the FURNESS on the tree as at 13 August 2010

please note: it is (as always) an ongoing project, some errors may creep in. These are corrected as soon as found. If you have anything you would like to correct or add please leave a comment below as not all private messages can be answered
Newspaper articles were taken from Papers Past

Ada Furness (1876-1961)
daughter of Robert Cole FURNESS & Sophia Jane BILLS
- Ada married Alfred Franklin HOLMES (1871-1959) in 1897 in Wellington
Alfred was born in Kaiwarrawarra to John HOLMES & Henrietta Lucretia BAKER
their known children:
* 1901 - 1973 Charles Eric Holmes
ALFRED FRANKLIN Holmes died 19 Jan 1959 aged 88
ADA Holmes died 7th July 1961 aged 84
- they are buried Plot 61Q, Lawn section at Karori, Wellington

Albert George Furness (1863-1945)
10th of 11 children of Smith FURNESS (1824-1884) & Mary PATTERSON (1823-1902). * see John Smith FURNESS married Mary PATTERSON 1846 in Wellington
- Albert married Amelia Mahala 'Minnie' GRANDIN in 1894 in Victoria, Australia
AMELIA MAHALA GRANDIN 'Minnie', was born in 1868 in Emerald Hill, Victoria, a daughter of Andrew GRANDIN & Amelia Jane BATES. Minnie died the following year, 23 July 1895 aged 27 (according to Victoria BDM records in Essendon, Victoria (thanks to tonkin for his help, see comments below)
The Argus (Melbourne) 24 July 1895 FURNESS - On the 23rd inst., at her mother's residence (Mrs A. Grandin), St Helier's, Eglinton street, Moonee Ponds, Amelia Mahala (Minnie), the beloved wife of A. G. Furness
Marlborough Express (New Zealand) 21 August 1895 FURNESS - At Moonee Ponds, Melbourne, on the 23rd July, Minnie, wife of A. G. Furness, aged 32 years
Amelia was born in 1868 so the age of 27 is correct and Moonee Ponds is only about 1.5km from Essendon so either could be said to be correct
ALBERT next married Emma GEORGE (1871-1955) in 1899 in Victoria
- born in Flemington to Thomas GEORGE & Mary Paul LARCOMBE
their residences from the Australia Electoral Rolls:
1903 - City of Bourke, Victoria
1909 - Flinders, Victoria
1914 - 1936 Kooyong, Victoria
1937 - 1943 Deakin, Victoria
ALBERT Furness died in Blackburn, Victoria in 1945 aged 81
The Argus, 27 January 1945
FURNESS - On January 26, at 9 Laurel Grove, Blackburn, Albert George, beloved husband of Emma (Private funeral. No flowers by request)
FURNESS - On January 26, at Blackburn, Albert George, dearly loved uncle of Lorna, Beatrice and Mary Hallifax, Hanover street, West Brunswick - In God's care
The private Funeral of the late ALFRED GEORGE FURNESS will leave 9 Laurel grove, Blackburn, this day (Saturday), after a service commencing at 8.45 a.m., for the Springvale Crematorium
- Albert's ashes are at Tristania, Wall 2BB, Niche 359 at Springvale Botanical Cemetery
The Argus, 5 February 1945
ALBERT GEORGE FURNESS, of Laurel Grove, Blackburn, in the State of Victoria, Warehouseman, deceased - After the expiration of fourteen clear days, The EQUITY TRUSTEES AND AGENCY COMPANY Limited, of 472 Bourke street, Melbourne, the executor appointed by deceased's will, dated the 9th November 1936, will apply to the Supreme Court for a grant of Probate of the said Will.
EMMA Furness died in Caulfield, Victoria 16 May 1955 aged 83.
The Argus, 18 May 1955 FURNESS - On May 16, at Caulfield Convalescent Hospital, Emma Furness (late of Blackburn), beloved wife of the late Albert George, sister of Charles (deceased), Grace (deceased), Tom (deceased), and Reuben.
- Emma's ashes were scattered from Springvale Botanical cemetery

Albert Victor Furness (1882-1932)
son of John FURNESS & Ellen Louisa GREY
- Albert married Leona May BEAUMONT (1874-1942) in 1907
born in Auckland, the 4th of 11 children of William BEAUMONT (1844-1920 of Armagh, Ireland) & Frances Polynesia JAGGER (1844-1925 of Rewa, Fiji)
Auckland Star, 18 July 1932 The funeral of Mr Albert V. Furness at Waikumete on Saturday afternoon was very largely attended by commercial men of the city. The family has had many letters and telegrams expressing sympathy from all parts of the province. Mr Furness was in France for about two and a half years, and was wounded at the battle of Ypres. On his return he resumed his position with Messrs A. J. Entrican, Ltd., and had been a director of the firm for several years past. His wife was Miss Leona Beaumont, daughter of the late Mr William Beaumont, the former business manager of the 'Auckland Star'

Alexander Walter Furness (1892-1955)
son of Robert Cole FURNESS & Sophia Jane BILLS
- Alexander married Pretoria Pearl BRANDEIS (1900-) in 1924
daughter of Johann 'Jacob' BRANDEIS (1858-1929) & Isabel Constance Murray STUBBS. Jacob was a 1st class piano tuner with the Dresden Piano Company. Jacob & Isabel separated in 1925 & Isabel remarried to Andrew Clouston in 1928

