Have you reached a brick wall with your family history research? Are you looking for others who you might share ancestors with? Or have you made an important discovery that you think might help others with Matheson ancestry?
Feel free to post your questions or comments below. Please be brief and respectful. Your real name and email would be appreciated.
You might want to also post your query on the Clan Matheson New Zealand Facebook group.
I am a descendant of Thomas Berge Matheson/Mathieson 1830-1910 and Elizabeth Boyd/Boyt/Boyte/Boit 1842-1916. Does anyone have the names of Thomas’ brothers and/or sisters? and his parents/grandparents etc?
Very interesting. My mother’s family were McBurney’s which is a sept of the Mathesons. There was still a fair bit of sadness within the family about having to leave Scotland to go to Northern Ireland as Catholic highlanders and then not really feeling safe there either, so they came to Australia. My heritage is over 90% from the British Isles.
I was a member of the Matheson Clan, but unfortunately I was not able to link any Mathesons in New Zealand etc. Don was the assistance I recieved.
My second Great Grandparents were William Matheson 1828-1900 and married Catherine Drysdale 1826-1912. I know from scotlandspeople his parents were
William Matheson 1801-1876 and married Barbara Campbell 1806-1868.
My third Great Grandparent alleged was William was born 1801 at Pyramid Collage 18 George Street Fodderty and died there i.n 1870.. He was a Burgh Policeman in 1892 and the Invernes advertiser advises of his death and that he was a Freemason. in 1838.
I am unable to possively know who his parents were and I have documents from scotlands people stating his parents were William Matheson 1783-1870 and wife Cath McKenzie 1787-1872 but this is not clear and I do not wish to go off on a tanget.
I do know that James and his wife Ronalda nee Matheson lived with William(1801-1876) and his wife according to the 1871 census.
I also know the James Smith and his wife Ronalda nee Matheson lived with William and Barbara Matheson nee Campbell
I have had discussions with Catherine Taylor from Scottish Archives but she was unable to assist further
Thank you
I joined the Matheson group when Don Scott was a researcher
I declined the admission later as it was not useful to myself and my Matheson kin.
I am interested in obtaining any information re my Matheson kin.
My Matheson research has started at William(1783-1810) and Cath Matheson nee McKenzie but am not absolutely positive about this connection even though I have documentation from scotlandspeople..
I am able to trace my third Great Grandparents, William Matheson (12 June 1801) Pyramid Cottage 18 George Street, Fodderty and died at the same address 31 October 1806. Married Barbara Campbell (7 June 1827) born 8 Sept 1806 and died 6 December 1868 at same address. He was a Burg or Policeman.
My second Great Grandparents were William Matheson 30 June 1828 Fodderty and is buried at Mangatainoka, 22 April 1900 (Main block 4 plot 4 grave 51) and married 28 October 1850 at Aberdeen. Catherine Drysdale born 24 Jan 1826 Criech Sutherland and died 21 October 1912.
A daughter Charlotte Matheson married Joseph Edward Wade. In comes my mother Leah Mary Billington nee Wade.
I am a member of ancestry.com and my research is free to anyone interested.
Thank you and and advise would be appreciated to further my kin research.
Good evening,
I feel too look for my biological father, I was born 1981, his name is Wayne Mathieson/Matheson a Wool Shearer his parents live or lived in Morrinsville and bred/trained horses I believe he also has another brother, my mother Connie, being a Wool Technician (rousie), my mother said she had beento his parents home in Morrinsville maybe twice, he was separated from his wife at the time from Gisborne and had many children, I heard he might still be around the area, still making babies, as I was once on Facebook group page that told me so, haven’t been on fb for over 3 years now and don’t want to return regardless of limitations, I am on a journey of discovering both sides of my whakapapa, I would be greatly appreciative of any info…
Kind regards
Te Awhina
Hi Cathy
Here is some information about David Matheson, who worked as a shepherd and carrier at Wanaka. He may well be the David Matheson you refer to.
https://www.clanmatheson.org.nz/clan-matheson/matheson-place-names-in-new-zealand/david-matheson-of-wanaka/
Andrew
Hi to all,
My great grandmother was kate matheson of palmerston south who married peter Morrison of that same place. Kates Father was John matheson & his wife was Jane ewing Hunter but am not sure where they lived, all I know is they had 3 children Margaret ,David & my grandmother Kate ( catherine mary) whom I am named after. David worked as a sheperd & wool carter at Wanaka. Do you have any info on my family. My Mum was born at Maheno Maisie Morrison along with her siblings.
