Christchurch Newspapers - 1902 - Death Notices

[mary elms]

My g grandfather, Robert George Naish (age 36yrs, blacksmith) died suddenly of a heart attack on the 12th August 1902 in Springston. He left a wife and 5 young girls. His father died in the same way at much the same age. There was an inquiry as the death was so sudden and I have a copy of the death certificate.

I would be grateful if anyone could tell me how to go about finding any newspaper reports or death notices of this event?

Thanks,

Mary.

[Ed Matkin]

Hi Mary. I live in Christchurch and can make some enquiries at the library if you like. I have only lived in Christchurch for about 2 years so don't know much about the history of local newspapers.The main one at present is The Press but there had been others in the past I believe.I am in the process of building a house so it might be a while before I can do any thing for you. I will be pleased to help as I need assistance in tracing details of my father. Incidentally I was born in Grimsby(aptly named). Ed

[susan-w]

This site's worth a look
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/index.html

It doesn't cover Christchurch for the year you want, but if you have any other events, you might be lucky. You can't search, though, you have to browse manually, which is quite time-consuming on-screen.

(I was able to confirm a marriage from an LDS-submitted record on familysearch.org - and the notice gave the name of the fathers, too.)

Cheers
Sue

[Ed Matkin]

Hi again Mary. After I replied to your thread it dawned on me to look through the phone book for Naish.There are seven listed in Christchurch and one in Rangiora,which is about 40 kilometers out of Christchurch.As this is an unusual surname perhaps there may be a link there somewhere. Ed

[mary elms]

This site's worth a look
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/index.htmlThanks Susan, that's a wonderful site isn't it. I found the death and inquest notices on the site last year - in The Star 15th & 18th December 1883 - for Robert's father-in-law, Peter MUIR. He came over queer when on a fishing trip, returned to the house in which he was a guest and died shortly afterwards. It tells you so much more about the person than the death certificate - wonderful though NZ certificates are (so much better than ours) !!!!

Ed - Thanks so much, that would be great! I'm happy to wait. I saw your post about William PENNINGTON. I hope someone can help.

Robert George NAISH had 5 daughters - Violet Margaret, Gladys Agnes, Dora Jane, Muriel & Ethel. Only Gladys remained single and she didn't have any children so the Naish name stops with them BUT Robert George was one of 4 children that I know of - the others are John Henry (born 1867), Matilda Jane (1868-1870), and William Thomas (1871-1919). It's possible that there might be links through John & Wiliam.

Thanks again,

Mary.

[Ed Matkin]

Hi Mary.I found two more Naish's in the phone book one was GR Naish in Akaroa about 60 miles from Christchurch. A few weeks ago I was at the Springston cemetery as part of a car run. It is very old and may have the grave of your g grandfather there. As it is a fair way from where I live I will try and visit it sometime in the next few weeks and see if I can locate a grave for you. I rang the Christchurch library today and was told that they have an archive of death notices on microfeche going back to beyond 1902. If you like I will get there sometime and do a search for you.It is only a pittance to photo copy the result so I could do that for you too. Good hunting. Ed

[mary elms]

Hello Ed,

Thanks so much for both offers and yes please!

The Springston cemetary probably has a number of family graves - William George NAISH (d 1871), Matilda Jane NAISH (d. 1870 aged 2) Peter MUIR (d 1883) are also likely to be there. There's a tendancy for the men on this side of the family to die of heart disease in their 30s. I will be most grateful for anything you find - even a negative.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to find both MUIRs and NAISHs still living in Akaroa. When Peter MUIR arrived in NZ he worked in Akaroa as a gardener before settling as a farmer in Springston. He had 10 children - 3 of whom were born in Scotland and the rest in Akaroa & Springston. Thanks for the information. I'll follow it up.

Thanks again,

Mary.

