Thames (NZ): Grave challenges at Shortland

 Looking for relatives at Shortland Cemetery and can't locate them?

Well, I am not surprised, as things are not always what or where they should be.  On a semi-regular basis we find headstones on wrong plots, incorrect details and much more. Here are a few examples of  possible errors found while researching Thamesites interred in the lower extension (along Danby Street) at Thames' Shortland Cemetery.

Case One - the wandering headstone.
     Thames Coromandel District Council records have Robert Lloyd interred in Plot 4430. The plot was covered in agapanthus - a plant that is one of the biggest 'pests' given the growth and damage done to grave structures. Also in the plot was another person, not uncommon in the cemetery.  The area was cleared and the only grave marker was for Mavis E Wenzlick.

  

Plot 4430 at Shortland Cemetery. Left uncleared, and right after cross marker located.

Further along the row on the opposite side was a large stone memorial, unable to be read due to lichen growth. A quick clean with water and soft brush revealed the headstone belonging to Robert Lloyd. The reason for the headstone being located on Plot 4450 instead of 4430 are unknown.
     Did family place it on an empty space at the entry to the cemetery? No records to-date solve the mystery. It is a reminder to relatives to look in surrounding areas. When we find these errors the local council are notified and a note added to the findagrave entry.

Robert Lloyd's headstone on Plot 4450.

See plot map below in Case Three, for location of Plots 4430 and 4450.

Case Two - the duplicate headstone.

    The case of Robert Lloyd's headstone doesn't end with being on the wrong plot. Robert is one of several at Shortland Cemetery who have more than one headstone / Monumental Inscription. On plot 4419, Robert has an inscription on his wife Clara's headstone.

     This situation is a nightmare for doing findagrave entries as you can end up with 'one person' having more than one memorial. At Shortland cemetery many of the double inscriptions relate to war deaths - in these cases the second memorial is in an overseas war cemetery. For example, Private William Henry Inglis has a headstone in the Cassino War Cemetery in Italy - he also has an inscription on his parent's plot at Shortland. "In loving memory of pte W.H Inglis died of wounds Cassino 17-3-1944 aged 22years."

Case Three - The missing memorial & Vegetation Challenges.

   As was the case in the Lloyd / Wenzlick plot 4430, out of control vegetation, land slides, and fallen trees have destroyed headstones at Shortland Cemetery. Not forgetting the fires that have erased traces of many wooden memorials in the upper area.

  

 

  Plots 4438 and 4439, are located at the very top north-western corner of Shortland. (see map above) The plots could not be seen due to the overgrowth of agapanthus. (photo below left)  Thanks to cemetery volunteer Graeme, the plots were cleared. (photo below right)

 

The Pekin plot in years past had a memorial with the inscription: "Cyril Pekin 1922 - 1932 Loved son of Edward & Rebecca Pekin." Like an archaeology dig, the area was explored and ground probed, but there are no signs of a memorial stone or cross. Alas another one lost.

    The adjacent Lamb grave, while the base concrete has broken, the walls and headstone remain in relatively good condition. Interred in Plot 4439 are James Robert Lamb (1866-1944) and Robert Lamb (1878-1932).

Case Four - Wrong person!

There are instances where family researchers implore that their relatives are interred in Shortland, but they can not be found in the records. Why? A difficult question, to solve the problem we tend to rely on the original cemetery records, to eliminate possibility of transcriber error.

    For instance, the online council records have James Houghton, aged 60, born Thames in plot 2139.

Cemetery Plot - Full Details: Shortland (Thames)

Unique ID 3PUBL-PLOT-2139

Cemetery Name Shortland (Thames)

Cemetery ID 3

Area Code PUBL

Sub Area Code PLOT

Plot Number 2139

General Status Unavailable

Plot Status Used

Plot Type Normal

Capacity 0

Surname HOUGHTON

Forenames James

Full Name HOUGHTON, James

Gender Male

Age 60

Age Unit Years

Date Of Birth

Date Of Death

Date Of Burial 21/07/1928

Approved Y

Year Approved 2,015

Who was James Houghton? Why was he interred with Mary Josephine Houghton and her daughter Melbro. The original Sexton's cemetery records were checked and the details correct. (copy below)

The investigation became more complicated when it was found that the newspaper reports had the name of the person interred 21 July 1932 as: Charles Thomas Houghton. The good news being that at last it all made sense, this was Mary Josephine's husband. 

