Early NZ Immigrants

This is a list of some of our members’ ancestors who arrived here mainly from Scotland in the 1800s and early 1900s.
We will be adding new people from time to time so do keep an eye on this page.
If you find someone who is also your ancestor we would love to hear from you! Please contact us
William Davidson
  • Shepherd and Farmer, Ashburton
  • Son of Andrew Davidson & Grace Armstrong
  • Born 1843, Canonbie, Dumfriesshire, Scotland
  • Arrived Lyttelton 1874 on “Edward P. Bouverie”
  • Married 1884, Ashburton Louise Jane DUFFIELD
  • Had 10 children
  • Died 1913, Lismore, Canterbury
WILLIAM DAVIDSON, Son of Andrew Davidson & Grace Armstrong
Richard Davis
  • Son of Thomas and Anne Davis
  • Born 28.03.1828 in Naas, Ireland
  • Joined the Yorkshire Regiment as an 11 year old bugler in 1839
  • After serving overseas came to New Zealand on the “Java” in 1846 as a Sergeant and Drum Major with the 65th Regiment
  • Married Eliza Carty (Daughter of Charles Carty 65th Regiment) 23.02.1852 at the Church of Nativity, Wellington
  • Had 11 children and discharged to Wellington 11.09.1865
  • Lived in Tory Street, Wellington
  • Drum Major in Wellington Garrison Band
  • Died 01.02.1895 and given a military funeral
  • Buried at Mount Street Cemetery, Wellington
RICHARD DAVIS, Son of Thomas and Anne Davis
James Davidson
  • Storekeeper & Farmer
  • Son of William Davidson & Jemima Armstrong
  • Born 1836, Canonbie, Dumfriesshire, Scotland
  • Arrived in NZ 1865 on the “Mallard”
  • Did not marry
  • Died 1916, Hawera
Ann Davidson
  • Daughter of Peter & Ann Davidson
  • Born 1794, Medlick, Aberdeen
  • Robert & Ann married 1847, New Machar Parish Church, Aberdeenshire
  • Had 10 children
  • Arrived Lyttelton 1873 on the “Celestial Queen”
Robert Davidson
  • Gold Miner
  • Born 1857, Connor, Co.Antrim, Ireland
  • Married 1859, Victoria, Australia, Jane McCOSH
  • Had 4 children
  • Arrived Dunedin 1863
  • Died 1911, Queenstown
Thomas Davidson
  • Son of William Davidson, farmer, and Mary Jane Ferguson, Derry, Nth Ireland
  • Born 7 Oct, 1852 in Moneymore
  • Married Rebecca Reid 29 Oct, 1874 in Moneymore
  • Sailed to NZ on the India and arrived Auckland 3 Mar, 1875
  • Son William John Davidson born 3 Jan, 1876 in Auckland
  • Wife, Rebecca, died 16 Oct, 1877 in Auckland
  • Thomas married Johanna Anderson on 4 Oct, 1881 in Auckland
  • Thomas and Johanna had two boys, Thomas (b.19 Jul, 1882) and George (b.10 Jan, 1884)
  • Thomas died 11 Dec, 1884 in Auckland