Elizabeth Ann ELLIS

1865- 1923

Elizabeth Ann ELLIS was born 04 March 1865 in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, her parents were George Ellis and Martha nee PICKUP.

At the time George and Martha were living in Lancashire in Blue Pits¹

Blue Pits or Castleton

George was a worker at a cotton mill of which there were several in the area, these mills sprung up shortly after the Rochdale canal was routed through Rochdale.

Elizabeth had at least three brothers that I have found so far –

Samuel born c1868

Charles born c1870

Frederick born c1872.

George ELLIS Martha PICKUP

Elizabeth Ann Samuel Charles Frederick₁

Elizabeth was baptised at

St Chads, Rochdale, Lancashire,

Samuel, Charles & Frederick were also.

The 1871 census of England had the family living on Manchester Road, Castleton.

I do not know when the ELLIS family came to New Zealand, I can't imagine they came any way other than as than assisted immigrants which means they should be on an assisted immigrants list but I have not found them yet. I also can not find Samuel, Charles or Frederick. They may have died in infancy, arrived in NZ and I have not found them, died on the voyage over here or maybe even just stayed behind in England.

In the early years of their marriage Elizabeth and Waldemar lived in several homes in Christchurch including Linwwod, Richmond, Sydenham & New Brighton. As well as a short time living in Sydney with waldemar's brother Joseph.

George died September 1920 and Martha the following year in 1921, there doesn’t appear to be wills for either of them, which would help positively identify them as the parents of our Elizabeth.

Elizabeth is the only child mentioned on Martha's (New Zealand) death certificate and in the death notice in the newspaper.

Elizabeth's father, George had been born in Cheshire to George and Kitty (Catherine) ELLIS, Several if not all of the ELLIS family moved to Lancashire. George senior and some of his sons were sawyers. Elizabeth's mother Martha was born in Lancashire

Elizabeth Ann MALAQUIN nee ELLIS

George puts his occupation as a Maltster or Brewer on Elizabeth’s marriage certificate, which is quite different to working in a factory.

It hardly seems appropriate to comment on the state of a marriage that I have no personal knowledge of however there are small gems of information I have gleaned from two letters I have copies of and also some research from a correspondent of mine that suggest that the marriage of Elizabeth and Waldemar was not always happy. I have evidence of a mistress and the MALAQUINs living apart, I also am fairly confident that Elizabeth lived with various grown children and their families in later years.

From this distance it seems to the author that Waldemar was a man who was charming, popular and convivial to the many people in New Zealand who met and knew him, but to his family was less so?

Money does not seem to have been a problem, Martha’s headstone was quite elaborate suggesting it wasn’t cheap, they had the trip to Sydney, and all the photos of Waldemar show him well dressed. But Elizabeth does not seem to have greatly benefited from it in the later years.

1 Blue Pits was the name of Castleton c1798, the name change occured because of the blue clay found in the area.

1 I have put this tree in orange as I am only about 80% sure I have this correct.

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