NEW ZEALAND
RECORDS FROM NEW ZEALAND SOURCES
The Moher Family in New Zealand
The Moher's in New Zealand are all directly descended from a single
family which arrived in New Zealand in the later part of the 19th
Century. These original Moher's came from Oxford, England and its
surrounding areas. In New Zealand the family name is currently normally
pronounced "Mo-Her" or "Mower", however the name appears to have also
been called "Moore" (pronounced 'More') by previous generations - both
in New Zealand
and possibly even in England. In New Zealand at least some Moher's seem
to have adopted or used the 'Moore' version. Either way the name is
spelt Moher and the New Zealand Moher's can trace their lineage back to
Oxford around the mid-19th Century. The exact arrival of the first Moher
in New Zealand is uncertain, but certainly occurred at or prior to
1872 - Thomas Moher was the eldest of two son's of George (a bricklayer)
and Ann Walton Moher.
The exact lineage of Thomas's parents is unclear but it is believed the
family may be connected to a William Moher who was convicted of Burglary
at Cork, Ireland, on 22 March 1851 and sentenced to transportation,10
years ship. He was discharged in February 1857 (after only about 6
years). Also identified is a Bridget Moher, who was also convicted of
Burglary and also Robbery at Cork, Ireland, on 03 January 1852 and
sentenced to transportation, 7 years ship. Other details are unclear and
still being researched, but a photo exists of wagon with the following
sign writing "T Moher & Sons, Growers and Tea Dealers, Littlemore". As
Littlemore is near Oxford, in England, it is probable there is a
connection here also.
Meanwhile Thomas, who was born in February or March of 1839 at
Cheltenham in England, married Caroline Wakenell (born July 1843 or
1844, Oxford) in 1863 at Oxford, England. Caroline was the daughter of
Richard and Sarah Wakenell of Forest Hill, Oxford. Thomas is known to
have leased a Hotel in Hokitika on the West Coast of New Zealand's South
Island during the period 1872-75 - Exactly when he had arrived in New
Zealand is unclear. It appears he returned to England in 1874-75 and
collected his wife, children, brother, and sister-in-law and brought
them all back to New Zealand.
Thomas's younger brother was George, who was born in February 1840 or
1841, and who had married Elizabeth Booth (born 1839-41) in 1862 at
London, England. On leaving for New Zealand George was presented with a
bible from brethren worshipping at the Battersby Park Baptist Church.
George's wife, Elizabeth Booth is believed to be the daughter of John
and Mary Ann Booth - however she appears to have used the name Ann
rather than Elizabeth.
The Moher's set sail 02 February 1875 and duly arrived at Port Chalmers,
Dunedin, in the South of New Zealand's South Island on 15 May 1875. The
records show the arrival of Thomas (36, a Labourer of Gloucestershire
with £43 10s), Caroline 32, Frederic 11, Annie 2, George (34, a Sawyer
of Gloucestershire with £29), and Ann (34 - This is presumed to be
Elizabeth). Thomas and Caroline appear to have settled in the region of
Riverton, south of Invercargill, at the very bottom of the South
Island - At least one of their children was born there.
George and Elizabeth (Ann) had no children, Elizabeth passed away on 28
October 1913, but little details are known of George's life. Caroline
had passed away on 05 July 1906, and Thomas had remarried, on 14
February 1907, to Margaret Greenlees (nee Millar). Margaret was the
daughter of William and Jane Miller of Lochwinnoch, Scotland and she had
a son from her first marriage. Thomas eventually passed on on 11 March
1926.
Thomas and Caroline had 4 Children, two were born in England and two in
New Zealand. The eldest was Archibald Frederick Whish, born 17 February
1864 at Oxford, England. The others were Annie Sarah, born about 1873
in England, Thomas Richard, born 29 April 1876 at Riverton, New Zealand,
and Henry Herbert, born February-March 1879-1880 in New Zealand. At some
stage around this time (1880) the family seems to have moved north to
North Canterbury, possibly Christchurch, or possibly Oxford, the New
Zealand namesake of their home.