Ann Furness (1822-)
daughter of William FOURNESS (Cordswainer) & Hannah KING
a cordswainer is a worker in leather such as a shoe maker or a rope maker. Originally a term used for a person who worked with Cordovan, a special soft leather from Spain. Later it became the term used for a shoemaker
- (note her name change)

Arthur Edward Furness (1867-1949)
11th of 11 children of Smith FURNESS & Mary PATTERSON
- Arthur was a Salesman
- he married Miriam TOWNSEND (1860-1893) in 1893 & had a daughter:
* 1893 - 1916 Miriam Eileen Furness (+ Thomas Grice Palmer 1916)
Hawke's Bay Herald, 31 October 1893 BIRTH FURNESS - At Stratford, on Sunday, October 22nd, 1893, the wife of A. E. Furness, of a daughter
(Miriam died giving birth to Miriam Eileen)
Hawke's Bay Herald, 31 October 1893 DEATH FURNESS - At Stratford, on Sunday, October 22nd, 1893, at her residence, Miriam, the beloved wife of A. E. Furness, of Stratford
- Arthur next married Margaret LOW in 1896 & had a son:
* 1903 - 1980 Howard Smith Furness
Auckland Star, 18 December 1889 THIS DAY ... He called Arthur Edward Furness, salesman with Messrs Hannah and Co...
Evening Post, 1 November 1890 IN BANKRUPTCY, Wellington John and Arthur Edward Furness, Bootmakers, Wellington
Wairarapa Daily Times, 10 September 1891 PEARCE'S GREAT SALE of Boots & Shoes. Boot Importer and Manufacturer, Opposite Club Hotel, Masterton. A. E. FURNESS, Manager
Hawera & Normanby Star, 26 February 1895 IN BANKRUPTCY, Hawera Arthur Edward Furness, of Stratford, bootmaker
Manawatu Standard, 6 February 1905 JURY The next sitting of the District Court will be held in Palmerston on the 17th inst. The following jury has been drawn:- ... A. E. Furness
Wanganui Herald, 23 February 1905 PATENTS A. E. Furness, Palmerston north, instep supporting device
Northern Advocate, 19 May 1916 MASONIC FUNCTION At the Masonic hall, Walton street, Whangarei. The officers present were, A. E. Furness ...
Northern Advocate, 6 February 1920 PUBLIC NOTICE Mr C. SCHON, Bootmaker, Cameron Street, Whangarei, desires to notify the public that he had disposed of his business as a going concern to Mr A. E. Furness
Northern Advocate, 19 February 1920 THE FURNESS SHOE STORE A. E. Furness, Boot and Shoe Specialist, wishes to notify all friends who knew him during the eight years he conducted the Shoe Department of Harrison and Sons that he has opened an up-to-date Boot and Shoe Parlour in Cameron Street in the premises lately occupied by K. Schon
Northern Advocate, 8 October 1921 NEW BOWLING CLUB The third meeting of those interested in formation of a Bowling Club at the Kensington end of the town took place in the Parochial Hall last evening and was well attended. The election of officers resulted as follows:- committee ... & A. E. Furness
Northern Advocate, 24 April 1923 STATUTORY HALF-HOLIDAY We, the undersigned business men of the combined districts of Whangare and Kamo, hereby pledge ourselves to support Thursday as the Statutory half-holiday for the district:- ... & A. E. Furness
ARTHUR died 16 April 1949 aged 82 in Auckland
- his ashes buried Plot: COLUMBARIUM NICHE WALL OLD Row B, Plot 726 at Waikumete

Arthur Frederick Furness (1878-1951)
son of John FURNESS & Ellen Louisa GREY
- Arthur was a Civil Servant
- he married Lilian Jane HEALY (1883-1911) in 1902
only daughter (& 2 sons) of Edward Christopher HEALY & Elizabeth Kate SMITH who divorced in Auckland Nov 1909
their known children:
* 1903 - 1988 Myrtle Lillian Furness (+ James Letcher 1924)
* 1904 - 1976 Clifford Roy Furness (+ Edna Agnes Annison Jones 1927)
* 1907 - 1982 Daphne Furness (+ Nelson Aubyn Stewart 1929)
* 1908 - Violet May Furness (+ Leslie Charles Russell 1934)
... son of Randolph Henry RUSSELL & Emma Jane STREETER of Napier
Arthur next married Florence Irene PERCY (1889-1984) in 1918
daughter of Thomas PERCY (1861-1934) & Mary Matilda ELLISON (1866-1955)
Auckland Star, 7 March 1934 Mr Thomas Percy A resident of Auckland district for 54 years, Mr Thomas Percy, of Wade heads, died on March 6, aged 73. Born in Antrim., Ireland, Mr Percy spent most of his boyhood in Minnesota, U.S.A. After his arrival in Auckland he was farming at East Tamaki, and later was for many years a builder living in Parnell. For the last 20 years Mr Percy had resided at Wade Heads. He was a keen yachtsman, a member of Parnell Sailing Club in bygone years, and of the Devonport Yacht Club at one time. Mr Percy owned the 26ft yacht Celox, built by Logan Brothers in 1908 (Archibald, Robert & John). He is survived by Mrs Percy and the following children: Mrs G. H. Cornes, of Wellington, Mrs A. F. Furness of Auckland, Captain W. R. Percy and Mr A. Percy of Auckland and Mr N. J. Percy of Wade Heads. There are 12 grandchildren.
their known children:
* 1919 - 1993 Frederick George Furness
* 1923 - 2005 John Percy Furness (Purewa)
* 1925 - 2007 Alexander James Furness (cremated Purewa)
ARTHUR died 21 April 1951 aged 72 in Auckland
- he is buried Plot: ANGLICAN DIVISION F Row 4, Plot 91 at Waikumete with Lillian

