The project
My great great grandparents, Martin Burke and Ann Philp, along with their 15 month old daughter Mary, emigrated to New Zealand in 1863, travelling aboard the Mermaid from Gravesend to Lyttelton.
I was interested in what their journey was like, and who they travelled with. While I was researching their lives, I came across Thomas Keir’s diary and several other accounts of the voyage.
This project aims to discover the story of that voyage and the people onboard – who were they, where were they from, and what happened to them once they arrived in New Zealand? This website aims to share what I find, in the hope that others may find it helpful, or be inspired to research their own ancestor’s journey.
If your ancestor was onboard the Mermaid, as a passenger or crew member, please get in touch. I’d love to hear their story.
And please suggest any corrections, amendments or additions! This is a work-in-progress.
The diary
The diary of Thomas Keir was lent to the National Library of New Zealand for copying in 1974 by Peter D. Keir. Thanks to his generosity and foresight, anyone can visit the National Library in Wellington and view the microfilmed diary in the Katherine Mansfield Reading Room. The first entry is dated 18th July 1858 and there are almost daily entries until November 1861. The entries start again from 7th November 1863 as Thomas leaves Scotland for London to board the Mermaid, and end on 27th October 1866, though there are large gaps after the first few months in New Zealand.
Another diary survives for the same voyage, written by Yorkshireman Henry Schofield. My transcription of his daily entry is included as a counterpoint to Thomas Keir’s. A photocopy of Volume 1 of the original diary and transcript is held at Tūranga, Christchurch City Library, and was donated by Ron Eder (Schofield’s great grandson), with a transcription provided by his aunt Gladys Pearson. It is available to view on request. Volumes 2 and 4 of the original diary are held at Canterbury Museum.
Any errors in transcription are all mine, and suggestions for corrections are gratefully received.
Me
I’m Maggie Gaffney, a local and family historian based in Wellington, New Zealand. I have a personal family history blog at iwiKiwi and my business website is MG Historical Research.Acknowledgments
Peter D. KeirNational Library of New Zealand
Rangiora Museum
Alastair Rose
Central Library, Dundee
Ron Eder
Christchurch City Libraries
National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
The National Archives, London
Maritime History Archive, Newfoundland
National Records of Scotland
