Question

Looking for father/ancestors of Captain Robert Deskford Gray of New Zealand, please help.

Answer 1

Hi Phyllis,

This could be him...

b. 10/7/1856 in North Adelaide, South Australia.

father:  Robert Hay Gray

mother:  Catharine Marony

source: South Australian Births 1842 - 1906 ( Book: 7, Page: 149, District: Ade ).

Answer 2

Found this obit if it is of interest.

Comments

This obit clearly comes from "Papers Past" (NZ National Library) < http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast > The questioner, Nev Dansie, and anyone else searching for family in NZ will find this an invaluable site.

Answer 3

Another obit

Answer 4

We are descendants of Captain Robert Deskford Gray and have been researching the family tree for the last five years.  Here is a very quick summary - there is a lot more info (siblings, wifes etc) which we are happy to share but may be best to do over email or phone.  The male line is:  

James Gray b about 1670(farmer) from The Grange Parish, Meikle Cantley, Scotland m Isabel Muirie

James Gray b 1711 (farmer) same farm as above m Jean Taylor

Alexander Gray b 1756?(minister from Ordiquhill, Banffshire, Scotland) m Mary Grant (daughter of Robert Grant, minister of Cullen, Scotland)

Robert Gray b 1788 (merchant) m Charlottle Kettle

Captain Robert Deskford Gray (Sea captain, Banffshire) m Ann McDonald.  Migrated to Nelson, NZ.

Alexander Gray (cabinet maker and lieutenant in militia)

Sydney Gray (mechanical engineer) m Elizabeth Scholtz

Donald Gray b 1919(Draughtsman) m Valerie Henry (nurse)

Donald Bruce Gray b 1951(Draughtsman, still living, New Plymouth, NZ) m Sandie Huggett (nurse)

Killan Bruce Gray b 1973(IT Engineer, still living, Hamilton NZ) m Hitomi Taniguchi

Hunter Gray b 2012

We hope this helps....

The Gray Family

Comments

Hi, my great great grandmother was Mary Jane Gray, born 1857. Her father was Robert Gray b. 1819, but I have her mother as Anne Hymas 1829-1910. Where does Ann McDonald come in? Mary Jane married George Armstrong who was mayor of Akaroa for 30 yrs.

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Hi Sarah

Robert Deskford Gray is my great great grandfather. I have a copy of his death certificate which states that his wifes maiden name was Anne Macdonald. We believe that her full name was Anne Hymas MacDonald. My son has the family research file at the moment so I can't tell you where I found her second name, however there is another entry on this site that confirms her complete full name. My father once told me that his great aunty married the mayor of Aakoroa.

Regards

Bruce Gray

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Hello Bruce,

I have different parents for Rev Alexander Gray 1756. Can you confirm if you have proof of his parentage as I may be wrong.

My email is JillRuddellEmirates@gmail,com

Thanks and happy hunting !!

Jill Ruddell