I have been researching my family history since 2005. This blog is my attempt at having my research all in one place, as well as build a list of resources available for anyone else who are researching their family history in Fiji.
A library assistant by profession, I am also an artist, blogger, and family historian specialising in Fiji research, covering European contact prior to cession (1800 – 1874).
I have Fijian (vasu Bua, Kadavu, Rewa and Bau), Danish, Spanish, Filipino, American, Irish, English, and Chinese ancestry with connections to Australia and New Zealand.
As a family historian, I am interested in fragmented identities and explore mixed race stories, documenting the undocumented and making archival material accessible.
My mixed heritage has influenced my arts practice. My creative works have tried to understand, embrace, accept and acknowledge my “otherness”. I explore my journey as a minority, and the experiences of migration and diaspora. My arts practice explores and celebrates the relationships between visual culture and contemporary Pacific identities through Pacific symbols, motifs and iconography found in my Australian urban landscape.
For more information about my arts practice see http://urbanviti.wordpress.com/dulcie-stewart/
If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Dulcie Stewart
Brisbane, Australia
Other Projects
Fiji Shipping Index
The Fiji Shipping Index lists ships and passengers that arrived and departed from Fiji during the 19th Century.
The Middle
The Middle: fragmented identities is an online archival art and research project that documents the use of the identity descriptors half-caste, Part-European and kailoma from the 19th century to the present day. These words have been used to label the descendants of the early European settlers and indigenous Fijian women. By documenting the use of these words in published and archival materials, the artist hopes to map and understand the complex narratives of mixed heritage and identity in post-colonial Fiji. Project has a projected 2014 launch date.
Fragmented Identities 
Hi Dulcie read your very impressive research on Charles Rounds Sr. with interest.If you are Aunty Te’s grandchild.She lived at Knolly St Suva. She was my mother(Jane Round’s first cousin. My mother’s father was John Rounds. You didn’t mention your dad’s name was it Lawrence? John’s brother.So I met you,when you were little, if you lived at Knolly St and your mother as well.
I have a photo ot my grand father John Rounds if you are interested. Love to hear from you to exchange information. A correction, I think in the Lands Claims Commision Charles Rounds said he was in Lauthla in 1851 not that he arrived in 1851.I read it at theNational Archives, Suva.
Bubu.
Bula Aunty Bubu! I remember you. Sorry it’s taken this long to repy. I’ll email you asap.
Bula Dulcie. As a child I lived at Lekutu and knew both Mah Yook & his wife Adi. Would
appreciate an indepth email contact with you. I live on the Sunshine Coast.
James.
Bula Dulcie,
I think I may have met Mar Yook. Did he live at Lekutu? I certainly knew Bertie Lee who I think took over the property from him, a large coconut plantation. I stayed a few days there once.
My grandparents, surname Edwards, settled in Bua 99 years ago so we have a long connection there.
Regards,
Hayward Osborn
Christchurch, NZ
Bula Hayward. Yes, Mar Yook did live in Lekutu. I was speaking to Richard (Dick) Lee (Bertie’s son) who grew up on the property in Lekutu and he does remember the Edwards.
I’d love to hear about your visit to Lekutu.
Regards,
Dulcie
Hi Dulcie,
I am trying to put a family tree together for my daughter and I hope you can help. She is the granddaughter of Bertie Lee (Lekutu). I understand that Bertie had a female cousin who was married to a Mah. Do you know if it was Adi, Mah Yook’s wife, who was this cousin?
Regards, Katrina
Hi Katrina, mum’s parents are Adi and Ma Yook. Uncle Bertie Lee is Ma Yook’s nephew. Do you know the name of Uncle Bertie’s cousin?
Welcome to Geneabloggers.
Regards, Jim
Genealogy Blog at Hidden Genealogy Nuggets
Found your blog from Geneabloggers. Good luck with your project.
Moonnanappallil Family History
I am a historian at University of Otago, Dunedin esearching children of US servicemen and Pacific Islands women in World War II. Please contact me at email address
I have some information re Mary Sorby, Daughter of Joseph Dorby (Suva) and Dolly Sorby from New Zealand
Hi i am a Sorby and Joe Sorby is my father Bill Sorbys brother. Mary and i are first cousins. SHe still lives in Auckland, New Zealand last i heard. I was in touch with them for many years but have had no news of them for the last 25years.
