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Jackson Bay and Okahu - looking for historical information. - ALBUM -
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DescriptionPhoto 1:Some unmarked graves at Jackson Bay.
Photo 2: Grave at Jackson Bay.
Photo 3:A childs shoe, complete with copper toe plates and tiny nails found at Jackson Bay. This would likely have been worn by an immigrant child between 1875 and 1877.
Photo 4:one of the original landing piles at Jackson Bay. Love to know more history around this. Anyone know when it was removed?
I am looking for historical information on Jackson Bay/Okahu from 1870 onwards.
For a number of years I have been gathering all sorts of information but there are many gaps.
During my research it has become clear that those buried in the Arawata Cemetery need recognised. No official records have been kept and finding evidence of those buried is difficult.
Old diaries, photos, memories, or anything you are willing to share may be the missing link needed to confirm a piece of valuable local history.
I would be very grateful for your help with anything regarding Jackson Bay.
Date of Photo1870-1900Map[1] ContributorKathryn Bennie
Photo 2: Grave at Jackson Bay.
Photo 3:A childs shoe, complete with copper toe plates and tiny nails found at Jackson Bay. This would likely have been worn by an immigrant child between 1875 and 1877.
Photo 4:one of the original landing piles at Jackson Bay. Love to know more history around this. Anyone know when it was removed?
I am looking for historical information on Jackson Bay/Okahu from 1870 onwards.
For a number of years I have been gathering all sorts of information but there are many gaps.
During my research it has become clear that those buried in the Arawata Cemetery need recognised. No official records have been kept and finding evidence of those buried is difficult.
Old diaries, photos, memories, or anything you are willing to share may be the missing link needed to confirm a piece of valuable local history.
I would be very grateful for your help with anything regarding Jackson Bay.
Date of Photo1870-1900Map[1] ContributorKathryn Bennie
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Date Created8th May 2020CommentsLynn Marley Have you read book “Haast is I. South Westland” by John Pascoe. It does have some information. You could also try Westland District Council who do have information on Okuru cemetery just north of Hannah’s Clearing.
The person who found the graves was Dan Greaney who used to pushbike from Jackson Bay each day making repairs on gravel road. You might try to track his family down to see if they have any records he had written. There is a memorial to him at the Arafat’s Bridge.
Kathryn Bennie Thank you Lynn Marley, I hadn't heard about Dan Greaney so keen to follow that up! I am privileged to have collected quite a few books and the Haast is in South Westland is one of them. I managed to get Okuru and some Arawata cemetery information from The Hocken Library which is great
Neroli Nolan Kathryn Bennie my grandfather was born in Jackson Bay and lived there until he was 8yrs old when they moved north to Okuru. In his later years he wrote a poem called "The Graveyard in the Bush" If you PM your email address will send you a copy.
Kathryn Bennie Neroli Nolan Thank you, will pm you
Jason Henderson Hi Kathryn - I am a descendant of the Nisson’s , Eggeling and Cuttance family’s who all were early settlers in the Bay. If you have gained any knowledge on any of my families let me know. I’ll see what I can get for you as well..
