MIG Te Reo - Auckland Family History Fair
Another year, another wonderful programme of speakers and presentations hosted by the NZSG Genealogy Computing Group and Auckland City Council Libraries at the Fickling Centre, Three Kings, Auckland over the weekend of 11th and 12th August 2019.
The weekend began with a mix and mingle on the evening of Friday 10th August followed by presentations by the two keynote speakers, Cyndi Ingle from Cyndi’s List fame and Dr Nick Barratt who was part of the initial Who Do You Think You Are team. What a debt we owe these two for sharing their knowledge and expertise over many years in this ‘hobby’ we call Genealogy.
Doors opened on Saturday morning at 8:30am for the public but the centre was buzzing along well before then. Our stand had been set up the night before so all we had to do was take our seats and wait for the crowds and questions. This year, we were placed on an inner square between the Scottish Interest Group and the Pacific Island Interest Group. There was quite a bit of cross pollination going on between us all with one group or another passing queries and the questioners backwards and forwards.
The team on the Māori Interest Group table consisted of Trevor Mosley, Sue Slight, Don Hayward and Lorraine Rice. With only room for two at the desk, this gave time for the others to get away to the lectures or workshops. It was lovely to see some familiar faces call in to see us. Michelle Taylor, Cherie Boggiss, Owen Ormsby, Joy Todd, Jaci Harris, Trevor Ashe and Viv Ingram are just some who stopped by to catch up and in some cases, offer some help to our group for next year.
A number of the visitors to our table leave details with us about who they are researching in the hope that we can help them discover that next piece of the puzzle. Below are some names, places and some dates—if anyone has any information they are willing to share please contact Lorraine Rice This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (and she will put you in touch).
· Charlie Cook – born c1890, lived in Glen Innes in 1960’s, married Patricia Gogan in England around 1924 but may have married again in NZ. Also known as Charlie Brown.
· Taka Tahara or Te Haha Tangatahara, born c1800, died 1846 at Akaroa, buried at Little River.
· Koi Tarawa – also known as Koi Tarawa Wharekawa, born 1901, died 1948 and believed to have married Mere Kohu in 1921. Looking for confirmation of marriage.
· Hemi Pawhau, died 1925 at Ruatoria, married to Kerehi Te Kepa (Grace Kemp) Pera – looking for connections to this couple.
This year, the Māori Interest Group donated a prize for one of the raffles on offer. The prize was one year’s membership of the Māori Interest Group, a copy of Whakapapa—the MIG publication, an MIG lanyard, a Auckland Libraries Whakapapa Chart and some recent copies of Te Reo magazine. The accompanying photo shows our Convenor, Trevor Mosley presenting the prize to the winner, a smiling Gail Thompson.
Lorraine RICE.
