Martin and Catherine are my maternal Great Great Grandparents - the great grandparents of my mother Noelene Hazel Owens.
Martin Joseph O’Connor was born in 1858 in Ireland. He was noted as a laundry engineer in the 1901 Manchester census. There is a record of Martin O’Connor passing away in Chorlton in 1907. We do not believe Martin came to New Zealand with Catherine and the children.
Catherine lived in NZ for 2 decades. At the time of her death in 1931, Catherine had 3 sons aged 41 (Vincent) , 39 (Frank) and 34 (Joe) plus her daughter 36 (Kay), still living. She was married to Martin O'Connor in England.
Catherine is buried next to her daughter-in-law Hazeldine Agnes O’Connor (nee Griffiths). Their stone inscription reads "In loving memory of Catherine O'Connor died 6-8-1931 aged 68 and Hazel O'Connor died 9-11-45 aged 49 RIP. There is also reference to Catherine’s grandson Athol Francis O’Connor. Athol Francis O'Connor RNZNVR First Lieutenant of H.M.M.T.B.74 lost at St Nazaire 28-3-1942 loved only son of Frank & Hazel O'Connor aged 21. Gladly he lived, nobly he died RIP.
Marriage and Children
Catherine and Martin were married in Chorlton, Manchester, England in September 1889 as the record below shows.
In 1901 the England Wales and Scotland census shows the family living at 61 Greville Street, South Manchester, Chorlton, Lancashire, England. Members of the family residing at this address included Martin O’Connor aged 43, Catherine O’Connor aged 38, Vincent O’Connor aged 10, John O’Connor aged 8, Catherine O’Connor aged 7, Martin O’Connor aged 4. Also noted as living there was Mary N Heavey (boarder) aged 20, James Gumming (boarder) aged 26 and Julia Heavey (Mother in law) aged 70.
John Francis O’Connor (Frank) was first to come to New Zealand. He is thought to have arrived around 14 years of age c1907 and lived with his uncle in Pukekohe.
Catherine and her three children Vincent, Kathleen (Kay) and Martin followed departing London on board the steam ship Tainui on 14th October 1910. Catherine would have been 46, Vincent 19, Kay 17and Martin 13 at this time.
In New Zealand, the family had several addresses - 91 Grange Road, Mt Eden in 1927, 4 Kowhai Street, SW1 in 1935, 32 Landscape Road, Epsom in 1931 and later 2 Carrick Place, Mt Eden.
Vincent O’Connor, the eldest child
Vincent was born S Quarter, Chorlton in the second half of 1890 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. Vincent is recorded as being an accountant on the Tainui Ship Passenger records when he migrated in 1910 aged 19. Vincent passed away in Wellington on 6th July 1943 aged 52.
St Benedict's Church, East Street, was crowded on Monday, 23rd when a pretty double wedding took place. The first pair was Miss Filomena May Franchi, eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P Franchi, of Carmen Avenue, Mount Roskill, and Mr. Vincent 0'Connor of Manchester, England, the other couple being Miss Eileen Mary Burke, second daughter ot Mr John Burke, of Tipperary, and Mr Percival Edmond Ross, formerly of London. The Rey. Father McLoughlan conducted the marriage ceremony, and Mr. Franchi gave away his daughter, while Mr. Braham stood sponsor for Miss Burke.
Both brides looked very pretty in lovely wedding gowns of ivory brocaded crepe de chine, with tunic drapery of Swiss rose lace, embroidered tulle veils, and wreaths of orange blossoms. Both carried bouquets of white chrysanthemums and maidenhair fern and wore their bridegrooms gifts handsome diamond rings- Their travelling attire was also alike, being tailored costumes of tussore silk, with Bulgarian collar and cuffs champagne tagel hats, with black lancer feathers. The bridesmaids to the first bride were Miss Alice Franchi and Miss Alice Braham, with two little trainbearers, Mavis and Willie Stacey, Mr. Frank O'Connor being best man and Mr. Stacey groomsman. Miss Burke was attended by her sister Maggie and by Miss Edie Hamilton with little Eric Keybar and Isobel Visco as trainbearers, Mr. Ross being accompanied by Mr. Peter Franchi as best man, with Mr. Nicholas as groomsman. All the bridesmaids wore pretty dresses of ivory satin, with cream lace tunics, butterfly sashes, and becoming hats of tangerine tulle, with white ospreys and black velvet ribbon. Their bouquets were of tangerine chrysanthemums. They also wore their gifts, gold bracelets. The tiny girls were in white satin Kate Greenaway frocks, with fichus of ninon, and sweet little mob caps of white, tulle, with pink roses, and carrying shepherds' crooks, ornamented with pink flowers. They also wore horseshoe brooches, their gifts from the bridegrooms The little page boys wore white satin suits, also their gifts, gold scarf pins.