Charles Robert Furness (1873-1953)
born in Wellington to Robert Cole FURNESS & Sophia Jane BILLS
grandson of Smith FURNESS & Mary PATTERSON

Edith Furness (1878-1962)
daughter of Robert Cole FURNESS & Sophia Jane BILLS
- Edith married Mathew Henry KENDALL (1882-1958) in 1908
their known children:
* 1908 - 1909 Frederick Charles Kendall (aged 4 months)
* 1912 - 1993 Leslie Frank Kendall
MATHEW HENRY Kendall died in Wellington 15 February 1958 aged 76
EDITH Kendall died 9 March 1962 aged 85
- they are buried Plot 83D, Lawn Section at Karori cemetery

Edmund Earl Furness (1882-1946)
son of Robert Henry FURNESS & Elizabeth Martha ASHBRIDGE
- Edmund married Blanche Louisa URWIN (1881-1932) in Wellington 22 July 1906
daughter of Alfred Adolphus Thomas URWIN & Eliza Harriet PARSONS
Evening Post 7 April 1906 A pretty wedding was celebrated on Wednesday afternoon, 28th March, at St Peter's Church, the contracting parties being Mr Edmund Earl Furness, of the staff of the Wellington Harbour Board, and only son of Mr R. H. Furness, of Adelaide-road, and Miss Blanche Urwin, fifth daughter of Mr T. A. Urwin, of Pirie-street. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev G. P. Davys, and was witnessed by a large gathering of relatives and friends. The bride was attended by Miss Furness (sister of the bridegroom) and Miss Gladys MacKay, and her two little nieces, Miss Esme Urwin and Miss Zita Casey. She wore a handsome gown of white louisine silk, elegantly trimmed with old lace and passementeric trimming with a handsome collar of pearls. The elder bridesmaids were attired in cream dresses and floral hats, and the little ones looked charming in white silk Empire frocks and Victoria bonnets. After the ceremony a reception was held at the residence of the bride's parents, "Glenlora", Pirie-street, and the numerous guests were entertained in the evening at the Foresters' Hall.
The honeymoon is being spent in the Auckland district
Dominion, 27 February 1914 Edmund Earl Furness petitioned for a dissolution of his marriage with Blanche Lawson(sic) Furness on the ground of misconduct. The co-respondent named was Leonard Cooke, bank clerk, now in West Australia
* Blanche next married in 1921 to Charles James GERARD
* Blanche next married in 1926 to William PIRIE
EDMUND next married Kathleen Eva BRIGHT (1888-1973) in 1923
daughter of William Charles BRIGHT & Mary MULVIHILL
Evening Post, 7 April 1923 FURNESS-BRIGHT - On the 7th April, 1923, at Kent Terrace Church, by the Rev J. Baird, B.A., Edmund Earl Furness, son of Mrs Furness, and the late R. H. Furness, to Kathleen Eva Bright, daughter of Mrs M. Bright and the late Mr W. Bright, of Westport

Emma Furness (1853-1853)
born in Wellington, 6th of 11 children of Smith FURNESS & Mary PATTERSON
- Emma died aged 10 days

Ethel Furness (1880-1939)
daughter of Smith James FURNESS & Emily Eva HOUGH
- Ethel married Francis Tucker ROBINSON (1881-1964) 1909 in Blenheim
son of James Tucker ROBINSON (1836-1910) & Sarah Eliza HISCOCK (1840-1918). James Tucker Robinson settled in Blenheim in 1855 (when it was called Beaverton) and was an Ironmonger, Coach Builder & Wheelwright in the firm of Robinson Bros. He also took a prominent part in local politics. He was in partnership with his brother, John Tucker Robinson, who was the Town Clerk of Blenheim and the secretary of the Marlborough Education Board
their known children:
* 1910 - Ian James Tucker Robinson
* 1912 - Marjorie Ethel Robinson

Frank Furness (1886-1957)
son of Robert Cole FURNESS & Sophia Jane BILLS
- Frank married Alice Bertha WIN (1891-1979) in 1913
7th of 9 known children of Edwin James WIN (1855-1954) & Emma Maria BEST (1860-1939) of Nelson. Edwin had brothers, John William Win (1854-1934), George Griffith Win (1856-1944) & Hender Luke Noble Win (1857-1946), sons of John WIN (1828-1905 born Wales, died Dovedale, Nelson) & Catherine Martha HUMPHREYS (1830-1920 born Nottinghamshire, died Dovedale)

