Soames Island Cemetery burials 1874-1875

1874 saw a marked increase in the number of immigrants arriving in New Zealand, many assisted immigrants recruited in Europe to fill the large labor shortage New Zealand was experiencing. The recruits would report to a shipping depot at or near their departure port, and there wait until departure of their ship. These depots were often severely overcrowded and allowed contagious disease to gain a foothold before the passengers even stepped foot on a ship. Although screened by a Doctor before boarding, ill immigrants slipped through or were intentionally allowed to board in the pressure to get as many immigrants to New Zealand as possible. The number of ships arriving with epidemic disease onboard was so high in 1874 that it caused a public outcry over the risk to the colony. Thirteen burials would occur at the Quarantine Station cemetery on Soames’ Island, the most for any year that it was in operation.

The ship Woodlark sailed London December 12th 1873 and the first case of illness occurred on the 16th when a child came down with scarlet fever. Before her arrival in Wellington March 24th 1874 eighteen would die onboard, at least seven from fever or its complications. Three of her passengers were buried on Soames’ Island, two of which were children who died the day before the ship reached Wellington. One year old William Palmer died of Phthisis (pulmonary tuberculosis) and four year old Annie Smith died of scarlet fever. Shortly after the ships arrival 59-year old Mary Ann Tonkin died, cause not known.

The next ship to bring death to the Soames’ Island Quarantine Station was the Golden Sea which sailed from London on the 29th January 1874 and arrived at Wellington 1st May 1874. She brought out 368 immigrants and during the voyage there were eight deaths from scarlet fever. On 3 May five year old Marion Taft died of scarlet fever, and near the same time her seven-month old sister Eleanor also succumbed. Marion and Eleanor were the daughters of Yorkshire immigrants William James and Elizabeth H. Taft. Their parents went on to settle in New Plymouth where William James died in 1914 and Elizabeth in 1934.

The ship Cartvale sailed from London on 25th June 1874 and arrived Wellington 11th October 1874. Within a few weeks seven of her passengers, none older than eighteen months, would join the other unfortunate souls buried on Soames Island.

This entry, from the diary of passenger George Smith, was made on Sunday, October 11th 1874: “Ah tis the yellow flag that’s a sign we are to be quarantined but not quite so bad as you may think for there is a little island in the bay with a depot on purpose for emigrants. So that we may get a thorough cleansing before going into the town which is very necessary as we are all more or less lousy, beside having had measles and whooping cough on board.” On 12 October his writes “I am sorry to say we lost another child this evening about 12 months old, making in all 20 deaths since we came on board in 111 days.” His entry from 16 October states “Two children died this morning buried on the island.” His final entry about the deaths of passengers was made 17 Oct “another child died this morning 3 ½ years old (3 deaths on the island).”

The names of the seven children from the ship Cartvale buried in Soames Island in October 1874 are: Clara Cumberland, aged 18 months, daughter of William and Fanny; Elizabeth Butler, 7 months, daughter of Ramus and Mary; Clara Lee, 12 days old, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth; Annie (3 years) and Arhur Nash (17 months), children of Henry and Mary; Marion Douglas Pope, 3 months, not listed on manifest; and Winfred Lucy Moore, 1 month, daughter of Ambrose and Eliza Moore.

On 22 October 1874 the ship Douglas arrived at Wellington and was sent to Soames Island. Thirty one deaths, chiefly of infants and children under four years of age, occurred on the voyage, and she arrived with twenty cases of illness still under treatment. One year old David Barr would die and be buried on the island in early November.

Under charter to the Shaw Savill Company, the ship Berar, 902 tons, made three trips to New Zealand, two to Wellington and one to Auckland. The third trip of the Berar was to Wellington. She left London on October 18, 1874, and made Wellington on January 22, 1875, a passage of 96 days. On this occasion there were twenty-one deaths from scarlet fever. Following this voyage a Royal Commission of Enquiry was convened into the outbreak of disease & subsequent deaths on board.

The Evening Post on Monday January 25th 1875: The following is a list of the Berar passengers now in hospital on Somes Island: Fanny Nash, aged 17; Emma Lord, 16; Sophia Carman, 18; Anthony Alderson, 50; Mary Alderson, 15; Sarah Alderson, 18; James Alderson, 5; Phoebe Alderson, 11; William Strand, 7; Jane Blake, 12; Eliza Fielding, 2; Edith Webb, 4; Agnes Carroll, 17; George Shoebridge, 11; Elise Maul, 2; John Thomas, 31. One child, Anne Laughton, aged 14 months died on Somes Island.

Burials recorded at the Soames Island Cemetery for passengers of the Berar are Anthony James Alderson (listed as James on the ship manifest, age four, son of Anthony and Cicely and Lawrence Wright, who was not listed on the ship manifest, and is probably a miss-transcription of Florence Wright, daughter of Helier and Joan Wright.