Kathryn Bennie Looks like you are a true coaster with that lineage Jason! I am lucky to have all those books and they are a great help. I have files on all the settlers with snippets of information so will have a look at some stage and see if I can help you with anything that perhaps hasn't been published. Will pm you when I have looked
Jason Henderson Kathryn Bennie thank you - I have got some pics somewhere when I went to that cemetery 35 years ago with my grandfather George Nisson , ill see if I can get any info - I thought there was someone a few years ago who was restoring that cemetery a bit -…See More
Kathryn Bennie Jason Henderson thanks heaps! Will swap email address via pm
Helen Nolan Jason Henderson I can assure you that the Okuru cemetery is in tip top shape & well kept & mowed regularly by locals
Jason Henderson Helen Nolan awesome news - living in the North Island means I don’t get down that often to visit my forbears - I remember seeing some Eggeling and Cuttance graves at the time , and thinking it was well kept then.... good to hear
Rose Nolan Jason Henderson there is a wealth of information in the Appendices to the House of Representatives and other journals of that time. It will take hours and days to troll through. I found the ships log with Nolan family arrival in Jackson Bay which I gave to my uncle for the book he was writing. Around the same time came across Eggeling family history. Mr Eggeling, his wife had two ‘strapping’ sons.On journey to Jackson Bay, Mr Eggeling has a stroke, from recollection died. There was great consternation whether to let the family disembark. (Quite a bit of correspondence documented). Eventually family were allowed to leave ship. I gave a copy of this info to Betty years ago. I hope the family still has this info. I have heard Roger has a lot of info. I still have my original photo copies tucked away if you are unable to locate - somewhere
Jason Henderson Rose Nolan thanks I didn’t realise until years later than one Louie Eggelings elder daughters was married to Charles Robinson from the settlement .... yes I called on Betty couple of time’s and she graciously let me take copies of her album as well....
Rose Nolan Jason, you have a copy of the info I gave Betty? It would be easy to obtain a copy of the ship log and get the dates your families arrived in the Bay. Nationalities were bunched, spelling twigged E.g. Heveldt family name rehashed twice. I think Nisson has also undergone change
Rose Nolan I can remember one of the Heveldt’s coming down to Haast when I was very young. Under his direction Mum took him to the old Arawhata Settlement where he had spent his youth. …There was nothing but paddock and scrub left at this time. He spoke of a plague of rats, very long lane of people threading their way to Jackson’s Bay cemetery. People died like flies. It would have been very grim place. I was far too young to remember a lot
Cherame Mossley Cherie Bradley?.. some family history here?
Jason Henderson These four books are most relevant to the Jacksons Bay and Okuru districts , along with another thin booklet from the centenary celebrations in 1975, that I can’t locate at the moment
Eileen Nisson A big hello Jason Henderson. I have really enjoyed reading Kathryn's post; It has generated much interest. I have the little booklet you mention above. 'Jacksons Bay Centenary, 1874-1974', it was published by the the Centenary committee. I will post it off to you.
Helen Nolan Jason Henderson have all these in my book shelf too along with 3 that my Dads late brother Bill wrote on Nolan family history... great to have
Chris Mathieson Aggie Fearn , Brian Gus Heveldt, Patricia Heveldt, you will know all about this....
Bill Andlois Hayward Remember when Dan Greany was the road an
PaulAnthony Teens Just said giddy to him in Hokitika cemetery yesterday
James Codyre "he Fardowners" is a book by Julia Bradshaw who is curator to the Hoki Museum.Contains a bit on the My grandmother was Anne Eggeling so I am tied up to the Nisson,Cuttance and most of the Okuru families.
Kathryn Bennie Thanks for that James, your family ties are wonderful. The Far Downers is a fabulous book and I have a copy. I didn't realise Julia was the curator of the Hoki Museum, have been waiting for it to re open so I can visit so that is a bonus as she is very knowledgeable.
Cynthia McCaughan James Codyre Julia Bradshaw is no longer at Hokitika, she is at Canterbury Museum
Frosty Theron Cynthia McCaughan hello, we would be very grateful for any copies you may wish to provide to the Hokitika Museum research centre, for our files. Likewise, we may have some information about Arawata Cemetery we can share with you
Peter Rosanowski A Plaque erected by the NZ Historic Places Trust commeemorating the pioneers of various nationalities who lived and worked in the settlement
possible text that says 'CE HISTORIC JACKSON'S BAY FOUR HUI IUNDRED SETTLERS FROM MANY COUNTRIES LANDED IN THIS BAY TO FOUND A SPECIAL SETTLEMENT WHICH ENDURED FROM 1875 TO 1878'
Peter Rosanowski Jackson's Bay 400 settlers from many Countries landed in the Bay to found a Special Settlement which endured from 1875 to 1878.