Bula Judy I am Joe sorby Joe and dollys grandson they brought me up I moved to Australia in the sixties dolly was a Bennett.
i am looking for a woman from suva fiji who knew a USA serviceman in late 1960’s early 70’s her name was emily pickering. she had a son dec 1970 whom she called herbert.
Have you had a reply to your query?
Dulcie – A Person who may help is called Jocelyn Pickering [on Facebook] in Syddney
Hi…
Just browsing google and happened to search my ancestary….Wondering if you might know about it….All I know is we came from Kadavu……My Dads name was Levi Underwood son of John Underwood and Amei (parternal grandmother) a lady from Nakorokoro and Drue I think……
Would certainly appreciate some feedback….
John, I’ve sent you an email.
Bula Dulcie,
I am a decedent of Sipriano Sorr (now known as Shaw). He is my great, great, great grand father. Sipriano Sorr had a son named Jone Soa Catimaibau or Jone Cati as its written in uncle Franks book. Jone had 2 children from his 2nd wife (Amelia Biabiau from Mokani – Matanivanua), Ana and Sipriano (Tukana) Shaw. Tukana had only 1 son who is my grand father, Philip Shaw or Big Philip.
I am trying to find out more about Sipriano Sorr and how Naqoqo was given to Jone Cati. Uncle Franks book only mentions the land (Naqoqo) was given to him but with no explanation.
I intend to go to the achieves to research this history and just wondering if you have any more info on the Sorr/Shaw history.
With what I have read on materials from the achieve is that the Manila Brig “Laurice” arrived in Fiji for Beche-de-mer and the crew including Sipriano Sorr mutinied the ship and later stayed on Bau from whence the history began.
Any info will be appreciated.
Vinaka,
Mike Shaw
Bula Mike, I don’t have much information about Sipiano Sorr apart from waht Frank Shaw has written about in the Fiji Times. I read about the book he wrote and will need to get a copy for myself. Your best option would be to go to the Fiji Archives.
I will email you later on what information I have about the brig Laurice as well as an article about the ‘manila man’.
Bula Vinaka Dulcie, Thank you for the ancestor report, I’ve been trying to get that Philippine name that changed into Shaw, thank you for that info. I’m also a descendent of Shaw and Rodan family of Nukuwatu. I have shaw genealogy tree line that was put together by my late aunty Litiana Roberts, here in the US. She’s from Mokani Bau Tailevu. And I got the Rodan one from you. Vinaka vakalevu, If you still continuing the geneology of our family and extended kailoma I would be proud to send you a copy of the one I got from aunty Liti. Vinaka vakalevu. P.S, Mike Shaw if you want a copy of the Shaw family I could send it to you too. I know you will know more of the family names on it. I’m familiar with most too, younger generations from the 70s and 80s…Vinaka
Bula Emily, I have a copy of the hand-drawn Shaw family tree from August 2007. I think it’s the same as the one you have. Do you happen to have a copy of the Rodan family tree that the Shaw family tree refers to? Would love a copy of that. Which Shaw and Rodan line do you come from? I have some birth, marriage, death certificates if you’re interested in getting copies.
Dulcie
Thanks Dulcie Frank Smith here..networking..
Hi Dulcie, I’ve been in touch with you a few times in the past few years. Was desperately going through my emails hoping to find yours. I am a descendant of Charles O’connor. I’ve mentioned to you that someone in our family did a family tree for the O’connor side. I’ve finally had it converted to PDF and JPG file. I would love to have you take a look at it since you’ve been researching this for a while. If you could please get in touch with me. Thanks – Gina
Hi Gina!
I’m from Kiribati my family descendants from a guy known as Charles O’connor from Kadavu in Fiji. he came to Kiribati in the 18’s and married a lady from Nikunau and have 2 sons named Anare and Albert. i just curious if possible to share the copy of the research done for the O’connor family tree.
