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Archiver > AUS-Tasmania > 1999-06 > 0929316281


From: "Brendon Cameron" <>
Subject: Halliday/Launceston
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 1999 11:24:41 +1200


Hi, I've just joined this list and wondered if anyone can help me out:

I'm trying to find some information on my gtgt Grandfather, William
Stephenson Halliday, who lived in Tasmania for several years before coming
to New Zealand. He supposedly left two cousins in Tasmania, where their
families are believed to still live. I thought that by contacting you, you
may be able to help me.

Anyway heres the information I have on William Stephenson Halliday prior to
settling in NZ:
Born1839/1840 Dalkeith, Scotland. Excerpt from his obituary (1922) "In
1859, when there was a serious shortage of farm workers in Tasmania.....was
one of between 600 and 700 young men who signed on for Tasmania, at the
instance of a Government agent sent Home to secure skilled farm labour. The
contingent went out from Glasgow in the ship Broomilaw, arriving in
Tasmania.... The young ploughmans first employer was a fine old English
gentleman named Theodore Barclay, owner of an imposing property a few miles
out of Launceston."

Two first cousins of William's, also named Halliday travelled with him and
later married and had families in Tasmania. William and a number of other
immigrants sailed on a schooner to Dunedin, New Zealand, from Australia
about September 1863, following gold rush news. I have no information on
the Halliday relatives in Tasmania.

I have failed to find his name or ship on the internet site listing English
immigrants to Launceston (appears that Scots immigrants are possibly not on
this list), although noticed the name Theodore Bartley as a prominent local
which may be the man William worked for. In regard to his trip to NZ a ship
named The City of Hobart departed Melbourne, Victoria, arriving in Dunedin
in the correct month, with a Halliday on board, however I am unsure if this
is him or if this ship is a schooner, and have found no records of ships
departing Tasmania that may also fit this description.

I am looking for any information that may be relevant to me, and any help
you can offer will be most appreciated.

Brendon Cameron, Southland, New Zealand

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