Peter Rosanowski A list compiled in 1879 shows what may well be all the Settlers at Jackson's Bay, their Native Country, Trade or Occupation and Date of Arrival at and Departure from the Bay. This list includes my Polish ancestors: August Rosanowski, wife and family, arrived 15 Aug 1875 Departed Jan 1879.
Sheryl O'Leary Peter Rosanowski my great grandmother was sent to Jacksons Bay in the 1870's I think aged about 10 years old. I am writing her biography and wonder if her name is on the list. Her name was Mary Ann Fishwick
Kathryn Bennie Thank you for your information Peter. The Polish immigrants along with the others had an extremely hard struggle for survival. The list has been a helpful to me. The records often didn't include the names of children as they were just added in as an extra to the adults. Nice to know you are a descendant of August Rosanowski as I have read a lot about him and his family.
Kathryn Bennie Sheryl O'Leary I just had a look through my information but can't find a record of your Great Grandmother. Children were not often recorded as being there which is a shame, often it was just the parents and say 4 children added. Was that her original name or was there another name she may have gone under?
Sheryl O'Leary Kathryn Bennie thank you so much. That was her original name later changed her name to Annie Marion Ryan but that was in the 1880s. We think she may have stayed with friends. I have been reading about the original settlement this week. An unimaginable difficult time.
Kathryn Bennie Sheryl O'Leary I will keep digging and let you know if I come across anything about Annie
Karlene Jane Batchelor Brenda Risdon Bill's family was from this region....
Cynthia McCaughan I visited about 30 years ago. I will look to see if I can find photos
Kathryn Bennie Thank you Cynthia McCaughan that would be great
Helen Cook This is a copy of a newspaper article about Arawata Cemetery area.
Jason Henderson Helen Cook wouldn’t that be a find getting the actual records held from those days at Whataroa post office !!
Kathryn Bennie Thats an awesome article, one I have not seen so thank you! Thats delightful about Whataroa, fingers crossed the Hokitika museum has something from there. I did get some information from the Hocken Library and this could be from the same source but definately an exciting prospect
Rhonda Glasson Will ask my mother she had a family member buried there
Jason Henderson Yes we did “Baby Nisson” but I thought he was buried at Okuru cemetery - have told Kathryn I’ll dig a few items of interest over the coming weekend for her...
Joan Orchard Liz Velenski Jackson's Bay is a wealth of knowledge.
Kathryn Bennie Joan Orchard she sure is, lucky to have her as my neighbor
Ian Gilbertson Pretty sure it has been done. I think doc researched it as they were maintaining it
Kathryn Bennie Ian Gilbertson thanks for that, will contact them
John Sweeney My grandfather's brother is buried there. He was just a baby. The family name was Heveldt. When they landed from Poland the authorities changed the na.me which was probably Heveldivitch as it was too long for the space they had on the page. I have been to Poland and there are a lot of people by that name on the border with Germany.
Veronica Moore Yes like cuzzie John says our grandfathers wee brother, have visited it on our family reunion trip and tided it up as it was overgrown.
Jason Henderson John Sweeney hi there - I presume we would be related to me through my g grandmother Annie Sweeney , daughter of John Lewis?
John Sweeney Jason Henderson Annie Sweeney was the daughter of John Sweeney. Married Peter Paganini. Lived at Franz Josef. Does this make any sense to you. Are you a relative of Eugine Paganini Annie's son.
Jason Henderson John Sweeney yes it does I’m Marie Nisson nee Paganini grandson- so are you Uncle Paddy’s , Annie’s brothers son , or the other brothers line. I see Paddy (Jacks son) online ... hello Cousin!!
John Sweeney Jason Henderson Marie was my god mother.Her brother Jack was my godfather. My father was Jack Sweeney. Married to Mary Heveldt of The Forks. We moved from the Forks to Franz in 1946
I converse with Eileen and appreciate her art work. Paddy son was Harold who ran a swimming pool business in ChCh . Family still do I think.