Next in the list of ships to be quarantined was the Collingwood, which sailed from Gravesend on April 18, 1875. This ship was listed to sail from London and land 286 passengers at New Plymouth, but fever broke out on the voyage, and the Captain put into Wellington, arriving on July 10th. As there were 50 cases of scarlet fever under treatment on board, the vessel was ordered into quarantine.

Passengers from the Collingwood buried on Soames Island are: George Barker, age 7, son of Charles and Eliza; Ann E. Tomlinson, age 1, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth; George Skeel(e)s, the 3 year old son of Phillip and Isabella; and 35 year old Timothy Harker, single man, a miner from Yorkshire who died of typhoid fever & pneumonia.

The last burial for 1875 was one-year old Timothy Troy, son of Timothy and Mary from Limerick, who died in September after having arrived on the ship Rodney.

Disease, Epidemics and Soames’ Island Quarantine Station

Being lucky enough to live in an era where immunization has wiped out or greatly reduced the chance of being infected with a virulent, communicable disease such as smallpox, scarlet fever, typhoid, etc, I always feel a moment of shock when I find an ancestor who died of what is now a preventable disease.

I recently ran across the cemetery transcription for the Soames' Island Cemetery. Soames' Island, located in the Wellington harbor, was used for many years, beginning in 1868, as a quarantine station for ships arriving at Wellington with disease onboard. The last five burials in the cemetery took place in 1919 and were related to the influenza pandemic.

Epidemics of communicable diseases existed in New Zealand long before the mass arrival of European immigrants. In 1790 an epidemic of rewha-rewha (influenza) killed 60% of Maori population in North Island. Early influenza outbreaks among Maori were reported at Foveaux Strait in Southland between 1817 and 1820, and in the Bay of Islands and Mercury Bay in Coromandel in 1838 and 1839.

In 1835 measles were reported among Maori working at the South Island whaling stations. This was the first time measles appeared in New Zealand, and was believed to have been introduced by a Maori native returning home from Sydney on the sailing vessel 'Children'. Unaware of how to cope with a foreign disease, entire Maori communities apparently resorted to bathing in streams in order to rid themselves of the spots. T. A. Pybus wrote: ‘The death rate was serious, and in many cases the people died as they stood. Even in later years skeletons have been found far from their kaikas (settlements) … lying one across another indicating the suddenness of the end. Measles was also reportedly prevalent in 1838 on South Island's Otago Peninsula.

A Measles epidemic occurred in 1854, brought in by passengers on a Tasmanian ship that arrived in North Island. The epidemic spread concurrently with a scarlet fever epidemic.

Scarlet fever was introduced to New Zealand during the late 1840s or mid-1850s. The first really severe outbreak occurred in Dunedin during 1863-64. Diarrhea, dysentery and typhoid were also prevalent during that time. The next major outbreak of scarlet fever apparently was imported from Australia and occurred in 1876-1877. It spread across New Zealand, although some areas suffered more than others. Scarlett fever struck again in epidemic form during 1881-82.

Whopping Cough epidemics occurred in 1873 and 1907. Prior outbreaks of Whopping Cough occurred in 1818 and 1847 but at the time the disease did not have to be reported to health officials.

Once European settlement of New Zealand began in earnest, communicable diseases often arrived on ships filled with immigrants. Once these sick passengers joined the local communities, the disease could spread quickly. Early European settlements often lacked clean water supplies and effective sewage disposal. Typhoid and other bacterial infections were common, along with diphtheria, measles, whooping cough (pertussis), scarlet fever and tuberculosis. Infant mortality rates were high and medical treatments were often ineffective. Typhoid was a killer between the 1810s to 1890s. Tuberculosis was also a constant killer during this period – an endemic epidemic – and wasn’t brought under control until the 1950s.

Health Officers or other officials usually met a ship when it entered harbor and were given a report of any disease onboard. Various quarantine methods were used through the years.

(Next installment - the founding of Soames' Island Quarantine Station)

Smallpox Arrives in New Zealand, Quarantine Station Founded

In 1868 the ship S.S. Kaikoura arrived in Wellington from England, via Panama, with two cases of smallpox on board. This prompted the formation of a "Medical Board" which determined that Soames' Island, in Wellington Bay, would become a quarantine area. This was the first time a ship with smallpox onboard had arrived in the colony of New Zealand. In 1858 those quarantined on the island lived in temporary tents. If any of the ill passengers died while on Soames' Island, they were not buried in its cemetery, or their names are lost to history.