Thanks Cathy from perth aust
Hi Finn
Really glad you found a lot of interest in the site. Spread the word!
Cheers
Man, this is exactly the article ive been looking for. I knew that my clan, (clan matheson) had come here from scotland but that amount of detail just gave me pride to know that i am a matheson. thank you.
Hi Deidre
Thanks for this fascinating enquiry. I’ve shared it with clansfolk in the UK and Norway, and discovered some more about Johana. Here is a profile of her. You have probably seen this video about her, which includes an interview with Elisabeth Matheson.
The profile I’ve linked to says that Johana belonged to a well-known family of merchants in Trondheim. I’m told this was founded by Jacob Matheson, whose ancestor was Johan Frederick Matheson (1754-1821). Johan’s brother was Jacob Bolcke Matheson (1761-1857), and I’m trying to get more information from a descendant of Jacob. If I find out more, I’ll let you know.
Andrew
Hello
I am currently in close communication with Elisabeth Matheson from Trondheim. She is making a film about Johanna Matheson who was the only female norwegian resistance fighter to die in a concentration camp after ww2. Elisabeth mentioned historical connections with your family.
I am writing a book about Johanna”s relationship with my Scottish aunt Mary Macfarlane who during the war worked for the bbc and had an ‘undercover’ relationship with Johanna Matheson. Do you have any more information about this?
Hello
My Great Grandmother was Ann Matheson 1811-1907. She married Donald Brackmuch Campbell 1806-1887. She died on 20 January 1907 at Leigh, North Auckland and is buried with her husband in the Waipu Cemetery.
I have just read about the survey that was available to be completed on 8 November in the Waipu Museum Newsletter today. Sadly we were away at the time only coming back from a short holiday on Tuesday 10 November. I would be interested in completing survey if still available.
Hi Claire
Thanks very much for posting this question. Your grandfather is listed on our site, but we haven’t yet written up his story. Here are some notes extracted from his personnel file:
Born Normanby 22 December 1892
Father W Mathieson, Morley Street, New Plymouth, then Austin Road, Normanby, Taranaki. Mother Mary. Both born Auckland.
Occupation motor mechanic, Newton King.
Roman Catholic.
Later address C/ Snelling and Andrews, Brougham Street, New Plymouth; also 62 Victoria St Hawera.
Field Artillery as driver and gunner.
Discharged no longer physically fit for war service 2 March 1919. Inguinal hernia, ?bronchitis?
Died Puniho 10 July 1961. Widow Mrs L N Mathieson, Paora Road, Puniho, Okato.
Married Norah Laura Te Aroaro o Paritutu Ruakere. Four boys and four girls.
One daughter was Patricia Laura Te Waikapoata Mathieson (first Māori policewoman).
One son was Rex Tawheta Mathieson, who died in WW2.
I’ll send you his personnel file.
Regards,
Andrew
My Grandfather was Thomas Berge Mathieson. I was wondering if you had any information on him and his service.
Refer above
I believe that the father of my half sister was John Matheson, a farming family from Papakaio, NW of Oamaru, and may have married Thora Colhain. They later moved to Southland, I believe.
My half sister was born at the Rangimarie Private Nursing home, Thames St Oamaru, in October 1946.
My mother lived at 49 Eden St, Oamaru. Any assistance from the Matheson Clan would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you Bill for the update. I have just received my DNA kit as recommended By my first cousin Jillian Bokser (nee Paton), who lives in Oamaru. Hopefully once I am on the international DNA database we may have success in finding my half sister. A little scary on one hand, but certainly want to ensure that she knows her late mother and her brothers, being Gregory and myself. As you are aware Gregory is now domiciled in Ottematatta, South Island. Regards to John , Munro and family.
Hi Phillip. Thanks for dropping by. I’ve posted a link to your query on the Clan Matheson New Zealand Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ClanMathesonNewZealand/
Hi Phillip, second cousin Bill from Perth here. Both our mothers were from the Oamaru and my mother, Justina, was married to Dad, Hector Stapleton Matheson, in Oamaru. Also my Grandfather, Hector Clark, lived nearby in Timaru for many years. I never heard of a John Matheson from Oamaru, nor did I ever hear Naomi or Justina talk of him. (Or was this secret family business…?)
