Adoptions in New Zealand - Family History & Genealogy Message Board

Re: Father of Claire Fannin, Partner of Irene Fannin Dec 1956

Elli29 — 2013-03-12 10:44:23Z

Hi
This resource may provide some info - I'm not aware of the time period covered but it's worth asking.

The Hawke's Bay branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists has resources to assist with your local family history research.

Hawke's Bay Biographical Index
• A unique collection of local Hawke's Bay records
• Collected by members of many years
• Contains hundreds of surnames
• Plus directions to the source of the information for you to follow up
• Enquiries welcome for searches on surnames:
• Post your enquiry with a self addressed, stamped envelope & donation to address below
• Please note this is a snail mail service only

Postal Address:
Hawke's Bay branch -HBBI
NZ Society of Genealogists
PO Box 7375
Taradale
Napier 4141

Best wishes
Elli

Father of Claire Fannin, Partner of Irene Fannin Dec 1956

jeffduck — 2013-03-03 00:16:37Z

Seeking to identify the father of Claire Fannin b. 29 Sep 1957 in Christchurch, NZ. Understood to be a cabinetmaker in the Hawkes Bay region of NZ who was at the time engaged to be married to Irene Fannin, Claire's mother

Male child born South Island 1965/1968

anne19551955 — 2013-02-25 23:18:00Z

Trying to find a man now that was born between Sept 1965 and March 1968 Had been told he was born in Wanaka or at least Otago My person thoughts are more likely it was in Dunedin and maybe at Redroofs as it was then. In Roslyn Dunedin. He would be part-maori maybe he doesn't know this. If he has tried to find birth mother and been told she has died or hasn't been able to trace her at all as she married after the adoption when through. I know it's a long shot but if you fit in with any of these things please touch base with me Thanks

Re: Caroline Mary Johnston

plantingthyme — 2013-02-23 09:13:57Z

Have found mother. Does anyone have details of any other family?

Caroline Mary Johnston

plantingthyme — 2013-02-23 09:12:57Z

Looking for family of Caroline Mary Johnston born 10th May 1954 at Alexandra Home in Wellington. Mother's details are Elisabeth Ann Ross Johnston, aged 24, born in Christchurch.

Re: Adoption information

patriciaellen5558 — 2013-01-28 02:48:52Z

Hello Debbie,
Katherine/Catharine/Kathleen Lowater Watkin
We were surprised to see your query about Catherine Lowater Watkin being adopted as we were unaware of that. My contact (a MITCHELL) is the great grandson of James Entwisle WATKIN, descended from James's second wife Sarah JESSON, whom he married about ten years after the death of his first wife Catharine(nee LOWATER). Catharine died four days after the birth of the child you name.

Following his wife's death soon after childbirth, James Entwistle WATKIN took his children to Australia (but maybe not all of them because your information about the child Catherine is new to us) to be nearer to family as he was unable to cope with his children on his own.

In reading the family history from here in Australia I have never come across this information about that youngest child being adopted in New Zealand, or anything much about her at all Maybe she was left with a wet nurse in New Zealand but I'm only speculating there.

The records we do have about Catherine Lowater Watkin confirm she died in 1876. Please contact us at patriciaellen55(at)hotmail(dot)com. We have lots of of information on the descendants of Rev James Watkin, father of James Entwisle Watkin, and grandfather of the child you are interested in. Rev. James Watkin was a missionary in Tonga, New Zealand and Australia. We are intrigued by your information about the baby Catherine Watkin and would love to share information with you. Here is the birth notice followed by the death notice in 1865 in Australian papers:
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13106638?
Kind regards
Trish

Re: Looking for birth father

jogregory121 — 2012-11-13 10:19:44Z

I have an address & phone number for this person, I have e-mailed you the details

Re: Looking for Birth Father

islandgirlnz — 2012-10-28 21:36:47Z

Hi Wendy, Yes I have a copy of my original Birth cert, Father was listed as unknown, but since have been told two names, the first I found and ended up having a DNA with but he isn't my birth father! Have now just found the second, he could be my birth father? Garth Thomson,He did know my Birth mother, Lyn Teresa Thomas in 1959, but soon moved to Australia, having no contact after that, but didn't know about her falling pregnant, and giving birth with me in march 1960. He will be willing to have a DNA, think it was such a wow moment for both of us, I will be getting back in cantact on the 13th November, hopefully then we can get down to the DNA.

