From: Kathryn
To: Jan
Subject:Waipawa School History Enquiry

Hello

My name is Kathryn, and I discovered your website the other evening when I was doing some family research.

I note that your great great grandfather, Edward Bibby was chairman of the board of Waipawa school in the later half of the 1800s, and that you use to volunteer at the CHB Settlers Museum.

According to my research, my great-grandfather George W. Williamson was the headmaster at Waipawa School from 1884 to 1897. George is proving very elusive that is why I am emailing you.

I was wondering if you knew of any documents relating to Edward Bibby and Waipawa School that might contain any information relating to George William Williamson - especially any photographs, significant dates (e.g.date of birth) or his teaching experience prior to being appointed at Waipawa School. He was apparently born in London around 1851, and unfortunately there is quite a lot of George Williamsons born in London around this time so I'm trying to narrow the search!

So far I managed to find out that he was actively involved in the church in Waipawa (St. Peter's?), an accomplished piano player, and that there was fire at the headmaster's house sometime in 1892.

I also found the following snippet from a Hawkes Bay Herald transcript online, and assume that Constance is a relative of yours:

HBH March 3 1888
The friends of Miss Constance BIBBY feel proud of the position she has
gained by successfully passing her examination for Class E. This reflects credit upon Mr G W WILLIAMSON, our local schoolmaster.

Any information (or advice about who else to contact) would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance.

Kathryn Williamson
Dunedin

From: Jan
To: Kathryn
Subject:Waipawa School History Enquiry

Hi Kathryn,

I haven't got any documents or anything here at home - so I have forwarded your email on to Rosheen at the Museum. She is very good at tracking things down if there is anything around to find.

If she does find something she will email you and let you know - so fingers crossed.
And I'll ask my mum too. She lives next door and she has little collections of newspaper articles and photos - especially family orientated ones.

And yes, I am related to Constance Bibby. She is the sister to my great grandfather.

I do have a photo of her as a young woman (1890's) playing tennis with her sister Minnie. On the back of the photo it says "No doubt the Bibby girls - Minnie was rated as a male player".(she must have been very good - even with a long dress around her ankles) I don't think this photo has much to do with your research but I am hoping to include it on the website soon with a little write up about the Waipawa Tennis club - I'll send it anyway and you can decide whether you want it or not.

Anyway - good luck with your research

Regards
Jan

 Oh - I also included a couple of photos of the school and pupils. Although you might already have these. - I can't see any staff members in them though.

From: Kathryn
To: Jan
Subject:Waipawa School History Enquiry

Hi Jan

Thanks for your email. I've had a response from Rosheen at the museum so I have another avenue to follow up with regard to Riccarton School.

Thanks also for the wonderful photos. I would imagine a game of tennis back then was rather pedestrian with all those skirts and corsets getting in the way. They'd probably be mortified to see what female tennis players wear these days!

Have a nice weekend.

Regards
Kathryn

From: Jan
To: Kathryn
Subject: Waipawa School History Enquiry

Hi Kathryn,

I'm glad Rosheen could help you a little with your search, but last night I was talking to my son on the phone (he is my website administrator) and I was telling him that I am getting more and more email enquiries as to tracking down relatives and friends, or family histories and house histories... that sometimes I can help with and sometimes I can't - and he suggested that perhaps on the waipawa.com website we have a new section where people can post there inquiries and it is out there for others to see and help if they can.

So I was wondering whether you would like your inquiry posted in this section to see if anybody else can help you track down your family history?
If you do want this please email me back and then I can get Brian to post your request on the website and we can email you any responses we have.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Jan

From: Kathryn
To: Jan
Subject:Waipawa School History Enquiry

Hi Jan

Yes, please post my request on the website. Hopefully something will come of it.
Do you think it would be possible to add George's wife's name to the request?

She was considerably younger than him by nearly 30 years! Her name was Daisy Lorkin (daughter of William Lorkin)from Napier. George married her in London around 1902. She died at Dunedin in 1932.

Thanks again for your help.

Kathryn