[Ed Matkin]

Hi Mary. I visited the Springston cemetery today together with my wife and stepson. He had come to visit for a couple of weeks from Auckland. We told him that we would take him to a quiet place for a picnic lunch but didn't tell him it was to be to a cemetery.He was not really impressed but did help us with the search which wasn't very fruitfull unfortunately. I did find a grave for an Agnes Thornton Muir.It didn't have a headstone but on a stone plaque at the foot of the grave it stated that she died on 28 December 1888 aged 39 yrs. I don't know if she is related to any of the Muirs you mentioned. I spoke to someone I think might have been the sexton who said that the Selwyn District Council will have records of everyone buried in this cemetery.I will contact them after the holiday period and see what info they have. They have an interesting web site you might be interested in,www.selwyn.gov.nz. I was browsing the web this evening and then discovered that there is another graveyard in Springston at the churchyard. I have to admit that we didn't see any sign of a church today but will endeavour to make another visit some time in the future for another search. I will also check the library for the death notices as promised. Oh yes. We did have a picnic lunch in the graveyard. Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year . Regards Ed.

[mary elms]

|jumphappy Ooo Ed, thanks. Yes I'm almost certain that Agnes Thornton Muir is one of my family - I'll have to check my records to be absolutely sure - and I didn't have her death details! And thanks for the link. I shall follow it up as soon as my parents go home. I hope you're stepson enjoyed his picnic even if he wasn't impressed with the location!

Thanks again and all the best for a succesful new year,

Mary.

[Ed Matkin]

Hi Mary.Yes we did enjoy the picnic as my wife is a magnificent cook.We went searching in Springston again today but didn't find any Naish graves but found ther following Muirs which might be of interest to you. Oswald Muir son of Donald and Mable,died 3/9/1925 age 17yrs. Donald died 8/10/1935 age 65,Mable died 9/11/1942 age 91.Marie Muir wife of Archie Muir died 9/11/42 age 76 Archie Claude Muir died 17/7/1951 age 91yrs. Edith Dainty Muir died 19/5/1987 age 89.All of theswe graves were at the St Marys Church Springston. I am going into the City on Tuesday and will attempt to find the Archived death notices for the Naish's you are researching,in the Library.Hope the above is of some help. Regards Ed

[mary elms]

Ed you're wonderful!! Archie Claude Muir (Uncle Archie) was a farmer. I have a photo of him. He gave my Grandmother away at her wedding as her father had followed the Naish pattern of dying in his 30s and she had no brothers. The other names all sound right. I'll have to look them up to be certain. Thanks so much.

Mary.

[Ed Matkin]

Hi Mary.Me again with some encouraging news. I rang the Selwyn District Council,which I should have done ages ago.They do have records of burials in the public cemetery at Springston.They gave me the plot numbers for Robt Geo Naish no 38:Marg Naish no39 and Agnes Naish no68.Eh up!! Agnes shares a plot with a Thomas Robertson Barnett?????? Wots going on here then? The person at the council conceded that there may be an error here more likely a transcription error he said. They are going to send me out a plan of the cemetery so I can do a search again. We are amazed that we didn't find these graves as we did a diligent search. Never mind must have been having a senior day. Please forgive the spelling in my last reply. I suffer from fat finger syndrome, some days it's worse than others.Tonight it's particularly bad so Ive been through this a couple of times to edit it. Happy hunting Regards Ed.

[mary elms]

Ed you're wonderful! Thank you so much.

Mary.

[Ed Matkin]

Christchurch City Library had newspapers dated 1902 on mcrofilm. On 13/8/02 the following death notice was shown in The Press.Naish on 12th August at Springston Robert G the beloved husband of Margaret Naish,aged 36years suddenly. The photocopy of this is very poor otherwise I would have scanned it and emailed it to you.Now other Naish'sI found the following info. Robert John Naish born 16/2/06 baptised 6/9/06 Parents William T and Harriett A Naish.Occupation Railway surfacweman Registered in the Prebyterian Church Motokurara.This is between Diamond harbour and Springston. Still very rural but no longer has a railway.Marriage Wm Naish and Mary Jane Moore on 8/3/1905 occupation painter.Witness Robert Moore,Margaret Anne Moore,Lorenzo Moore M.A at Papanui Church.I might need to recheck that date again. Wm Goe Naish burried 26/11/1871 age 33 yrs Occ painter.Funeral at Holy trinity Church Avonside. Matilda Jane Naish buried 24/2/1870 age 14 months.NoK Wm Geo and Mary Jane Naish at Holy Trinity Church Avonside Robt Geo Baptised 11/3/1866 born 10/01/1866 Parents Wm Geo and Mary Jane Sponsors Marg Moore Robt Moore Wm Geo Naish .more to come. Ed