I hope that you, Ann and the boys are well.
I am looking for a half sister – she was born in October 1946 in Oamaru, to my mother Gladys Naomi Dixon, before she was married to my father, and moved to Adelaide in 1950. I believe the father of my half sister was John Matheson, who lived in the Oamaru area. I currently live in Adelaide, South Australia, but my search is being assisted by my cousin who lives in Oamaru.
My mother passed away in May 2017, 2 weeks before her 90th birthday.
It would be appreciated if someone can help with finding my sister who would be 73 this year.
I am looking family members who The IslySky in the 1840s on the Muteka to NewZealand I do not now there first names but there were 4 brothers 2 went to the North Island and 2 went the South Island
I have established my Matheson links to Fodderty, Dingwall Ross and Cromarty where my 3rd Great Grandfather William Matheson (1802-1876) was a Burg and Court Officer(Policeman)
He was married to Barbara Campbell.
His parents were William and Catherine Matheson nee McKenzie but I am unable to find anything about them even on scotlandspeople .com. I have a death document of William Matheson dated 1876 062/00-0055 page 19.
Is anyone able to throw more light on my kin please ?
Hi John. I’ve posted your query on the Clan Matheson New Zealand Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ClanMathesonNewZealand/
Im looking for the Matheson Clan of Ellen MATHESON who married John WHITE and had 4 children in Waipawa, Hawkes Bay between 1860 and 1871.John Died in 1872 and she then remarried James McINTYRE and died as Ellen McINTYRE in 1877 in Taradale, Hawkes Bay
My name is John Matheson PALMER (after both of them)
Roman
Thanks for your query, which I’ve posted on the New Zealand Clan Matheson Facebook group. Best wishes for your search!
Andrew
Hi Sally
Skydiving over it is certainly a special way of viewing Lake Matheson! You can see more about the origins of the lake’s name here: https://www.clanmatheson.org.nz/clan-matheson/matheson-place-names-in-new-zealand/
Hello,
I am organising a Hazlett Family reunion and I am trying to locate the descendants of a Matheson that married a Hazlett.
His name was Donald John Matheson (Jock) youngest son of Donald Lachlan Matheson of Invercargill.
Donald John married Ethel Florence Hazlett in 1909 in Dunedin. It is understood that they resided in Melbourne and they had 2 x children, Hilda Macintyre and James Matheson?
I hope someone can help us reach out to the descendants to help us complete this lineage as we look to celebrate 156 years of the Hazlett Family in NZ.
Many thanks,
Roman
02102680031
roman.leelo@vodafone.co.nz
Hi there
My Grandad was a Matheson and we’re fairly sure we’re linked to the clan! I just wondered if there was any info on Lake Matheson? I was lucky enough to sky dive over it but couldn’t find out who might have named it etc?
Thank you!
Hi there, My husband Gordon Mathieson was born in Greymouth (09/03/56) Does anyone on here have any connections to the ‘Coast’ Mathiesons and where they might have originated from. Thanks
Hi Danielle
We don’t have any records of the family but some of our readers might. Do you have any more information?
Check out the article on this website about getting started with your family story. Electoral rolls would probably be a good place to start.
Thanks,
Andrew
Hi there, I was doing a search looking for my fathers birth mother and it brought me to your site. Probably a long shot but do you have any records of a Mary matheson (not sure of spelling) or family living around dunedin in the 1950/60s?? Anything would be a great help
Hi Beverly
Thanks for getting in touch. I’m afraid the Canadian branch of the Clan Matheson Society has neither a website nor a Facebook page, but you can find contacts for the branch here. If you’re in Canada, which I assume from your comment, the Canadian branch genealogist would be a good person to contact.
If you’re interested in using DNA analysis to find out more about your lineage, there’s an article on our website about it with links to UK and US clan contacts.
Andrew
Hoping to connect with other Mathesons of the Lockalsh/Viking line. I do not see a Facebook page for Canada. Any help I can get it would be greatly received….
Peter and Mary ,
Firstly let me apologize for not keeping up with my genealogy . Peter, firstly uncle Bob and Auntie Olive your grandparents were wonderful to me as a young girl my sister Pamela and I have very fond memories of staying and visiting them in Omarau. Uncle Bob was of course our grandfathers brother.