Would be happy to hear from you
Hi Gina
My sister and I are trying to find some info on a Jessie O’connor.
My dads father told him that that’s what his mothers name was. My grandfather was Gilbert Underwood [B:1906 and D:1980]. He had 2 older brothers.His father died not long after he was born 1906/1907.
If you have any information you can pass on that would be fantastic.
Thanks heaps.
Deirdre
I would like to know your sources for the John Acraman segment, please, it is important. I have done vast comprehensive research on this and see a major gap in this story.
Hi, as I noted on the page about family trees available online (https://fragmentedidentities.wordpress.com/family-trees/) the website for John ACRAMAN (http://www.acraman.org/JohnA-Jnr.html) is no longer live, however you can view this page via The Internet Archive website (http://web.archive.org/web/20110903062346/http://www.acraman.org/JohnA-Jnr.html).
Other pages from the Acraman website can be viewed on The Internet Archive website. The website owner was Cheryl Denton (nee Acraman) direct descendant of Fiji John. See: http://web.archive.org/web/20110903061609/http://www.acraman.org/
As I thought. I believe CD is well intentioned and honest, because she contacted me in her research and I indicated then that there was an intrigue to deal with, and there is still something bothering me, very very seriously, and I would like to see her references to sources of information, because I think there is a major item still to be uncovered and explained, if possible, to put the remaining current Fiji Acraman Family at rest. I have lost contact with CD – can you (or anyone) help, please.
I had a look at the website again and came across a link to the Acraman Family tree on My Heritage (http://www.myheritage.com/site-38517711/acraman-family). Sadly it looks like Cheryl passed away in 2011. Her sister Glyn Acraman is now the administrator for the Acraman family tree on My Heritage. You can contact her via the “Contact site manager” on the My Heritage page.
Thank you. Got it.
Hi, I’m looking for the name of the Chinese Shopkeeper who lived in Yaroi Village on the island of Matuku in the early 1950’s. He may have moved to the Vanua Levu and Taveuni area not long after. He may have married a Fijian woman also from Matuku in the 1950’s. ANY help would be so very much appreciated.
Thanks
Maciu R.
Where in Vanua Levu did he go to? Bua? Did he have a store in Vanua Levu/Taveuni too? What was his wife’s name?
Have you tried the Fiji National Archives? Try looking up Land leases for Lau at the Archives, the Chinese shopkeeper would have had to have a lease. Although in most cases the leaser would be a Chinese trading company and not necessary the storekeeper who worked for the trading company.
Found the following in Chinese in Fiji by Bessie Ng Kumlin Ali p 225. Chang Sun Lam from Kaping, China – Storekeeper in Matuku. Arrived in Fiji 1922. Date of Application Jan. 1931 Note: the list doesn’t indicate what sort of application. Bessie Ali’s original source was from documents at the Fiji Archives.
Hi Dulcie, thank you very much for your response. I do not have any answers to any of your questions, but I do appreciate your research. I think Chang Sun Lam predates the person I am searching for, which I may have info on. I was told that the person who ran the store on Yaroi village in the 1950s was K.W. March (Yee Kum Wing March), did anyone here know him?
Kum Wing March & Co Ltd. owned Chinese stores in Lau. (Source: He Served: A Biography of Macu Salato).
I believe his son (I could be wrong) is Edmund March who is in his 80’s and lives in Suva.
Hi Dulcie, thanks for the info. After a lot more info, including talking to Edmund March, and also revisiting my notes I have a little bit more info.
The person I was looking for may be a Yee Park (Park Yee) who married a lady called Rita. Rita was from the Gilbert islands. They may have had 2 children. Yee Park passed away in the old peoples home in veisari, so I am now looking for his descendants. If you know anyone who may have more info, it would be greatly appreciated, in the meantime I will try writing to the archives.
They may have moved to Taveuni after Matuku, in the 1950s.
Thanks again,
Matt
Dulcie do you know anyone from that family? From my above post?
The name Rita who was Gilbertise and was married to a Chinese man sounds familiar. I’ve contacted 3 people, email me (cieart@gmail.com) and I will forward on any information they have.