Geoffrey Furness (1890-1957)
son of Smith James Furness & Emily Eva HOUGH
- married Veronica Madeline O'SULLIVAN (1892-1971) in 1912
daughter of John O'SULLIVAN & Margaret HICKIE/HICKEY
their known children:
* 1913 - 1980 John Stanislaus Furness

George Ernest Furness (1884-1951)
son of Robert Cole FURNESS & Sophia Jane BILLS
- George married Ivy Mary MARTIN (1884-1969) in 1915
1 of 12 known children of William Peter MARTIN & Emily HOGG
George was a Salesman of 3 Kitchener Terrace, New Plymouth
GEORGE ERNEST Furness died 4 Dec 1951 in New Plymouth aged 67
IVY MARY Furness died 6 Jan 1969 in Oakura aged 85
- they are buried Alpha Block, Row BL, West Plots 14 & 15 at Te Henui cemetery

Gilbert Furness (1881-1956)
born in Wellington (however, this name has been found often spelt Furniss)
- Gilbert married Constance Jane FULLER (1886-1937) in 1922
born in Little Taranaki, Wellington to John Henry FULLER & his 2nd wife, Heni Jane FARLEY (1835-1914), daughter of Matthew Underdown FARLEY (1804-1845 born Kent, died Rawhiti) & Riperata Te TUPUA (1812-1888 born Waimate, died Waimate. Also married Tohia Niwaniwa Piripo 1812-1876)

Gwendolyn Furness (1895-1982)
daughter of Smith James Furness & Emily Eva HOUGH
- married Albert James PARRIS (1896-1973) in 1921
Albert enlisted for WWI in May 1916 from Kaikoura

Henry John Furness (1884-1943)
son of John FURNESS & Ellen Louisa GREY
- Henry was a Clerk
- he married Clara Amelia PROBERT (1886-1982) in 1911
4th of 6 known children of William Augustus PROBERT & Clara Louisa HAMPSHIRE
their known children:
* 1914 - 1991 Audrey Claire Furness
HENRY died 4 March 1943 in Auckland
- he is buried Plot: PRESBYTERIAN DIVISION D Row 21, Plot 23 at Waikumete with Clara

John Furness (1826-)

John Furness (1856-1938)
John was born in Wellington 17 Nov 1856
7th of 11 children of Smith FURNESS & Mary PATTERSON
- John married Eleanor Louisa 'Ellen' GREY (1853-1928) in Wellington 8 Dec 1877
their known children:
* 1878 - 1951 Arthur Frederick Furness
* 1882 - 1932 Albert Victor 'Bert' Furness
* 1884 - 1943 Henry John 'Jack' Furness
* 1888 - 1948 Norman Frank Furness (Auckland Health Inspector)
* 1895 - 1896 John Ernest William Furness
- John died aged 5 months & is buried Plot 176A, Public section at Karori
(the Karori database has William Furness aged 5 years)
Evening Post, 15 February 1896 The Friends of John and Ellen Furness are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of their infant son, John E. W., which will leave their residence, 172 Taranaki-street, on Monday, 17th Feb., 1896, at 10.30, for Karori Cemetery.
(thanks to JBF911 for drawing attention to this 5th son - see comments below)
John & Ellen later moved to Auckland
* In 1923 John took over the business of Land & Estate Agent 249 Karangahape Rd
* In 1925 John was a candidate for the Auckland City Council (he was unsuccessful)
ELLEN LOUISA Furness died 17 Dec 1928 aged 75
New Zealand Herald, 19 December 1928 On December 17 (suddenly), Ellen Louisa, dearly-beloved wife of John Furness, 21 Maidstone Street (Grey Lynn). - For ever with the Lord. (Wellington papers please copy). Funeral 2 p.m. to-day (Wednesday), for Waikumete Cemetery
... The death has occurred of Mrs E. L. Furness, wife of Mr John Furness, land agent, Auckland. Mrs Furness was 74 years of age. She had an intimate knowledge of early Auckland and often recalled the time when the barracks were on the Albert park site in the time of the Maori war, when the gates used to be closed at sundown and sentries posted. Another memory was Fort Britomart with the long flight of steps to the water's edge. She took a keen interest in church and bazaar work, and was well known for her philanthropic efforts. Mrs Furness leaves four sons, Arthur, Bert, Jack and Norman, 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Ellen is buried WESLEY DIVISION C Row 4, Plot 13A at Waikumete, Auckland
JOHN Furness moved to Sydney Australia and died there 5 Jan 1938
Auckland Star, 8 January 1938 FURNESS - On January 7, at Sydney, John, beloved father of Arthur, Jack, Norman and the late Albert Furness; aged 81 years. (By cable)
The Sydney Morning Herald, 7 January 1938
FURNESS ? January 5, 1938, at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, John Furness, of Golden Grove Street, Darlington, aged 82 years
The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 7 January 1938
FURNESS - The Relatives and Friends of the late JOHN FURNESS of Golden Grove Street Darlington are invited to attend his Funeral; to leave the Private Chapel of Motor Funerals, Limited, 30 City Road, City, THIS AFTFRNOON at 2 o'clock for the Crematorium Rookwood