    While we still do not have the answer as where the mistake took place, it would appear that James Houghton is in fact Charles Thomas Houghton. At least that's the answer today...I await with interest notification from Anglican Archives as to who is recorded in the St George's Church burial register. We may have followed the wrong lead!

CHALLENGE
     The next time you find something amiss with the cemetery records, rather than pass them over, stop and try and solve the mystery.

Thames (NZ): Take a Second Look in Colour at Grey Street

 Without doubt, this view east along Grey Street, Shortland Town on the Thames Goldfield is a classic! The photo gives us a glimpse of life on the goldfield. What do you see? Here are a few things...

• A woman dressed in a full skirt, cape and hat.
• The roads are clearly marked, the surface rough with some stone base.
• The Hape Creek crosses the intersect of Grey and Mackay Streets (centre of photo).
• Deep drains line the sides of the street.
• The Karaka / Una Hill is bare of vegetation, and pitted with adits and tracks.
• Grey Street extends up the hill to Mount Pleasant (present day Jacob's Ladder).
• The building on the left is the first Shortland Post Office.
• There is a goat at the door of the Post Office, there were a lot of goats on the Thames Goldfield!!!

c1868 Grey Street (above) and present day below

Source: Grey Street, Shortland, showing first Post Office. Ref: 1/2-096130-G. 

Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23203364

A Second Look in Colour

Remember that the colour is not exact; but step back in time and take another look at Grey Street as 'our' Thamesites knew it.

On a closer look, the road between the Mackay and Bowen (aka Rolleston) Streets is busy with people. Maybe these men are clearing the road of rocks? Fixing pot holes? Digging drains or just walking back to their homes. Just imagine crossing Hape Creek after rain? There were predominantly only foot bridges going over the creek - as shown in the photo above. Pay attention to the details on the woman's dress - the hard life on the goldfield wasn't going to defeat these pioneers. Standards were maintained, a visit to the main business district required 'Sunday Best' clothing. 

Take the Challenge

Look at your favourite photographs of The Thames. What stories can you conjure up about the people on the streets.  

Let's see...maybe this is my Great-Great Grandmother who has been to the Post Office to send a letter to her grandmother back in Scotland or mother-in-law in Ireland. Perhaps her mother is coming for a visit from Auckland, the ship is due to pull in at the Shortland Landing on the next high tide. Or maybe she waits expectantly to see if her husband Clement will find some gold to put food on the table!   Oh no! Clement has been spotted - he is at the Court House speaking to James Mackay, (taking out yet another Miner's Right).  This time Clement is positive that he has found the next greatest claim!  The rest is History!

Thames (NZ): Then & Now Pollen Street - north of Sealey Street Intersect

Introduction

A 'new' photograph in my collection is featured in this post, but lets first look at Pollen Street (north of Sealey Street over the decades. The images in the first collage ranges from 1906 - 1937 - 2017. (From 1930s Thames: The Goldfield Revisited)

• 1906: A military parade proceeds along Pollen Street, heading south to the Shortland Cemetery. The signage of Hetherington's shop (where Farmers is today), can be seen a third in from the left.
• 1937: Many of the old buildings remain, interspersed with new premises such as Galloway's Store (where Noel Leeming is today). Wide gutter drains line the street, and in the 20s a concrete strip had been laid down Pollen Steet. The Depression still raged, while the threat of war was just around the corner - cars were few and far between, at The Thames in the 1930s.

POLLEN STREET - another view 1950s-60s

Thamesites regularly have one complaint about the main street. Lack of parking! Well, take a look at this photo from the late 1950s early 1960s - the street is lined with cars. Some things never change!!! Guess what, parking on the western side was challenge back in those days, just as it is today. The driver fourth from left has not managed to park within the white line - something many readers will sympathise with.

1955 Businesses

     In the 1955 Wises Street Directory for Thames, the businesses located on the right (east side of the street) are as follows:

From Mary Street intersect. Lee, Chuck Yue (Fruiterer); Danby's Shoe Store; Taffe, W; Bond & Bond Ltd; Arbury Ltd; Self Help Co-op; McAllum (Jeweller); Presswood & Presswood (Optician); Hallensteins Bros; A J Brokenshire Bookseller; Judd Ltd; Muir, D J (Chemist); Bulmer (Jeweller); Hetherington's; Harris' Restaurant; Marriotts Store; Maxwell & Sons (Butcher); Galloway's; Modern Stores Ltd; Misses Donnelly (Dressmakers); Charlie Fay (Fruiterer); McPhail & Ganley Shoes; Gwynne's Garden House; Bongard's Chemist; Restaurant; La Fabrique Fabrics; C Hill (Jewellers); and D McL Wallace Ltd. Sealey Street intersect.

