Peter Forde

Peter Ford ,my maternal great grandfather, was born to Martin Forde and Margaret Hayden in 1838. His baptism was on 5 March 1838 in Annaghdown Parish, Diocese of Tuam, Galway. (Citation information: Catholic Parish Registers, The National Library of Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Microfilm Number: Microfilm 04219 / 05).

He was married in November 1863 to Bridget Higgins.(Reference: Church Marriage Record; Witnesses: Sabina Forde and Michael Hargadon)

Family records say that Peter and Bridget married in 1858, (this date differs from the actual marriage record which suggests they married just before leaving Galway for NZ), in Corrandula, County Galway. Corrandula is a country area, a few miles directly north of Galway. Information from Father M Newell, Corrandula Parish Priest: " The Fordes were a fiesty lot and were known as the Galway Blazers. "

Peter and Bridget emigrated from Galway to Invercargill, Southland, New Zealand with their cousins, the Stantons, and Timothy Higgins, Bridget's brother. They left Galway, Ireland via London, Middlesex, England, sailing on the ship, the New Great Britain. . They arrived at the port of Bluff in New Zealand on 2nd May 1863. (Shipping List Reference: http://www.angelfire.com/ok2/cbluff/newgreatbritian1862.html)

Bridget and Peter had 7 children, all born in New Zealand: Mary Ellen, Margaret Theresa, Martin, Michael, Bridget, Sabina, and my grand father, Peter.

Peter died on 2 July 1920 and is buried in Eastern cemetery, Invercargill. His burial record states: ROMAN CATHOLIC, MALE , LAST ADDRESS: RICHMOND GROVE;& BLOCK 6, Plot 17 Death registration no: 1920/4534