hello Lrprice,
on the passenger list of the Reiherstieg their name is written NEAL
The Reiherstieg left Cape Town 26 Oct 1864, arriving in Auckland 24 Dec 1964
Christmas, 1864, could not have been a very happy time for most of these new arrivals. On Christmas Eve, the "Reihersteig" - the third immigrant ship to arrive within three days - dropped anchor in Auckland Harbour. As there was no room for the passengers at the Onehunga Barracks, they were put in tents there. On 23 January they were forwarded to their settlement at Maioro, opposite Port Waikato where some of the men were able to find employment. It was not until 31 March, however, that they were put in possession of their individual allotments.

Their ages, and therefore approximate birth years, are as below
* Michael Neal aged 35 (birth year 1829)
* Margaret Neal (nee Ryan) aged 24 (birth year 1840)
* Thomas Neal aged 3 (birth year 1861)
* Mary Neal aged 7 months (birth year 1864)

These years will help anyone who can research their birth details in Ireland

his death notice reads NEIL

New Zealand Herald, 23 August 1883 - WAIUKU
I am sorry to have to record the death of Mr Michael Neil, an old and respected settler of the Maioro, who died at his residence early on Friday morning last of heart disease. The deceased was one of the special settlers who arrived here from the Cape of Good Hope in 1964 or '65, and has resided at the Maioro ever since. He was known as a hardworking, honest, and industrious man, and was greatly respected by all who knew him. The funeral took place on Sunday last, leaving his late residence about nine a.m., arriving at the cemetery, Waipipi, about two p.m., and was followed by a large concourse of persons, showing the respect in which he was held. There were between 60 and 70 followers on horseback, beside a large number on foot. At the grave there must have been nearly 200 assembled. In the unavoidable absence of Rev. Father Costello, Mr T. J. Hickey read the burial service of the Roman Catholic Church, in a solemn manner.

Auckland Star, 4 November 1914 - DEATH
NIEL - On November 3, 1914, at her late residence, Waiuku, Margaret, relict of the late Michael Neil, of Maioro, in her seventy-fifth year R.I.P. The funeral will leave St Anthony's Church, Waiuku for Waipipi Cemetery at 12 noon, Thursday

This would make Margaret's birth year as 1839

Thank you Ngairedith, Had most of that but did not have Margaret's death notice so thanks for that. Very hard to trace Irish ancestry as I'm sure you know!

Hi Lprice,
I am not sure if you are still looking for information on Margaret and Michael but they are my Great Great Grandparents. They had a son known as Sam who was my great grandfather.
I have not worked on the Neil family history for some years, but I do have some information where they are from in Ireland and keen to swap infromation etc if you are also happy to do so.
I accidentally came upon this in a search on another matter..very excited to see your message.
I can not wait to hear from you

Lynette Collin
(nee Neil)

Michael had a son Denis, b. 1870 at Maioro, who m. Margaret Cicily Hickey in 1898. Margaret Hickey is my fathers Aunt. Denis and Margaret had a son Cyril who m. Ethel Bright my mother's sister. I have quite a bit of info on the descendants of Denis and Margaret (nee Hickey) but would like more on the wider family to be able to flesh out my data base. Would like also more info on Ireland and their travels to NZ. Jeff

Hi Jeff, you can e mail me @ nettycollins@gmail.com. I have had some success on tracing Michael and Margaret, back to Sth Africa and further back to Ireland. I am currently stuck in Ireland, Baltinglass/Dunlavin/Wicklow, searching for Thomas and his wife Elizabeth Elliott. I have some information but have been unlucky and not found much information. Happy to chat and share knowledge, Jeff, just drop me an e mail.
Lynette