 

ABOVE LEFT: Signage includes 'Slaney's Radio Service; Knitting Service; Opticians. Further down the block can be seen the Regent Theatre sign before the Mary Street intersect. There is a barber shop (stripes on street post), tractors for sale (query part of Judd's that are located on the other side of the road) and the Bank of New South Wales and Post Office.

ABOVE RIGHT: McKenzies are centre left in Galloway's old building; and McPhail & Ganley Shoe Store is far right.

MCKENZIES

     The McKenzies department store was stocked a wide range of goods. Who can forget the chocolate & lolly 'pick and mix'? Or the coin operated spaceship / car that kept youngsters occupied while 'mothers' shopped inside. Later the store was taken over by DEKA. 

Further "Then & Now' Photographs CLICK HERE

Thames (NZ): Battle of Britain Commemorations at Thames 13 September 2020

Sunday 13 September 2020

8.30am Sir Keith Park Memorial Airfield, Ngāti Maru Highway, Thames.

(The programme for the day as per the Sir Keith Park Memorial Airfield Inc Facebook Page:)

Inauguration Service at the Sir Keith Park Memorial at the Airfield

• Speaking at the service was Wing Commander Andy Bryant, RAF, the UK Defence Attaché for the Ministry of Defence at the British High Commission.
• Dedication and blessing performed by unknown Reverend.

---------------------------------------------

Early Sunday morning, Thamesites and visitors from further afield gathered at the airfield for the dedication of Sir Keith Park's replica Hurricane. The Kerepehi Brass Band provided the music, and playlist included the National Anthem and the Last Post

 

 

This plaque, made by A & G Price will be added to the display when the statue arrives.

The area around the replica plane will also be landscaped.

11am Thames War Memorial Civic Centre, Mary Street

• Speakers included RNZAF Air Commodore Walshe, Hon Scott Simpson and Russell Skeet (who read the message from Defence Minister Ron Mark.
• Wreaths were laid at the statue of Sir Keith Park outside the Thames Civic Centre
• A flypast by the Bristol Fighter F.2B in Sir Keith’s WW1 battle colours from NZ Warbirds

MP Scott Simpson.

Several wreaths were laid to commemorate the Battle of Britain 80 years ago. 

Left: Wing Commander Andy Bryant, RAF; Right: RNZAF Air Commodore Walshe.

BATTLE OF BRITAIN

For more information on the Battle of Britain 1940, an excellent resource is Papers Past. There are the daily reports from England, along with reports and analysis over the following years. Example below.

 

OTAGO DAILY TIMES, ISSUE 26270, 30 SEPTEMBER 1946

Conclusion:

The Phrase heard several times today in relation to Sir Keith Park's involvement in the Battle of Britain:

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few

Winston Churchill

Keith Park standing by his Hurricane OK 1

Source: https://alchetron.com/Keith-Park

Thames (NZ): Sir Keith Park's Replica Hurricane arrives at Thames Airfield

Sir Keith Park at Thames

When the 1914-1918 World War Commemorations started back in 2014, the name of Thames born Sir Keith Park was remembered by many. Then in 2019 a generous donation led to a life size statue of Park being erected outside the Thames War Memorial Civic Hall.

There are many worthy historical projects needed at the Thames, this would for many be way down the list of priorities. But, hats off to the group who made this happen, they have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for yet another statue and a replica plane that will be on display at the Thames Airfield, the Sir Keith Park Memorial Airfield. The first phase is complete and the replica plane is to be officially unveiled on Sunday 13 September, followed by the marking of the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain - with a ceremony at the Civic Hall in Mary Street at 11am. (Details of the day)

Sir Keith Park's Hurricane

Below are photographs of the plane. It looks small as you drive along the Ngati Maru Highway, but once you get nearer, the size and the imagery are very impressive. Interesting to find out though, just as we will have two statues of Sir Keith within a few kilometres of each other, there is also another replica plane a short distance away in Auckland. At MOTAT, there is "a replica of Park's Mk 1 Hawker Hurricane 'OK 1' - the aircraft he used to visit airfields under his command during the Battle of Britain."