The first burial in the Soames' Island Cemetery was 1872, when an un-named child died of smallpox. She and her family were passengers on the ship 'England', which had a large number of Scandinavian immigrants and arrived on Saturday, March 9, 1872 at Wellington. By the next day the death count onboard was fourteen children and three adults. Disease first appeared during the voyage amongst the Scandinavian children and the Wellington Board of Health determined that the disease was smallpox. There was also an outbreak of measles onboard. Passengers had complained about the fitness of the ship's Doctor and after arrival in Wellington he was arrested.

Due to the large number of people now quarantined on the island, the Board of Health decided to erect two buildings on opposite sides of the island, one for the sick and the other for the convalescent.

On 11 March 1872 the newspapers reported the death “of another child” who had been buried on Soames' Island. This child is not listed on the cemetery transcript, which only contains one 1872 burial, two year old Mary Elizabeth Rudman (Redman). Her exact death date is not known, one version says 25 Jan 1872, and another 26 Jul 1872. I tend to believe the July date is correct, as in June 1872 there were almost simultaneous breakouts of smallpox in Wellington and Auckland.

On 26 May 1872 Mr. Kaye, a mail agent, arrived on the ship Nebraska from San Francisco. By June it became aware that he had a mild case of smallpox and was sent to Soames Island, where many of the passengers from the ship England were still quarantined. Mr. Kaye first claimed not to know where he could have been infected, but later admitted that smallpox was prevalent when he was in San Francisco. On 17June a Mr. Thompson, passenger on the same ship as Mr. Kaye died from smallpox at Auckland Hospital. On July 2nd it was reported that one of the Armed Constabulary (Patrick Loughran), who was in attendance on Mr. Kaye, also came down with smallpox (he survived, as did Mr. Kaye). It's quite possible that Mr. Kaye and Mr. Thompson were responsible for the 1872 outbreaks on the mainland.

Next installment - 1873-1876 , 25 burials at Soames' Island Cemetery

I've been remiss...

It's been months since I updated this blog. I've been using Twitter to pass along anything interesting. I've also been traveling a lot, but that's the norm for me. I'll try to find the time to write up a few decent posts....

Follow Friday: The Genealogical Research Directory

From the TribuneStar.com:


“GRD,” or the Genealogical Research Directory: This is reportedly the largest listing of genealogical queries in the world. It’s been around since 1981. The GRD is published in Australia and is used across the globe, especially in Great Britain, Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. It is a directory of research submissions from around the world. The GRD listings consist of researchers’ names along with what family lines they are working on. It is considered the largest published group of queries in the world, consisting of an average of 100,000 entries, updated annually. This resource helps researchers from everywhere connect with each other.

A typical GRD table of contents contains an introduction describing how to use the book, a listing of abbreviations used, the directory of surnames, a directory of subjects, a listing of one-name (single surname) studies, a list of contributors’ contact information, a list of genealogical societies from around the world, and an index of professional services from many nations.

The directory has been published in book form since 1981 and is now also available on CD-ROM. It grows in size each year. Each directory includes 35,000 to 150,000 names from contributors in 30 countries (with a focus on English-speaking nations) and runs about 1,200 pages. Past copies are available for sale at various Internet sites such as www.gould.com.au/Genealogical-Research-Directory-2007-p/lah126.htm and www.gould.com.au/Genealogical-Research-Directory-Set-1981-1993-p/au9600.htm.

For more information on the GRD, contact the publishers at Genealogical Research Directory, P.O. Box 795, Sydney, NSW 2060; call (02) 99295087

NZDF Warriors At Air Force Museum Open Day

All three Services of the New Zealand Defence Force will be on show this Sunday 14 February at the annual Air Force Museum of New Zealand open day, 'Warriors at Wigram'.

Air Force Museum Director, Therese Angelo says there will be an extensive programme of activities, making it a great day out for the whole family.

"On the ground will be interactive activities, demonstrations, an inter-Service challenge, a mock battle and a large variety of equipment including NZ Army Light Armoured Vehicles and Light Operations Vehicles.

"In the air will be flying displays by Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois helicopters, an historic Harvard, a C-130 Hercules and an impressive show by the Air Force's parachute display team, Kiwi Blue.

"There will also be presentations in the Museum theatre and many activities available inside the Museum for younger children. Army, Navy and Air Force recruiting staff will also be on hand to answer questions about life in the Defence Force.

"The previous Warriors at Wigram in 2007 proved extremely popular with Cantabrians and this year's event promises to be even better," said Mrs Angelo.

The Air Force Museum, at 45 Harvard Avenue, Wigram was established in 1979 and has evolved into New Zealand's premier aviation attraction and a 'must do' for both residents and visitors.

The Air Force Museum features 28 outstanding aircraft, hands-on fun displays and military aircraft simulators.