After the ceremony the usual photographing took place, and then the company sat down to breakfast in the supper room of the Masonic Hall, Upper Queen Street, where the usual speeches were made and toasts drunk. Miss Franchi bride's mother was wearing a grey costume and smart hat with 'lancer plumes, her bouquet being of heliotrope flowers. Mrs. O'Connor was in black satin gown, black tagel hat, with white lancer feathers, and carrying a violet bouquet.
In the evening a most enjoyable dance was held, when musical items by a number of. the guests varied the entertainment. The brides and bridesmaids wore the dresses they had worn at the ceremony. Mrs. Franchi wore cream lace.
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Filomena went on to marry Harold Adams - they had two children Elizabeth and Harold. She later married James Bronson Orr. Filomena Orr passed away on the 9th December 1973 and is buried at Macquarie Park Cemetery in Sydney.
PETITION FOR DIVORCE.
COURT GRANTS DECREE. A petition for divorce by Dorothy Mathfera O'Connor {Mr. Hall Skelton) against Vincent O'Connor, of Remuera, on the ground of misconduct, was heard in the Supreme Court yesterday before Mr. Justice Stringer.
Mrs. O'Connor said the marriage took place at the Auckland Registry Office in 1920, when her husband was 30 and she was 21. The marriage was not happy, because of her husband's drinking habits. He was an accountant In July, 1925. he sent petitioner away for a holiday, and on her return early in the morning, a day before she was expected, she found her husband and a typist in the house together. Petitioner later went to her husband's office. She found the door locked and on looking through the letter-box saw her husband, with another girl. A signed confession was put in and a decree nisi, to be made absolute in three months, was granted.
Frank was born J Quarter, Chorlton in 1892 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. Frank passed away in Auckland on 25th December 1962 aged 70. Frank married Hazeldine Agnes Griffiths in 1915 and they are the parents of my grandmother Kathleen Owens.
Kathleen Lavoni and John Raymond (Jack) Owens had four children - John Michael, Kathleen Raewyn, Noelene Hazel (my mother) and Athol Raymond. They have thirteen grandchildren - Steven, Alan, Brett, Angela, Christopher, Deborah, Leisa, Claire, Karen, Kelly, Julia, Cameron and Matthew. They have seventeen great grandchildren – Daniel, Georgia, Jordan, Shyvonne, Stephanie, Annalise, Dylan, Jason, Tomaz, Sharmyn, Kayleigh, Kate, Hannah, Ben, Stella, Olivia and Holly. There are two great great grandchildren – Sonny and Leo born in Australia. Catherine was the first generation migrant in this blood line. As of 2021 we are now the 5th generation in New Zealand and Sonny and Leo are the 6th generation living in Australia. There is more detailed information on Jack and Kath's family under the Blog "Torchie".
Frank was a bookie for many years and this is well documented in newspaper files in PapersPast. He had many dealings with the authorities. He later worked as a maintenance man for the railways. My mother, Noelene Owens, recalls her grandfather well “Papa Frank was a dapper man, he had a beautiful singing voice and spoke well. In his earlier life he was a gambler, hence his mother Catherine left 2 Carrick place to my grandmother Hazeldine, but unfortunately as grandma Hazel died, Papa got the property and later it went to his second wife Cis. On Cis’s death it was realised that she had left the property to her lodger - oh dear - Catherine O'Connor would have turned over in her grave”.
On 9th April 1920, the Hawera and Normanby Star reported that at the Ellerslie Races on Monday, a plain clothes Constable detained a young man John Francis O’Connor on a charge of bookmaking. It was noted that he was a married man with a young child to maintain and the he was convicted and fined 20 pounds. There are a few such articles on Frank and his brother Martin that you can find by searching in PapersPast.
On 12th October 1927 the Poverty Bay Herald wrote that John Francis O’Connor, 35, was fined 75 pounds for carrying on business as a book maker.
Details M: Died 25-12-1962: Aged 70: Date of burial - 27 Dec 1962
Place Hillsborough
Location Area 4 Block K Lot No 35
Remarks Headstone: transcribed inscription reads " Of your charity etc, John Francis dearly loved husband of Mary Catherine O'Connor died 25 Dec 1962 aged 70 yrs Also his loved wife Mary Catherine O'Connor died 16 June 1969 aged 62 yrs RIP"
Information Occupation - retired NZR employee: Residence - 2 Carrick Place, Mt Eden: RC: Native place - England: Years in NZ - 50
Officiating Informant - W Morrison.
