Jim`s 85th Birthday

A series of pastel, crayon and ink drawings inspired by Albert and Hannahas glass lantern. Made in celebration of my father Jim Andreassend`s 85th birthday more can be seen at http://www.andreassend.weebly.com/ and http://www.chanandreassend.co.nz/ or http://www.chanandreassend.com.au/

Kjaersti Sigursdatter`s Journey

At this time 138 years ago Kaersti Sigursdatter was leaving her village of Amotsdal, Telemark in Norway. The last visits to surrounding farms, the final goodbyes, tears and hugs tinged with excitement for a new life. The youngest of 10 children and the age of 30 she decided to immigrate to New Zealand. It would have been the warmest part of summer when Kjearsti started her long journey. When she looked backed towards her valley, I wonder if these views would have be that much different from now?

Kjaersti

Amotsdal Church

Bridge near Amotsdal

Amostdal village in the distant

In New Zealand she married John Clark had several children including Hannah Bertha, after his death she married Hans Hansen who was tragically killed in Dunedin. Little is known about either John or Hans except for a few documents. Hopefully more can be found.

Has it been a year already?

                                   Jim and Dorothy Andreassend  Kohia Art Show 2010

Happy Birthday Dad, one year since the start of your Birthday Blog, little did I know what it would lead to!
Countless hours in the norwegian archives, scanning photos, writing letters, website, tracing relatives, stories. It was all worth it just to see how you and Mum enjoyed hearing from relatives and the new stories.
Finding so many relatives, photos and stories and being able to share them has been a great way to celebrate family and the year.
I can`t figure out what to get you this year.
How about a Family Reunion in Summer?

The Pomahaka Mystery

  Hannah circa 1900

The Pomahaka Mystery was a sensational story throughout New Zealand in 1896, it involved the disappearance of Mary Matson nee O`Shea. Her Husband Carl Matson was later charged. 
His house keeper at this time was Hannah Bertha Clark who as a young 18 year old woman was unwittingly caught up in a series of events leading to this tragedy. 
In 1900 Hannah married Albert Andreassend.
To learn more  search for Hannah Bertha Clark or Carl Matson at the Papers Past link. or www.andreassend.weebly.com


Mary O`Shea was formerly married and according to newspaper reports apparently had some family in New Zealand including an adult daughter, sister and brother. She was buried as Mary Matson
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=TT18960708.2.9&e=-------10--1----0-all

Anzac Rememberance

Alfred Andreassend circa 1939
Alf was badly injured during the war, captured in Egypt and spent the war in Stalag 8B in Landsdorf Poland. His injuries required over 100 operations and continued for over 20 years. He was treatment was carried out in Queen Victoria Hospital by Plastic Surgery pioneers Gillies and McIndoe. The revolutionary techniques inspired patients to form the World renowned Guinea Pig Club. At least four family members are known to have gone to war for New Zealand. Andrew MacDonald (brother inlaw 1st world war), brothers Bert Andreassend, Alfred Andreassend and  George Lum (cousin). All 2nd world war.

 

Bert Andreassend

 

Alf seated Egypt

 

Stalag 8b

Alf 2nd row 2nd from left

 

East Grimstead Hospital

Scars of the Heart Auckland Museum       

Jim Andreassend Sports Album

 

Timaru South School 1941

 

South Canterbury Primary Schools

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South Canterbury Junior Reps 1942

Happy Birthday Mark

Jim and Dorothy`s youngest of five sons, now at the age of 47 and the tallest of them all. Hope Kim, Kurtis and Monique remembered to spoil you, Congratulations!!       

Mark 10 months Timaru

Ronald and Mark

                 

 

                                   

May Andreassend

With this very precious letter May Andreassend at the age of 16, gives up her son to be raised by her mother Hannah. Jim was not expected to live and was said to be the weight of a "pound of butter". As can be seen May intended her son to be named James John whereas the birth certificate reverses the order. Although dated 1926, the two stamps, were issued for the first world war.
Who Charles Pownall Don is unknown, the only references I have found in both the Australian and New Zealand Birth, Death and Marriages Registers are
Birth 1880  Australia. Married Laura Woodruffe 1918  NZ  Died 1918 aged 38 years NZ.
All that is known about Jim`s father is that he is Chinese. It wasn`t till 1975 that Jim finally discovered that May was his birth Mother.

 

Birthday Celebration

A link to the family past sent in by Jeanette Young.

This is possibly Kjaersti Sigurdsdatter from the Spinning Wheel photo.

The occasion looks like a birthday possibly or a wedding anniversary. Additional ideas would be helpful