 

Several information boards give details on Park and the Battle of Britain.

Further Reading:

Details on Sir Keith Park - Blog Post 7 February 2019

Thames (NZ): Electoral Rolls & Early Pakeha Settlers - Part One

 Introduction

Electoral Rolls are an invaluable resource for family genealogists and historians in general. While the pre 1893 are restricted to only some members of the male population, they are better than nothing. They can provide an indication to location, occupation and financial status. The qualifications varied from year to year. An excellent summary of qualifications can be found in a New Zealand Society of Genealogists help sheet.
     Just as the boundaries change today, the people of Thames have often found themselves in a variety of electorates. An excellent resource is New Zealand Electoral Atlas by Alan McRobie. (GP Books, Wellington, 1989.)
     A previous blog post in 2014 discussed the electoral history of the Thames.

Electoral Rolls for Early Settlers at the Thames 

The following section has names from early electoral rolls 1853 to 1868. While we know there were a limited number of Pakeha settlers before the goldfield opened in August 1867, there were certainly more than are named on the rolls. The reason could be that they appear on a different roll, or simply they did not meet the qualification of the day. Also note that spelling of place-names varied and that 'Thames' could stretch the length of the old Thames Valley Region.

1853 Auckland Southern Division Electoral Roll Page 179-191

Name – Place of Abode – Calling or Business - Qualification
BAINES, William Mortimer, Hikutaea, Timber Merchant, Leaseholder
HAY, George William, Hekutaia, Millowner, Leaseholder
MACASKILL, Allan, Thames, Farmer, Freeholder
MACASKILL, Lachlan Allan, Thames, Farmer, Freeholder

1855 Auckland Southern Division Electoral Roll Page 70-90

BAINES, William Mortimer, Hikutaia, Timber Merchant, Leaseholder
BROWN, Alexander, Hikutaia, labourer, householder
DIXON, Peter, Hekutaia, carpenter, householder
HAY, George William, Hekutaia, Millowner, Leaseholder
MACASKILL, Allan, Thames, Farmer, Freeholder
MACASKILL, Lachlan Allan, Thames, Farmer, Freeholder
MCCASKILL, Donald, Hikutaia, Farmer, Freeholder
MCINTOSH, Duncan, Thames, Settler, Householder
REED, William, Thames, sawyer, householder
STEVENS, William, Thames, labourer, householder
THORPE, Joshua, Thames, farmer, freeholder

1856 Auckland Southern Division Electoral Roll Page 73-99

BAINES, William Mortimer, Hekutaia, Timber Merchant, Leaseholder
BROWN, Alexander, Hikutaia, labourer, householder
DIXON, Peter, Hekutaia, carpenter, householder
HAY, George William, Hikutaia, Millowner, Leaseholder
MCCASKILL, Donald, Hikutaia, farmer, freeholder
MCCASKILL, Kenneth, Thames, settler, householder
MCINTOSH, Duncan, Thames, Settler, Householder
MACASKILL, Allan, Thames, Farmer, Freeholder
MACASKILL, Lachlan Allan, Thames, farmer, freeholder
REED, William, Thames, sawyer, householder
STEVENS, William, Thames, labourer, householder
THORPE, Joshua, Thames, farmer, freeholder

1857 Auckland Southern Division Electoral Roll Page 79-107

BAINES, William Mortimer, Hekutaia, timber merchant, leaseholder
BROWN, Alexander, Hikutaia, labourer, householder
HAY, George William, Hikutaia, Millowner, Leaseholder
MACASKILL, Allan, Thames, farmer, freeholder
MACASKILL, Lachlan Allan, Thames, farmer, freeholder
MCCASKILL, Donald, Hekutaia, farmer, freeholder
MCCASKILL, Kenneth, Thames, settler, householder
MCINTOSH, Duncan, Thames, settler, householder
REED, William, Thames, sawyer, freeholder
STEVENS, William, Thames, labourer, householder
THORPE, Joshua, Thames, farmer, freeholder

