Mary Jane MILLRAY

Mary Jane MILLRAY was born 03 April 1864 in Keswick,Cumerland,England to Henry MILLRAY and Elizabeth PARKINSON. Mary Jane was the eldest of eight children born to Elizabeth and Henry, all born in England in either Cumberland or Westmoreland(now called Cumbria).

Mary Jane's first marriage was to James LEWIS, on the 08 Oct 1883. At St Lukes, in Barrow, Lancashire, England.

James was born in 1845 in Salop, England. To Edward LEWIS and Edith WEAL.

James and Mary Jane had a daughter - Edith Anne, b 29 May 1884, in Barrow, Lan. England, prior to migrating to New Zealand.

The move to NZ was made for the benefit of James' health, they arrived in Dunedin,New Zealand on 24 Dec 1884 on the 'Arawa'. The following is the exerpt from the passenger list. Lewis James 32 Stropshire Labourer

Mary J. 22

Edith A. 4 mths

Having sailed from Plymouth on the 8th November. Sarah Elizabeth, was born five months later on 26 May 1885, in Rolleston, Canterbury, New Zealand.

The move did not help James' health very much as he died the following year.

James LEWIS died 22 Feb 1886. Christchurch, CBY, New Zealand. Buried Addington Cemetery.

Mary Jane married Herbert Benjamin WILLIAMS later that year - 30 Dec 1886 in Christchurch.

They went on to have eight children

Herbert Frederick

George Ingram

James Ernest

Jessica Everett

Joseph Edward

Henry Richard

Hayton Millray

Gwendoline Beatrice