Jason Henderson John Sweeney thanks for clarifying that for me. My mother was Mary, Eileen’s sister. Uncle Jack Paganini would be nearly 100 if he was still alive !
John Sweeney Jason Henderson I will be 80 in September. Feel like 50. Live on The Tweed just south of the Gold Coast. God's waiting room they call it. He has to catch me first.i think I had a drink or two with George your grandpa and Mary in the Franz pub in the late 1960s . Unsure it could have been Eileen.
Carolyn Vasta John Sweeney and Jason Henderson this is a nice thing to read that you have connected thru this post
Martin James John Sweeney hi John. This is my family too. My Grandmother was Dorothea Maude Heveldt. She married Mick Carroll. I think we have 3 Heveldts buried there. I used to visit with my grandmother in the 1980s. Her father was John Joseph Heveldt, h…See
Martin James John Sweeney so you must be our Mary Sweeney/Mary Ogilvie connection? If so I remember Mary very well. She was a wonderful friend of my grandmother
Kathryn Bennie John Sweeney thank you for this information. I have always wondered why there was different spelling for your ancestors. I visit their graves quite a lot and at times pop single flowers on theirs and others graves. The 3 Heveldt graves had a lucky escape from a land slide a year or two back that passed right beside them. No damage fortunately
Gina Duncan Te Rūnanga O Makaawhio
Marilyn Corson hope you can find some info about this, try the council offices for records , alexander turnball library may have info of this place
Kathryn Bennie Thanks Marilyn defiantly worth me trying the Alexander Turnbull Library. Council unfortunately never kept any records of the Arawata cemetery
Rhonda Glasson Kathryn Bennie the council had records but I think most were lost many years ago in a fire in hokitika
Jason Wieblitz My family comes from that area maybe my aunty has some info for you
Kathryn Bennie Jason Wieblitz that would be great if she can help thanks
Rhonda Glasson Talking to my mother and she says her mother (Tess Nisson which was the daughter of George and Mary Julia nisson) had a baby brother that was buried there in the very early 1900s
Kathryn Bennie thank you Rhonda, its good to have this info
Jason Henderson Rhonda Glasson yes that’s correct -Kathryn Bennie - Thomas Nisson b. 27.7.1904 , died same day. The family was told it was in one of the “corners” in the cemetery with the only marking of a little cross with “baby Nisson” noted on it.
Aggie Fearn My grandfather's brothers Albert and James are both buried there. One died crossing the river on horseback. The other died with Dynamite fever.
Kathryn Bennie Thanks Aggie, I am guessing your ancestors were the Heveldt family? They certainly endured hard times back then
Aggie Fearn My Nanna Mary Nolan and Frank Heveldt became owners of the Forks hotel for many years.
Chris Stuart Aggie Fearn what is dynamite fever plz? Google couldn't help.
John Hurley Sad that people die with no record and are forgotten as though they never existed?
The person who found the graves was Dan Greaney who used to pushbike from Jackson Bay each day making repairs on gravel road. You might try to track his family down to see if they have any records he had written. There is a memorial to him at the Arafat’s Bridge.
Kathryn Bennie Thank you Lynn Marley, I hadn't heard about Dan Greaney so keen to follow that up! I am privileged to have collected quite a few books and the Haast is in South Westland is one of them. I managed to get Okuru and some Arawata cemetery information from The Hocken Library which is great
Neroli Nolan Kathryn Bennie my grandfather was born in Jackson Bay and lived there until he was 8yrs old when they moved north to Okuru. In his later years he wrote a poem called "The Graveyard in the Bush" If you PM your email address will send you a copy.
Kathryn Bennie Neroli Nolan Thank you, will pm you
Jason Henderson Hi Kathryn - I am a descendant of the Nisson’s , Eggeling and Cuttance family’s who all were early settlers in the Bay. If you have gained any knowledge on any of my families let me know. I’ll see what I can get for you as well..