[Ed Matkin]

Hi Mary.Do you recall an Oswald Muir I located buried at St Marys Springston. I have some more info re him. Oswald buried 8/9/28 adopted son of Donald Muir of Sockburn. Sockburn is not too far from Springston. If you would like me to do any follow up on any of this I would be happy to do so but it won't be anytime soon. We are planning a trip to Europe in April so we are pretty well tied up with the house and other things. I am pleased to help anyway I can in your research as I would like someone to assist me too. Hope all of this is of interest. Regards Ed.

[mary elms]

Ed thanks so much. You've given me far more than I could ever have hoped for. I wish I could return the favour. I've ben looking again at your post and it's a real puzzler isn't it.

Thanks again. Good luck with the house and I hope you have a great time in Europe.

Mary.

[Ed Matkin]

Hi Mary. I received the plan of Springston Cemetery today. Will revisit there when I can. Regards Ed

[mary elms]

Thanks Ed. You've found so much for me already. I will be very grateful if you go again but only if and when you've got time. You've been very generous already. Thanks again.

Mary.

[Ed Matkin]

Hi Mary 5 more discoveries.#1 Wm Naish and Mary Jane Moore marriage date 8/3/1865.#2 The map the council supplied of the plots in their cemetery is not worth a fig.#3 despite this we found the following graves. Peter Muir.The headstone reads.In loving memory of Peter MUIR died Dec14th 1883 age 51 yrs.Weep not for him just gone to sleep Reclining on his saviours breast his soul in safety God will keep While he enjoys his peaceful rest. Also Margaret wife of the above died 16th Dec 1915 age 86 yrs at rest.She shares the same plot as Peter#4 In loving memory of Gladys A Naish 1894-1941.occupies a single plot.#5 In Loving Memory of My Dear Husband Robert George Naish.Died suddenly August 12 1902.Our dear fathers gone before us from this world of toil and pain Now to join the heavenly chorus another link to glorys chain. ALso our dear mother Margaret Naish died 19th Dec 1925 aged 59.She shares the same plot as Robert. Seems December was a favourite month for this family to take their final trips doesn't it.Kind regards Ed

[mary elms]

Many Thanks Ed. These are all people I recognise. Last steps, first steps, and weddings all take place in December for large sections of my family. It skipped 2 generations but I decided to join in - it's my birth month too though my mother swears I was supposed to arrive in November ;)

It looks as though my Grandmother & her sisters added to Robert Naish's stone later - they weren't old enough at the time. Gladys Agnes Naish was one of them - the only one who didn't marry. I always think it's fascinating to read what people put on headstones. I have a copy of a letter written by my g grandmother - Margaret Naish - to the Presbyterian Missionary Society giving her permission for my grandmother to go to China as a missionary and the general tone is very similar to these inscriptions.

Thanks again,

Mary.

[ladyalex]

Hi Mary
I am also researching in Christchurch, have you considered obtaining his Probate/Will ?
If not, check out Archway/NZ Archives online at
http://archway.archives.govt.nz/BriefDescItemSearch.do
I had a look and he is listed

Robert George Naish Springston Blacksmith 1902

Regards
Sandra

[mary elms]

Many thanks Sandra. I hadn't. I'll certainly follow that up.

Thanks again,

Mary.

[Ali from NZ]

Hi Mary,
You can know find on line the lovely site called PapersPast.
It is a wonderful site, I just put in the search area the family name I'm looking for and it will checked most of the New Zealand papers or you can check by place/year etc.
Happy hunting
Ali from NZ