Maybe you are unfortunate like me, and we have no photos (that we know of) of our early Thamesites walking, working, living at The Thames. Do you stare endlessly at unnamed photos hoping a family likeness will scream out...I'M YOUR GREAT, GRANDFATHER!!!
There are so many photos of early mining groups that appear unnamed, could we adopt one or two? Regardless of the fact that the photos are not labelled, they are still very valuable. Why??? Because they tell us about the people, look at their clothes, their shoes. Do they have any extra items that could mean something. Do they look happy, wealthy or just darn right poor!
What stories are being told, what things have they seen...then yes you WILL FIND SOME, whom you can say...that could be my RELATION!
Below are some examples of some real but as yet unnamed Thames Pioneers.
The 'old salt' below, appeared twice in the Auckland Weekly News in 1910. The type of old Thames character who had listeners spellbound with tales of old Thames, or maybe he was a sea captain with memories of trips to far afield countries.
Left: 1910, Description: A REAL OLD SALT: A WELL-KNOWN INDENTITY ON THE THAMES WHARF
Right: 1910, Description: A TALE OF THE SEA: A STUDY ON THE THAMES WHARF.
Maybe you are looking for a miner. Did he work at the Moanataiari Mine in 1905?...maybe he is in the photo below. At the time of the photo, Mr G Clarke was Mine Manager and Henry Brownlee was Underground Boss. Description: GROUP OF MINERS AT THE MOANATAIARI MINE.
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Maybe you are looking for school photos? Did your relation attend Waiokaraka School in 1900?
Description: BOY PUPILS AT THE HOSTING OF THE FLAG, WAIOKARAKA SCHOOL, AUCKLAND GOLDFIELDS.
Be creative in your searches, and just maybe, one day you will find and recognise one of your ancestors. Good luck!