Re: Adoption information

nattwood — 2012-10-06 05:19:50Z

Hi, thank you for the information, my apologies for not replying months earlier.

Regards
Debbie

Re: Looking for Birth Father

Elli29 — 2012-09-23 03:21:00Z

Hi
I presume you have your Original Birth Certificate (OBC). Have you also applied to CYFS for a copy of your Adoption file? Check their website - you will have to send them a photocopy of your OBC with your request. The file may give extra info about this man - his occupation, details about his parents and siblings, schooling, etc. Any of this info can be helpful.
As he's most likely still living, you may wish to contact me off-site
Best wishes, Elli
fishpi29
@yahoo.com

Re: Looking for Birth Father

wendyh651 — 2012-09-22 02:16:31Z

Have you applied to Births, Deaths & Marriages for your original birth certificate? That's the one that shows your birth parents, not your adoptive ones. http://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/wpg_URL/Services-Birth...

Do you have any idea what part of the country your birth parents lived in at the time you were born? It was likely to not be where you were born, as your mother could well have been sent elsewhere for that.

Ancestry.com has electoral rolls up to 1981, you should look for your birth parents there. That will give you some idea where they might be living now, if they are still alive.

Your birth mother may have married since you were born. Check the marriages microfiche (see if your local library or genealogy group hold them), as the online indexes don't go that far forward.

If either of your birth parents are still alive, you may be able to find them in the phone book. http://whitepages.co.nz/

Consider using a go-between for making that first contact with your birth parents. It's a very traumatic time for everyone concerned, and it may help to have an advocate helping you. Talk to the Salvation Army or Jigsaw about that.

Hope this helps. :-)

Kind Regards,
Wendy

Looking for Birth Father

islandgirlnz — 2012-09-22 02:08:37Z

Garth Tompson,I was adopted out in march of 1960 my surname is Whittle, sandra Joy, Apparently my birth name give by my Birth Mother was Val-Marie Thomas, Pleas help if you Can, I am coming up 53, any information would be great.

Looking for birth father

TCullen10 — 2012-09-05 22:45:05Z

Info known so far; Barry John Davison, panel beater. Auckland, New Zealand. Contact wendyanne258@gmail.com

Looking for Half brothers and Sisters

1_christine_blackwell — 2012-07-27 22:00:23Z

Mother was Dorothy Grace Scott (nee Newman) - deceased.
Father was Frank Scott - (not my father though) - deceased.

As far as I know the childrens names were:
Clifford Scott, (dob may be 1956)
James (middle name could be Terrance)Scott,(dob may be 1949)
Bruce Scott (dob may be 1955)
David (middle names could be Andrew Craig)Scott,(dob 1957)
Karen(middle names could be Joy Lois Ruby)Scott (dob may be 1965)
Barbara(middle name may be Ann)Scott. (dob may be 1959)
There maybe one more boy. They were all born in Auckland.

If anyone one can come up with any information it would be most appreciated

Re: Looking for Mother

ConnectionsNZL — 2012-02-12 21:47:22Z

I suggest that you contact Child Youth & Family Adoption Services ph 0508FAMILY

Re: Am looking for my Greek birth mother and Samoan birth father

ConnectionsNZL — 2012-02-12 21:45:47Z

I suggest that you apply for your pre adoption birth certificate from the Dept of Internal Affairs as this should give you your birth mother's name

Re: Adoption information

ConnectionsNZL — 2012-02-12 21:41:31Z

Hi Debbie

As NZ adoptions were not legally recognised until 1881, it is unlikely your person was not legally adopted. I suggest an application to the Registrar Generla of Births under Section 96 of the Births, Deaths and Relationships Registration Act 1995 for a copy of Catherine's birth certificate

Re: Lyall, Colonel in Noumea in 1944

Elli29 — 2011-07-06 12:29:42Z

I don't know how you're going with this search but I've considered a couple of ways that may provide some info.

Both will require some work (sheer hard slog through records in fact) but could be fruitful

One option is a trawl through the 2NZEF enlistment rolls which are available on microfiche. If the man was an officer that narrows the search a little as the rolls tend to list officers in the first section of each listing. Unfortunately, if he was in the Navy or Air Force and serving in the AG Office, then he won't be on the roll. Or if he was in the Permanent Force AND travelled separately, then he may not appear on the roll.

