...
My mother's mother was Scottish and her father's mother was born in Scotland.
My father's mother's parents were Cornish. His father's father was born in New Zealand (I've only recently discovered this, the prior "knowledge" being that he was from Shetland... the name is certainly indicative of Shetland origin). His wife was also born in New Zealand to one Scottish and one English parent.
So, I'm a New Zealander, that's where I was born, that's what it says on my passport and birth certificate. End of story there.
But, we have always known that our family is (mostly) Scottish in origin. In some cases the connections are some generations back, in others it's as recent as living memory. My grandfather said we belong to the Gunn clan, and if it was good enough for him, then it's good enough for me to honour him, by honouring my heritage.
As far as how my immigrant ancestors fared in their new home, well, unexpectedly they did well for themselves. I've only really investigated one part of the Scottish connection so far (considering that the surname has passed on from my paternal grandfather's mother to him, my dad and me as a second family name, this has always interested me).
The Downie's came from Dumfriesshire and 2 brothers left to go to New Zealand. (one was my great great grandfather). His nephews went to Zimbabwe (then Southern Rhodesia) and had some success (one unfortunately died in a mine that he managed) the other took over his estate and eventually went on to manage the national airline, was a member of parliament and ultimately became High Commissioner to Southern Rhodesia in London.
Hon. John Wallace Downie (CMG)
My great great grandfather Charles Downie settled in Murchison, New Zealand and worked with the brother of my great great grandmother (his brother in law) who had secured contracts to build the roads there in the area.
(the town in NZ as it was around the time he arrived)
He later took over the hotel (pictured above) and built a new, larger hotel on the opposite corner of the street.
(the new hotel)
He also owned a farm, a saw-mill, and a bullock team!
This picture is hanging in what is now the museum in the town (It was originally known as Downie's Hall, and was functioning as a sort of local court house). [edit: I just discovered that the original Downie's Hall was destroyed by fire in 1915, so this museum can't in fact be the same building].
(My great great grandparents, Charles and Sarah Downie)
In the same museum I was shown a quote in a book describing how my great great grandmother (pictured above) had to travel by canoe to the nearest city some kms away via the river to the nearest hospital each time she was about to give birth- and she had 12 children!
Some of the children: (my great grandmother is on the left)
I have the book which contains most of the photos above at home.
The eldest brother of my great granndmother become the chairman of the local regional council. He was also master of the local Freemason lodge.
My grandfather Eustace Clifford Downie Jamieson (the grandson of Charles Downie above) started his own business in 1947 after serving in WWII and built up a large family company. His sons (my father included) took over eventually and it grew to become the largest family owned business of it's type in the country. A smaller branch of the business is still operated by my father, sister and 2 brothers today. I guess I'm the odd one out... (some might call me the black sheep)
I am proud of my family, and proud of it's Scottish origins. Of course I am more proud of what they did once they left Scotland, and what they did for
my country. However, relatively speaking, I do far more to wave the flag as a Kiwi than I do as any kind of try-hard "kiwi-scot". Playing the pipes, and wearing the kilt on occasion is the least I can do to honour mine and my forebears' heritage.
Cheers!
Michael
Originally Posted by saxandpipes
...
Bookmarks