From Moira Draper 1 November2000
Deat Pat: I remembered a lot of things after we drove away, it was most frustrating. We are parked by the river, Frank is fishing, and I am getting some material ready for you. I'll send it as soon as we get to Havelock North.
The following are the notes I have on Mary (Minnie) Bransfield. The name I was trying to remember was MINNIE SEERUP !!!!
Certificate of Birth registered in the District of Youghal in the County of Cork, Ireland, No. 316/1867
Date and place of birth: 24 November 1867 Main Street
Name: Mary Female
Father: Maurice Bransfield Map Maker South Main Street Youghal County Cork
Mother: Bridget Bransfield formerly Lawton
When Registered: 29 November 1867 Signed by Maurice Bransfield
When her Mother emigrated to New Zealand after Maurice Bransfield's death, Mary was aged seven, living with relations in Ireland. When her relations later decided to emigrate to America she went with them to live in Springfield Buffalo near Niagara Falls. Later she returned to Ireland and subseqently emigrated to New Zealand.
Have photo of Mary Bransfield on file.
Mary Minnie died at Herne Bay from her home at Matiere. On the death certificate her father's occupation is given as "farmer". Certificate of Death No. 42871 Auckland.
From her obituary:
"The death took place at the Stella Maris Hospital, Herne Bay, Auckland, on Wednesday April 9th, of Mrs M M Seerup of Matiere, relict of the last Mr H G Seerup late of Ohura, in her 80th year.
The deceased lady was born in Youghal, County Cork, Eire, in 1867, and received part of her education in the Presentation Convent of the Sacred Heart, Youghal, and the rest in Midleton, County Cork. At the age of seventeen she went to the U.S.A. and after spending a few years there, she returned to Ireland for a little while before going to New Zealand to join her Mother, the late Mrs Scullin of Meeanee Hawke's Bay. She married the late Mr H G Seerup in Hawke's Bay 53 years ago and after residing in Dannevirke and other parts of Hawke's Bay settled in Ohura about 37 years ago. Shortly after the death of her husband 26 years ago she settled in Matiere where her home was until her demise.
Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Mary's Catholic Church Matiere at 9 am by the Rev Father J. de Bree and a service was held in the Church at 2 pm by Father de Bree, who also officiated at the Cemetery. Before beginning the service her read out a telegram of sympathy from His Lordship Bishop Liston of Auckland
The cortege which was a very large one passed through Matiere where every shop was closed out of respect for the deceased lady. The pall-bearers were: Her three gandsons, Alec Fife (Niho Niho), Len Seerup and Joe Seerup (Ohura) Jack Clark (Ohura) P>J> Goldfinch (Ohura) and A O'Donnell (Okahukura).
The chief mourners were: Mrs W H Fife, Niho Niho, (daughter) Messrs H G Seerup (Ohura) and J V Seerup, Raetihi (sons) W H Fife Niho Niho (son-in-law) Mrs H G Seerup Ohura (daughter-in-law) Mrs F Harbottle Napier and Miss Monica Fife, Niho Niho (Grand-daughters) and Messrs F W Fife, Niho Niho, L J Seerup, J H Seerup, Ohura, and John Fife, Niho Niho, (grand-sons).
Numerous telegrams and letters of sympathy were received from all over New Zealand by her family and among the many beautiful floral tributes received were those from the following:
Louie and Walter; Harold and Bab; Len, Joe and Jim; Jim and family; Maurice, Monica and Alex; Peg and Fred; Pat, Pete and Dick; the Councillors, Ohura County Council; the Ohura County Staff; Mr and Mrs N Wilkie and family; Mr and Mrs A Rice and family; E A Irving; Mr and Mrs E Williams and Henry Julian; Mrs McGovern and family; Mr and Mrs G A Ferguson; the Maloney family; Mr and Mrs Nicholls; E. Bruce; Audus and Ena; Mr and Mrs E W Howie and family; Mr and Mrs J W Cox; I and P Jorgensen and family; J and E O'Donnell and Jim; Mr and Mrs John Bishop; Mr and Mrs H Mackay; Mr and Mrs Reeve; Margaret and Bob and Mrs Clark; Mr and Mrs S McGaughey; Mr and Mrs G Morgan and Jack; Mr and Mrs S Flavell and family; Mr and Mrs Loft and family; Harry, Winnie and Gail; Mr and Mrs Schultz and family; Mr and Mrs M Williams; the Sheehan children; the Stuart family; Les Ralph and family; Mr and Mrs A L Ross and family; Lorraine Hardman; Rita and Tom Gadsby and family; Mr and Mrs Persson, Betty, Maurice and Eric; Iola and Bis; Mr and Mrs T Peat and George; Bill and Nita Margan; Mr and Mrs N J B Dougherty and family; Mrs Macdonald and Hugh Gadsby; Mr and Mrs M G Morgan; Mr and Mrs Manning and family and Mrs McGovern snr; the Hannan family and Ron; Mr and Mrs Carter and family; Mr and Mrs A Chaytor; Mr and Mrs J N Brown; Mr and Mrs Lindsay; Mr and Mrs W Chaytor; Mr and Mrs E Allen; Mr and Mrs McLean and family; Mr and Mrs W Taylor and family; the Jones family; Mr and Mrs A Jorgensen; Mr and Mrs C J McDougall; Mr and Mrs Bell, Jack Florrie and Cliff; Mr and Mrs Geo. Denison and family; Bill Saunderson. There were several other wreaths which did not have cards."