Another option is to search the NZ Electoral Roll for 1946 (now available on Ancestry) for entries for Lyall/Lyell. The search will cover forenames and surnames. You can do a free online search which will provide the person's name and the electorate in they were registered. If you don't have access to an Ancestry subscription (which will allow you to see the actual Electoral Roll entry), then you'll have to go to a hardcopy or microfiche copy of the Electoral Roll.

I don't know what access you have to a library/research centre with this material but if you want to discuss this in more detail, please contact me on: fishpi29
at yahoo.com
Best wishes
Elli

Re: Adoption information

nattwood — 2011-06-20 10:49:07Z

Hi Leanne

No I haven't looked in the National Library. I will give it a go. Thank you for your replies.

Regards
Debbie

Re: Adoption information

corahlf — 2011-06-20 07:03:19Z

have you searched?:
National Library N.Z for James Entwhistle WATKINS' papers?

Leanne

Re: Adoption information

corahlf — 2011-06-20 06:52:55Z

TROVE has the marriage for Catherine and James in N.S.W

Google
N.S.W B.D.M

Leanne

Re: Adoption information

nattwood — 2011-05-02 10:27:53Z

Thank you for that information. I didn't know that.

Debbie

Re: Adoption information

jogregory121 — 2011-05-01 09:21:29Z

Extra Info:
___________________________________________________________
NZ Electoral Roll 1853-1864

Name: James Entwistle Watkin - Ironmonger
Lambton Quay
District: Wellington

Re: Am looking for my Greek birth mother and Samoan birth father

wendyh651 — 2011-04-06 21:12:05Z

Hi Elli,

I have no concern about the quality of any research offered or provided here on the boards.

My reason for asking is that (1) I'm the board admin for this board, and (2) it's against Rootsweb's/Ancestry's rules to advertise on the boards. I was just making sure this wasn't the case, and am satisfied with your answer.

It is very generous of you to help people in this manner. :-)

Kind Regards,
Wendy

Re: Am looking for my Greek birth mother and Samoan birth father

Elli29 — 2011-04-06 11:07:28Z

Hi Wendy

A recent query I dealt with - it quickly went off-site as it became 'living persons' - was on the Auckland board regarding the Thomas family of Mt Roskill. If you're concerned about research skills offered, you may want to have a chat with the poster about the results found.
Best wishes
Elli

Re: Am looking for my Greek birth mother and Samoan birth father

wendyh651 — 2011-04-06 07:51:03Z

Thanks for that, Elli. Good to know. :-)

Wendy

Re: Am looking for my Greek birth mother and Samoan birth father

Elli29 — 2011-04-06 07:18:06Z

Hello Wendy
Just to clarify - as I see you've made this enquiry of other board members - I do research for $$ if approached directly.
BUT if I offer to assist someone thru' a board such as this, they get the benefit of my experience (especially in adoption research)without charge.
I prefer to work in two areas -
to assist overseas enquirers on the general boards (particularly with info that can't be accessed on-line, e.g. newspaper entries, etc),
and adoption enquiries - because these people are in a situation not of their own making and they usually don't have the research skills to make the necessary connections.
Best wishes
Elli

Re: Am looking for my Greek birth mother and Samoan birth father

wendyh651 — 2011-04-06 03:50:07Z

Hi Elli,

I'm curious - how are you able to help these two people that you've responded to? Are you a professional offering your services, or a good samaritan trying to help someone in need?

Wendy

Re: Am looking for my Greek birth mother and Samoan birth father

Elli29 — 2011-04-05 11:43:32Z

Hi Leah

I may be able to assist in your search for your birthmother but I would need a little more info.

my contact email is fishpi29
@yahoo.com
Best wishes
Elli

Re: Looking for Mother

Elli29 — 2011-04-05 11:41:14Z

Hi Will

As you have some info about Tina I guess you have a copy of your Original Birth Certificate.

Do you also have a copy of your adoption file from the Adoption Unit at Child, Youth and Family (part of the Social Development Minstry)?