HI Dulice Stewart my name is Kimere Teratabu Kaititi O’connor I,m from Gilbertise or Kiribati I ‘m happy to comment on the above mention for the name Rita for my side is Ritia married to Charles O’connor 3rd generation from fiji. Let me explain for charles O’connor3rd. O’connor has three sons William O’connor or Bill , Charles O’connor., Philip O’connor Charles O’connor has three wifes , namely 1st wife Lydia Whippy legal wife, 2nd wife Litia Wanicau, 3rdwife fijian lady no name they have three children namely Kasava Qelo, Charles, Albert , Charles travel to the Gilbert island married to Ritia , they have two sons namely Anare and Arobete. thank you I happy if this the right person you are looking for
Rita shes a gilbertise lady married to Charles O’connor 3r and have 2 children namely Albert and Anare and I am the line for Charles O’connor 3r from Kiribati
thankyou
kimere Teratabu
kimerekaisisi@hotmail.com
Hi Dulcie. My name is Edward Bull and I am putting together a Bryson family tree. My mum was Caroline Bryson who was brought up in Levuka where the family homestead is. I’m trying to find out more about Thomas Alexander Bryson – my great grandfather on mum’s side. From ship manifests available in Australia, one manifest shows him arriving into Sydney from Hokianga NZ on 26 Aug 1868 as a crew for the ship Armistice at the age of 20 (he was born in Scotland in 1848 which ties in with his age). He must have arrived in Fiji sometime between 1868 and early 1870’s but I can’t find any information. I would be grateful for any help. Regards….
Hi Edward,
There are no Bryson’s mentioned in Kaivalagi ni Viti : census of Europeans resident in Fiji 1874-75 / Rondo B. B. Me or in Turpin’s Fijian nautical and commercial almanac and Fiji directory 1874 (https://fragmentedidentities.wordpress.com/resources/turpins-directory-1874/ so Thomas Alexander Bryson probably arrived in Fiji after 1875.
You could try looking up the Fiji Times from 1875 – there is a Shipping Intelligence section that sometimes had a list of ship passengers. See https://fragmentedidentities.wordpress.com/resources/fiji-times/ for a list of libraries that hold the Fiji Times in their collection.
Hi Dulcie. Thank you for the information. The reason I speculated on the years of early 1870’s as his arrival in Fiji is because he married a woman from Koro – Adi Karalaini Baca – in September 1872. And they settled in Levuka sometime thereafter. But if he wasn’t registered, then that raises some interesting questions and muddies the waters more? Regards, Edward.
Dulcie….I have ancestors in Levuka around 1863 until at least 1876 and beyond. I found one on the Fijian Times Births Deaths and Marriages that you put up on Fragmented Identitues. Cornelious Smith. I am searching his brother Stephen who is said to have married a Fijian in Levuka….and died diving off a cliff into the ocean….His death notice may be in the Fijian Times. Thanks for helping me find Cornelious…he died 1876 Rewa Pioneer Mills….Christine..
Hi Christine,
I have been in touch with descendants of Elijah and Martha Smith via a mutual friend concerning Matilda, Stephen and Cornelious Smith. I have copies of Stephen and Cornelious death certificates and other documents (newspapers articles, census etc). I’m happy to send you copies.
Dulcie Just saw what you have said. Do you want to send them by e mail…or through the mail. I would just love to see them. Let me know how to tell you my e mail privately or my snail mail address…..wow….christine smith
Also Dulcie I am very interested to know about any descendants of Stephen Smith who in family folk lore was said to have married a Fijian princess (or would that be Chieftains daughter over in Fiji.) I don’t think Cornelious married….and Matilda didn’t have time to do much except get dysentery. thanks Christine Smith….
Christine Smith – Stephen Smith what era and what part of Fiji There roughly about Five seperate Famlies bearing the Smith surname..
