Take a trip back through a golden era of New Zealand’s history in the South Island’s scenic Otago region. The romance and adventure of the gold rush days is easy to recapture in this rugged landscape which still bears the signs of the goldminers’ struggles to win their fortunes by striking it RICH. Many New Zealand families can trace their first connection with New Zealand from these early endeavours.
Come along on a journey of a lifetime. Check out the dedicated website to the Goldfields Cavalcade.
Explore the Otago Goldfields Heritage Trail. Research online, pick up a brochure and follow the signage to historic goldmining sites of scenic wonder and cultural heritage significance.
Who are the Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust anyway and what do they do?
Physical address: The Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust
Cnr of Erris and Donegal Streets, Cromwell, Central Otago
PO Box 91 Cromwell 9342
Phone: (03) 445-0111
Email, please click here
September 7, 2009 at 5:01 pm
7 September, 2009
The Goldfields Heritage Trust
Dear Secretary,
At present I am completing a manuscript for the New Zealand National Library on the life story of the Otago and Southland Mining Warden and Magistrate John Nugent Wood [1827-1906], his wife author Susan Wood [1836-1880] and her brother author Henry Lapham [1849-1887].
Incorporated in the manuscript is a biography of Tasmanian-born Gabriel Read. I understand that in 1988 a memorial was erected to commemorate Gabriel Read at Lawrence and I would like to include a photo of this please in the manuscript.
Are you aware of this memorial and is it possible for me to obtain a picture electronically of this memorial please?
If you do not have any such picture, could you perhaps direct me please to a person at who may be able to assist.
I look forward to your assistance.
Thank you.
Peter C. Sims
PO Box 692
Quoiba
Tasmania
Australia 7310
December 19, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Greetings
I am living in Napier, and am doing my family tree. My father’s parents were both born of Scottish and Irish descent, in and around Roxburgh and Gore.
From the birth certificates of my grandmother’s sisters, I see that my great grandfather, Irishman John McLoughlin (or McLaughlin) was a “hotelkeeper” in Shingle Creek in the 1870’s and sometimes a miner.
Where can I get information about what life was like for those pioneers, the physical and social environment when they were living here, and how the women managed with having a baby almost every year?
I did a night school class in geneaology this term (remember night school? Those subsidised adult learning classes abolished by Anne Tolley this year?)and am intrigued and fascinated by the unfolding story of my family.
I hope you can advise me on other websites and books that will help me understand their lives.
Thank you!
Maxine Boag
m.boag@xtra.co.nz
021 024 704 84