Keirnan OR Pozzi of New Zealand
Leonardo Pozzi went to New Zealand from Australia in 1879. He worked as a gunsmith in Christchurch. He was originally from Italy. His daughter Matilda married John Keirnan (or Kiernan) in 1883. I'm interested in their children as my grandfather is Leonard (possibly Leonard Lambert) Keirnan.
Leonardo Pozzi was from Giumaglio, Switzerland and emigrated to Australia with his brothers Alessandro Pozzi and Stefano Pozzi (my great great grandfather). Here is a link to a letter written by Leonardo in 1905 when he was an old man describing his life and mentioning his children: http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/-i-have-made-a-very-bad-calculation-/994482. Leonardo's family tree has been traced back to the early 1600s.
thanks so much! Leonardo was rather a prolific letter writer and although the family here seems to have lost the originals we had found copies of most of his letters. this is one that we knew existed, but couldn't find. Thank you!!! There seems to be a gap in the history when they went to New Zealand, and it was that piece of family history I was trying to find.
My great great grandfather and the Pozzi Bros.were cousins, working in the Daylesford area. Check out this excellent account of the Pozzi family,- Bridget Carlson's 1997 doctoral thesis on ''Immigrant Placemaking in Colonial Australia: The Italian Speaking Settlers of Daylesford''. I note that L.Keiran was a cord bearer at Stefano Pozzi's Funeral.
Thanks hec! Where can I read the thesis? Is it online somewhere.
The Pozzi's of Daylesford were once mentioned on a "Who do you think you are?" episode.
Try Bridget Carlson,Victoria University, download 'The Italian -speaking settlers of Daylesford', appears as blank page at first,scroll up to the start of 544 pages.
I did not see the 'Who do you think you are' episode. No Pozzi remain in the Daylesford area but their incredible history lives on. My ancestors lie beside the Pozzi in Giumaglio. Giuseppi was also Leonardo's brother,he operated a waterwheel driven flour mill for many years in the Daylesford area.
A book called "The Swiss in Australia" by Susanne Weymann c1989 was mentioned in that TV program. Pages 46-49 mention Pozzis.
I've found the thesis you mentioned - thanks so much!
Helen
Hi all John Dean here. Stefano Pozzi was also my Great Great Great Grandfather married to Giacomina
GM Marguerite Mary "Rita" Haynes b 1889
GGM Erina Seconda Pozzi b 1872 GGF John T Haynes
GGGM Giacomina Virginia Pedrazzini b 1834 Maggia
GGGGM Margueritta Ricioli b 1800 Maggia, Canton Ticino, Switzerland
GGGGGM Maddalena Stocchi b 1775
The letters of Alessandro, Leonardo and Stefano Pozzi previously published in Giorgio Cheda's volumes are now available in English in "The Emigration of Swiss Italians to the Australian Gold Rush" available from the Royal Victorian Historical Society bookshop.