I live on a small sheep farm at Lake Waihola, in the deep south-east of N.Z.'s beautiful South Island. Family history trees, indeed any history, fascinate me and the stories of our Early Settlers are so amazing, and in my case, include a "black sheep" who was one of the ones who didn't make good in "the Colonies". These ones are often forgotten but their stories are real, tragic and seem such a loss, yet their descendants are here and living in this land, all because of their bold step in sailing out here, at sea for months in pretty basic conditions. This is real history! Also interested in the many young men, nurses etc, lost in wars overseas, their bravery and lives laid down for our freedom too easily forgotten. Often there wasn't even a record of their passing, just "lost" in a battle somewhere. Yet they too were real people, they were someone's beloved son, brother, sister, father... I also have an interest in preserving the records of those who have been cremated, as their lives are so easily overlooked. Yet they too, were and are real people. "The spirit returns to God who gave it".

"If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's in English, thank a soldier!"

I live on a small sheep farm at Lake Waihola, in the deep south-east of N.Z.'s beautiful South Island. Family history trees, indeed any history, fascinate me and the stories of our Early Settlers are so amazing, and in my case, include a "black sheep" who was one of the ones who didn't make good in "the Colonies". These ones are often forgotten but their stories are real, tragic and seem such a loss, yet their descendants are here and living in this land, all because of their bold step in sailing out here, at sea for months in pretty basic conditions. This is real history! Also interested in the many young men, nurses etc, lost in wars overseas, their bravery and lives laid down for our freedom too easily forgotten. Often there wasn't even a record of their passing, just "lost" in a battle somewhere. Yet they too were real people, they were someone's beloved son, brother, sister, father... I also have an interest in preserving the records of those who have been cremated, as their lives are so easily overlooked. Yet they too, were and are real people. "The spirit returns to God who gave it".

"If you can read this, thank a teacher. If it's in English, thank a soldier!"