Capt.Thomas Capel TILLY, RN, was my g.g.grandfather, chosen by Bishop John C. PATTESON as Master of his Mission Ship 'Southern Cross'. Capel was born at Falmouth, Cornwall, England.

He married Harriette WARD from Norfolk,England at Kohimarama,Auckland and they had 5 children
one of whom was my grandfather Cecil Robert TILLY. Cecil married Ethel
Blanche RYAN, daughter of Rose Valentine RIDINGS and William Alfred RYAN who were married in 1872. Rose was from Auckland, William possibly from Dannevirke. They are buried in a Dannevirke cemetary,as is their daughter Ethel B though she lived all her married life-as far as is known- at Lower Remuera, Auckland. Ethel died in 1935. It is possible their headstone names her only, without interrment.

I am interested in William A RYAN's immediate background as we know nothing. How did they meet and when. Her father-in-law travelled around a bit so maybe there is a connection there.