You may also want to contact me off-site at fishpi29
@yahoo.com for other search ideas.
Best wishes
Elli

Am looking for my Greek birth mother and Samoan birth father

mauao1971 — 2011-01-11 10:29:07Z

Hi my name is Leah
I was born in Wellington Hospital on July 29th 1971. I am sending this email in the hope of any information about my birth parents. I have found out that my birth mother whos name is Diamanta has 3 sisters, 2 of whom worked with her and their parents in a factory Wellington in the late 1960s early 1970s while the other sister went to school. My birth mother was born in Greece in 1955 and came to New Zealand round 1967-68 with her family. Diamanta was 5ft tall with brown hair and green/blue eyes, she was 16yrs of age when she had me. Diamanta also belonged to the Greek Orthodox Church in Wellington. I also have found out that my father who is Samoan and known as Buddy was 20yr and worked in the same factory, had been in New Zealand for 6 years, his mother had passed away and his father, brother and sister where still in Samoa, he was 6ft tall and liked rugby. If you can help me in anyway I would be very greatful.

Leah

Re: Adoption information

nattwood — 2010-10-12 20:34:14Z

Dear Elli

Thank you for you reply and information that certainly helps to not go on a wild goose chase.

Thanks again
Deb

Re: Adoption information

Elli29 — 2010-10-10 10:46:56Z

Hi Debbie

If Catherine was adopted then it would have been an informal arrangement - legal adoption did not start in NZ until 1880-81.
There may have been a fostering arrangement but this is usually between the two parties and at that time there would have been no legal or government involvement - so no file. In this situation children's surnames were often changed so as to fit in with the new family but this was not a legal name change.

Best wishes
Elli

Re: Looking for Mother

willandange — 2010-06-08 07:47:45Z

Hi Wendy
Thanks for your message and suggestions. Yes have contacted Jigsaw some years ago which is how I found out about Bethany. Have been to Bethany but they were unable to enlighten me any more than the info from Jigsaw.

Thanks again
Will

Re: Lyall, Colonel in Noumea in 1944

wendyh651 — 2010-06-08 03:05:48Z

Have you contacted Jigsaw, the organisation that helps connect adopted people with their natural parents?

Have you contacted Births, Deaths & Marriages? If your father's name is on the original birth registration, they may be able to help you with information on how to take the next step. I doubt they would just cough up with the data, but they will know how you can get permission to see it, I expect.

Hope this helps. :-)

Kind Regards,
Wendy

Lyall, Colonel in Noumea in 1944

entricanentrican — 2010-06-08 03:01:13Z

My father was adopted, and I only know very little about my biological grandfather (who served in New Caledonia in 1944).

I don't know where to start, any suggestions would be very welcome.

My grandmother bore my father in New Zealand in 1945, and gave him up for adoption (both my grandmother and father are now dead).

The information I have about him is as follows:

- I believe his first name was Lyall (perhaps Lyle)
- he was a lawyer, attached to the Adjutant general's department in Noumea
- he may have been a colonel
- he must have been in New Caledonia around August 1944 (because my father was born in April 1945).
- my grandmother's name was Enid Watkin, she was a New Zealander serving as a secretary in New Caledonia

Re: Looking for Mother

wendyh651 — 2010-06-07 08:01:40Z

It may help if you give more details, such as when were you born? Have you contacted Bethany? Have you contacted Jigsaw to see if they can help you?

Bethany also took in paying clients, at least once upon a time - I don't know about their current practices. It was once a common thing to do, to go there instead of the public hospital.

Kind Regards,
Wendy

Adoption information

nattwood — 2010-05-20 05:48:47Z

I am trying to find any information on the adoption of Catherine Lowater Watkin/Watkins in New Zealand between 1865-1876. Unfortunately she died in 1876. If anyone has any information I would greatly appreciate it. Her parents were Catherine Watkin/Watkins (nee Lowater) and James Entwistle Watkin/Watkins. From what I can work out her mother may have died during child birth. Or if anyone knows if adoption records are available for the time.

Thanks
Debbie

Looking for Mother

willandange — 2010-05-16 06:55:38Z

Hi all,
im looking for my mother that is of Samoan descent;
Tina Brown was her name.
I was born in Auckland, Grey Lynn at Bethany House which was a place women can go to deliver there babies as well as adopt them too.They no longer offer this service.My search took me to Kingsland in Auckland but no luck.I also have a Sister that is a couple years older than me.I just want to fill in the gaps .So if you could please help me in any way would be most appreciated.Thank you.

Re: Mary O'Brien & Son Gordon O'Brien

jogregory121 — 2010-02-14 08:08:52Z

Births, deaths & marriages are now on line:

https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/Search/Search.a...

