Joanne,
How wonderful to hear from you; I had almost given up hope of finding anyone in New Zealand.
So, my grandfather was your great-grandfather? This is most interesting in that you are in the same age group as my son (40). His name is Keith Allen (my grandfather was very pleased I named him Keith, even though I didn't realize I had an uncle in New Zealand with the same name). I also have a daughter, Rhonda Denise, who is 39 and lives in Houston.
At one time, while I was searching for relatives, I corresponded with someone whose last name was Helander by adoption and hailed from England. We could find no familial connection, so the tie was severed.
I think you met my aunt, Mary, and her husband, Olan, years ago on their sojourn to NZ. My half-sister, Margie, also visited New Zealand and met relatives while visiting. It is my fondest wish to visit, but that may not happen. However, it's still a wish I've shared with my husband, who is Italian (probably couldn't have guessed from the last name!).
My e-mail address is
andrea.laconte@stmhmr.org; please write when you can. I do know some details about the family, but not as much as you.
Andrea (Dupree) LaConte