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West Otago
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West Otago is rich in history; settled by pioneering families in the early 1850's. Many records credit the Pinkerton and Mackenzie families as the earliest runholders, stocking with sheep and later cattle, however the native bush attracted sawmillers who were our true first settlers. The progress of my work and research is recorded here for everyone to benefit with current works, two books, that detail the fascinating insight into struggles, challenges and a way of life. I hope you find the lists of farmers, soldiers, people and places a help with your research. If you wish to become a volunteer or supporter with information and photographs, please contact me. I would love to hear your family, business or farming story. This site is a work in progress.
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Current projects
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I am working on several projects that will be published soon. My main work covers 150 years of history in West Otago. I was born in Tapanui and grew up in the farming community as a sixth generation descendant, beginning with James Rodger and Isabella Dickison.
There are many accounts of early life in West Otago, the settlers, families, hardships and challenges and until the 1850's much of the pastoral and agricultural areas in New Zealand had been left untouched by man. The countryside of mountains, rivers and swamps was a mixture of vegetation consisting of native bush, tussock grasses, tall bracken, and flax; however, it presented itself as a favourable invitation for adventurers seeking profitable pastoral ventures.
This book looks into those families, the way in which their contribution has modelled the pastoral and agricultural development and made West Otago a picturesque expanse beneficial in lifestyle and financial achievement for generations to come.
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West Otago - 150 Years, Farming and Families
Chapter one: Runholders and Managers
Chapter two: Early Blocks Sold
Chapter three: Shepherds and Carpenters
Chapter four: Brooksdale Under McKellar Brothers
Chapter five: John McKellar
Chapter six: David McKellar
Chapter seven: Brooksdale After the McKellars
Presently working on:
Dalvey
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Tapanui - 150 Years, City in the Bush
This book is mainly draft note format with relevant data collated and still in development stages.
Some of the families I have researched are: Patterson, Niven, Kilgour, Allan, Robertson, Quin, Rodger, Simmonds, O'Dowd, Roderick McKenzie, Lind, Branigan, Strean, Keir, Howat, Hewitt, Colquhuon, Price, McDuff, Peers, Taylor, Sherlaw, Mounteney, de Carle, Kitching, Doull, McGill, Herbert, McFarlane, Perry, McGregor, Dewer, Brosnan, Hefferman, Mackie, McKay, Eskdale, Kelty.
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