Hi, I’m SARNDRA
Over the decades I’ve been tracing my own family stories, I have reveled in every little piece of information or anecdote that I have found. Fleshing out my ancestors lives, connecting information and building a picture in my mind of how they lived, so I’ve decided to use my passion to help others.
Born and raised in Christchurch and living in Auckland since 2007, I am an avid genealogist and taphophile who has been researching my family histories for over 46 years - for we are not just one line - we are many!
For more than 15 years, I have lovingly cared for the wonderful artifacts that hold many fabulous stories in the social history department including war at Auckland War Memorial Museum—Tamaki Paenga Hira. Prior to that I was employed at Canterbury Museum, Christchurch where some of my ancestors donations reside.
My mum and aunt spurred my interest in genealogy when, in the 1970s they decided to visit churches in Rangiora, North Canterbury to look at the registers relating to my Great Great Great Grandparents who stepped on to New Zealand soil in 1850.
The love of piecing together the lives of those who are part of me has never waned, especially when discovering stories about their struggles and successes. This fueled my interest in the history of other areas of New Zealand and the world. I’ve met lovely people and family connections along the way in doing so. The latest, February 2024, a very close cousin and her 89 year old mother via DNA on my illegitimate grandmothers line - incredibly exciting! I’m as much about finding those stories and events that flesh out the bones of the names we find we are connected to - we are not all just dates; I adore cemetery photography and caring for family heirlooms—I’m hoping that I can provide a service in some way for you, utilising my years of experience and knowledge gained.
I am a second generation Kiwi on my dad’s side and fifth generation on my mum’s - my earliest ancestors to New Zealand - 1840, the latest - 1926.
SCROLL FURTHER DOWN FOR SOME OF MY ACHIEVEMENTS
HELPING MYSELF TO HELP OTHERS
Mum always said “you have to be nosey to do what you do.”
I call it inquisitive!
Some of my achievements to the right that “nosiness” has helped with.
1976 - TO PRESENT
Own genealogical research - evolving into researching for friends and colleagues.
Late 1980s-early 1990s
Aided in establishing the Kowai Archives, North Canterbury with Avis Wilson
1999-2001
Secretary/Treasurer
Canterbury Pilgrims Association
A joy as my Gr. Gr. Gr. Uncle Richard EVANS, 1848-1944 - a ‘Cressy’ Pilgrim, was patron of the Association.
I developed the original website to coincide with the Association’s 77th Anniversary 8 October 2000
2008 - 2015
‘Adopted’ the grave of Constable Adam Begg and over the course of 7 years championed to have him recognised as dying in the line of duty in 1926 aged 27. This was finally achieved in 2015.
Subscribed to Flickr - I have close to 12 million views on my account - click on the link for a sample of my images. Since joining, I have uploaded over 50,000 images, many with small biographies, a large percentage are graves and memorials. I also add my images to various online databases to share with the public and help encourage others to research.
2011 - Ongoing
Commenced involvement with The Friends of Linwood Cemetery Trust as researcher; later appointed life member; established social media platforms for the group.
2014
Rediscovered the grave of Sapper Robert Hislop – and commenced the process to have him officially recognised as the first New Zealander to die in World War 1 , bringing his story back to life.
©Sarndra Lees 2021-present, all content including images