Name O'CONNOR, HAZELDINE AGNES
Details F: Died 09-11-1945: Aged 49:
Place Hillsborough
Location Area 10 Block A Lot No 613
Remarks transcribed inscription reads " In loving memory of Catherine O'Connor died 6-8-1931 aged 68 And Hazel O'Connor died 9-11-45 aged 49 RIP"
(same plot) "Athol Francis O'Connor RNZNVR First Lieutenant of H.M.M.T.B.74 lost at St Nazaire 28-3-1942 loved only son of Frank & Hazel O'Connor aged 21 Gladly he lived , nobly he died RIP" :Information Occupation - wife: Residence - 2 Carrick Place, Mt Eden: RC: Native place - NZ:
Officiating Informant - C Little & sons
O'CONNOR. On November 9, suddenly, Hazel. Dearly beloved wife of Frank O'Connor, of 2 Carrick Place, Mount Eden, and loving mother of Kathleen and the late Athol, and darling grandmother of John and Raewyn. R.I.P. Funeral notice later.
Name O'CONNOR, MARY CATHERINE
Details F: Died 16-06-1969: Aged 63: Date of burial - 18 Jun 1969
Place Hillsborough
Location Area 4 Block K Lot No 35
Remarks Headstone: Yes
Information Occupation - widow: Residence - 2 Carrick Place, Mt Eden: RC: Native place - NZ: Last from Greenlane Hospital: Years in NZ - 63
Officiating Informant - Davis Funeral Services
Kay as she was known was born in 1894 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. She passed away in 1974 aged 80. Kay married Charles Edwin Nicholson in on 8th October 1913 however their relationship did not stand the test of time and Kay filed for divorce in June 1939.
A very pretty wedding took place at St. Benedict's Church on the afternoon of October 8th, the Rev. Father Forde officiating. The contracting parties were Miss Katherine Christina O'Connor, only daughter of Mrs K. O'Connor, of Mt. Eden, and Mr Charles Edwin Nicholson, second son of Mr and Mrs Charles Nicholson, of Union-street. The bride, who was given away by Mr W. O'Connor, looked sweetly pretty in her tailored costume of grey cloth, with blue facings, a becoming grey hat with blue plumes, and carrying an ivory bound prayer book.
The bridesmaid, Miss Eileen Nicholson (sister), wore a stylish frock of honey coloured silk crepon, prettily trimmed with lace and having a nattier blue sash ; her hat of honey coloured ninon had tangerine roses and kilted lace. She also carried as ivorybound prayer-book and wore the bridegroom's gift, a lovely cameo brooch. The best man was Mr R. Lonergan. After the ceremony the wedding breakfast was served in the Foresters Hall, Edinburgh-street, where the customary toasts were honoured.
Mrs O'Connor, mother of the bride, wore a gown of grey silk poplin, black hat, white plumes. Mrs Nicholson, bridegroom's mother, black satin robe, with black lace trimming. Miss Brophy, pale blue costume, purple hat with plumes. Miss E. Brophy, lemon satin, Limerick lace overdress, pale blue tagel hat. Mrs Brophy, dress of cornflower blue San Toy, hat to match. Mrs Tom Nicholson, navy costume, pale blue facings, grey hat with grey trimming. Mrs J. Nicho l - son, creme dress, white hat. Mrs Pritchard, black silk, black plumed hat. Miss Gladys Nicholson, frosted crepe, pink flowers, white hat with pink roses.
In the evening a dance was given, when the hall was decorated with flags and an enjoyable time was spent. Miss Franchi kindly played the dance music. The bridal parties and relatives were present, the bride wearing a charming frock of white satin, with a lace tunic. Mrs Franchi wore a tussore silk dress. Miss Franchi was in a pretty frock of pale blue voile. Miss F. Donovan, floral muslin. Miss K. Donovan, white satin. Miss McDonald, white muslin. Miss Grace, white satin, crimson roses. Miss Connolly, pink silk. Miss Pyeman, royal satin, flame ninon tunic. Miss Manning, champagne dress, cerise sash. Miss Whitelock, white silk, tangerine roses. Miss Casse. pink satin, beaded overdress, brown fur. Miss Jenkins, frosted crepe. Miss Cotterell, royal blue satin, drape of ninon. Mis& Milly Cotterell, black velvet, creme lace berthe. Miss Kenny, white satin. Miss Connolly, pink silk. Miss A. Smith, pink crepe de chine. Miss Peebles, creme crepe de chine. Miss Blakey, white lace, tangerine trimming. Miss Jenkins, white crepe. Mrs Boyne, floral muslin. Miss Enynor, white charmeuse satin, pinY roses. Miss Henderson, white floral muslin. Miss Dromgool, black satin. Miss Cole, white satin. Miss Henderson, creme lace. Miss Wright, white ninon over satin tangerine belt. Miss Dingle, pink ,sponere cloth.pink flowered voile tunic. Miss F. Brown, creme p»tin, royal ninon tunic. Miss F. Manning, creme net over satin. Miss E. Charles, creme frock.
Kay and Charles also had a daughter Marjorie whose daughter was Beth.
Joe was born J Quarter, Chorlton in 1897 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. Martin passed away in Auckland on 14th May 1959 aged 62. On his army records, his next of kin was noted as his sister Mrs. K Nicholson of 40 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna.
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