Books and Kittens

My cat, Pansy, had a kitten the day before my 18th birthday in November. She is almost four weeks old now.

She was interested in the laptop...

and wouldn't stay still for the camera!

I have been reading and old copy of Westward Ho! by Charles Kingsley which my great aunt gave me along with other old classics.

Captain James Ninnis

  Mansion House 1800s 

In January my family is going to a family reunion on Kawau Island for all the decedents of Captain James Ninnis who is my great great great great great grandfather! Yes five greats! He is Dads greatX4 grandfather. My family is quite into family history and family trees. It's quite interesting too.

Mansion House Captain present day

   James Ninnis was born in 1809 in Cornwall. He came to live in New Zealand to work in copper mines he built Mansion House on Kawau Island where the reunion is to be held. He and his wife Johanna, had 14 children, 11 of which were girls. My family descends from his second eldest daughter, Elizabeth.

  I have a copy of a poem Captain Ninnis wrote for his daughters writing a verse for each one. This is the verse about Elizabeth my great great great great grandmother:

Libbie- one of the best, of earth's treasures,

Of excellence combined, no one out-measures,

So dearly beloved, by sisters and brothers,

Her example might well be copied by others.

   I also have a copy of a photo of Captain Ninnis and his 11 daughters which was taken about 1863! There is not much family resemblance between them. Elizabeth is the second from left standing. She is the only one not looking but looks up to her right with a pleasant expression on her face. She must have been a nice person to know.