70 years. 'Thy will be done'. Auckland Region (N.Z.)

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC307' Showing the grave and tombstone of Samuel Morrin in St Mark's Cemetery, Remuera. The inscription reads: In loving memory of Samuel Morrin who was born in County of Two Mountains, Canada on the 12th August 1842 and died at Remuera Auckland on the 15th April 1886

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC326' Showing the grave and tombstone of Johanna Brophy and Thomas Hilary Brophy in Symonds Street Cemetery. The inscription reads: Of your charity pray for the repose of the soul of Johanna Brophy who departed this life 20th May 1889 aged 44 years. May she rest in peace. Also in loving remembrance of Thomas Hilary Brophy, son of the above, who died February 18th 1878 aged 5 years. Cum Christo in pace. Auckland Region (N.Z.)

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC327' Showing the grave and tombstone of James Joseph Conway in the Catholic section of Symonds Street Cemetery. The inscription reads: Erected by the Shipmasters of Auckland in memory of Captain James Joseph Conway, accidentally killed 18 March 1897 aged 50 (or 56). May he who rules the billows speed us on our way. Auckland Region (N.Z.)

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC328' Showing the grave and tombstone of Robert Clapham Barstow in St Mark's Cemetery, Remuera. The inscription reads: In loving memory of Robert Clapham Barstow died 28th September 1890 in his 70th year. Waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC330' Showing the graves and tombstones of Thomas Malcolm Banks, Joseph Banks and Walter Mayne (obscured, to the right of the Banks' plots) in St Mark's Cemetery, Remuera. The inscriptions read: Sacred to the memory of Thomas Malcolm Banks who died 24th February 1878 aged 31 years. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil. 4c 7v. Joseph Banks aged 49 years. Not gone from memory, not gone from love, but gone to that heavenly home above. Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. (Third tombstone in plot obscured by cast ironwork).

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC331' Showing the grave and tombstone of Isabella Mackellar and Walter John Mackellar in Purewa Cemetery. The inscription reads: In loving memory of Isabella Mackellar who died 30th June 1889. Also Walter John Mackellar who died 4th March 1891

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC332' Showing the grave and tombstone of Christina McGregor, her daughters Christina McGregor and Elizabeth McGregor, and Alexander McGregor in Presbyterian section of Symonds Street Cemetery. The inscription reads: Erected in memory of Christina, the beloved wife of Donald McGregor who died 11 February 1891 aged 38 years. Also their children Christina died 7th January 1880 aged 9 months and Elizabeth who died 17th March 1887 aged 7 months. Also Alexander McGregor, late of Caithness, Scotland, died 3rd January 1866 aged 47 years. Auckland Region (N.Z.)

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC333' Showing the grave and tombstone of Alexandrina Idonia C S Peel in St Mark's Cemetery, Remuera. The inscription reads: Alexandrina Idonia C S Peel died 27th February 1895 aged 71 years. Wife of Major R Peel. late of 13th P A Light Infantry. To Idonia: a true, loving, gentle, affectionate, patient wife, and mother. This memorial is erected by those who loved and admired her.

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC335' Showing the grave and tombstone of Hugh Patrick in the Wesleyan / Presbyterian section of the Mount Victoria Cemetery, Devonport. The inscription reads: Sacred to the memory of Hugh dearly beloved husband of Emma Grey Patrick who fell asleep in Jesus June 18th 1889 aged 40 years.

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC342' Showing the grave and tombstone of David B Cruickshank in St Mark's Cemetery, Remuera. The inscription reads: In fond remembrance of David B Cruickshank who died on the 8th of May 1895 aged 53 years

'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 661-19' Showing the tombstone erected to the memory of Tamati Waka Nene in the churchyard at Russell Northland Region (N.Z.)