1858 Auckland Southern Division Electoral Roll Page 87-117

BAINES, William Mortimer, Hekutaia, timber merchant, leaseholder
BROWN, Alexander, Hikutaia, labourer, householder
DIXON, Peter, Hekutaia, carpenter, householder
HAY, George William, Hikutaia, mill owner, leaseholder
MACASKILL, Allan, Thames, farmer, freeholder
MACASKILL, Lachlan Allan, Thames, farmer, freeholder
MCCASKILL, Donald, Hekutaia, farmer, freeholder
MCCASKILL, Kenneth, Thames, settler, householder
MCINTOSH, Duncan, Thames, settler, householder
REED, William, Thames, sawyer, householder
STEVENS, William, Thames, labourer, householder
THORPE, Joshua, Thames, farmer, freeholder

1865-6 To 1867-8 Franklin Electorate page 1-25

MCCASKILL, Lachlan Allan, Hekutaia, Thames, Freehold, Cook’s County; 2176 acres
THORP, John Wullanora, River Thames, 1. Freehold, River Thames, Cook’s County, farm and premises on which he resides. 2. Household River Thames; Dwelling

During the above years, Coromandel residents feature in the electoral rolls as settlers headed there to undertake mining and seek other opportunities.

Thames 'hits' the Electoral Rolls in 1869

A considerable change is found in the Franklin Electoral Roll of 1869, as the number of voters eligible and enrolled has dramatically increased. A transcription of names for the greater Coromandel region is available.

Sample - Thames entries in the Franklin Electoral Roll 1869

Full transcription available HERE

Closing Comments

Don't despair if you can not find your relatives in the early electoral Rolls. At Ancestry.au (free access at the Library) a simple search does not always work, as not all are indexed. You may have to resort to the old method of scrolling through the pages. If you still have no luck, try the directories, old rating lists and school records to find out more about your Thamesites.

    Part Two (coming soon) will look at the early pakeha settlers named in the early rolls.

Further Resources:

• Thames Electoral Roll 1876 and objections
• Thames Electoral Roll 1879 Surnames A to C
• Coromandel Electorate 1885
• Thames Burgess Roll 1887
• Ancestry.au has New Zealand Electoral Rolls 1853 to 1981 - many of the years are searchable
• The Thames Branch, NZSG has Electoral Roll CD's that can be borrowed and used at monthly meetings CONTACT

Thames (NZ): Then & Now Beach Road

Introduction

      Beach Road, at the Grahamstown end of Thames - a quiet spot, with a narrow road, that has metal parking areas. 

     The south side of Victoria Park is on the western side, along with the Petanque area and Croquet Club. Travel further north and there is an access to the walkway that loops around the coast to the old Burke Street Wharf. On the eastern side you start at Albert Street, to Williamson Street, past A & G Price Foundry to the Burke Street intersect - then the road becomes Tararu Road.

 

Then & Now: 1900s & 2018 Corner of Beach Road and Albert Street.

Beach Road History (From Streets of Thames)

     "Named after the location, originally adjacent to the beach before reclamation was carried out.  

     On the 1868 map there is no Beach Road, although there is an unnamed road (where Brown street meets Cochrane Street and along to Pahau Street). 

     The 1910s Cleave’s map records Beach Road extending to Mary Street as well as a portion of road from Albert Street to Coromandel Street intersect. The road length was changed in 1938, today Beach Road only runs from Burke Street (north) to Albert Street (south)."

1868 map - Beach Road does not exist. The red line marks the location of Beach Road today.

Residents and business along the foreshore gave their address as The Beach.

1910s Map - the 'x's mark the two portions of Beach Road. Coromandel intersect to Albert Street intersect; and Cochrane to Mary Street intersects.

Collage View of Victoria Park south, on Beach Road.

In the 1900s, the view was unobstructed,

 and you could watch the ships arriving at the Burke Street Wharf.

Residents of Beach Road 1870 and 1923

     In the Thames Directory 1870, the road still does not formally exist, however a large group of businesses and residents record their address as "Beach". They included: Joseph Bargrove's Ladies' School, H C Lawlor, Joseph Faltt (carpenter), John McConnell, Charles Toft (store dealer), James Buchanan (stone-cutter), John Taylor (Bay View Timber Yard), William Anderson (architect), John Gwynneth, R N Smith (store dealer), M Rae ( Cornwallis Saw Mills, Miss Shepherd (actress), Richard Dodd's Boarding-house, Henry Phillips (boat builder), Holdship's Timber Yard, Wesleyan Chapel, Thomas Sharp (engineer), S Smale (legal manager), Thomas Keven's Boarding-house, John McColloch, Frederick Smith, Richard Richards, Marine Fmaily Hotel, Native Office (E Puckey), C F Quint, M Browne (coal merchant), Alexander Unthank (coal merchant), B Jones (actor) and George McAnnalley (telegraph linesman).

