Barron Family from the London Docklands, Williamstown Melbourne, to New Zealand

YOU & ME photo project
I`ve always wanted to do an art project with my relatives no matter where you are in the world or level of artistic leanings! at last I `ve got one its simple and easy just draw, write, arrange pebbles, make a s sign saying YOU and ME send me the photo and you will be in our Art show as part of Auckland Art Week.
It can be with friends, family or anyone you like, its up to your imagination and about having some fun!! It will be projected up to 60square metres as well as be on the arts menagerie website plus the family website. It can be a sign, handwritten on a piece of paper, cxhalk on a wall, pebbles or written in the sand or anything else that is easy. www.facebook.com/theartmenagerie

Family research has taken a bit of a back seat for a while, but I have been busy working on new projects, art shows and products as part of my business. Just learnt how to edit videos so hopefully there wil be family orientated videos soon, the first is Painting in Circles showing my paintings plus I created a new Arts Collective called The Arts Menagerie apart from its diverse membership, there are no fees or any public funding. Its a private initiative for artists to cooperate with each other in major events and exhibitions.
Its also on Facebook, you are welcome to join in and see what else I am doing.

The fateful journey of The Indi a from Greenock in Scotland to Port Philip in Melbourne. A devastating fire destroyed The India 200 miles off shore, leaving passengers burnt & injured and in most cases penniless. They were rescued by the French Whaling Ship The Roland and taken to Rio de Janeiro. The British Consul in Rio secured another ship The Grindlay to complete the trip to Melbourne which arrived in Melbourne 22 October 1841. Thousands of people can trace their forefathers to this voyage including the pioneering Scottish survivors, French whalers, The British Consul, boat builders in Greenock as well as the British community in Rio who assisted. It is a magnificent story.

There are plans to celebrate the 175th Anniversary of the Grindlay in 2014.
It is still in the initial stages but the project has so many aspects to it from Melbourne History, Genealogy, 19th Century shipping and immigration etc. I would like to see at least an exhibition and some sort of commemoration with descendants of the people involved including Passengers, The India crew, The French Captain and crew , British Consul as well as Melbourne, Le Harve, Greenock & Rio historical societies and everyone else that have an association or interest.

The India 1840

The Roland

The Grindlay

Phillip Shillinglaw Poem

Family Reunion in Melbourne
Its been 171 years since Alexander and Elizabeth McKenzie first arrived in Melbourne on 22 October 1841 aboard the Grindlay and December 2012 was the first time I have met any relatives from Australia.

made to celebrate 171th year anniversary

The darkest day in my Family history
21st November 1954
It punched a hole so deep the impact is still felt 58 years later.

For some it is past history and best forgotten, whereas others have no idea.
Four dead, six injured.
Two drivers, both only sons.
Mum`s brother David Barron and Dad`s cousin Jim MacDonald.............more

My cousin Lorna unexpectedly passed away. All her plans & dreams evaporated, young and looking forward seeing her grand daughter Sofia for the first time.
I feel for my Aunty and Uncle, Lorna`s husband and children. Family are returning to Timaru, wish it wasn`t for this. Wish it was to reunite and celebrate something, I wish had got to know her more. Too many wishes that won`t come true............

Yesterday has gone
yesterday has just departed
And tomorrow hasn't started
All what really matters is right now
you should live a lifetime in each minute
Take the sweetness from within it
Yesterday has gone without a sound

Uncle Dave, Aunty Marie with Marie, Richard & Lorna on the right circa 1963

All contact with English relatives have been lost over the last 100+ years. Hopefully this year will be the one when reconnections are made. To see the photos, hear the stories of where the New Zealand and Australian Barrons came from is something to look forward to!

I will be visiting Melbourne this December to exhibit at The Big Design Market in the Royal Exhibition Hall. A great chance to visit my ancestors homes and find their headstones.

Annie Blewitt with son Edward

William Barron birth certificate 1896

William and Ethel Barron nee (Robb) settled in Timaru, New Zealand around 1936. Their children included my mother Dorothy as well as Marie, Mavis and David William was born in 1896 in Williamstown, Melbourne. His father Robert was born in 1863 Poplar London and mother Annie Blewitt was born 1873 in Landridge Melbourne.
This project has made discoveries back to 1735 in various places around the Docklands of London, Norfolk, Essex and Scotland
Hopefully the discovery of distant relatives in the future will help to fill in those missing pieces.

Updated 2 October 2013
Found relatives in Melbourne and now have a photo of my Great Grandmother Annie!
Just in time for my parents 60th Wedding anniversary.

Ronald is an Object Designer working in ceramics, resin casting, screenprinting and paintings. His work often relects the New Zealand environment and increasingly explores family history, stories and cultural origins while researching family connections. He is the 6 x great grandson of Will and Ann Bromley
www.chanandreassend.co.nz
Family websites
www.robbfamily.weebley.com
www.andreassend.weebly.com