Hello Frank. the Era was approximately 1864 to 1878 i Levuka Ovalau, Stephen and Cornelious Smith were twin brothers, blacksmiths and engineers. They went over to Fiji with the first steam engine taken over there…..they had a blacksmith shop in Levuka. Their sister Matilda went over for a stay and died from dysentery in 1866. We know Cornelious died in 1876 at Pioneer Mills Upper Rewa…..it is said that Stephen married the daughter of a chieftain and that Stephen died diving off a cliff….and drowned. The parents were the Rev Elijah Smith of Penrith and his wife was Martha Lucas…..who were in Australia. All born in UK….Christine Smith
Hi Christine Smith,
I am married to one of Cornelius and Stephen Smith’s great grandson of Rewa Fiji. His name is Stephen Smith. We currently reside in Sydney, Australia.
Hey Sophia, how brilliant! I’m not in Sydney currently but come from Sydney. When I come down I’ll come looking for you if that’s agreeable. Very pleased to hear. Christine
That is exciting news! Is there any chance of Stephen writing a bit about it? The death certificate of Stephen had two sons at the Navaloa Institute. I guess one was named after him! For me it’s the great grand uncle generation . Perhaps we could meet up in Sydney one time. Stephen and Cornelius also owned land in Rewa which they were trying to sell in 1868. It was right on the river. Christine
I am wondering whether anyone knows the name of an Institution back in 1877 were children of mixed race were put in some circumstances. I have the name of the institution on the death certificate of my grand uncle Stephen Smith but cant make it out because of the writing. It seems to begin with A and end with oa..Institution. ChristineSmith
Dear Christine. Would it be possible to also to get your email address?
Who is Talei? On Stephens certificate is written where the boys are. The Navaloa Institute. If you read my feed you will see I asked for info about this place. It was moved and changed in later years. If don’t really put my email on public places but if you are game to do so I can respond to you. Seems like we’re cousins and I’d love to hear more. Christine
Hi Talei and Christine, I will email you both as I have your email addresses 🙂
I have the name now…it is the Navuloa Training Institute. If anyone knows anything about it if you don’t mind sharing the information….christine Smith
Dear Dulcie,
Christine has shared the information you have posted with me – we are first cousins and descendants of Rev. Elijah Smith and his wife Martha Lucas. Our Great Grandfather, Edward Lucas Smith was a brother of Cornelius, Stephen and Matilda Smith. What you have shared is fantastic information. I used to work with Kanti Jinna in Canberra, also a Librarian from Fiji. We have talked often about my Smith relatives who lived and died in Fiji. Do you know Kanti? Thank you. Patrick
Patrick Corr – & Christine Smith – There are several ‘Smith’ Names Family origins Levuka Ovalau Fiji the Christian name name ‘Edward’ exists..[In 2015] I was wonderingf if any connections though not related to me as I am Frank [Backhouse – Smith] as I mentioned earlier ,.,.
Christine Smith I Hope This Link Helps..Fison 1 Tylor papers PRM – Pitt Rivers Museum, University …
web.prm.ox.ac.uk › Home › Primary Resources
… Navuloa in Fiji, Fison was principal of the Navuloa [Methodist] Training Institute from 1875 to 1884.—–Fison 4. Answered Feb. 18 1880.
Frank Smith…what I have read so far of Fison has been largely anthopology mostly about Australian Aborigines and sometimes about Fiji…nothing personal much generally so far….all i have gleaned for my research that there were 70 students at Navuloa in 1877…there was also a school for the sons of chiefs there…Stephen Smith was living on Rambi Island when he died…Edward in our family was brother of Stephen Edward lived in Australia. We don’t know what names Stephens sons had…except I presume Stephen was one of them…I am looking to find the Methodist church archives and these may help…….christine….
Hey Dulcie!
I see that you’re searching for information about our common ancestor, Simon Peter Jensen b. 1862 in Denmark, arrived to Australia 1883. His grandmother is my direct ancestor. Find me on Facebook!