John Edward Furness (1849-1849)
born 2 Feb 1849, 3rd of 11 children of Smith FURNESS & Mary PATTERSON
JOHN died as an infant

John 'Smith' Furness (1824 - 1884)
born Halifax, West Yorkshire to William FOURNESS (Cordswainer) & Hannah KING
- married Mary PATTERSON of London 2 Feb 1846 St Paul's Wellington
John drowned in the Nelson Harbour aged 59
Grey River Argus, 3 March 1884 - LOVE and INSANITY, Nelson, March 2
At the inquest on the body of John Smith Furness, found drowned, the following letter, posted on Friday evening to Mrs Furness, and which had been obtained from the post office by a son-in-law with permission of the widow, who is in Wellington, was read:- "Mary, when you receive this I will be no more. Sam and Sarah are as Judas Iscariot. They betrayed a man by saying 'Whomever I put my finger on, take him.' I forgive all your unkindness to me - Signed, S. Furness." The jury returned a verdict of drowned while suffering from temporary insanity.
(the Sarah & Sam mentioned in the note was his daughter & son-in-law)
- he is buried PLOT 261.R - SECTION: PUBLIC at Bolton St., Cemetery Wellington
MARY Furness died 7 July 1902 aged 82
- she is buried Plot 35, Block 56 at Terrace End cemetery, Palmerston North

Kathleen Furness (1885-1947)
daughter of Smith James FURNESS & Emily Eva HOUGH
- she married Francis James HULL (1866-1954) in 1914 as his second wife
a son, James Edward Hull (1915-1939) served in WWII as Pilot Officer 26206 with the Royal Air Force, 207 Squadron. He enlisted from Carterton, his next of kin being his father of Hastings. James was Killed in an aircraft accident in England 19 Sep 1939 aged 24.
* Francis James Hull had first married Emma LOGAN (1868-1913) 9 Sep 1902 & had 3 sons. Emma died in Patea aged 45 and is buried at Clifton cemetery, Bulls

Mabel Susan Furness (1885-1961)
daughter of Robert Henry FURNESS & Elizabeth Martha ASHBRIDGE of Wellington
- Mabel married James Scott CONNELL (1878-1946) in 1910 & divorced in 1928
stepson of Peter CONNELL (1837-1922 born Lasswade, Edinburgh, arrived from Mull of Cantire into Dunedin in March 1861 on the 'Arima', died Moxham Ave., Kilbirnie, Wellington) & Jane CONNELL (1842-1923 born Wellington, died Wellington). James Scott Connell was for a time the Postmaster at Courtney Place, Wellington

Marjorie 'Madge' Furness (1894-1895)
daughter of Smith James Furness & Emily Eva HOUGH
- Marjorie died aged 11 months
Marlborough Express, 22 February 1895 FURNESS - At Dillon Street, Blenheim, on the 21st instant, Madge Furness; aged 11 months

Mary Furness (1850-1926)
4th of 11 children of Smith FURNESS & Mary PATTERSON
- Mary married Edwin Walter WOODHOUSE in 1871 in Wellington
their known children:
* 1871 - 1895 Alfred Woodhouse
* 1873 - Emma Sarah Woodhouse
* 1874 - John Garner Woodhouse
* 1875 - 1958 Edwin Walter Woodhouse
* 1877 - 1877 Edmund Woodhouse (aged 4 days)
* 1879 - unrecorded Woodhouse
* 1881 - Edith Mary Woodhouse
- Mary next married John HOLMES (1838-1923) 21 Jan 1885 in Wellington
their known children:
* 1885 - 1972 Ellen Ruth Holmes (+ Alfred Septimus Aplin 1901)
* 1887 - Gertrude May Holmes
MARY Woodhouse died in Wellington aged 75

Miriam Eileen Furness (1893-1916)
daughter of Arthur Edward FURNESS & Miriam TOWNSEND
- Miriam married Thomas Grice PALMER (1889-1952) in Whangarei 10 Feb 1916
MIRIAM died 9 months later, 11 Nov 1916, possibly giving birth as her mother had
Northern Advocate , 14 November 1916 The friends of Mr T. G. Palmer, of Whangarei, will sincerely regret to hear of the death of his young wife, who passed away at 6p.m. on Saturday. Mrs Palmer, who was the only daughter of Mr A. Furness, of Whangarei, was born at Stratford, Taranaki, 23 years ago, and from quite a young girl she took a keen interest in the work of the Methodist Church. She was for some time organist to the Christian Endeavour Society in Palmerston North and on coming to Whangarei she filled a similar position, and also became organist to the Methodist Church, which post she occupied until quite recently. She was very popular with the congregation and a memorial service in connection with her death is to be held. The young husband will have the deepest sympathy in his sad bereavement.
* Thomas was born in Whangarei to William Hall PALMER (1839-1920) & Jane GRICE (1847-1918). He was a photographer in Whangarei. Had the studios of T. G. Palmer & Son. Thomas next married Sarah Alma WILSON (1891-1968) in 1920 & had 3 children

Nora Maud Furness (1890-1949)
daughter of Robert Cole FURNESS & Sophia Jane BILLS
- Nora married Cecil Theobald COATE (1889-1950) in 1916
born in Wellington to Francis Henry COATE & Alice Maud Mary THEOBALD