Archibald Frederick Whish was known to his Grandchildren as "Uncle
Fred", and pronounced his surname "Moore". He is believed to have
married a Lizzie (Elizabeth?) Brown at Oxford (presumably Oxford, New
Zealand), but had really wanted to marry Kate Hannah Renshaw (born
1864-65 at Kaiapoi, New Zealand). Archibald had no children with Lizzie
and whether she later died or they separated is unknown. Kate had
married and had 3 children to a Clarke, but "Fred's" sister (Annie)
Sarah had helped influence Kate to separate from her husband and she
later moved in with "Fred". The two eventually married in Christchurch,
New Zealand.
Meanwhile "Fred" had received a book on roadside Cheltenham architecture
for his 28th Birthday in 1892 from someone in England. "Fred" was
apparently forced in to Leadlight making and Blacksmithing, but as his
health failed in later life he turned to Photography. "Fred" and Kate
had 1 Child, Norman Frederick Wakenell late in 1904, however Norman died
when only 8 months old. One of Kate's 3 Children later named a son
Norman in memory. "Fred" was known to know the Bible 'Backwards' and he
frequently quoted from it, he also often brought Kate artefacts. He
had a great interest in architecture and often haunted 2nd-Hand Shops,
in later life he had a violent dislike of Motorcycles and would
apparently wave his walking stick at them! "Fred" eventually passed on
in February 1938, and Kate in February 1943.
Annie Sarah married a Tosh, and had two daughters, Daphne and Veida.
Other than her influence in "Fred's" life (see above) little else is
known about her.
Thomas Richard is the most cryptic of Thomas and Caroline's children as
nothing is known about his life, but he is believed not to have married,
nor to have had any children.
Henry Herbert married Nellie Wilson, and had 4 children. All of the
current Moher descendants in New Zealand with the surname Moher are
descended from Henry and Nellie. By this time the bulk of the family
appear to be settled in and around Christchurch, in North Canterbury,
New Zealand. Henry and Nellie's eldest child was Leslie James Thomas
(born 04 January 1902), the second eldest was Ronald Bertie (born 1907),
then Muriel Nellie (born 1911) and Dorothy Ann (or Annie) born 1916.
Henry Herbert died between 1935 and 1938, Nellie lived on until May
1956.
Leslie James Thomas married Nita Amy Dorothy Forrester (born 02 December
1902) on 24 April 1923 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Nita's family, the
Forrester's, had been in New Zealand for a couple of generations and
originated from Glasgow in Scotland. In later life Leslie had his own
successful business as a wrought iron smith and welder. Leslie and Nita
had two sons, Rex Leslie (born 12 March 1924) and Leo James (born 15
April 1925). Leslie passed on in October 1971, and Nita followed in
April 1977.
Ronald Bertie married Ethel Jane Nicholson in 1926 and had two children,
Melva J and Ken Hogan. He later married Margaret Ann and had 3 more
children, Eric, Jeanette, and June. Margaret Ann passed on in 1984,
followed by Ronald in 1987.
Muriel Nellie married a Tredennick, while Dorothy Ann married a Stack,
but little else is known about them at this time.
Rex Leslie (the eldest son of Leslie James Thomas and Nita Amy Dorothy)
married Valerie Rewa Taylor in December 1965. Part of Valerie's family
had been in New Zealand for several generations (since approximately
1840) and had mainly lived in Christchurch and on the West Coast of the
South Island. Rex and Valerie had two sons, John Leslie (born 1966), and
David Rex (born 1968). Rex passed on in 1990. Valerie continues to live
in Christchurch, while John now lives in Auckland and David has his own
Green Grocer business in Christchurch.
Leo James (the younger son of Leslie James Thomas and Nita Amy Dorothy)
married Beverly Valmarie Clarke in November 1960. Leo and Beverly had 4
children, Bruce Phillip (born 1961), Geoffrey Brian (born 1963), Carol
Anne (born 1966), and Peter James (born 1970). Leo passed on in 1989,
but Beverly still resides in Christchurch. The children still reside in
Christchurch, except Geoffrey who lives in Australia. Bruce married
Susan Ruth Marnoch and now has 2 daughters, while Carol married Phillip
Trotter and has 2 sons and a daughter.
Anyone tracing Moher Genealogy who would like to contact the Moher
family in New Zealand is welcome to email John Moher
<trigh_capuzzo@internet.co.nz>.
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