Kathryn Bennie Looks like you are a true coaster with that lineage Jason! I am lucky to have all those books and they are a great help. I have files on all the settlers with snippets of information so will have a look at some stage and see if I can help you with anything that perhaps hasn't been published. Will pm you when I have looked
Jason Henderson Kathryn Bennie thank you - I have got some pics somewhere when I went to that cemetery 35 years ago with my grandfather George Nisson , ill see if I can get any info - I thought there was someone a few years ago who was restoring that cemetery a bit -…See More
Kathryn Bennie Jason Henderson thanks heaps! Will swap email address via pm
Helen Nolan Jason Henderson I can assure you that the Okuru cemetery is in tip top shape & well kept & mowed regularly by locals
Jason Henderson Helen Nolan awesome news - living in the North Island means I don’t get down that often to visit my forbears - I remember seeing some Eggeling and Cuttance graves at the time , and thinking it was well kept then.... good to hear
Rose Nolan Jason Henderson there is a wealth of information in the Appendices to the House of Representatives and other journals of that time. It will take hours and days to troll through. I found the ships log with Nolan family arrival in Jackson Bay which I gave to my uncle for the book he was writing. Around the same time came across Eggeling family history. Mr Eggeling, his wife had two ‘strapping’ sons.On journey to Jackson Bay, Mr Eggeling has a stroke, from recollection died. There was great consternation whether to let the family disembark. (Quite a bit of correspondence documented). Eventually family were allowed to leave ship. I gave a copy of this info to Betty years ago. I hope the family still has this info. I have heard Roger has a lot of info. I still have my original photo copies tucked away if you are unable to locate - somewhere
Jason Henderson Rose Nolan thanks I didn’t realise until years later than one Louie Eggelings elder daughters was married to Charles Robinson from the settlement .... yes I called on Betty couple of time’s and she graciously let me take copies of her album as well....
Rose Nolan Jason, you have a copy of the info I gave Betty? It would be easy to obtain a copy of the ship log and get the dates your families arrived in the Bay. Nationalities were bunched, spelling twigged E.g. Heveldt family name rehashed twice. I think Nisson has also undergone change
Rose Nolan I can remember one of the Heveldt’s coming down to Haast when I was very young. Under his direction Mum took him to the old Arawhata Settlement where he had spent his youth. …There was nothing but paddock and scrub left at this time. He spoke of a plague of rats, very long lane of people threading their way to Jackson’s Bay cemetery. People died like flies. It would have been very grim place. I was far too young to remember a lot
Cherame Mossley Cherie Bradley?.. some family history here?
Jason Henderson These four books are most relevant to the Jacksons Bay and Okuru districts , along with another thin booklet from the centenary celebrations in 1975, that I can’t locate at the moment
Eileen Nisson A big hello Jason Henderson. I have really enjoyed reading Kathryn's post; It has generated much interest. I have the little booklet you mention above. 'Jacksons Bay Centenary, 1874-1974', it was published by the the Centenary committee. I will post it off to you.
Helen Nolan Jason Henderson have all these in my book shelf too along with 3 that my Dads late brother Bill wrote on Nolan family history... great to have
Chris Mathieson Aggie Fearn , Brian Gus Heveldt, Patricia Heveldt, you will know all about this....
Bill Andlois Hayward Remember when Dan Greany was the road an
PaulAnthony Teens Just said giddy to him in Hokitika cemetery yesterday
James Codyre "he Fardowners" is a book by Julia Bradshaw who is curator to the Hoki Museum.Contains a bit on the My grandmother was Anne Eggeling so I am tied up to the Nisson,Cuttance and most of the Okuru families.
Kathryn Bennie Thanks for that James, your family ties are wonderful. The Far Downers is a fabulous book and I have a copy. I didn't realise Julia was the curator of the Hoki Museum, have been waiting for it to re open so I can visit so that is a bonus as she is very knowledgeable.
