Covering 300 years and 12 generations this family history specifically details the life of William Thomas born in Devon. He came to New Zealand aged 6, with his brother John aged 4, and his parents John and Jane Thomas, arriving in 1854. His father erected the Star Flour Mill on the Oakley Creek in Auckland and this was operated by the family until 1876. William married Eliza McKay and they had 14 children... 10 of whom went on to marry and raise families. William and family lived at Waterview in Auckland, Allenton in Ashburton, and at Ngawapurua near Woodville. He retired as a farmer and brick-maker at New Lynn in Auckland. William and Eliza's descendants now live throughout New Zealand. The main family surnames are: Thomas (x4), Sowry (x2), Dove (x2), Gardner and Hawken. Older generations include Carrie, Close,Coates, Earl, Griffiths, Hill, James, Ladbrook, McKay, Wilmshurst and Woods. With over 700 descendants of William and Eliza Thomas there is a great many other surnames listed in the Index of Family Trees. (View Index in PDF)
PURCHASE THIS BOOK ONLINE (A5 Paperback, 322 pages First published 2001)
This book contains family history, Mid Canterbury history and a great many black & white photos. In the main this is the story of William Stevens and his wife Jemima Johns (both born in Devon, England) who arrived in New Zealand in 1875 and their 13 children (9 lived to adult-hood, 4 boys and 5 girls). This family settled and farmed at Ashton in mid-Canterbury, near Ashburton. Later the family spread to live throughout New Zealand. The book covers almost 300 years and 11 generations of this families history. Other main family surnames include (in Devon): Johns, Evans, Tolchard, Pearse, Southern, Brooking,Simmons, Moore, March, Kennard and Weeks. And (in New Zealand): Beach, Frew, Mitchell, Brook, Berry, Thomas, Woods, Hockings, Bond, Clemens, Trembath, Cheesman and Shore. With over 500 descendants there are a great many more family surnames mentioned in the Index of Family Trees. (View Index in PDF)
The author received the "Kevin McNulty Award" for a 'Published Family History' from the New Zealand Society of Genealogists for this book.
PURCHASE THIS BOOK FROM THE AUTHOR (A5 Hardback, 302 pages First Published 1999)
email Trevor at: tpricefamily@gmail.com
The THOMAS Family (Devon & NZ)
Covering 300 years and 11 generations this family history details the life of brothers John Thomas, George Thomas and John's son John - whom were all born in Devon, England. John Thomas (Snr) came to NZ in 1854. His wife Jane and their children John 4, and William 6 (for whom a seperate book is available - see above), and John's brother George arrived soon after. John erected and operated the Star Flour Mill on the Oakley Creek in Auckland and this was run by the family until 1876. His son JohnThomas married Phebe Woods and they had 15 children... 8 of whom went on to marry and raise families. John and family lived at Waterview in Auckland, at Allenton in Ashburton, and retired to live at Coromandel. The main family surnames from John are: Thomas (x8), and older generations include Lowe, Griffiths, Woods, Johns, Cates, Page (x2), Stevens, Segers, Martin, and Brown. John (Snr)'s brother George Thomas married Jane (Polly) Morris and they had 12 children... and 10 married and raised families. George and Polly lived their lives throughout Auckland... in the city area, at Waterview & Avondale. The main family surnames from George are: Thomas (x5), Hill, Harper, Stewart (x3), Bicknell, Morgan, Kimber, Burke, Lewis, Lowe, and Morris. There are many descendants of John and Phebe Thomas and of George and Polly Thomas. These are listed in the Index of Family Trees. (View Index in PDF)
PURCHASE THIS BOOK FROM THE AUTHOR (A5 Hardback, 302 pages First Published 1993)
email Trevor at: tpricefamily@gmail.com
MORGAN PRICE & Family (Wales & NZ)
Pages packed with family history, northern Southland history and a great many black & white photos. This is the story of JohnMorgan Price (born Wales) and his Scottish wife Jane McDonald and their eight children (4 boys and 4 girls) who settled and farmed in northern Southland at Athol. Later the family spread to live in the area bounded by Five Rivers and Kingston. Their lives revolved around gold mining, mixed farming, orchards, bakers, blacksmiths, etc. They fed the gold miners and the township of Athol. Many old identities from that area are mentioned. Other main family names include: McDonald, MacDonald, Rogers, Kent, Stancomb, Boyer, Soper, Mortimer, Calder and Clode. With over 600 descendants there are many more family names mentioned in the index. This book includes memories of Frank Price and Dora Mortimer who lived through these early NZ years, as grandchildren of Morgan and Jane Price. (View Index in PDF)
Mr. F.W.G Miller, an Invercargill journalist/author wrote a review of this book and said in part "...it is a valuable contribution to the history of settlement in northern Southland..."
PURCHASE THIS BOOK FROM THE AUTHOR (A5 Hardback, 298 pages First Published 1991)
