Biography

The identity of the William Menzies recorded in this plot is yet to be made certain. It is quite probable there are two of that name buried here, an uncle and a nephew. It is quite likely that the William recorded as buried here is William (the elder)) brother of George, also buried in this plot with his wife Grace and probably their infant son William. The infant William was born on August 31 st 1904 but unfortunately died on the same day. This date is the same date that the infants uncle, William snr, was being buried at the Northern Cemetery having died on the 28/29th August.The Dunedin City Council records show that the William buried in the plot 192a/8 at the Northern Cemetery died on the 29th August 1904 and was buried on the 31st August. No age or gender has been recorded. The Family book, ‘ Menzies My Clan’ records Williams Snr.’ death as the 28th August (p.86) and this is confirmed by an entry in the Otago Witness ( Iss.2634, 7 Sept 1904, p.48)

‘On the 28th August, William Menzies of Bannockburn, son of the late James Menzies, Leadhills, Lanarkshire, Scotland: aged 67 years’

There is a birth reference number for William Menzies in 1904(no. 1968). DCC. Records also show the plot was purchased by George Menzies of Bannockburn on 6 Aug. 1917. It is quite possible that the infant William was simply buried with his uncle given that he died on the same day William snr was being interred. Without further information to the contrary we have settled on this conclusion.

William Menzies c 1837-1910)

William Menzies (the elder) was the great Grandson of Thomas Menzies and Janet, nee Lockie, Menzies. The couple had seven children, the eldest, Thomas born 1762 married Mary Mclean and they had nine children. Their son James, born 1807 married Martha Weir and between 1826 and 1869 the couple had several children. At least two of their sons, William and George left Scotland and came to New Zealand.

William Menzies was born in Crawford Parish, Leadhills,Lanarkshire, Scotland c. 1837. He immigrated to New Zealand in 1869. He was a miner, trained in the lead mines of Leadhills he arrived in New Zealand two years prior to the discovery of Gold in Otago. While in Dunedin he met and married Hannah Elizabeth Stearn who was born in Warnambool, Victoria, Australia and had arrived in New Zealand c.1870. William and Hannah settled in Bannockburn, Otago where William mined for gold.

William Menzies died in the Seacliff Hospital on 28th August 1904 and was buried here in the Northern Cemetery Dunedin on the 31st August 1904. His wife Hannah moved North to be with their daughter Martha and passed away at Manawatu Heads on 8th Oct 1931. She is buried in the Foxton Cemetery

William and Hannah Menzies had nine children all born at Bannockburn , Central Otago.

Hannah Margaret Martha Menzies, b. 1876. m William Walter McCabe in Cromwell 1902

Martha Mary Louisa Menzies. b.1877 d.7-7-1946 in Foxton. m.William Richard Jay.

Wilhelmina (Minnie) Lucy Menzies. b.19-4-1879. m. Harry Cowan Guildford.

James Stearn Menzies. B. 25-7-188. d. 26-1-1966. m Sarah Isabel Graves, born to John and Mary,nee Leslie, Graves in Arrowtown, Otago 27 June 1896. Sarah died 26 Sept 1966. The couple are buried in the Cromwell Cemetery

George Andrew Menzies, one of Twins, born 20 May 1886. d. Auckland,29 Sept. 1971. m. Florence Myrtle Taylor, d. George and Elizabeth Ann, nee Buchanan, in Reefton 25 June 1914.

William John Menzies, Born 20 May 1886. Twin of George. Remained unmarried. When retired he took up Possum hunting and died of exposure after getting lost in Chaslands Bush, Otago on or about 6th May 1964.( refer: Otago Daily Times, 26 May 1964.

Grace Isabella Rose Menzies. b.1887 d. Milton Otago , buried Cromwell. m.Allan Campbell.

Jean Elizabeth Menzies. b. 7-1-1890. d.17-1-1978 Cromwell, buried, Wanaka Cemetery. m. Thomas David Anderson Mar. 1912.

Thomas Daniel Joseph Menzies, b. 1896. m. Myrtle Florence St Francis Daly in 1927.

William Menzies, 1904

William Menzies was the infant son of George Menzies and his wife Grace Turnbull Menzies. William was born on the 31st August 1904 but unforntunately did not survive the day. Although records seem to be lacking he was probably buried here with his uncle William who was being buried the same day and his parents.Members of the Menzies Family believe William to be buried here

Information from: ‘Menzies my Clan’, compiled by Dennis M.Menzies, 2008.