Re: Raitt Family in New Zealand
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In reply to:
Raitt Family in New Zealand
debbie ervine 9/10/11
Are you sure her father was a sea captain and not just a crew member (ships carpenter)? There are several Raitt men from Arbroath, Scotland that went to sea, two named James Raitt.One ended up in New Zealand. I will provide the facts on him so you can see if it sounds like your man.
James Raitt, born 23 Jun 1841, St.Vigeans, Arbroath, Scotland. (birth registration at ScotlandsPeople)
1851 Scotland Census
Name:James Raitt
Mother:Elspeth Raitt
Father:James Raitt
Birth:abt 1849 - St.Vigeans, Forfarshire
Residence:St Vigeans, Angus
James Raitt and Helen MacDonald were married 20 Aug 1864 at 5 Church Street, Arbroath, Scotland after banns (Church of Scotland).His occupation was Seaman, Merchant Service.He was 23 and living at 59 West Abbly Street, Arbroath. His father was James Raitt, handloom weaver and mother was Elspit Craig.Helen MacDonald (signed by her x mark) was a worker at a flax spinning mill and live at 5 Church Street, Arbroath.Her father was James MacDonald, cooper (deceased) and mother was Elizabeth Scott.
The 1871 Scotland census shows Helen and children. I assume James is at sea:
Name: Helen Raitt
Age: 26
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1845
Relationship: Head
Gender: Female
Where born: Arbroath, Forfarshire
Registration Number: 272
Registration district: Arbroath
Civil parish: Arbroath
Town: Arbroath
County: Angus
Address: Barngreen
ED: 16
Household schedule number: 131
Line: 9
Roll: CSSCT1871_47
Household Members:
Name Age
Helen Raitt 26
William Raitt 5
Eliz Raitt 4
Jemima Raitt 2
Isabella Raitt 8 MO
James Raitt and family came to New Zeland on the ship Horfar in 1874. Family included
James, age 33, occupation joiner, from Fofar, Scotland
Helen/Ellen (31)
William (9)
Jeminma (5)
Isabella (3) (Stella Isabella)
Mary (8 mths).
You can see that daughter Eliz is not listed, so she probably died prior to leaving Scotland.
The family settled in Lyttelton, where James was a carpenter. Lyttelton is a port city, and as we will see in another source, he was "at sea".
James and Ellen had more children in NZ:
James Jr., 1875
Ellen, 27 Nov 1877 or 03 Mar 1878
Helen, 20 Dec 1878 (possibly your Hellaine) She is not listed in the NZ BDM, but I expect she was born there. Married William Luff 1896 in New Zealand. Marr Reg: 1896/2630 Halaine Raitt William Luff
Joseph, 1879
Elspeth Craig, 1883
Flora McDonald, 1885
From the Star newspaper, dated 4 March 1891:
Lyttelton.Failing to support. James Raitt was charged on the information of Ellen Raitt, his wife, with failing to provide for the support of his children.Mr. H.N. Nalder appeared for the defendant, and pleaded not guilty. Complainant said she had not received any support from her husband for over ten months. Her husband had always been drinking. Had been married twenty-seven years. Supported herself and children by her own work. James Raitt, son of last witness, gave similar evidence.
The defendant said he earned good wages before GOING TO SEA. Always gave his money to his wife, who did not keep his bills paid. Was willing to keep his chidren if the money could be paid to someone else besides his wife. The bench made an order of 1 pound per week towards support of the four children.
On the 1900 Electoral roll Helen is a widow, so James died sometime between 1891 and 1900.His death is not registered in New Zealand nor could I find a burial for him.
Star Newspaper, dated 29 Apr 1907 - Deaths:Raitt, Helen Macdonald Raitt, in ther 62nd year. At rest. (Death registration 1907/4166 Raitt Helen McDonald 62Y)
More Replies:
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Re: Raitt Family in New Zealand
debbie ervine 9/11/11
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Re: Raitt Family in New Zealand
Bonnie Cooper 9/11/11
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Re: Raitt Family in New Zealand
debbie ervine 9/11/11
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Re: Raitt Family in New Zealand
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Re: Raitt Family in New Zealand