Pernille Amanda Bartholdy Kanto
In addition to Christine Smith and Patrick Corr’s information I am interwiewing a Fijian family who seems to be descended from our Stephen Smith who married a Tongan Girl called punea, but by Fijian tradition and not by Christrian/English tradition. Verification is still being sought. Stephen’s children are Stephen Smith (junior) and Henry Smith (who’s descendents have close ties to the Methodist Church in Fiji). (This seems to be verified by the death certificate listing two children,). They claim descent from Henry and do not know a lot about Stephen (junior). They actually knew things about Stephen and Cornelius before we found items verifying what they have told us. Henry married Harriet Sorby. Stephen and Harriet had children, Stephen born 1892, William born 1894, John born 1896. Harry born 1899, Jimmy born 1901, Robert born 1904 and another son who’s name was not known. I would love to find birth certificates for these children or even death certificates for Stephen Smith Junior and Henry Smith who married Harriet Sorby. The story of a Fijian Princess comes from a different Smith Family who married into the Mitchell family in Fiji (see Face book entry “Smith Family in Fiji”). That family claimed a connection to our own Smith Family but I have not, yet, found that connection. Still looking….Brian.
Brian,
My great grandmother Mary Shackley married Thomas Albert Sorby on 22nd May 1893 in Rewa, Fiji. His father was Wilhelm Thomas Sorby and his wife was Mere Balavu.
Ruth Johnson Turner
hi, just reading all the posts I am also from the Elijah smith lineage in australia my father was Edward Lucas smith descended from Adrian Hilderbrand Smith grandson of Elijah
Hello Rhonda…..I descend from Adrian’s brother Stephen Lucas Smith….I have heard about Edward Lucas Smith from Yvette
Smith/Payne. My father Reginald Smith was first cousins with Yvette and they were the best of friends. Glad to hear we have someone working on things as well as myself. I last heard of the Fijian connection of two sons to Stephen Smith being in the Navaloa Institute ….1876. I thought I may have to go over to Fiji or New Zealand to find records of students at that institute…but you may have a better idea…I also have a photo of Elijah’s brother John Smith in the U,K Happy to share……Regards Christine Smith
hi Christine -glad to hear from you – Yvette has my details would love to meet some time
Hi Christine, I too am a descendant from Stephen Lucas Smith (son of Edward Lucas SMITH and Eliza Sargent INGHAM), as Stephen is my Great Grandfather through his son Kenneth Edward SMITH, via my father Kevin William John SMITH. All I have are names, from a distant cousin. I would be grateful for any information which points me towards any documentation, which I can use to fill in blanks, etc of the family tree. Regards Stephen Smith
Hello Christine, Patrick, Rhonda…Craig Lucas-Smith here in Sydney. Descendent of Basil Thomas Smith, brother of Stephen and Adrian. Happy to share the research I have gathered to date of Elijah descendants. please email me if interested
I am glad you have found this site, Craig. I posted a blog to add a few items that I thought may assist. However, what is needed is more documentation so as to rule various alternatives in or out. To this end Christine has been invaluable. Smith descendents from wichever line we look at may all connect with the same family in England but we are still looking. I am sorry that I seemed to have lost contact with Rhonda. Other bloggers are looking for the Sorby family. Henry Smith (brother of Stephen junior), from a union not recognised by the English Christian Church in Fiji, had married into the Sorby family. The details and diagram had been drawn up by Henry’s Fijian descendents in Suva. Brian Archer.
I have a record (birth, marriage or death? Can’t recall which one) of a Sorby/Smith. I’ll send you all (Brian, Craig, Christine, Patrick and Rhonda) a copy when I access my PC at home.
I will be looking forward to seeing anything you have about the Smith/Sorby connection. That could be a vital item in the verification of many items. Brian.
Thanks for the reminder Bruce. Emailed birth certificates of William (1894), Henry (1899), Jimmy (1901) and John (1896).
Hi Dulcie,
I’m wondering if you know if any Kailoma, Part-European families migrated to the United States (East Coast in particular) possibly in the early to mid 1800’s
I have been into genealogy for a while and traced my family back to Europe. A DNA test resulted in I and 6 other 4th-6th cousins having Melanesian DNA. I also found out that 5 other 4th-6th cousins that have Polynesian DNA.
I contacted all the above and many of the responses were at a total loss. Having any DNA Melanesian/Polynesian is extremely rare considering I have not found a relative in my line that ventured past the East Coast, Appalachian mountain regions when they settled in America directly from Europe.
