Backgrounds & Buttons

In about the year 1838, our first ancestor WILLIAM WOOD arrived in the Marlborough Sounds from Sydney, Australia. William arrived in Australia from England with his family, in January 1828, where his father set-up business as a Tin Manufacturer. William went to work for Dicky Barrett who had a shore fishery at Te Awaiti, as a carpenter and shipwright.

William Wood was born about 1818 in London, England. He arrived in Sydney, Australia in January 1828 with his parents Thomas and Frances Wood. His father set up business as a Tinman in Sydney.

William married Eraiha Ngapaki on 04 December 1842. By 1849, whaling was well on the decline and William and his family moved to a new home at Pipitea Pa, Wellington.

William and Eraiha had eight children - Henry, Thomas, William, Mary, George, James, Frances (Fanny) and, John.

This reunion will focus on our first ancestor that arrived in New Zealand, WILLIAM WOOD and his descendants.

DATE: Easter 2003 - 18 to 21 April, 2003
VENUE: Wellington. We may also consider a venue in the Wairarapa.

Friday 18th          Day for those outside the area, to arrive.
                          Early Bird Registration.
                          Could book a hall for anyone to come and have a chat to others.
Saturday 19th      Registration (9 - 11am)
                          Lunch (11.30am - 12.30pm)
                          Reunion Welcome/Introductions (1pm - 1.30pm)
                          Reunion Photo's (1.30pm - 3pm)
                          Reunion Dinner (6pm - 7.30pm) Followed by some entertainment!
Sunday 20th        Reunion Photo's (morning) if required, otherwise free time.
                          Church Service, could be arranged for those interested.
Monday 21st       Time to head home.

With this programme, the main part of the reunion would focus on Saturday. It would be nice if some people could allow time to meet others by either arriving on Friday and/or, staying on Sunday. If there is enough interest for other activities, then these could be slotted in on the Sunday and/or, Monday morning. One or two day reunion probably will suit those close by but, we need to consider a 'package' for those travelling from outside the area, to make their trip worthwhile.

I am happy to organise all the pre-reunion planning i.e. research venues to use and pre-book venues; mail out newsletters etc.

However, this is NOT my, reunion. Therefore, help will be required to actually run the reunion at Easter 2003. If there are people keen to help, please contact me. At the end of the day, the success of the reunion will reflect on a number of people.

Since making a decision to proceed with this reunion in January 2001, the focus has been on preparing an address list. I am endeavouring to find several addresses within each family branch, which I have broken down into about 35 branches! It is very pleasing to say that I have managed to obtain several addresses for ALL branches, except for about five or six.

This has been a most rewarding experience, as I have been able to make contact with many new found relatives and, been able to gather further information for my research.

People that I have contacted will be aware of a Wood Reunion but, there will be many not likely to have heard as yet. Please help by spreading the word.

It is planned to mail out a REUNION NEWSLETTER during the later part of 2001. As there is so many addresses to mail to, this is likley to be a gradual process due to costs. This bulletin is likley to include a short questionaire which will help us plan a timetable for the reunion.

Throughout 2002 further NEWSLETTERS will be mailed out to those on the address list. These newsletters will include such details as to proposed timetable, venues, activities, expected costs etc. This booklet is likley to also include a form for people to register their interest.

Finally, approximately 4/5 weeks prior to the reunion (early March 2003), a REUNION PROGRAMME will be mailed out. This will be a more comprehensive booklet which will include final details on times, directions, activities, costs etc.

Reunion Book - I am keen to produce a Family History book for the reunion. I have some ideas and have looked at similar books at my libarary. But, the success of such a book will need help from people from all branches of the Wood's. I will contact those people that I have made contact with to see if they can help but, if there are others out there keen and able to help, please contact me.

PLEASE NOTE: Re ACCOMMODATION. Due to the expected large turnout, we are unlikely to act as an accommodation middle-person. We anticipate that those coming to the reunion will either commute from their homes or, find their own accommodation.

To follow what is happening, please visit this site every now and again. You are most welcome to contact me [email protected] to add your name to the address list or, help with family information.

Les Warren
1 / 20 George Street
Morrinsville
Phone: 07 - 889 7608
Email: [email protected]

The WOOD REUNION 2003

The WOOD REUNION
2003