Re: Birth father

jogregory121 — 2010-02-14 00:38:56Z

My advice would be:

Join www.oldfriends.co.nz for free and look up people with the last name LATOA. you will find 25 people with that last name, 19 of which live in Auckland.

by joining the oldfriends site you will beable to e-mail all those 25 people and ask if they know of anyone called John LATOA, maybe best not to mention why, as you may not get any replys.

Or go to www.whitepages.co.nz and ring people with that last name in the Auckland area.

Re: Ernest Scott

jogregory121 — 2010-02-13 22:53:53Z

I have no interest in the SCOTT family, nor am I a family member.
I just have access to some N.Z reacords & know what web-sites to go to to get certain infomation.

If you want me to look up any other names, let me know...

I'm happy to help

Colleen Scott, Inglewood, Taranaki

ashmore000 — 2010-02-13 10:29:50Z

Colleen had a daughter in 1960's. Possibly in what was
called Marinoto Home In Inglewood.
Her parents were Ernest & Thelma Scott.
Thelma was previously married to Victor George Walter

Re: Ernest Scott

ashmore000 — 2010-02-13 10:21:46Z

Hello. Can I ask what your interest is in the Scott family?
I was married to Stephen Scott - Ernie's son for 18 years,
now am Glenice Radford.
I have been trying to trace Scott family without much sucess.
Regards Glenice

Re: Trilby Gertrude Jane Mumford Frater

subie1_1 — 2010-02-12 23:52:03Z

Hi there
This is my mother if you would like to contact me on either madds99@xtra.co.nz or 03 2368182,we can discuss the family.

Your
Robert Harland

Re: Trilby Gertrude Jane Mumford Frater

jogregory121 — 2010-01-21 10:38:28Z

did you solve this ?

Re: Looking for Birth father... Birth son of Delwyn Buckley

jogregory121 — 2010-01-21 10:20:39Z

You haven't mentioned dates, but I found this marriage, but
the spelling of the 1st name is abit different.
____________________________________________________________

Delwin Francis BUCKLEY married Glenice Lillian KAY In 1956

Re: Ernest Scott

jogregory121 — 2010-01-21 10:03:22Z

I found:
*Thelma Joyce HATCHER married Victor George WALTER In 1944*

Victor George WALTER Born:2nd Sept 1920 - Died:1990
____________________________________________________________
Whenua Tapu Cemetery

Name Victor George WALTER
Year of Death 1990
Record Number 1486
Record Type B/R
Age 69 yrs
Location Cemetery Vol 2 M01.40
Surname WALTER
Forenames Victor George
Age and age unit 69 Years
Gender Male
Date of Death: 1 Jul 1990
Place of Death: 1C Hollies Cres J'ville
Funeral Director Name Ninness Funeral Home, P O Box 50347, PORIRUA 5240
Date of cremation 5 Jul 1990
Ashes Disposal Interred
____________________________________________________________
and

* Thelma Joyce HATCHER married Ernest SCOTT in 1953 *
____________________________________________________________

I found 2x deaths for a Thelma Joyce SCOTT's

1x was born:4 Feb 1918 - Died 1999
who I don't know where she was buried
____________________________________________________________
and the other 1x was born:1 Jan 1924 - Died:1999
____________________________________________________________
New Plymouth District Cementry
Name Thelma Joyce SCOTT
Year of Death 1999
Record Type C/R
Age 75
Last Address: 45 Kelly Street,Inglewood.
Date of Death: 10 Feb 1999
Category: Cremation
Funeral Director: Eagars Funeral Services, Broadway South, Stratford, PO Box 75 4352, Devon & Henui Street's, NEW PLYMOUTH
Date of Cremation: 13 Feb 1999
Type of Service: Full
Ashes Disposal: Garden Of Remembrance 10 Jun 1

http://www.newplymouthnz.com/Templates/Custom/Cemetery.aspx?...
____________________________________________________________

Ernest Scott

ashmore000 — 2009-10-25 08:10:11Z

Ernie adopted 2 girls.
Collen Ann
Heather Joyce
Mother: Thelma Joyce Hatcher

Re: Looking for Birth father... Birth son of Delwyn Buckley

Elli29 — 2009-08-29 12:21:09Z

Hi Aran

Have you applied for a copy of your file from the Adoption Information Unit at CYFS??

Elli