May Family
HISTORY OF THE MAY NAME :
Although the name MAY has an ancient Norman origin, it first arrived in England with the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name MAY is derived from the Old French work mai. This name was also a nickname for a person with a particularly sunny disposition or a person who had an anecdotal connection with the month of May. Often this connection would be the time that feudal obligations were owed. Nicknames, such as MAY, that described the time or season of the birth, baptism or conversion of the original bearer were frequently adopted in the medieval era. The name has been spelled May, Maye, Mays and Mai.
The first evidence of the MAY family appears to be in Sussex, in southern England. Sussex was once a part of the kingdom of the south Saxons, which was founded in the late 5th century. In 1825, Sussex became a part of the kingdom of Wessex. By the 12th century, the MAY family had expanded in size and branched to Sutton Cheyney in Leicestershire, Rawmere in Sussex, and the county of Berwickshire. Early records of the MAY family reveal that in 1296, William May swore an oath of allegiance to King Edward I of England, who conquered Scotland that year.
A number of early immigrants to North America bore the name MAY or a variant including Cornelius May who arrived in Virginia in 1616, Dorothy May who arrived on the "Mayflower" in 1620, William May settled in St Christopher in 1634 and Peter Maye who landed in the Bay of Bulls, Newfoundland in 1675.
OUR MAY FAMILY
Including Pickford and Williams :
James May
I believe James was born around 1830 in Southern England and his occupation was a mariner. He married Susannah (also known as Susan) WEAVER. I believe they had three children, namely, James, Rose and Augustine Thomas.
Augustine was born in Southampton, Hampshire, England on 4 April 1854. I believe that he and his brother, James, were brought up by an aunt but I do not know why or if the aunt was a sister of their father or mother. Augustine made several trips to New Zealand, the last being on the "Old Ionic" arriving in 1884. His occupation was noted as a carpenter.
On 9 February 1886 he married Rosa Emma Pickford in Sandon, Fielding. After their marriage Augustine and Rosa owned a grocery business in Rongatea and later had a farm at Horopito. About 1902 they settled in Raetihi and had a small milk run and a carpentry shop. Augustine was a Private in NZ Infantry 2nd NZEF during the First World War.
Children of Augustine & Rosa :
Thomas James was born about 1887 in New Zealand.
Annie Eveline was born about 1890 in Horopito, New Zealand. She married Richard BENNETT and raised two daughters Marilyn and Dorothy. Annie died on 6 December 1978.
Gladys Ellen was born 22 September 1895 in Sandon, Fielding. She married Harold SOAR on 9 February 1916. After their marriage Gladys and Harold lived on a farm at Piriaka. They raised four children - Gwendoline (Gwen), Betty, Richard and Jack. Harold died on 7 March 1965. Gladys died on 26 April 1979.
Lucy Jane was born 24 July 1900. She married Gordon HOGG and they had seven children - Neville, Eric, Barry, Dorothy, Graham, John and Jessie. Lucy died on 24 October 1983.
Marjorie was born 24 September 1902 at Raetihi. She married Harry WILLIAMS at Raetihi on 17 April 1929. Harry died on 1 April 1970 Marjorie died on 1 September 1979 at a private hospital in Papatoetoe.
William Edward (also known as Bill) was born in 1905. He married Norah SNOOKS and they had a daughter, Wendy. William died on 18 June 1984 in Wanganui.
Nellie died of scarlet fever aged two and a half years. I do not know when she was born.
Augustine died on 5 February 1947 at Waimarino Hospital in Raetihi aged 82 years and was buried at Raetihi Cemetery. Rosa died on 4 September 1948 aged 83 years and was buried with Augustine at Raetihi Cemetery.
Marjorie was born 24 September 1902 at Raetihi. She was a tiny baby, only weighing 2.25 lbs at birth. She married Harry Williams at St Mary's Anglican Church, Raetihi on 17 April 1929. After their marriage Marjorie and Harry lived in John Street, Pukemiro. They raised a family of four daughters - Shirley, Ngaira, Velma and Janice.
Marjorie died on 1 September 1979 in Papatoetoe, Auckland. Harry died on 1 April 1970 in Papakura, Auckland. On 2 September 1989 Marjorie and Harry's ashes were scattered on the site of Williams homestead, Kauaeranga Valley, Thames, where Harry was born.
Lavinia was born in Cornwall, England and was the paternal grandmother of Harry Williams.
For more information about Lavinia and her family ( including TRELEASE and TREWEEK ) please refer to the link below.