Norman Frank Furness (1888-1948)
son of John FURNESS & Ellen Louisa GREY
- he married Alice Lilian HARPER (1896-1977) in 1916
Auckland Star, 31 March 1916 FURNESS-HARPER - On March 1, 1916, at the Methodist Church, London Street, Hamilton, by the Rev T. J. Wallis, Norman Frank, youngest son of Mr and Mrs J. Furness, Grey Lynn, Auckland, to Lilian Alice, eldest daughter of Mrs E. Harper, of Hamilton. Wellington papers please copy.
- Norman was a Health Department Inspector in Rotorua and other districts. As Chief Inspector of the Health Department in Auckland, was appointed a member and chairman of the Plumbers and Gasfitters Apprenticeship Committee in 1925
NORMAN FRANK Furness died 18 August 1948 in Auckland
- his ashes at COLUMBARIUM NICHE WALL VLT Row Vlt, Plot 3VL at Waikumete

Robert Cole Furness (1848-1894)
2nd of 11 children of Smith FURNESS & Mary PATTERSON
- Robert married Sophia Jane BILLS (from Stepney, Middlesex) in Wellington 1873
their known children:
* 1873 - Charles Robert Furness
* 1876 - Ada Furness
* 1878 - Edith Furness
* 1882 - William Thomas Furness
* 1884 - George Ernest Furness
* 1886 - Frank Furness
* 1890 - Nora Maud Furness
* 1892 - Alexander Walter Furness
ROBERT died by suicide 25 Jan 1894 aged 46 in Thorndon, Wellington

Robert Henry Furness (1857-1906)
8th of 11 children of Smith FURNESS & Mary PATTERSON
- Robert married Elizabeth Martha ASHBRIDGE (1859-1949) St Peter's, Wellington in 1881
their known children:
* 1882 - 1946 Edmund Earl Furness
* 1885 - 1961 Mabel Susan Furness
Robert was on the Wellington City Council
ROBERT died in Wellington aged 49

Roy Patterson Furness (1883 - 1952)
son of Smith James & Emily Eva HOUGH
- he married Elsie May EVANS (1884-1955) in Christchurch in 1909
daughter of Richard Ernest Milsham EVANS & Emily Alice JOHNSTON
their known children:
* 1913 - 1994 Donald Milsham Furness

Sarah Jane Furness (1829-)
born in Halifax to William FOURNESS & Hannah KING

Sarah Jane Furness (1859-1936)
born 21 June 1859 in Wellington, 9th of 11 children of Smith FURNESS & Mary PATTERSON
- Sarah married Samuel READ (1850-1934) on Xmas Day 1876 in Wellington
Samuel was a Painter in Wellington
their known children:
* 1877 - 1926 Samuel James Read
* 1881 - 1929 Ernest Arthur Read
* 1882 - 1961 Percival Charles Read (+ Elsie May Gifford 1915)
* 1884 - 1966 Frederick George Read
* 1887 - 1948 Olive Violetta Read (twin, + William Henry Martin 1912)
* 1887 - 1955 Albert Victor Read (twin)
* 1898 - 1964 Louis Edgar Read (+ Olive May Jackson 1919)
* 1900 - 1981 Horace Reginald Read (+ Irene Old 1924)
SAMUEL Read died 10 August 1934 aged 84
SARAH JANE Read died 8 June 1936 aged 2 weeks from 77
- they are buried Plot 317C, Section PUBLIC3 at Karori cemetery

Smith James Furness (1852-1921)
- born 13 February 1852 in Wellington
5th of 11 children of Smith FURNESS & Mary PATTERSON
- he married Emily Eva HOUGH in Nelson in 1879
Nelson Evening Mail 29 April 1879 FURNESS - HOUGH
On April 28th, at the residence of the bride's father, Collingwood-street, by the Rev Raisford Bavin, Smith James, third son of Mr S. Furness, of Wellington, to Emily Eva, youngest daughter of Mr W. Hough, Nelson
their known children:
* 1880 - 1939 Ethel Furness (+ Francis Tucker Robinson 1909)
* 1883 - 1952 Roy Patterson Furness (+ Elsie May Evans 1909)
* 1885 - 1947 Kathleen Furness (+ Francis Edward Hull 1914)
* 1890 - 1957 Geoffrey Furness (+ Veronica Madeline O'Sullivan 1912)
* 1894 - 1895 Marjorie 'Madge' Furness (died aged 11 months in Blenheim)
* 1895 - 1982 Gwendolyn Furness (+ Albert James Parris 1921)
Evening Post, 21 May 1921 FURNESS - On Saturday, 14th May, 1921, at Wellington, Smith james Furness, late proprietor Marlborough Express, Blenheim, and brother of Mrs J. Holmes, sen., Ngaio, in his 68th years. Only the shadows flee

William Furness (1830-1832)
- son of William FOURNESS & Hannah KING
WILLIAM died aged 2 in Halifax

William Furness (1846 - 1869)
1st of 11 children of Smith FURNESS & Mary PATTERSON
- William died 10 May 1869 aged 22 in Wellington
Evening Post, 11 May 1869 On the 10th inst., William, eldest son of Mr S. Furness, aged 22 years and 8 months
- he is buried unknown plot at Bolton Street

