DAUGHTERS TRAVEL TO NEW ZEALAND (1900s)

Michael had always told his children stories about his travels in New Zealand during the 1860s. Two of his daughters, Eva and Elizabeth, had decided to follow in his footsteps and set off for a holiday on the south island in the early 1900s.

EVA MEETS THOMAS WEST

While Eva and Elizabeth were staying in Christchurch, Eva met Thomas William WEST (Jnr.) who had travelled over to New Zealand from his home in North Fitzroy, Melbourne, during the 1890s. He had liked the country so much that he decided to stay and had set up a business called The Jarrah Timberyard.

Thomas imported the jarrah wood from Will Atkins in Western Australia. Jarrah or EUCALYPTUS MARGINATA is a tall tree of the myrtle family. The very hard, close-grained, mahogany wood is so heavy that it sinks in water and is widely used in construction.
 

THE WEST FAMILY

Thomas WEST (Snr.) was born  in London and came to Victoria with his parents William Henry WEST and Mary Ann (nee MEEKLY) during the time of the gold rushes in the 1850s. William was a carriage builder and had originally come from Middlesex, England

Mary Ann MEEKLY was baptised in London. Her parents were John MEEKLY and Elizabeth (nee JOHNSON). She married William Henry WEST in London.

WILLIAM AND MARY WEST’S CHILDREN

William and Mary had eight children: William Charles; Catherine; Mary Ann; Thomas William (Snr.); Eliza; Alfred born 1852; Emma Sarah and Watkins Rowe born in North Melbourne, Victoria.

THOMAS WEST (Snr.) MARRIED MARY BOND

Thomas West (Snr.) married Mary Ann BOND in St. Luke’s Church, Emerald Hill, Victoria. The witnesses to the wedding were Alexander White and Eliza West. At the time of their marriage Thomas was a carter’s contractor and he lived in Curtain Street, Fitzroy. Mary Ann lived in Cobden Street, Emerald Hill.

THE BOND FAMILY

Mary Ann BOND (pictured on the right) was born in London. Her parents were William BOND,a blacksmith and Margaret (nee STOREY).

THOMAS AND MARY WEST’S CHILDREN

Thomas (Snr) and Mary West had six children:

* Thomas William (Jnr.) * Laura Ada * Herbert Leslie * Ethel May * Hildred (Hilda) Ivy * Charles

DEATH OF THOMAS WEST (Snr.)

During the late 1890s Thomas (Snr.) became very ill and died and was buried in the Melbourne Cemetery.

MARRIAGE OF THOMAS WEST (Jnr) AND EVA O’KEEFE +

Thomas and Eva were married in Christchurch, New Zealand. After the wedding they had their photos taken on the front verandah of their home at Brighton, an outer suburb of Christchurch, NZ.

Among the guests were Thomas’s mother, Mary West (nee Bond) and their friends, Beatrice and William Horton (a greenkeeper).
 

THOMAS AND EVA WEST’S CHILDREN

Thomas and Eva had three children: Lawrence Fitzroy; Cecil Thomas and Vivienne Beatrice.

Thomas and Eva West  and their children remained in New Zealand untill the 1920s and then they returned to Australia, settling in Sydney, NSW.
 

Thomas and Eva West with their children, Lawrence, Cecil (standing) and Vivienne.