      In the Cleave's Street Directory 1923 the names recorded in Beach Road are: 

Right side from Haven Street: Thames Railway Station, John Arthur (stationmaster) ... nothing further is recorded until Mary Streets.

     On the left hand side from Haven Street: A & G Price Bulk Store, William Wells (labourer), Charles Fleming (moulder), John Coutts (boilermaker), Arthur Henderson (fitter). 

Burke Street intersect. A & G Price Ltd.  Abraham Street intersect. Rawiri Pearson (carpenter), Wm H Lucas (JP), Mrs Dunbar (Gwendon Boardinghouse), Thomas Dunbar (hairdresser - private residence), John Milner (boilermaker), Thomas McLeay (tailor), 

John Galloway (grocer). 

Williamson Street intersect. John Salmon (SM), Reg Williams (Manager A & G Price), James Parkinson (jeweller), Alf Lomas (carter), Park Hotel (back entrance). 

Albert Street intersects.  Cochrane Street intersects.

Richard Dovell (carrier), Wm Milne (foundry hand), Jas Frogley (store manager), Mrs Margaret Bayldon, Arthur Batchelor (machinist), John Judd (pattern maker). 

Amy Street intersects. Mrs Elizabeth Heard, Miss Alice Wishart, John Wells (labourer), William Skelley (labourer), Duncan McKenzie (bush contractor).

Walters Street intersects.  Mary Streets intersect.

Closing Comments

   Once a thriving street, Beach Road was full of businesses and residents. A popular place to live for those who worked at the foundry as evident in the Cleaves 1923 Street Directory. A busy and noisy place, close to A & G Price, and an area that once boasted a railway track, in the days of the trains being made and refurbished at the nearby foundry.

Take the Challenge

    Wander the streets - stop and imagine how it would have looked one hundred years ago.

CLICK HERE for further Street 'Then & Now" photos.

Thames (NZ): Searching the Thames Star Newspaper for Death Notices

 September already, and a note to self to get 'blogging' as I have a few amazing new photographs to share.

But, first I have to share a search tip that I got from Emerson at Papers Past, that is a must use for searching our local papers.

Background:

Over recent months I have been searching for hundreds of death notices, as I upgraded memorials at Findagrave Shortland Cemetery.

To narrow the search down I usually use seven newspapers: Auckland Star, Daily Southern Cross, New Zealand Herald, The Thames Advertiser, Thames Guardian and Mining Record,  The Thames Star and The Waihi Daily Telegraph.

The newspapers are ticked in far left column, indicating which newspapers will be searched for the chosen keyword/s

Search Examples:

Example 1: Lets find a death notice for Walter Henry Adams, who passed away 24 May 1920 at Thames.

I have selected my seven newspapers and put the start date as 24 May 1920. Normally I would go backwards a couple of days, eg to 22nd. Reason? I find that many deaths actually occurred earlier than what was stated in family histories or even on headstones. I believe that in these cases people may have mistaken the burial date for the actual death date.

Here is the search for Walter's death notice. CLICK HERE Keyword ADAMS

No obvious results! Look what happens when we add the wildcard symbol *. CLICK HERE Keyword ADAMS* Yeah, the sixth result is the one I am after.

Example 2: Lets find the death notice for Muriel Ellen Brien who passed away 17 March 1926.

Here is the search for Muriel's death notice. CLICK HERE Keyword BRIEN.

There are no obvious results, so lets again use the wildcard option. CLICK HERE Keyword BRIEN* Below, the first result is the death notice we were looking for.

Why did the WILDCARD * give the different results?

Here is where the staff at Papers Past solved my search problems.

Take a look at the wording below. Can you see how the search becomes complicated?

The typesetters format was to write the surname / add a full stop / then an em dash.

While other papers use this format, for some reason the Thames Star notices are often more sensitive.

The help section at Papers Past has a list of search tips - it will soon include this example.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE

Next time you are having problems with a Death notice search, try adding the wildcard option. Fingers crossed it will lead to a higher rate of success. You can add other keywords if desired eg. First names, death, deaths, town and so on.

 

Then & Now: 1962 & 2020. The Thames Star Office, Sealey Street Thames. 

The service lane runs along the west wall.

Hauraki Publishers constructed a new building, which they have since vacated.