Monday 17 June 2013

Olliff Family History Book

My most recent voluntary job is helping a friend compile her research into a readable Family History book. 

Yes I do voluntary sometimes, it keeps my style of formatting up to standard for a start, it's also enjoyable looking for the odd piece of information.

Well this Olliff family were from Buckinghamshire, Great & Little Missenden to be precise, both beautiful villages that are 3 miles apart.  Both have Saxon era parish church's that are sublime when you see the photographs that are online.

The family line starts with James Olliff, born in 1765 and ends up with one of his grandsons migrating to New Zealand in 1863 where he was part owner of a brewery as well as a shareholder manager of various gold mines.

William was born in 1840 in London, was apprenticed to a corn factor where he met his future wife Martha.  They had quite a lot of children, and today their lines still flourish in and around Auckland, one descendant (Sharon) who has researched for this book.

There is a lot to tell about this family, some went to America and Canada so now there are cousins the world over.  Lets hope this will help connect more of them.

Sharon's line came to New Zealand meaning that most of the book is based on the history of the emigration, their lives here in New Zealand and how the line has grown  Below is the cover of the finished book with a picture of William & Martha.


The book has some history of the villages where Sharon's family line came from, along with photos, shipping, war information and businesses.  At the back of the book is a descendant report of all the different lines that are connected to Sharon's.

It has been enjoyable to help Sharon and I look forward to her next book.