Thomas RAFTER of New Zealand
Thomas migrated to New Zealand on the "Asterope" arriving in Wellington on 6 October 1868. About 10 days later he travelled up to Napier, Hawkes Bay on the "Ahuriri", arriving about 17th October 1868.
In 1881 he is mentioned as looking after mental patients at the Napier goal.
My query is: what work did Thomas do between late 1868 and early 1881? So far I have found nothing in the local newspapers or in the Hawkes Bay Gazette (the official Provincial Government record) referring to him.
After marring my great-grandmother Annie (KEENAN) in 1881 he moved to New Plymouth to enter the prison service in which he worked for the next 30 years at New Plymouth, Lyttelton and finally Napier again.
Comments
Thomas Rofter
Age:
32
Birth Year:
abt 1848
Birthplace:
Canada
Home in 1880:
La Salle, La Salle, Illinois
Race:
White
Gender:
Male
Relation to Head of House:
Self (Head)
Marital Status:
Married
Spouse's Name:
Ann Rofter
Father's Birthplace:
Ireland
Mother's Birthplace:
Ireland
Household Members:
Name
Age
Thomas Rofter 32
Ann Rofter 25
Occupation:
Saloon Keeper
1880 United States Federal Census
about Thomas Rofter
Thanks for the response. Interesting that my Rafter was also spelt "Rofter" in some documents in New Zealand.
However my Thomas Rafter was certainly born in Ireland - Kilkenny, as I have a copy of his Birth Certificate.
Thank you again for this information.