Shared Photo: Andrew lying in his birth mother's arms

Question

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I wanted to share this family photo of Andrew James with the community. Location: Gisborne, New Zealand. Date: unknown. A sad family photo.

Mary James and her 4 children. Their father drowned 2 months before the baby in this photo was born. Joseph James drowned whilst trying to save the lives of a mother and her 3 children including a  month old baby who were swamped in a boat while trying to cross the bar in stormy conditions in Tolaga Bay Gisborne NZ on 11 June 1887. I can only imagine the trauma this poor family went through. It certainly shows on their faces. RIP.

Click here for the image details page or here for the full-sized version (852 x 1076).

Answer 1

He was a true hero!  Lovely photo!  This is a great story that needs to be developed and placed in the biography!  The story how his wife and children went on through life might be the bigger story!  She has more to overcome; a tragedy to transform into a positive outcome!  What a fascinating story this could be!

Comments

Thank you for your post. Yes I know there must be a story behind this story. Trouble is its very hard to find any information about the mother or her children. I have a smattering  of info but not enough to explain what happened. Other than she died 42 years of age.

Answer 2

Thank you for sharing your picture of Andrew and his family with us Pamela. It is hard not to see and feel the sadness and grief they are feeling.

Answer 3

Thank you for sharing their story and picture. The tragedies and triumphs that are uncovered during genealogical research are truly moving. Personally, I find the stories of everyday people very interesting and inspiring. I happen to have a similar instance in my family history that occurred in the 1950s. A baby was born after the father died trying to save an older sister from drowning. The pregnant mother saved the little girl but was unable to save the father. The strength and courage that these two mothers had to muster is inspiring.

Comments

Thank you for your post. How incredible that your family suffered a similarly tragedy. I often think of this poor woman struggling on with her life without her husband. She adopted baby Andrew out quite early in his life. I cannot find out why. She died aged 42 years so such a short sad life.