A few Fijians from Lovoni, Ovalau, were captured by Cakobau and sold to the Barnum circus in the USA in 1871. see Smith Family of Fiji ( Qamea- Lovoni)
This may be too late for your possible connection, however.
Do any of your ancestors/grand parents have the last name Whippy? A David Whippy originated in the East Coast (Nantucket Island), not sure if any of his descendants moved back there, but David arrived in Fiji in 1822.
The Melanesian DNA is more than likely due to Fijian heritage, Polynesian possibly Tongans or Fijian. The Lau group Fijians will have some Polynesian DNA due to the Tonga/Fiji inter island wars. Lots of “half Tongans” in Fiji during the 17 and 18 hundreds.
Trading vessels travelling between the US and Asia, like China and Philippines, sometimes recruited people from the Pacific to be part of the ships crew. Ships were mostly from the US West coast, in particular Salem and New Bedford but there were other trading vessels from different countries e.g. France, that travelled to and from the US and South America. Your Melanesian ancestor (who could be from any Melanesian island) could have been on a trading vessel and got off at a port in the US.
In terms of families migrating, I know of one instance a sailor returned to Salem with his Fiji born daughter in the 1850’s but the daughter never married or had children.
You say you’ve traced your family back to Europe, which I assume goes back 6 generations? Is it possible someone was adopted?
Hello Dulcie,
I was wondering if you had any further information on John Francis Dyer in Wainunu. I’m trying to research further the origins of my maternal grandmother – Frances Julia Dyer’s biological father. She was born in 1922 in Wainunu, Bua to a Mr. Dyer and Alice Irene Miller. Appreciate any assistance you can offer.
Vinaka.
Bula Dulcie and all .
I am a descendant of John Esparr, the unknown Native American who settled in Kadavu. I am trying to research his origins and to know where is he really from and wether he got a family living somewhere in this globe. Records shows that he is a mystery ,how he came to Fiji is a mystery. If you or anyone can shine some light on this mystery ancestor of ours will be highly appreciated. Vinaka vakalevu.
Bula Kolinio, I’ll check my resources to see if I have any information on John Esparr/Sparr. Will email you along with other resources you can follow-up on. Vinaka, Dulcie
Stephen Smith son of Kevin William Smith. Your father lived with us when his mother Violet died. I have a lot of smith information. We must get in touch! Great to hear from you.
Hi, I came across this website while googling Fiji! I have ancestry firmly fixed in England. I did an Ancestry DNA test at Christmas and have two separate matches with Fiji ancestry both seemingly descended from Matthew Simpson and Emma Whippy. I have no apparent connection with Fiji at all, and the only possible link I can find is my GG Grandfather, Edwin Hawthorn, who was born in Ireland in 1811 and was in the Navy between 1824-1850, when he married my GG Grandmother in Kent and eventually died in Hull,Yorkshire, where I live. He never lived in Fiji to my knowledge, but may have travelled there during his navy years. Any ideas where I can go with this will be gratefully received!
Hi Jan, is it possible the link is from the Simpson or Whippy family before they arrived in Fiji? David Whippy of Nantucket, Massachusetts arrived in Fiji circa 1825. I believe the Whippy family have English heritage, see Carole Riley’s family chart: http://caroleriley.id.au/familyTree/ui24.htm
Hi Dulcie, thank you for your reply. I feel that the generation my matches and I share is with Edwin, which is why I was thinking he may have Fiji connections (a child maybe?) during his time in the navy, but it is possible that it could be an earlier generation. I have no American ancestry as far as I’m aware, but Edwin’s wife Miriam was born in the northern part of Kent, her father was a schoolmaster but her mother’s ancestors had connections with shipbuilding and Chatham is close to London. The link is definitely with this side of my family, I’ll have to do more research to see if there are any Simpson or Whippy marriages with my Acworths of Chatham, or anything connecting Edwin to O’Connor in Ireland. Thank you for your suggestion.
I am wondering if Jan Holmes looked further into the William Simpson connection? I am seeking more information on him. All I have so far pre Fiji is that he was from Poplar, London, born circa 1794.
