New Zealand Douglas

[Graeme Thomas]

My Grandfather was Allan Leslie Douglas - born Auckland, New Zealand. His brothers were Albert (Bert) Douglas, Frank Douglas who was killed in a bike accident in Dunedin). Dave and a sister Myrtle.

Sons of Bert Douglas were Morton Douglas and Ian Douglas - to the best of my knowledge Ian lives in Auckland and has the Douglas family bible - which I would like to track down and retrieve or at least get copies of the family births, deaths and marriages from.

Frank Douglas had a son Keith in Invercargill, NZ

 My grandfather Allan's fathers name was Alexander and he  came to New Zealand with his wife Annie - her maiden name was Annie Elizabeth Reed - her parents were Thomas Reed and Annie Romery - someone suggested that they were Romany Gypsy but this is unproven.

Alexander Douglas's father was Francis Douglas and his mother was Elizabeth Kidd.

Alexander Douglas had a sister who married David Gouk of Gouks shipyard in Freemans Bay Auckland.

Any person who knows anything that I might be able to add to this particular Douglas line I would love to hear from.

[William Douglas]

I have corresponded with you elsewhere...

The Douglases do have a gypsy history - which I know very little about, but see: http://www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/charlie_douglas.htm

David Gouk, of Montrose, Forfarshire, Scotland, married Mary Douglas, of Carlisle, Cumberland, England, on 20 March 1866 at Edinburgh St, Newton, by Rev James Hill. (I assume Newton is in Auckland, New Zealand.)

Mary Douglas b: 29.10.1845 at Carlisle, England. Died 3 Feb 1937, 26 Wallace Street, Ponsonby, Auckland. Mary arrived in New Zealand 1863 and is buried at Waikaraka, Onehunga.

David Gouk b: 20.07.1835 at Montrose, Forfarshire, Scotland. Died: 21 Oct 1921 at 26 Wallace Street, Ponsonby, Auckland, New Zealand 

[Graeme Thomas]

I have just this moment found that the address Edinburgh Street, Newton is indeed in Auckland, New Zealand.

[William Douglas]

Mary's sister, Ann Douglas, daughter of Francis Douglas and Elizabeth Kidd, married Peter Baxter Ross, a press agent who became a sergeant in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade during WW!. He had a sister, Mrs A. Miller of Hamilton, New Zealand.

[Graeme Thomas]

many thanks indeed for your assistance - much appreciated.

The gypsy connection my mother based on rumour and speculation as my great great grandmothers  name was Romery but I simply cannot track this name down except that she married a Reed and their child in turn married my great grandfather Douglas.

My family also said that they were descended from the Morton line though where they got that from I have no idea but they were confident enough in that belief for my mothers uncle to call his son Morton Douglas.

As a child there was a 200 year old bible at my grandparents residence and it record all of the Douglas marriages back to about 1750 but alas it has gone to Auckland NZ and I cannot track it down.