Today we had a Reunion of my Husbands family.. 90 odd people gathered to celebrate the arrival of the Family to New Zealand.. Charles and Mary-Ann had 6 Children and Mary Ann was pregnant with the 7th when she got kicked by a horse and miscarried and then died of septicaemia.. With 6 children under 8 Charles could not cope so left the children with 3 neighbours ( 2 at each home) and went off to seek his fortune.. later remarried and the new wife got back in contact with the children.. Amazing how they all stayed in contact and were a very close family in their adult years.. And we are still on the farm where Hubby's Grandfather was bought up.. All 6 Children lived a great life.. When Hubby and I got married the Minister said to me ' Well you have a lot of living to do these Johnson's live very long lives... youngest was 86 eldest 96...
@happypat Well Pat he was a bit of a man of mystery, We think he was Danish? name been Anglicized and was on a ship and got into a bit of strife and jumped ship in NZ.. George has had a DNA test to see if we can find any branch of the family but have not come up with anything yet.. He went to Thames (NZ) to go gold mining and left the Children where we live today..
What a wonderful story about your early family origins. Love the cake. It is amazing how many women in New Zealand were called Mary Ann. I have several in my family. It is an absorbing hobby, this tracing of the ancestors - I have been off and on at it for decades.
@gilbertwood Ha we could well be... one story the family have heard over the years it that two brother also left England and went to Australia.. around 1881..
@julzmaioro interesting facts! My great grandfather John Johnson was born in Carlisle, England 1838. My grandfather, John was born in 1872. I have my grandfather's family and no Charles. But i don't have any other info on John senior who could have been Charles' brother??
@gilbertwood The one's doing the research are sure he was of Danish decent and perhaps the name was Anglicized at some stage.. but you never know could be a connection there some where..
