Source Cyn Gibson - 22 Aug 2001
Hi Rod,
Today I picked up a copy of the death certificate with information as follows:
Ellen Dumbreck Harris, Widow. 33 Forbes St. Onehunga. AK. Died 18.08.1950. age 81yrs
Parents. Surname of father .....Gillon
Surname of mother Rachael Gillon
Maiden name of mother Switzer
Profession of father Dairy Farmer

Buried 12th Aug 1950 Mangere Cemetery. Religion. Methodist.

Born: Limerick Ireland. 1869. Married aged 23. Bombay, to James Harris.
Issue living M. 54,52,44 F.47
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Source: From: "Dawn Chambers" <d.chambers@@paradise.net.nz> after an enquiry on N.Z. rootsweb list (Aug 5th 2001)

The only mention of the name that I could find in N.Z. is for an Ellen Dumbreck HARRIS who was listed on the Manakau 1893 Electoral Roll as living at Onehunga; domestic duties.
She was still living at Onehunga when she died; probate being granted for her estate on 12 Sep 1950.
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E-mail from Cynthia Gibson 1 Sept 2001

Hi Rod
I am glad the 'mail' arrived.
I went to the National Archives to check out the AK newspapers (Herald) for
the death notices of Ellen Dumbreck Harris - nothing. (but I did find a
death notice of a Francis Ellen Gillon a week later, wife of the late Eleiza
Gillon. Gillon is an unusual name in NZ, only 8 listed in the Wellington
directory) To gain access to the other Ak Newspaper I have to place an order
with my local library who will then borrow it from the AK archives for
me...nothing is simple!!

Back in Lower Hutt I searched the electoral rolls for NZ at the Justice Dept
from 1928-1949. I then asked for copies of the rolls prior to 1928 and was
told they were held at the National Archives!!! ...a real mickey mouse
situation!!! so I will make another trip back into Wellington next week to
check this lot out!!

I am trying to establish when she came to NZ and from where. Ellen must have
been very proud of her Dumbreck name as she is listed as Ellen Dumbreck
Harris in every electoral roll. Her 'children' probably are all dead by now,
so I will get as much background info first and then 'put out a plea' on the
radio (a programme of early NZ history and family information requests aired
each Sat & Sunday morning, NZ wide)

When checking the rolls, I realised that Bombay is a suburb of Auckland (not
a place in India) so I will also try to establish when she was married in NZ
etc and hope I can get a copy of the marriage certificate.

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