Hi, I’m SARNDRA
Over the decades that I’ve been tracing my own family stories, I have revelled in every little piece of information or story that I have found. Fleshing out my ancestors lives, connecting information using logical thought processing and building a picture in my mind of how they lived, so I’ve decided to use my passion to help others.
Born and raised in Christchurch and living in Auckland since 2007, I am an avid genealogist and taphophile who has been researching my family histories for the past 45 years - for we are not just one line - we are many!
My mum and aunt spurred my interest in genealogy when, in the 1970s they decided to visit churches in Rangiora, North Canterbury to look at the registers relating to our Great Great Grandparents who emigrated to New Zealand in 1850.
The love of piecing together the lives of those who are part of me only grew stronger when I started discovering stories about ancestors struggles - both good and bad. Then I began finding photographs/photocopies of them via networking and I was awestruck. All this also further fuelled my interest in local history around me and I’ve met lovely people along the way.
Long life story short, I’m as much about finding those stories and events that flesh out the bones of the names we find we are connected to - we are not all just dates; I adore cemetery photography and caring for family heirlooms—I’m hoping that I can provide a service in some way for you, utilising my years of experience and knowledge gained.
In 2001, I made the decision to resign from my employment and undertake a Mass Communications degree at Canterbury University which I completed in 2003, deciding to further my studies in a post graduate Museum course. This vocational path felt a natural segue— for the past 13 years, I have cared for with love, the wonderful artefacts that hold many fabulous stories in the History department at Auckland War Memorial Museum—Tamaki Paenga Hira. Prior to that I was employed at the wonderful Canterbury Museum, Christchurch where some of my ancestors donations reside.
For nearly two decades, I’ve also focussed on non family related grave photography, especially soldiers family memorials and graves, methodically trekking cemeteries in Christchurch (and later other towns) and finding graves I felt had a story behind them. I allowed the inscribed dates, interesting epitaphs/headstone information, unusual names to guide me, especially if a lovely ceramic photo is present to admire. Many stories came to the surface and I have added thousands of grave images to various sites such as Flickr and over 13 years have now amassed more than 10.5 million views! Who said cemeteries aren’t fascinating!
I am a second generation Kiwi on my dads side and fifth generation on my mums.
HELPING MYSELF TO HELP OTHERS
My mother said “you have to be nosey to do what you do.”
I call it inquisitive!
My deliberately shortened list of achievements that that “nosiness” has helped with.
1976 - TO PRESENT
Own genealogical research also evolving into researching for friends and colleagues.
Late 1980s-early 1990s
Helped establish Sefton-Kowhai Archives, North Canterbury with Avis Wilson
1999-2001
Secretary/Treasurer;
Canterbury Pilgrims Association
(A joy as my Gr. Gr. Gr. Uncle Richard EVANS 1848-1944 was patron of the Association).
I developed the original website to coincide with the Association’s 77th Anniversary 8 October 2000
2008 - ONGOING
‘Adopted’ the grave of Constable Adam Begg and over the course of 7 years championed to get him recognised as dying in the line of duty in 1926 aged 27. This was finally achieved in 2015.
Joined Flickr - currently 10.5 million views on my account - click on the link for a sample of my images. Since joining, I have uploaded over 50,000 images, a large percentage are graves and memorials and many have at least a small bio. I also add my images to various other online databases to share with the public and help encourage others to research.
2011 - ONGOING
Commenced involvement with The Friends of Linwood Cemetery Trust as researcher; later appointed life member; established social media platforms for the group.
2014
Rediscovered the grave of Sapper Robert Hislop – beginning the process to have him officially recognised as the first New Zealander to die in World War 1 and brought his story back to life.
©Sarndra Lees 2021 content including all images