Cynthia McCaughan James Codyre Julia Bradshaw is no longer at Hokitika, she is at Canterbury Museum
Frosty Theron Cynthia McCaughan hello, we would be very grateful for any copies you may wish to provide to the Hokitika Museum research centre, for our files. Likewise, we may have some information about Arawata Cemetery we can share with you
Peter Rosanowski A Plaque erected by the NZ Historic Places Trust commeemorating the pioneers of various nationalities who lived and worked in the settlement
possible text that says 'CE HISTORIC JACKSON'S BAY FOUR HUI IUNDRED SETTLERS FROM MANY COUNTRIES LANDED IN THIS BAY TO FOUND A SPECIAL SETTLEMENT WHICH ENDURED FROM 1875 TO 1878'
Peter Rosanowski Jackson's Bay 400 settlers from many Countries landed in the Bay to found a Special Settlement which endured from 1875 to 1878.
Peter Rosanowski A list compiled in 1879 shows what may well be all the Settlers at Jackson's Bay, their Native Country, Trade or Occupation and Date of Arrival at and Departure from the Bay. This list includes my Polish ancestors: August Rosanowski, wife and family, arrived 15 Aug 1875 Departed Jan 1879.
Sheryl O'Leary Peter Rosanowski my great grandmother was sent to Jacksons Bay in the 1870's I think aged about 10 years old. I am writing her biography and wonder if her name is on the list. Her name was Mary Ann Fishwick
Kathryn Bennie Thank you for your information Peter. The Polish immigrants along with the others had an extremely hard struggle for survival. The list has been a helpful to me. The records often didn't include the names of children as they were just added in as an extra to the adults. Nice to know you are a descendant of August Rosanowski as I have read a lot about him and his family.
Kathryn Bennie Sheryl O'Leary I just had a look through my information but can't find a record of your Great Grandmother. Children were not often recorded as being there which is a shame, often it was just the parents and say 4 children added. Was that her original name or was there another name she may have gone under?
Sheryl O'Leary Kathryn Bennie thank you so much. That was her original name later changed her name to Annie Marion Ryan but that was in the 1880s. We think she may have stayed with friends. I have been reading about the original settlement this week. An unimaginable difficult time.
Kathryn Bennie Sheryl O'Leary I will keep digging and let you know if I come across anything about Annie
Karlene Jane Batchelor Brenda Risdon Bill's family was from this region....
Cynthia McCaughan I visited about 30 years ago. I will look to see if I can find photos
Kathryn Bennie Thank you Cynthia McCaughan that would be great
Helen Cook This is a copy of a newspaper article about Arawata Cemetery area.
Jason Henderson Helen Cook wouldn’t that be a find getting the actual records held from those days at Whataroa post office !!
Kathryn Bennie Thats an awesome article, one I have not seen so thank you! Thats delightful about Whataroa, fingers crossed the Hokitika museum has something from there. I did get some information from the Hocken Library and this could be from the same source but definately an exciting prospect
Rhonda Glasson Will ask my mother she had a family member buried there
Jason Henderson Yes we did “Baby Nisson” but I thought he was buried at Okuru cemetery - have told Kathryn I’ll dig a few items of interest over the coming weekend for her...
Joan Orchard Liz Velenski Jackson's Bay is a wealth of knowledge.
Kathryn Bennie Joan Orchard she sure is, lucky to have her as my neighbor
Ian Gilbertson Pretty sure it has been done. I think doc researched it as they were maintaining it
Kathryn Bennie Ian Gilbertson thanks for that, will contact them
John Sweeney My grandfather's brother is buried there. He was just a baby. The family name was Heveldt. When they landed from Poland the authorities changed the na.me which was probably Heveldivitch as it was too long for the space they had on the page. I have been to Poland and there are a lot of people by that name on the border with Germany.
Veronica Moore Yes like cuzzie John says our grandfathers wee brother, have visited it on our family reunion trip and tided it up as it was overgrown.
