No dead ends for the genealogists
Only fellow genealogists would see the merit of spending part of an endof-year celebration in a cemetery.
But that’s where the Far North Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists ended up after co-convener Pauline Templeman set them a quiz based on information she had previously gathered from the St Saviour’s cemetery and the Returned Services section of the Kaitaia public cem- etery.
Members were intrigued to discover representation from many branches of the military, including the Ma¯ori Pioneer Battalion, Welsh Mounted Brigade, NZ Women’s Auxiliary Corps, Veterinary Corps, Royal Marines, some South Island regiments, the Indian Army and even the 7th Australian Division.
The B team discovered that speed and greater numbers did not necessarily equate accuracy of information, even if it matched the answers Pauline later gave them. The A team avoided assumptions, and read all the information, including the question, carefully.
The plaque at the front of St Saviour’s Anglican Church provided the information to establish how many women signed the Treaty of Waitangi there on April 28, 1840, but neither the B team nor Pauline read the fine print with sufficient care.
The A team felt they had the advantage when they pointed out that if a husband came from Devon did not mean that his wife did too.
A Christmas luncheon was provided by the committee, and members learned to take more care with their genealogical research, and to stick to the facts.
Gaye Simms won the first prize for best decorated Christmas hat, with Leena Taylor runner-up.
The branch will reconvene on Saturday February 9, in the Kauri Room at Far North REAP, Puckey Ave Kaitaia, visitors welcome.
For more information phone Leoni on (09) 406-7557 or email farnorthnzsg@gmail.com, or check out the Far North Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists’ Facebook page.