John Edmonds a Very Suitable Man the Writing of
The information for this book was first collated by Verna Mossong who had been given an assignment in 1974 to write a family story. Lucky for the Edmonds family, she chose John Edmonds. The Edmonds family decided to have a reunion and in 1982 started organising themselves. Rosalie Webster, a member of the Mormon Church made a great contribution with history and names collected from the church archives but then her husband got a posting to Utah and a new person had to be found.
I had heard about the family reunion and been to a couple of the meetings and met Rosalie. I had always been interested in genealogy and when Rosalie asked if I would be interested in taking over the compiling of the book, I jumped at the chance.
I spent quite some time with Verna Mossong who taught me how to sort things out and present them and a lot of time with family members who taught me a lot about family and who became firm friends. People like, Hineira and Dave Amy, Ruiha Younger and her daughter Christine McKinder. (Hine and Rui were Calkin sisters). All worked hard in gathering information for the book by visits to archives with hours of searching which is so much easier today with electronic records etc. And the talents of Ruiha with her painting, art work and poetry displayed (not as good as could have been) on the inside front cover of the Edmonds Book and Christine's many hours of retyping my brave attempts and editing. Because we didn't have a computer, any mistakes meant the whole page had to be retyped and when late information came in we had to make an addenda at the end of the family to fit it in.
And so many other family members throughout the country who hosted family gatherings once a month to collect information for the book and fund raise toward the reunion.
There is no mention of the author or compiler in the book because we felt so many people had contributed. However, the copywrite of the book is under my name, Dianne Mitchell (now Ellis).
The update of the book will have a source reference page with as much as I know of where Verna got her information from, plus where the rest of us got ours from.
Kia pai to mahi. What an awesome collaboration of family lines. Oh to have done this in photos is the inspiration for my love for restoring old photos. There are so many that if not cared for and restored will be lost.
Any photos you are able to share please let me know if that is possible. Kind regards...
Arohanui
Wihongi Pekama Whanau
Kia ora Di, what amazing work - and quite a gift to future generations as everywhere I go looking for info about my whakapapa I hear reference to your book.
I am a descendent of Arthur and Erana Edmonds, through David and Matilda's son Robert/Robinhood Strongman, and then to Robinson and Bramley families.
Is it still possible to get a copy of this book? There's so much our family would like to learn about their roots, so I hope you're still active on this site.
Many thanks,
Lara.
Hi Lara,
The book was published in 1986 for the Edmonds Family reunion and the only available copy that I know of is at the Auckland Public Library.
There was to be an update of the book but this hasn't happened unfortunately.
I didn't write the book, just helped collect the information and put it all together. Verna Mossong wrote all the historic pieces and there was a lot of help in organising the book. Thanks for your letter and kind words. My email is ellishotels@xtra.co.nz if you want me to look up anything in particular.
Cheers, Di Ellis
John Edmonds - A Very Suitable Man
Please correct.
Tamati tarawaiti (Thomas) Edmonds who married Ella Puru is my grandfather.
My mum is Olive (oriwa) Edmonds who was born I 1926 the year her namesake Oriwa aged 2 died.
There are two olives! My mum and Dad attended the reunion way back and bought home a cyclostyled book. I would dearly love another copy as I have lent mine out but to whom...
Jannah (Janice) Margaret Wilson
To Diellis
this is a part of the south island,, nz " Edmonds " ancestry .
Charles Edmonds - b- 1863 NZ- **** note - It is said that he was born on board ship " Brothers Pride " as she sailed into the Lyttelton Harbour NZ on the 10th December 1863 after a 6 months journey from London . United kingdom .
Father -- George Edmonds = b- 1838 Kent , England
Mother -- Martha ' = b- 1839 " "
Brother -- George ' = aged 5 - ????
regards
to Dellis
The john samuel edmonds line thro His son Samuel John Edmonds ancestral line their is a very strong possibility --- will cease/ stop -- when Geoffrey A edmonds ,( son of allan c edmonds .) the last remaining ascendant Dies - although married happily , they plan to have no children . Anthony Edmonds
the eldest son of allan C Edmonds now aged 65 is still single with no known children
The original documentation for John edmonds _ a 'very suitable man ' by Verna Massong was and is still in its original form ( handed down from Samuel Edmonds)and follow on family traditions + is still in the Home Library ( along with the original over 200 year old Original Edmonds family Bible . It is slightly different - . also the original unpublished book in typed form On paper on the subject mention -is still with " A C Edmonds " among the the family books that were handed down . A copy sent to the NaTional Library of NZ, with permission from the Edmonds family, of the notations/ documentation etc __ which were given freely to Verna Massong -- to complete her papers at the University and to write her book " A Very Suitable Man " Now add to that collection is printed documentation tracing- from the present day , thro the ice age / etc the Edmonds + their Tribal , with dating name right back to Amman in Jordan. this will be handed on in due course to a close family member .
Kia ora whanau, I would also love a copy of the book please?
My great grand father Tui Wikaira married Maraea Edmonds who is the mother of my grand father Rawiri Wikaira who lived to a 100yrs old in Whirinaki, our marae is Te Matai Aranui, Te Hikatu te hapu.
Hi Di
Im down the line through the Calkins , I would love a copy of the book if its obtainable.. regards Brett crystal_creations05@yahoo.com.au
I would love a book if still available. Thankyou.
I would love a book if still available. Thankyou.