Mary , you must be Uncle Grants daughter, Nanna Mathieson , May McLennan was our step grandmother whom we loved and often went to stay with her in Christchurch. Our family has dispersed over the years Dad, James Cooke Mathieson died two years ago this month and Mum, Peg is living in Mosgiel , We are all going over to NZ for her ninetieth birthday which is on the 22 nd of Feb.
I live in Melbourne , Pam in NSW Robert in Dunedin, Helen in Surrey UK and Sarah in Invercargill.
I have done a family tree albeit an amateur effort and you are both on it.
It would be great to hear from you both
Jo
Hi Sharon
Sharon
Thanks very much for your query. I’ve put together some information from the Births, Deaths and Marriages online site, and a bit of searching around the web.
John Thomas Mathieson died in about 1925 (his death was registered in that year, though the low registration number of 1925/2915 means he might have died late in 1924). He was aged 66, so born in about 1859, but I can’t find a birth registration record for him. Perhaps he wasn’t born in New Zealand.
John Thomas Matheson (note the different spelling) married Emily Verran in about 1885 (registration 1885/1948). Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The only child registered as being born to Emily and John Thomas Mathieson since 1880 is Thomas Birge Mathieson, born in 1940. That’s way too late to be your people, even though you mention a great-uncle possibly called Tom. Yet see below; I wonder if the date is wrong, and this is your great-uncle Tom.
There are three children born to Emily and Joseph Thomas Mathieson: Rachel Emelia (1893), James Louis (1895) and Chrissy Amelia (1897). Interesting that you think one of your great-aunts was called Chrissie. Did your great-grandfather go by the name Joseph as well?
Searching for children born to Emily Matheson shows that Emily and Thomas John Matheson had Louisa Elizabeth in 1887; the date fits, as does the name Bessie as a contraction of Elizabeth. I’ve often seen errors in BDM records, either spelling errors like Matheson/Mathieson or transcription errors such as John Thomas / Thomas John, so this is a very likely link given your memory of a great-aunt called Bessie.
Emily Mathieson died in 1947 aged 85, so born in about 1862 which puts her about three years younger than John Thomas Matheson, which fits your family story.
John Thomas and Emily Mathieson are in the 1914 and 1919 electoral rolls, with John a farmer at Netherton (on the Hauraki Plains, not far from Paeroa). Interesting thing, Thomas Birge Mathieson is in the 1919 roll as a farmer at Rotokohu, which is just south of Paeroa. This is such a distinctive name I wonder if the 1940 birth date mentioned above is a transcription error.
Another good place to look for people of this era is the Auckland War Memorial Museum’s Cenotaph database of service personnel. A Thomas Berge Mathieson served in the First World War, but his father lived in Taranaki. A Henry Burge Mathieson also served, but his next of kin was his mother, who lived in Auckland. Burge/Birge/Berge is an unusual family name, though.
Here’s where I may have hit gold for you. There’s an interesting article in the Ohinemuri Regional History Journal of September 2004 about infant class teachers at the Paeroa Central School. It’s by Gordon Mathieson, who states that “Mrs Eileen Mathieson, nee Sorensen (1904 – 1981) was a great-aunt of the writer of this article. Her husband, James Joseph Mathieson (1900 – 1973) was a younger brother to my paternal Grandfather, Thomas Mathieson (1890 – 1958).”
http://www.ohinemuri.org.nz/journal/48/paeroa_central_infant_block.htm
There’s a G Mathieson in the Paeroa phone book( 07 862 6451, 40 Claremont Ave) who might be this Gordon.
Good luck with your further searching!
Andrew
I am trying to get information on my Grandfather’s family. My grandfather’s name was James Joseph Mathieson born 24 May 1900 and he died 18 September 1973.
His father was John Thomas Mathieson and his mother was Emily Verran. The only information I have is that James Joseph had one brother (who we think was called Tom) and two sisters (who we think were called Bessie and Chrissie). The family lived in Paeroa.
I have drawn a blank with any further information from family so would really appreciate it if someone else was able to help or point me in the right direction.
Mary, Peter
Thanks very much for your interest. I’ve posted your query on the Clan Matheson Facebook page and will put it in the February issue of the Clan Matheson Society newsletter, to see if anyone can help you.
