September 2003

A peerie wird fae da editor

Immigration is a hot topic in our nation. It provokes a wide range of intense feelings. This is interesting for New Zealand is a nation of immigrants. If you aren't a migrant yourself then your forebears will have been. What a rich source of stories there must be regarding why, how and when people came to this land.

Researching family history has become increasingly popular. Our Society has supported the search for Shetland ancestors in various ways. From time to time individuals contact the Society seeking help in their search for information. The Society has provided workshops with expert advice and access to the Shetland Family History Society's genealogical data base. We also participated in the global launch of a pamphlet Genealogy in Shetland.  Tracing Shetland Family History.

Reddin up kin has always been important to Shetlanders. Family ancestry has been relayed through informal oral traditions. There are also formalized means of tracing your roots through organizations such as The Shetland Family History Society and access to written and electronic records.

Plans have been approved to build a new museum in Lerwick down on the harbour waterfront. Shades of Te Papa?! The complex is to be located at Hay's Dock and it should be completed mid 2006. Amongst the facilities planned is a new Shetland Archive with a document search room. This will be much appreciated by genealogists as the present premises are struggling to cope with demands at times.

In this newsletter we feature family history. We hear about a reunion to celebrate a family's arrival in New Zealand 75 years ago, learn about the Halcrow's and there are tips on starting to research family history. Of course there's more!

Happy reading

Mary Wood

NZ Tour from Shetland cancelled

Last newsletter we told you about a proposed tour party visit from Shetland which was scheduled for early next year. The Society received the following email message at the end of August.

It is with enormous sadness and regret that we have to advise you of the cancellation of the New Zealand tour planned for February March 2004 as the numbers for the tour are now below the minimum level which is essential for an economical group tour.

We fully appreciate how keen and enthusiastic the prospective participants were for the tour and the cancellation will be a very great disappointment. We have made every effort to attract the minimum number necessary but there simply does not appear to be enough demand so soon after the 2002 tour and the problems with long haul flights, Sars epidemic, etc.

We were very much looking forward to meeting with Shetland Societies again renewing friend‑ ships with all the wonderful people we have got to know over the years during these visits. We are also aware of the plans and arrangements which societies were making for our brief encounter and we are most grateful. for our offers of assistance.

It is a double disappointment for many people in both Shetland and New Zealand that sufficient interest was not forth‑coming for a 2004 tour. We hope that there will be sufficient demand again at a later date and will let you know of any future proposals.

The Halcrow's

Tom Halcrow a Shetland Society member from Paraparaumu shares his family history with us.

The Halcrows are clearly of Scandinavian descent. The name occurs frequently in the Norse sagas and was originally a place‑name. it derives from the Old Norse 'Hallkro' and means 'the slope with the sheep or cattle pen'.

My Great Grandparents and Grandfather came out to New Zealand  , arriving in Lyttelton late January 1876. They came from Cunningsburgh and upon arrival in New Zealand settled in Canterbury for sometime before moving up to Wellington.

I first visited Shetland in September 1959 and while I was there I managed to find some relatives of mine. They were my fourth cousins and lived in the same house as my Great Grandparents and Grandfather who came out to New Zealand.

I visited Shetland again in September 1960, where I attended the first Hamefarin. This was a wonderful experience and is by far the best week throughout my life. Sad to say I have not been back to Shetland but 1 hope to visit the 'Up‑Helly‑A' festival and perhaps the next Hamefarin.

Tom  Halcrow