The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Historical film heading ‘home’
Box of films from Dundee was found in shop in New Zealand
Information about the family whose historical film footage was discovered in a New Zealand furniture shop has been uncovered following an appeal.
The Courier revealed how a box of 8mm home movies from Dundee was found 11,000 miles away in an unused room at the back of a second hand store in Whakatane.
The films, dating from the 1970s, are thought to show a family reunion.
The only clues were an address written on the box – 3a Fintry Road, Dundee – and three names: Mr A Frain, Mrs Elizabeth Frain and what is thought to be LM Armstrong.
There was no obvious connection between the shop and Dundee and no Frains were found in the phone book.
But new details have emerged, shedding some light on the story.
The couple mentioned on the box are an Alec and Margaret Frain whose daughters, Phyllis and Sheila, emigrated to New Zealand several decades ago – most likely in the ’50s.
Sheila, who has since married a Peter Vodanovich, now resides in Auckland, around 300km from where the discovery was made.
Allan Johnson, who discovered the films, said he had now spoken to Sheila.
He said: “I have just got off the phone from Sheila Vodanovich – I got their phone number from the phone book.
“She was so pleased to hear the information I had. I am going to organise to send the rolls of film to her up in Auckland. She vaguely remembers some of the things that I could read.”
Mr Johnson thanked readers for getting in touch to help solve the mystery.
A family friend, who still lives in Dundee, said: “The whole family emigrated to New Zealand.
“I think it was in the ’50s they moved. Sheila married in New Zealand and Phyllis was married here but moved and had a son.”
Sheila is now in her eighties and it is thought either she or her sister Phyllis shot the film on a return trip to Scotland.
Another friend said he believed the family had moved en masse at a time of assisted immigration.