Our 2nd-Great Grandmother, Catherine was born on 01 May, 1853, in Castleisland, Co.Kerry, Ireland.
She was baptised in the Church of St Stephen & John, Castleisland, Co. Kerry, Island; her sponsors were named as Michael Reane and Catherine Cronin.
Catherine was the daughter of Jeremiah Darby Casey (farmer) and Catherine Wren.
At the age of 23, Catherine sailed from Glasgow, Scotland to New Zealand on the ship 'Dunedin', accompanied by her sister, Honora. They arrived in Otago on 09 November 1876. Catherine was described in records as a dairymaid from County Kerry. Her cost of passage was f13-17-3.

Before leaving Ireland, Catherine's brother, Daniel tried to persuade her and their sister Honora to go with him to America. They declined, having decided their future lay in New Zealand.

Catherine married Joseph Hinchcliff on 19 June 1877, in the Roman Catholic Church, in Milton, South Otago. Joseph was from Honley, near Huddersfield in Yorkshire, UK. They had the following children:

Elizabeth - born 17 March 1878, Milton. Baptised in Milton.
Charles - born 15 November 1879, Milton. Baptised 18 February 1880, St Johns Anglican Church.
John Joseph - born 22 September 1881, Milton. Baptised 29 December 1881, Roman Catholic Church.
Catherine - born 23 November 1883, Milton. Baptised 24 February 1884, St Johns Anglican Church.
Mary Ann - born 19 October 1888, Milton. Baptised 02 December 1888, St Johns Anglican Church. (our Great-Grandmother).

Catherine died 05 November 1888 as a result of childbirth embolic pnuemonia and exhaustion. She was only 35 years old.

"Bruce Herald" Milton 06 November 1888:
...The friends of Mr Joseph Hinchcliff are respectfully invited to attend the funeral of his late wife which will leave his residence, George Street Wednesday 7th inst, at 2 P.M for place of interment, Fairfax Cemetery Milton.