William Thomas Furness (1882 - 1947)
son of Robert Cole FURNESS & Sophia Jane BILLS
- William married Frances Mary SEDGWICK (1882-1967) in 1907
born in Kaikoura, 6th of 10 children of Albert Septimus SEDGWICK (1848-1919) & Agnes CHAPMAN (1852-1931)
their known children:
* 1907 - 1997 Evelyn Maud Ireline Furness (+ Robert James ELDER 1928)
* 1912 - 1998 William Rongo Furness (born 1 Jan 1912)
FRANCES MARY Furness died 13 July 1967 in Hastings

TIMELINE
Up until 1875 SMITH FURNESS was living in Wellington.
On the 18th October 1875 he started a new weekly paper in Nelson
the NELSON EVENING MAIL 29 April 1879
... MARRIAGE - FURNESS - HOUGH - On April 28th, at the residence of the bride's father, Collingwood-street, by the Rev Raisford Bavin, Smith James, third son of Mr S. Furness, of Wellington, to Emily Eva, youngest daughter of Mr W. Hough, Nelson
Smith was the proprietor of the BLENHEIM EXPRESS (or Marlborough Express) newspaper in Marlborough

On January 21st 1885 Smith was appearing in court defending a Libel action
Smith was the President of the Gaming & Lotteries Act

the COLONIST 17 November 1905
BLENHEIM LIBEL CASE - Blenheim, November 16
... The Supreme Court was occupied to-day with the libel action of George Edwards v. S. J. Furness (the propietor of the "Marlborough Express") a claim for ?1000 damages for the publication of a paragraph reproducing from the "Mercantile Gazette" the notice of a mortgage of ?250, transacted by the plaintiff. The jury returned a verdict of one farthing damages, each party to pay its own cost
In November of 2009, exactly 104 years later, that one farthing damages cost was worth about 35 cents ...

the COLONIST 9 September 1910
... PERSONAL - Mr S. J. Furness, proprietor of the "Blenheim Express," is about to retire from active newspaper work. He is handing over the control of the business to his sons, Messrs R.P. nd G. Furness

the MARLBOROUGH EXPRESS 1 Jan 2009
HISTORY IN THE MAKING - author unknown (link atphoto below)
... On an autumn Saturday in April 1866, The Marlborough Express published its first edition with a pledge to be a newspaper that served its province.

That first gray fraying edition is a museum piece alongside today's colour-splashed newspaper, but the promise of 135 years ago still holds true. This will endure because Marlborough will not accept anything less and the newspaper''s owner INL is committed to editorial excellence and independence.

Not that Marlburians can have found much fault with The Express over its history.

In 1866 two printer brothers, Samuel and Thomas Johnson were looking for a place to set up business and they chose the untidy little village, at a river junction on the Wairau Plain as their headquarters. From a little office in Alfred Street, Blenheim, the first issue of The Marlborough Express emerged on Saturday April 21, 1866.

Its leading article declared the proprietors aim "to establish a well-conducted paper that shall contain the most recent information on all subjects of general interest".

Today, from a town with a busy modern shopping and business centre providing for a internationally reknown viticulture, horticultural and sea food industry, The Marlborough Express, equipped with the latest technology in the newspaper industry, provides the Marlborough area with local, national and international news as well as being a powerful and award-winning advertising medium.

With a dedicated staff and modern plant and equipment, The Express has come a long way since Samuel and Thomas Johnson toiled in dust by day and the smoke of their oil lamps by night in their dingy shack in Alfred Street. This is the story of some of the highlights in the growth of The Express over its history.

A history of ownership
Established in 1866 by Samuel and Thomas Johnson, The Express as it was then known, became Marlborough''s first daily paper, although it was not the district''s first newspaper.

In 1879 The Express was bought by James Henry Boundy and Smith James Furness. The latter had been trained on the Wellington Independent and assisted in founding the Ashburton Guardian. In 1893 he bought James Boundy''s interest and became the sole owner.

In 1910 Smith James Furness retired and his sons Roy and Geoffrey acquired the business. Geoffrey Furness disposed of his interest to his elder brother in 1917. The third generation of the Furness family came into the picture in 1931 when Roy Furness' son Donald joined the staff. Four years later Roy turned the business into a private company and The Marlborough Express Newspaper Company Ltd was formed. In 1950, two years before the death of his father, Donald became managing director.

Rapid expansion of The Express in the 1950s led to the acquisition of shares in the company by Rangatira Pty Ltd. Twenty years later when Rangatira sold out the Lucas family from the Nelson Evening Mail bought a 50 percent shareholding, and The Express was managed for the next four years by Kenneth Lucas. He was succeeded by the present general manager, Roger Rose, the son-in-law of Don Furness, who with his wife Carol bought the Nelson Mail's shareholding back in 1982. The Express was owned by the Roses and their family trusts until bought by INL in October 1998 and became a division of INL Publishing Ltd.

The Express was sold as part of INL to the Fairfax publishing group, becoming part of Fairfax New Zealand Limited on July 1 2003.

