Origins of the Starks
IN THE journals of familial tales, the story of the Stark family emerges as a captivating odyssey, weaving through time and cultural landscapes. This narrative begins in the year 1873 with the arrival of three friends from the distant shores of Scotland — Campbell, William Doughty and Jack Stark.
Their sailing adventure, searching for unknown horizons, led them to the captivating waters of Fiji where they found solace on the shores of picturesque Beqa Island.
Exhausted and worn out from their maritime quest, the friends found refuge and a warm welcome from the Tui Sawau of Rukua, the esteemed chief of the island. What was meant to be a brief respite turned into a lifechanging journey as the trio, captivated by the excitement and vibrancy of Fijian culture, decided to give up their plans to return to the misty hills of Scotland.
The turning point in Jack Stark’s Fijian sojourn unfolded when, in the spirit of newfound friendships, he sought and received the chief’s blessing for his marriage to Ro Kitty Buimaka. The celebration that ensued saw the entire island of Beqa rejoicing, marking the union of a Scottish wanderer and his Fijian bride.
However, as the years passed, Doughty and Campbell expressed their desire to explore more of the Fijian archipelago. Leaving Beqa behind, they set sail for new adventures, leaving Jack Stark contemplating the broader horizons beyond his island sanctuary.
Years elapsed and a sense of longing for his cousins stirred within Stark’s heart. Thus, driven by this yearning, he embarked on a quest to find them. His journey led him to Narewa and Rakiraki in Ra (Navatu), where he learned of their continued existence. A twist of fate revealed that the boats to their locations arrived only once every six months, stretching Stark’s patience to its limits.
During this seemingly endless wait, Stark became entangled in the intricate tapestry of Fijian life. His liaison in Narewa resulted in the birth of a son, Jack Junior No. 2 Simultaneously, an affair with an American girl named Sarah Miller led to the birth of a daughter named Anna, adding layers of complexity to the unfolding family saga.
Stark’s wanderlust eventually took him to Tavewa Island in the Yasawas, where he reunited with Doughty. The beauty of the surroundings left Stark enamored, sparking a desire to make a living in this idyllic setting. However, Doughty, recognising the constraints of the small island, suggested they return to Somosomo and seek land from chief Setareki Muanavou for Stark to build his home.
Chief Muanavou, gracious and benevolent, granted Stark a vast tract of land from Nakuhawa to Navatu in Sausau, extending from the reefs to the mountains. Overwhelmed by this kindness, Stark gave the chief a lighter in return and got a written thumbprint agreement. He proudly erected a signpost, declaring the land a “freehold estate.”
With Nasoqo established as their new home, Stark set out on another arduous journey to bring his wife, Ro Kitty Buimaka, to this newfound paradise. During the journey, he shared the news of his son, Jack Junior No. 2 born in Narewa, Rakiraki. Despite the absence of biological children, Ro Kitty consented to welcoming Jack Junior No 2 into their family.
As the family settled in Nasoqo, children began to fill the Stark household. Three daughters and two sons, born to Ro Kitty Buimaka, marked the beginning of a new generation. The eldest daughter, Mary, ventured beyond Nasoqo, marrying a Mr McGoon and settling at Vagadaci in Levuka, Ovalau.
Maria and Julia, too, found love in Levuka, marrying Mr Newton and a Fijian man from Levuka Vakaviti, respectively. Margaret chose Lovoni, Levuka, for her marital journey with a Fijian man. William, the son of Jack Stark and Ro Kitty Buimaka, embarked on a union with Annie Maria, a partGilbertese woman. Sadly, their son John met an untimely demise in childhood.
The family lineage continued through Jack Junior No. 2, who married Suliana from Gunu in Naviti Yasawa. This union brought forth three daughters: Alumita, Silive and Jessie (No. 1) who would later play a significant role in the family’s narrative.
Jessie (No. 1) married a white man named Mr Kingdon, and their union bore a son named Claude (Kiloti). Claude, in turn, expanded the family tree with two children: Jessie (No 2), who married Mr Underwood, and Thomas Kingdon, who married Meci Levi. Jessie (No. 2) went on to become the mother of Archie Underwood.
The narrative takes a closer look at William Stark, the son of Ro Kitty Buimaka and Jack Stark No 2. His marriage to Annie Maria McDonald, the daughter of an Englishman and a Gilbertese woman, bore three children: Serah, Jack No. 3, and David. Serah, in her marital journey, was married to Mr Miller.
Jack No. 3’s marriage to Ani Nalibo of Gunu in Naviti Yasawa resulted in a family of 11 children, showcasing the growth and diversity within the Stark family.
David Stark, the third child of Jack Stark No. 1 and Ro Kitty Buimaka, was married to Siteri of Tavualevu Village in Tavua. Their union resulted in eight children.
The complexities of familial relationships continue to unfold as the narrative touches upon Jack No. 3’s interactions with a lady from Viwa Island and David’s son from Mau in Namosi.
In traversing the intricate branches of the Stark family tree, the tapestry of Fijian life intertwines with Scottish roots, forming a unique cultural mosaic. From the shores of Beqa to the Yasawas and beyond, the Stark family’s journey becomes a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration and adaptation.
Today, 10 generations later, the Stark family continues to reside at Nasoqo in Naviti in the Yasawas, the land that was gifted to their forefather, Jack John Stark the First.