Jo Archibald
My name is Mary mathieson. My grandfather was Alfred Ernest as well. I have asked my mum for info but she does not know much as dad was from Alfred’s second marriage to May Elisabeth mclennan
Hi Jo
My grandfather was Robert mathieson born in Chathams in 1901. My father was john, his brothers were Brian and ken.they lived in oamaru I have an interest in the Chathams also.i have a photo of Roberts gravestone and the church where he was buried. His wife brought the boys back to Dunedin after his death as she was a plunket nurse. Grandad was an all black in 1922. I would love to hear from you as I have researches further back.
Regards
Peter mathieson
Hastings
Barry
Thanks for your query.
Descendants of Scots have it easier than most when it comes to finding out about their ancestors. You’re right, Scotland’s People is the place to look. You don’t have to be a member, but just have to purchase a few credits to get started with.
You might find this guide on our site to family history research useful.
Thanks
Andrew
Is anyone able to assist here please ?
I was a member of NZ Clan Matheson but do not think I am still as I have not met the membership fee.
I had Don Scott researching but have not heard from him.
I have now established that William Matheson was born 26 June 1783 at Rogie Fodderty, Dingwall Ross and Cromarty Scotland.
He married c.1800; Catherine McKenzie, born 6 September 1787 Urquhart Scotland and died before 1876 Pyramid Cottage, Fodderty, Dingwall Ross and Cromarty Scotland.
Her parents were; William McKenzie married to Janet Steuart at Dingwall Scotland.
I have managed to trace records of my Scottish kin back to the present day.
I would like to know if someone has access to the ScotlandsPeople records site and can trace whom children of William and Catherine Matheson were “apart” from a son William Matheson born 12 June 1801 whom was a Policeman at Fodderty.
I am also interested if anyone can tell me;
Whom are the parents of William Matheson born in 1783 and died before 1876 Pyramid Cottage 18 George Street Fodderty Scotland.
If this is not possible then I thank you for your time.
Barry
Barry
Thanks for posting your query. We have a starter’s guide to family history research on this website here. Your best bet would be to dig deep into Scotland’s People. It seems from this list that their database contains a lot of material from the Old Parish Registers for Dingwall.
Good luck with your searching!
Andrew
My links.
William(1784-1876 and Catherine McKenzie(1873-before 1876)Dingwall Ross and Cromarty.
Son William and Catherine Matheson nee Drysdale came to NZ on ship Ruapehu 1886. Farmers Konini Pahiatuha.
Unable to really trace back in time as William(1784-1776) and Catherine Matheson nee McKenzie records difficult to locate.
Charlotte Matheson(1862-1947) married my Great Grandfather Joseph Edward Wade(1865-1949) Konini.
Barry
Andrew
, thank you for your quick response. I mistakingly wrote Albert Ernest Cooke my grandfathers name was Alfred Ernest Cooke Mathieson born 1900 Owenga Chatham Islands.
Regards, Jo
Hello Jo
Thanks for your enquiry. I’m not sure I know the answer to your questions. I can’t find anything about life in the Chathams through a simple Google search. By the way, I also can’t find Albert Ernest Cooke Mathieson’s death in births, Deaths and Marriages Online. There is some information (including a photo) about Robert; apparently he was the only All Black born in the Chatham Islands.
I’ll post your query on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/ClanMathesonNewZealand/) to see if anyone can help.
Andrew
I wondered if anyone would have any information on my great grandfather Robert Mathieson who went to the Chatham Islands in 1890’s he and his wife Annie had two sons both born on the Chathams my great grandfather Albert ernest cooke mathieson and a his brother Robert who was an All black in 1920’s. My g grandfather died on the Chathams in 1900 and is buried near Owenga.
I would just like to know what kind of life they would have had, how they got to the Chathams, how long it took to sail there and in what ship etc.
Margo
There are some great tips here for starting out with family history: http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/life-style/8050521/How-to-History-hunting. Good luck with your search.
I believe that my paternal grandmother, Annie Augusta McLeod, was one of the settlers who arrived from Nova Scotia in 1852. By my reckoning she would have been 7y.o. She subsquently married a first generation Englishman, Arthur Octavius Miller. Her McLeod mother later married a man called Hay, who already had 2 daughters and moved to Sydney. Annie and Arthur originally lived in Parua Bay. He taught at the local school at one stage but also farmed, as I recall from my father’s reminiscences. Can you help me trace them,please?