Mary Jane (Unknown) Campbell (abt. 1856 - 1941)

Born about 1856 in Ulster, Ireland

Descendants

Died 22 Jan 1941 at about age 85 in Waikari, Canterbury, New Zealand

Biography

Mary Jane (Unknown) Campbell lived in Waikari, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Mary Jane was born about 1854-1856. ^[1]

Her husband was Alexander; and they lived at or near Waikari, North Canterbury.

She passed away 22 January 1941 "age 86" and is buried at Waikari Cemetery with husband Alexander. At the time of her death, the issue included: ^{[2] [3] [4]}

• John Campbell of Waikari, labourer.
• Alexander Campbell of Waikari, Surfaceman.
• Matilda Shadbolt.
• Thomas Campbell.
• Sarah Jane Campbell.

Research Notes

Temporary maiden name

The Findagrave gives a maiden name of Milligan, no source. I have added that as tentative to aid in searching. No overseas marriage candidate records identified.

Children

The children listed in the will all appear to be born 1887 or later. The NZ marriages of Alexander Campbell to Mary Jane Dustin or Dippie do not seem to fit.

NZBI birth registrations at Waipara for the time period:

• Thomas (1884)
• Thomas (1887)
• Sarah Jane (1890)
• Matilda (1893) -- no location given; folio 1933 no quarter.
• Alexander (1894)

This corresponds very well to the list of children from her will, except for lack of John. (Maybe he was born before the move to NZ?)

Based on the birthplace of "Northern Ireland" from the will, I checked Ireland civil marriages but there are no Alexander Campbell to Mary Jane in the expected time period, besides the one listed below. It could be possible their marriage was unregistered, or in another country.

The closest (which I would not rule out by the way) is 29 August 1880 at Banagher Presbyterian, Limavady: ^[5]

• Alexander Campbell , Claggan, son of Alexander Campbell, farmer.
• Mary Jane Guiler, Straid(?), dau of Robert Guiler, farmer.

There appears to be just a single birth registration to this couple:

• U/1881/157/1020/7/385 Margaret Jane Campbell 8th June 1881 Female Guiller Londonderry^[6]

There is an 1882 passenger log, Alexander Campbell from Antrim age 30 to Canterbury. Right name and age but wrong county, and he was travelling single. (But it was not uncommon for the wife and children to travel separately for economic reasons). ^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ The headstone says 1856; although the NZ death registration says age 86 which would mean birth 1854-1855.
2. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #146513458 - image of headstone.
3. ↑ NZ BDM Death search: 1941/18680 Campbell Mary Jane 86Y
4. ↑ Archives New Zealand: R20190090 CAMPBELL Mary Jane - Waikari - Widow:
   • Son: John Campbell of Waikari, labourer.
   • Son: Alexander Campbell of Waikari, Surfaceman.
   • Daughter: Matilda Shadbolt.
   • Son: Thomas.
   • Daughter: Sarah Jane.
   • Died 22 Jan 1941 at Waikari.
   • John and Alexander were born in NZ, and Mary Jane was born in Northern Ireland.
5. ↑ Marriage Registration: "Civil Records of Irish Births, Deaths and Marriages"
   General Register Office, Ireland; Group Registration ID: 2674588; SR District/Reg Area: Limavady
   IrishGenealogy.ie Image - IrishGenealogy.ie Record (accessed 1 August 2023)
   Alexander Campbell marriage to Mary Guiler on 29 Jun 1880 in the Limavady Superintendent Registrar's district.
6. ↑ Birth Registration: "Civil Records of Irish Births, Deaths and Marriages"
   General Register Office, Ireland; Group Registration ID: 8929812; SR District/Reg Area: Londonderry
   IrishGenealogy.ie Image - IrishGenealogy.ie Record (accessed 1 August 2023)
   Margaret Campbell birth 1881 in the Londonderry Superintendent Registrar's district.
7. ↑ "New Zealand, Archives New Zealand, Passenger Lists, 1839-1973," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FSYP-LMW : 9 March 2021), Alexander Campbell, 3 Sep 1882; citing ship , Archives New Zealand, Wellington; FHL microfilm 004412256.