An interesting genealogical mystery spanning 100+ years and at least 3 countries...

Question

Hi all,

I have in my possession a New Zealand WWI-era cap badge from the 17th (Ruahine) Infantry Company, which was a part of the Wellington Infantry Battalion. The thing that interests me most as a New Zealander is that this company, among other places, served as a part of the ANZAC forces that fought in Gallipoli, Turkey.

My parents found this rusted brass badge in the attic of the first house they bought together, and have had it ever since.

In short, I would love to know who owned this badge and find out more information on this person, and even if they have any living descendants.

However, though I am a New Zealander, I have not much experience with NZ genealogy as my history here in NZ only spans about 70 years, when my grandparents and great-grandparents came over from the Netherlands in the 50s and 60s.

I can see three parts to this 'challenge':

- Firstly, finding land records for this house (I do have the address and can send it to anyone interested) and finding out previous owners of this house;

- Secondly, finding WWI service records for the Ruahine Company and hopefully finding a match.

- Thirdly, (possibly) finding and making contact with living descendants of the mystery soldier.

Answer 1

That would be a real triumph to accomplish all that, good hunting!

Comments

Thanks, Rick!

I was inspired by an article in our local newspaper about a WWI service medal, I think it was (don't quote me on that), that was reunited after 78 years with the family it belonged to. The family was actually located in England and had no idea that a great-uncle had even lived in NZ, let alone served in the army!

Answer 2

https://www.forces-war-records.co.uk/search-military-records-for-free popped up when I put in a search for "WWI service records for the Ruahine Company"  Good luck!

Comments

Cheers, Rick!

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That site looks like it is for UK records - the definitive NZ site is https://www.archives.govt.nz/research-guidance/research-guides/war-records/world-war-one-1914-1918

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I missed that, thanks for the updated info!

Answer 3

Land ownership attracts council rates. Try the local city or district council to see how far back its rating archives go for that house. If you tell an interested staffer the above story, you may get the work done free or you may at least be invited to visit and search the repository yourself.

Comments

First step is to find the legal description of the land the house sits on - you can often find this from council websites. As noted above they may have rates records.

Land Information New Zealand will definitely have previous owners’ names linked to the parcel of land going back further, but from memory this is a paid search. I think lawyers generally have access to the titles database (to do conveyancing) so if you know a friendly solicitor or legal assistant they may be able to help.

See who owned the property and check military records at Archives NZ: bearing in mind the house may have belonged to a soldier’s parents, or the soldier may have bought it well after 1918.

Once you have owners names you may be able to trace them forward in electoral rolls - local libraries often have these and they’re also on Ancestry.com up to 1981. They’re extremely difficult to search by address so you need a name to start with. Children are often still living with their parents when they first vote so you could be able to trace down to a living descendant.

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Is the legal description something like LOT 1 DP 26403?

This is the actual number for the house. I found it on the council website.

Here's the link to the council info for the house: https://online.uhcc.magiqcloud.com/rates/properties/1590061600

The history of the rates payments only goes back to 2011/2012.

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Yes, that's it. Street numbers can change over time but the legal description will be more stable. You could order the Record of Title from LINZ - you want the historic title not the current one (costs $6). The direct link for the street address / lot number you are looking for is:

https://lrs.linz.govt.nz/search/titles/WN933$84

The landing page for the search function is here: https://www.linz.govt.nz/land/land-records/search-for-and-order-land-record

Someone has made a good point about the badge not necessarily being connected to the house. The house was built before 1914, though, according to the QV website.

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Thanks, Suzanne, I'll probably order the document tonight.

Also would it be worth ordering the Historical Record of Title for just number 16, or the Title for when 16 and 16A were one property?

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I think the one that dates back before the subdivision - that's most likely to have the earliest owners on it.

Answer 4

I think the other thing you have to consider is that just because the badge was found in the house, that doesn't mean the house and the badge are connected.

Badges are collected by others, it could have been a relative who lived there, or even another serving member that kept a badge of someone who had been killed, so I think you need to be sceptical about the link to the house, whilst that is still a possibility. Think outside the square.

Try starting with the census and electoral rolls for the address and see if that shows up any patterns, and then have a look on paperspast for the address in that timeframe too. You never know what you may find.

Comments

That's an interesting thought that actually never occurred to me.

Thanks for the advice!