FARQUHAR, JESSIE LEADEN of New Zealand 1896 to 1957
YJH001
This was my grandmother. She married WILLIAM ARTHUR WILDEN in 1922. They had three children, EDITH, WILLIAM and PEARL, the latter still alive. They divorced. Jessie gave birth to another child in 1917, HAZEL LINDSAY FARQUHAR who was brought up by foster parents.
I believe she also gave birth to another child, possibly a boy, and probably before 1917. I only have anecdotal information on this and cannot find another birth for Jessie. However, I did find a mention of a Jessie Leaden Farquhar being prosecuted in Invercargill in June 1920 for ’Concealment of a Birth’. The full information is not public until June 2020. I found a mention in the Southland Times on 7 June 1920 about a young woman appearing for sentence on this charge and sentenced to two years’ probation. The baby was stillborn. No mention of who this young woman was so could have been Jessie. I cannot find any record of a birth for Jessie alive or stillborn.
I also found a record of someone with this name living in Tapanui around that time, hence the prosecution in Invercargill. I believed she always lived in Dunedin but could have travelled away to have the baby. She worked as a cook later in life so could have always done that work. She died aged 61 from cancer.
Does anyone have any information on Jessie please and in particular did she have another child?
by YJH001
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ngairedith on 2020-01-15 19:24:37It was announced 27 May 1920 that Jessie was to be sentenced in the Invercargill Supreme Court for concealment of a birth.
I think, by the time the long arm of the law caught up with her, the baby would be (maybe a few weeks) hopefully a few months old. Which means the records could be available soon.
NZ is 100 years privacy. Which doesn't mean we can't find things, just makes it harder😉.
Some countries are only 80 years, we should be that too
I will have a look and see if I can find anything
YJH001 on 2020-01-15 20:28:22Yes that’s as much as I could get too. Thanks though. I thought it was worth a try to see if somebody else knew any more than we do, anecdotal or otherwise.
I saw your posts and it’s interesting given my mother’s middle name was Edith Joy Wilden.
ngairedith on 2020-01-15 23:37:06What about Alexander William Keith (Keith as surname)
He was born 19 Feb 1920, died 2 Aug 1973 and is buried with Jessie and her other children, as you know, as one is your mother. Guessing you think Alexander Keith was the other child?.
We only have to wait 1 month before his birth info is available on NZBDM 😉
There was an Alexander William Keith (1885-1964) who served in WWI as Rifleman 14274. His next of kin was his father, Alexander William Keith, of Clyde, Central Otago. Mother Ellen/Hellen Atkins.
Rifleman Keith returned to Otago in Oct 1918 and is a possible father of 1920 Alexander William Keith
YJH001 on 2020-01-16 07:56:27Alexander William Keith born 1920 was my father. His father was Ivan Harold Keith from Clyde. My grandfather’s mother was Ellen Atkins and father Alexander William Keith so the one who died in 1964 could have been my grandfather’s brother. I don't know much about his family.
My father’s ashes are interred with Jessie and her son who died at 13, plus my mother’s ashes are there too. All in the same grave.
I really have no idea who this mystery child was but all might be revealed once the records come available later this year.
Thank you for your help.
ngairedith on 2020-01-16 10:27:50Hi again,
Did William Arthur Wilden remarry after the death of Jessie in 1957?
He is buried with Margaret Grace Wilden (1908-1985)
If so, do you know her maiden name?
ngairedith on 2020-01-16 15:47:42Because you said you knew little about your paternal grandparents I have added them in notes under your maternal grandmother .. child 4 .. Jessie Leaden Farquhar, in the journal children of George Farquhar & Isabella Strachan Waugh
YJH001 on 2020-01-16 17:50:17Yes William Arthur Wilden remarried after the divorce (not after Jessie died) and had two boys but I don't know his second wife’s maiden name. Thank you for your I formation. I can only find mention of Margaret Grace with no surname anywhere. Can't find a marriage for them either which made me wonder if they were actually married.
Where did all that other information about the Children of George and Isabella come from. There’s a few things wrong. How do I correct it?
ngairedith on 2020-01-16 20:56:28I will send you a private message. Just reply to it telling me the edits and I will change things
Alan_Wilden on 2023-09-05 09:25:31William Arthur Wilden Married Margret Grace Denton and Had 2 Sons David William Wilden born in August 1948 I believe and John Henry Wilden Born on the 21st July 1950.
I am a Grandson of William Arthur Wilden and Margret Grace Wilden(nee Denton)
Margret Grace Denton's Fathers name was Harry Denton,
That is all I can remember off the top of my head.
I don't know much about my Father's older half siblings, My Father Kept in touch with Pearl over the years and last I knew she lived in Oamaru somewhere. I can't recall ever meeting Joy, but I was very young. The other Child William was tragically killed in a push bike accident when he was 13 years old.
Alan_Wilden on 2023-09-05 09:25:32William Arthur Wilden Married Margret Grace Denton and Had 2 Sons David William Wilden born in August 1948 I believe and John Henry Wilden Born on the 21st July 1950.
I am a Grandson of William Arthur Wilden and Margret Grace Wilden(nee Denton)
Margret Grace Denton's Fathers name was Harry Denton,
That is all I can remember off the top of my head.
Alan_Wilden on 2023-09-05 09:25:34I'm guessing you are Joy's daughter. Which I think makes us 1st cousins.
I have recently started searching our family history and stumbled upon this website.
Sorry it's taken 3 years for me to respond.