Hi Rowena,
No, I haven’t found any connection to William Simpson. I’m convinced my 2x Great Grandfather was in Fiji some time in the first half of the 1800s during his time in the Navy. The only shared DNA matches I have on Ancestry are either in Fiji or connected to my Irish 2xGGF or his sister who left Ireland to live in the USA.
Hi Dulcie
I’m researching my family tree, the Mckissacks from Elgin, Scotland. I know brothers, George and John were in Fiji in the mid to late 1800s. John died there, we are unsure of how and family stories say George married and had a family there but he returned to the UK alone. Are you aware of any families with this name or variation of?
Thanks for any help or pointers on where to start looking?
Thanks
Gill
Hi Gill, unfortunately no. You can try posting a message on the Fiji community board on Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com.au/boards/localities.oceania.fiji.general/mb.ashx OR on https://fijilandofourfathers.com/kailomas-fiji/.
Hi Dulcie,
Thanks for your reply, I’ll try the links you’ve kindly suggested
John and ?MayGod? McKissack had a child May Mckissack at Wairiki in 1875.
John was 42 years old, born at Moray’s Rise, Scotland, and was a planter.
Maygod’s maiden name was ?MayGod? Jane Payn, born in London, aged 42.
they had married in London on 11 May 1873.
They had already had another deceased child by Jan 1876 when May’s birth was registered. No 15, 1876 at Levuka. Fiji General Birth registrations. She was not yet baptized.
………………..
John and George McKissack were living at Wairiki in May 1875. John had a wife and 2 children. George was single.
Hi Cliavaa, thanks very much for this info. We didn’t know John had had another child so this is very interesting. Could I ask how you found this extra info please?
Hey dulcey I have no information about my decedent .. we are the Bennion and everything online is false
Hello
I wonder if you could help me find my mothers find the true informations about her descendants William Hughes who had a daughter name Mary which is her name sake. William Hughes came from New York and the story was that a nobles daughter didn’t have anyone the same level as her (noble level) so the noble in that village in Fiji name Sambada (not sure if it correct), force William to marry his daughter. I appreciate you much if you help. Thank you.
hi, wow this is awesome, I’ve been looking into discovering my geneology for a year and a bit now. I am one of the granddaughters of Martha Rounds and just looking to ask if there is any Asian blood in the Rounds family, as I have found myself wondering for a while, and I have not been able to find any evidence of it on my fathers side,
Thank you, vinaka vaka levu 🙂
Hello
Been reading through all the comments and on the families that you mentioned, especially on the Mar Family. Just wondering if you happen to have any information on the Mar Family from Gau. According to my grandmother (who’s a Mar), her father was a Chinese Immigrant by the name of Mar Moon (not sure), who set up a bakery in Gau, before they moved to Levuka. My great grandfather is buried at the Old Chinese Cemetary in Delainavesi.
Any information would be appreciated. Vinaka vaka levu
Hi Dulcie
I commenced a Family Tree for the Hazelman family who originated from a relationship as a visiting sailor with a local woman from Veisese near Nadi towards Lautoka. The FT of this Kailoma family now totals 1500 souls who live Savusavu Canada and Australia and various other locations around the World. I am stuck trying to find any information about Thomas Francis Hazelman who was the visiting sailor.
If you can find out any info on Thomas I would be a very happy genealogist. Note that my wife is a fourth generation member of the Hazelman family and we now live in NZ.
Hi Ivor, I do recall reading a short biography of Thomas Hazelman in ‘Fiji diary and narratives’ by Edwin James Turpin – can’t recall if I copied it. I will have a look on my drives and will email you.
Anyone knows the history/Famiky Tree of the Driver Family
Hi Dulcie, thank you for your amazing site. For the section about Americans in 19th Century, there is a brief narrative on Benjamin Halstead, could you please let me know where you got this information from?
Hi Jason, citations are at the bottom of that page. Let me know if you have trouble accessing the link, I can send you a copy of the pages.
British-American Claims Arbitral Tribunal. 1913. American and British claims arbitration. Claim 44 – answer. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office, pp. 118-119. Retrieved online from http://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433081736211