HIGHLIGHTS IN THE HISTORY OF THE EXPRESS
1866 - Saturday April 21. From their Alfred Street premises, Samuel and Thomas Johnson produced the first issue of The Express. When Thomas Johnson withdrew less than a year later, Samuel carried on as sole proprietor.

1877 - the premises moved to High Street. This site was occupied until 1982.

1879 - December 31, saw the name Furness first appear, when Smith James Furness and James Henry Boundy purchased the paper from Johnson.

1880 - January 5. With this issue The Marlborough Express became Marlborough''s first daily paper.

1893 - July 13. Smith James Furness became the sole proprietor. Since then 11 descendants and five generations of the Furness Family have been involved with The Express.

1905 - A contract was let for a new brick and concrete building of two storeys. Installed in this new building were three of the then amazing new linotype typesetting machines. Later models of the linotype and similar machines continued to be used until they were replaced by computer setting equipment in the 1980s.

1910 - James Furness retired and his sons Roy Patterson and Geoffrey became joint proprietors. In 1917 Geoffrey sold out to his brother to go farming, but returned to become a staff member in 1923.

1920s - in this period there was an expansion programme and this included building extensions and the installation of the new reel-fed Cossar press.

1930s - the third generation of the Furness family, Donald Milsham Furness joined the company in 1931. R P Furness formed the Company into a private company in 1935.

1951 - Don Furness became Managing Director in 1951 and remained involved in the firm in various roles until shortly before his death in 1994.

1957 - A major step was taken with the installation of a three unit rotary press and its ancillary equipment. In this year a photographic department was set up.

1966 saw The Express celebrate its 100th year and a special tabloid centennial issue was printed. (This publication still remains as a source for early company and Marlborough history.)

1978 - This year saw the start of a further improvement of plant when a Goss Community offset press was installed in the then Express Printing Works in Arthur Street. Linotype machines were replaced with modern computer setting equipment during the 1980s.

1998 - During the 1990s the whole production of The Express has moved to full computerisation - Editorial stories, advertising, and production linked into the one system.

1998 - Purchased by INL.

2003- Purchased by Fairfax.

2007- Qantas Media Award for best newspaper of the year (under 25,000 circulation) and best community newspaper, the Saturday Express.

2010- Qantas Media Awards finalist for best newspaper of the year (under 30,000 circulation).

RIVALS
... The Express survived competition from scores of early rivals. Its founders, the Johnson brothers, both printers, faced a formidable hurdle in the form of opposition from established papers but they set firm a base for The Marlborough Express so that it survived where others failed. By 1911 it had become the only newspaper published in Blenheim. It still is.

First in the newspaper field in Blenheim was the Marlborough Press. It moved to Picton in 1861 to be close to the seat of the old Provincial Government which had been transferred there. However jealousy of Picton by Blenheim people compelled the owners of the Press to give Blenheim its own paper.

They started the Wairau Record in 1864, but changed its name the following year to the Marlborough News and General Advertiser. About this time another paper emerged called the Marlborough Times, but it only lasted about six months.

Some radical changes were about to affect The Marlborough Express. Thomas Johnson withdrew from the paper in 1867 and 12 years later Samuel sold out to Smith James Furness and James Henry Boundy.

The partners, both printers, took over the first issue of 1880, having converted it from a bi-weekly to a daily. While that in itself was an act of faith, it paid off. The Express prospered.

As newspapers were the only means of public communication in those days, it was surprising that they came and went like hot cakes!

Samuel Johnson had established in earlier years, 1871, a separate journal, The Express Telegram, to publish about the middle of the week the telegraphic news to which he had started to subscribe. But after three months he converted it into a "Town Edition" of The Express.

EVENING HERALD
... About that time a paper called the Evening Herald was started by two immigrants from Suffolk, England, but a benefactor who promised financial support died in Manchester leaving them in the lurch. The newspaper folded. A weekly, the Marlborough News, was absorbed in 1874 by a new bi-weekly, the second Marlborough Times, which became a daily two years after The Express.

In 1880 Furness and Boundy started an extra weekly edition of The Express and in 1887 it became known as the Marlborough Weekly News.

For a period from 1893, when records indicate a short-lived weekly, The Evening Star came into being, there must have been no fewer than four newspapers circulating in Blenheim ? The Express, its offshoot, the Weekly News, and the separately owned Times and Star.

Smith James Furness bought the Marlborough Times in 1895 and carried it on as a daily morning edition, soon afterwards dropping the Weekly News.

When a fresh rival, the Marlborough Herald, entered the field in 1905, he closed The Times to consolidate his forces for the fight. He won.

The Herald, which had announced its intention of ousting its "reptile contemporary" ? a term used by newspaper owners in those days to describe their opponents ? switched to morning publication in 1910 to improve its position. It failed and closed the following year.

Since then The Express has been the only daily newspaper published in Blenheim.

Although it survived while so many others failed, it cannot claim to be Marlborough''s pioneer newspaper: that honour went to the Marlborough Press.

But The Express was a pioneer in many other fields: it was the first daily, it was the first to adopt mechanical typesetting, the first to print eight pages and set many other "firsts" since it became the province''s only daily paper. It reached a significant milestone in 1977 with the switch to offset printing.


PHOTO
Blenheim residents getting the results of the 1911 election
- from the Marlborough Express