Tombstone Tuesday - John Fraser, Nelson Pioneer

Pleasant Point Cemetery, Timaru District

The tombstone is old and so weathered that the inscription is barely readable, but beneath it lies John “Jock” Fraser, one of the pioneers who founded the city of Nelson. Resting with him is his wife Mary (Booker) and daughter Jessie. He would marry four times, father 13 children and, along with his sons, accomplish more than one “first’ in New Zealand. Jock was born about 1813 in the Scottish highlands county of Inverness, son of James Fraser. The name of his first wife is unknown and she possibly died in childbirth when his eldest son, Hugh Fraser, was born in 1832.

Much of Jock’s early years remain a mystery but by the time he reached his third decade he took the bold step of signing on with the British New Zealand Company as a laborer to help found a new settlement in Nelson, New Zealand. He traveled first to Edinburgh where on November 9th, 1840 he married his 2nd wife, Margaret Robertson, at the Parish of St. Paul’s. He then made his way to London where on Sunday afternoon, May 2nd 1841, his ship, the Whitby, carrying the surveying party for the new settlement, departed for New Zealand to the sounds of a 21-gun salute. He was one of 59 laborers aboard the ship. Wife Margaret remained behind until the settlement could be established and family sent for.

After a four month voyage the ship arrived at the Wellington settlement on September 8th, 1841 and then made its way to Blind Bay (today known as Tasman Bay), where expedition leaders searched for land suitable for the new colony, settling on the site of a Maori fishing village, Whakatu. It's believed that John/Jock was the first man to step foot on New Zealand's south island wearing a highland kilt.

John Fraser and the other expedition members began the process of building the Nelson settlement. A forge and sawpit was established near the far side of the Maitai River. By January 1842 they had built more than 100 huts in preparation for the arrival of the first settlers.

On February 9th 1842 John’s wife Margaret arrived in New Zealand aboard the ship Lloyds. Around 1845 Jock and family loaded up their possessions into a dray pulled by a bullock and moved to the Motueka Valley where his son James was born. In 1850 John's eldest son, Hugh Fraser, arrived from Scotland on the ship Mariner (departed London). John’s wife Margaret died 18 Oct 1852 from consumption and was buried at Hallowell Cemetery. A few years after Margaret’s death (about 1853) the Fraser family moved to Wairau where John worked as a shepherd on land he leased from Mr. Dillion, at Leithfield Station.

John Fraser had a short 3rd marriage to Helen McEwen, who died within two years of the marriage. Their marriage was published in 3 June 1854 edition of the Nelson Examiner, ‘At Alice Brae, Nelson, on the 20th, by the Rev. T.D. Nicholson, Mr. John Fraser, of Waihopi, Wairau, to Miss Helen M’Ewan, of Nelson’.

On March 17th, 1856 John married his fourth wife, the young widow Mary (Booker) Clarke in Nelson.

The book ‘Turn Back The Clock’, published in 1968, states ‘In 1857 two Scotsmen, Hugh Fraser (son of Jock) and Alex McMurdo, keen to take up land in New Zealand, travelled into the back country of Canterbury in search of sheep…’ Ronald (Alexander) McMurdo and Hugh were the first to drive stock from the Nelson area to new holdings in the MacKenzie Country.

John and his son Hugh would own several of the large sheep runs in MacKenzie County – Ben Ohau, Black Forest Station and the Mount Cook Station. Paraphrased from the Timaru Herald, Friday, 10 Jul 1925 “The Original Run Holders” by T.D. Burnett: The Fraser men were the only highland Scots to settle a sheep run in MacKenzie Country prior to 1860.

Being highland Scots, the Fraser enjoyed their whiskey. They cultivated one acre per annum by hand, on which they grew barley and distilled their own whiskey. The Haldon Station diary, dated 22 August 1868, has an entry stating that they had received one gallon of whisky from the Fraser’s.

It was at Hugh Fraser’s Black Forest Station that the first recorded sheep dog trails took place. On 3 February 1869 the Timaru Herald reports, ‘The first of what is to be hoped will be an annual trail of sheepdogs, took place on Friday at Mr. Fraser’s run, Black Forest, MacKenzie country. ‘

In May of 1876 Mary (wife of Jock Fraser) and their 18 year old daughter Jessie died within a week of each other and were buried in Pleasant Point Cemetery (Timaru District). Marborough Express, Volume XI, issue 829, 5 Jul 1876, Page 3: Deaths: Fraser - On May 16, at Timaru, Mrs John Frazer, of fever. On May 21, at Timaru, Jessie, daughter of John Frazer, of consumption, aged 20.

Jock lived until 14 April 1893 when he died at the Timaru Hospital. His funeral notice was published in the Timaru Herald on 17 April 1893:

“FRASER - The friends of the late Mr. John Fraser, are respectfully invited to attend his funeral, which will leave the Timaru Hospital at 11 o'clock this Morning, for the Pleasant Point Cemetery, which will be reached about 1 o'clock.“