I have been researching the THOMSON family, who emigrated to Canterbury, New Zealand, off and on for some years. There is lots of information on the Shetland Family History website - www.bayanne.info . Also ScotlandsPeople, and for visuals of Shetland, www.geograph.co.uk . It works on a grid system, with
photo(s) associated with each block.

The THOMSON family arrived in NZ from 1868 - 1889. John THOMSON, his wife Mary LAW were aged 68 and 60 respectively. They had a family of 9, grandson aged 9, and a young relative by the name of JAMIESON.

Their eldest son, Arthur was lost at sea when the "Blue Jacket" sank (7.3.1869)off the coast of the Falkland Islands after a fire.