John Edmonds - a very suitable man. The writing of...
Diellis
The information for this book was first collated by Verna Mossong who had been given an assignment in 1974 to write a family story. Lucky for the Edmonds family, she chose John Edmonds. The Edmonds family decided to have a reunion and in 1982 started organising themselves. Rosalie Webster, a member of the Mormon Church made a great contribution with history and names collected from the church archives but then her husband got a posting to Utah and a new person had to be found.
I had heard about the family reunion and been to a couple of the meetings and met Rosalie. I had always been interested in genealogy and when Rosalie asked if I would be interested in taking over the compiling of the book, I jumped at the chance.
I spent quite some time with Verna Mossong who taught me how to sort things out and present them and a lot of time with family members who taught me a lot about family and who became firm friends. People like, Hineira and Dave Amy, Ruiha Younger and her daughter Christine McKinder. (Hine and Rui were Calkin sisters). All worked hard in gathering information for the book by visits to archives with hours of searching which is so much easier today with electronic records etc. And the talents of Ruiha with her painting, art work and poetry displayed (not as good as could have been) on the inside front cover of the Edmonds Book and Christine's many hours of retyping my brave attempts and editing. Because we didn't have a computer, any mistakes meant the whole page had to be retyped and when late information came in we had to make an addenda at the end of the family to fit it in.
And so many other family members throughout the country who hosted family gatherings once a month to collect information for the book and fund raise toward the reunion.
There is no mention of the author or compiler in the book because we felt so many people had contributed. However, the copywrite of the book is under my name, Dianne Mitchell (now Ellis).
The update of the book will have a source reference page with as much as I know of where Verna got her information from, plus where the rest of us got ours from.
Comments
wihongipekamawhanau on 2009-07-20 02:32:05Kia pai to mahi. What an awesome collaboration of family lines. Oh to have done this in photos is the inspiration for my love for restoring old photos. There are so many that if not cared for and restored will be lost.
Any photos you are able to share please let me know if that is possible. Kind regards...
Arohanui
Wihongi Pekama Whanau
LaraR on 2018-04-09 05:33:03Kia ora Di, what amazing work - and quite a gift to future generations as everywhere I go looking for info about my whakapapa I hear reference to your book.
I am a descendent of Arthur and Erana Edmonds, through David and Matilda's son Robert/Robinhood Strongman, and then to Robinson and Bramley families.
Is it still possible to get a copy of this book? There's so much our family would like to learn about their roots, so I hope you're still active on this site.
Many thanks,
Lara.
Diellis on 2018-04-09 19:27:36Hi Lara,
The book was published in 1986 for the Edmonds Family reunion and the only available copy that I know of is at the Auckland Public Library.
There was to be an update of the book but this hasn't happened unfortunately.
I didn't write the book, just helped collect the information and put it all together. Verna Mossong wrote all the historic pieces and there was a lot of help in organising the book. Thanks for your letter and kind words. My email is ellishotels@xtra.co.nz if you want me to look up anything in particular.
Cheers, Di Ellis
janilye on 2018-04-14 04:56:05
silly on 2019-04-23 15:27:31Please correct.
Tamati tarawaiti (Thomas) Edmonds who married Ella Puru is my grandfather.
My mum is Olive (oriwa) Edmonds who was born I 1926 the year her namesake Oriwa aged 2 died.
There are two olives! My mum and Dad attended the reunion way back and bought home a cyclostyled book. I would dearly love another copy as I have lent mine out but to whom...
Jannah (Janice) Margaret Wilson
tobyamy on 2020-11-13 23:27:55Kia ora whanau, I would also love a copy of the book please?
My great grand father Tui Wikaira married Maraea Edmonds who is the mother of my grand father Rawiri Wikaira who lived to a 100yrs old in Whirinaki, our marae is Te Matai Aranui, Te Hikatu te hapu.
Brettnicol on 2021-01-04 00:05:03Hi Di
Im down the line through the Calkins , I would love a copy of the book if its obtainable.. regards Brett crystal_creations05@yahoo.com.au
DM_EDMONDS on 2022-04-06 23:41:15I would love a book if still available. Thankyou.
DM_EDMONDS on 2022-04-06 23:41:17I would love a book if still available. Thankyou.