10 members met on 9 August at the Genealogy rooms to hear from Peter Rankin, the story of his early life in New Plymouth and his great great grandfather, William Batten.   

William, a widower with 7 children, arrived in New Plymouth on the to become a well-known farmer in the Kent Road (now Junction Road) area.  His 2 sons were active in the  Militia during the Taranaki Wars.

He was very much ahead of the times in providing a legacy of land to be shared amongst his daughters, not able to be transferred to their husbands and if sold, was to be offered to other siblings first.

Peter covered many aspects during his talk.  His early life and continued affiliation to Taranaki, land titles, changes in street names from the early years, digitising his research and donating a copy of that to Puke Ariki Museum.

Peter was accompanied by Alison Hazard, a great-great granddaughter he found during his genealogy research.  Alison is still residing in New Plymouth.

As one of our members commented via email, along with a photo of Peter,

“Informative presentation by Peter Rankin on his Great Great Grandfather William Batten (1798-1876) and the early settlement of New Plymouth.  The research has taken him many years and it is pleasing to know that digitalised data has been given to Puke Ariki for their archives.  Attached rather hurried snap of Peter taken reading from his notes at the meeting. Clive”