Jason Henderson John Sweeney hi there - I presume we would be related to me through my g grandmother Annie Sweeney , daughter of John Lewis?
John Sweeney Jason Henderson Annie Sweeney was the daughter of John Sweeney. Married Peter Paganini. Lived at Franz Josef. Does this make any sense to you. Are you a relative of Eugine Paganini Annie's son.
Jason Henderson John Sweeney yes it does I’m Marie Nisson nee Paganini grandson- so are you Uncle Paddy’s , Annie’s brothers son , or the other brothers line. I see Paddy (Jacks son) online ... hello Cousin!!
John Sweeney Jason Henderson Marie was my god mother.Her brother Jack was my godfather. My father was Jack Sweeney. Married to Mary Heveldt of The Forks. We moved from the Forks to Franz in 1946
I converse with Eileen and appreciate her art work. Paddy son was Harold who ran a swimming pool business in ChCh . Family still do I think.
Jason Henderson John Sweeney thanks for clarifying that for me. My mother was Mary, Eileen’s sister. Uncle Jack Paganini would be nearly 100 if he was still alive !
John Sweeney Jason Henderson I will be 80 in September. Feel like 50. Live on The Tweed just south of the Gold Coast. God's waiting room they call it. He has to catch me first.i think I had a drink or two with George your grandpa and Mary in the Franz pub in the late 1960s . Unsure it could have been Eileen.
Carolyn Vasta John Sweeney and Jason Henderson this is a nice thing to read that you have connected thru this post
Martin James John Sweeney hi John. This is my family too. My Grandmother was Dorothea Maude Heveldt. She married Mick Carroll. I think we have 3 Heveldts buried there. I used to visit with my grandmother in the 1980s. Her father was John Joseph Heveldt, h…See
Martin James John Sweeney so you must be our Mary Sweeney/Mary Ogilvie connection? If so I remember Mary very well. She was a wonderful friend of my grandmother
Kathryn Bennie John Sweeney thank you for this information. I have always wondered why there was different spelling for your ancestors. I visit their graves quite a lot and at times pop single flowers on theirs and others graves. The 3 Heveldt graves had a lucky escape from a land slide a year or two back that passed right beside them. No damage fortunately
Gina Duncan Te Rūnanga O Makaawhio
Marilyn Corson hope you can find some info about this, try the council offices for records , alexander turnball library may have info of this place
Kathryn Bennie Thanks Marilyn defiantly worth me trying the Alexander Turnbull Library. Council unfortunately never kept any records of the Arawata cemetery
Rhonda Glasson Kathryn Bennie the council had records but I think most were lost many years ago in a fire in hokitika
Jason Wieblitz My family comes from that area maybe my aunty has some info for you
Kathryn Bennie Jason Wieblitz that would be great if she can help thanks
Rhonda Glasson Talking to my mother and she says her mother (Tess Nisson which was the daughter of George and Mary Julia nisson) had a baby brother that was buried there in the very early 1900s
Kathryn Bennie thank you Rhonda, its good to have this info
Jason Henderson Rhonda Glasson yes that’s correct -Kathryn Bennie - Thomas Nisson b. 27.7.1904 , died same day. The family was told it was in one of the “corners” in the cemetery with the only marking of a little cross with “baby Nisson” noted on it.
Aggie Fearn My grandfather's brothers Albert and James are both buried there. One died crossing the river on horseback. The other died with Dynamite fever.
Kathryn Bennie Thanks Aggie, I am guessing your ancestors were the Heveldt family? They certainly endured hard times back then
Aggie Fearn My Nanna Mary Nolan and Frank Heveldt became owners of the Forks hotel for many years.
Chris Stuart Aggie Fearn what is dynamite fever plz? Google couldn't help.
John Hurley Sad that people die with no record and are forgotten as though they never existed?
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West Coast New Zealand History (8th May 2020). Jackson Bay and Okahu - looking for historical information. - ALBUM -. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 19th Apr 2026 12:25, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/27843