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Ernest Edwin RUSHBROOKE

Ernest Edwin RUSHBROOKE

Male 1859 - 1940  (81 years)    Has 20 ancestors and more than 100 descendants in this family tree.

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  • Name Ernest Edwin RUSHBROOKE 
    Birth 10 Feb 1859  Scoulton, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3
    Christening 22 Apr 1859  Scoulton, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    Gender Male 
    Residence 1881  Scoulton, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [5
    Occupation From 1883 to 1899  [6, 7, 8
    Farmer, Great Ellingham 
    Residence From 1883 to 1896  Great Ellingham, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [9, 10, 11
    Immigration From 29 Oct 1897 to 13 Dec 1897  Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [12, 13, 14
    Immigration From 29 Oct 1897 to 13 Dec 1897  steamship GOTHIC Find all individuals with events at this location  [12, 13, 14, 15
    Occupation From 1900 to 1918  [16, 17
    Farmer, Waikato 
    Death 27 Apr 1940  Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 8, 18, 19, 20
    Burial 29 Apr 1940  Te Awamutu, Waikato, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [8, 19, 21, 22
    Probate 01 May 1940  Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [17
    Person ID I1993  NZ Genealogy Project | RUSHBROOKE Descendant
    Last Modified 24 Jun 2012 

    Father Alban RUSHBROOKE,   b. 1820, Scoulton, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 28 Mar 1895, Scoulton, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 75 years) 
    Mother Berthalina NORTON [Bertha],   b. 29 Jun 1835, Hingham, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 07 Jan 1860, Scoulton, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 24 years) 
    Marriage 24 Dec 1856  Hardingham, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [16, 23, 24
    Census 07 Apr 1861  Scoulton, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [25
    Census 02 Apr 1871  Scoulton, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [26
    Documents
    Marriage 1
    Marriage 1
    1861 Census
    1861 Census
    1871 Census
    1871 Census
    Family ID F1003  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Alice Mary WRIGHT,   b. 1861, Great Ellingham, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 23 Nov 1941, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 80 years) 
    Married?
    Marriage status Partners 
    Children 
     1. Mary Louisa RUSHBROOKE [Lou],   b. 13 May 1899, Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 05 Jun 1988, Manurewa, Auckland, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 89 years)
    Family ID F1002  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 31 Dec 2024 

    Family 2 Ellen Sarah WRIGHT [Sarah],   b. 1857, Great Ellingham, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 08 Sep 1934, Te Awamutu, Waikato, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 77 years) 
    Marriage 30 Sep 1884  Great Ellingham, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 27, 28, 29
    Residence 1900  Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [30
    Residence 1905  Taupiri, Waikato, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [30
    Residence 1911  Kihikihi, Waikato, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [30
    Residence 1914  Te Mawhai, Waikato, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [30
    Residence 1919  Te Awamutu, Waikato, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location  [30
    Children 
    +1. Alban George RUSHBROOKE,   b. 07 Aug 1885, Great Ellingham, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 21 Jul 1933, Te Aroha, Waikato, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 47 years)
     2. Ernest Edwin RUSHBROOKE,   b. 14 Nov 1886, Great Ellingham, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 08 Aug 1915, Gallipoli, Turkey Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 28 years)
    +3. Alice Mary RUSHBROOKE,   b. 07 Oct 1888, Great Ellingham, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 14 Jul 1927, Te Awamutu, Waikato, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 38 years)
    +4. Bertha Louise RUSHBROOKE,   b. 01 Sep 1890, Great Ellingham, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 30 Aug 1960, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 69 years)
    +5. Thomas Alan RUSHBROOKE,   b. 13 Oct 1892, Great Ellingham, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 09 Jun 1977, Te Awamutu, Waikato, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 84 years)
     6. Phyllis RUSHBROOKE,   b. 20 Dec 1896, Great Ellingham, Norfolk, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 30 Oct 1964, Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 67 years)
    +7. John RUSHBROOKE [Jack],   b. 02 Feb 1901, Taupiri, Waikato, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 24 Feb 1959, Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 58 years)
    Documents
    1891 Census
    1891 Census
    Marriage 1884
    Marriage 1884
    Children of Ernest E and Ellen S Rushbrooke
    Children of Ernest E and Ellen S Rushbrooke
    Sourced from Rushbrooke Family Bible on Trademe.co.nz
    Family ID F39  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 31 Dec 2024 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 10 Feb 1859 - Scoulton, Norfolk, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsChristening - 22 Apr 1859 - Scoulton, Norfolk, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1881 - Scoulton, Norfolk, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - From 1883 to 1896 - Great Ellingham, Norfolk, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 30 Sep 1884 - Great Ellingham, Norfolk, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsImmigration - From 29 Oct 1897 to 13 Dec 1897 - Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1900 - Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1905 - Taupiri, Waikato, New Zealand Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1911 - Kihikihi, Waikato, New Zealand Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1914 - Te Mawhai, Waikato, New Zealand Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1919 - Te Awamutu, Waikato, New Zealand Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 27 Apr 1940 - Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBurial - 29 Apr 1940 - Te Awamutu, Waikato, New Zealand Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsProbate - 01 May 1940 - Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Photos
    Ernest Edwin RUSHBROOKE
    Ernest and Alban RUSHBROOKE, 1893

    Documents
    Birth registration
    Birth registration
    Will - Ernest Edwin RUSHBROOKE
    Will

    Histories
    Places - Great Ellingham, Norfolk, England
    Places - Great Ellingham, Norfolk, England
    Information about the parish and village of Great Ellingham in Norfolk. The parish was the birth place of Ellen Sarah Wright in 1857 and her sister Alice Mary Wright in 1861. Ernest Edwin Rushbrooke lived in Bury Hall, a substantial property on the outskirts of the village, from about 1881 until 1897. He married Ellen Sarah Wright in the village church, and six of their children were born in the village. They mirgrated to New Zealand in 1897.
    Places - Scoulton, Norfolk, England
    Places - Scoulton, Norfolk, England
    Information about Scoulton in Norfolk where Ernest Edwin Rushbrooke (1859-1940) was born and spent his early life. He grew up on Abergavenny Farm, Clipbush Lane, Scoulton.
    1897 Voyage to NZ on the steamship Gothic
    1897 Voyage to NZ on the steamship Gothic
    Details of the Gothic and the 1897 voyage to New Zealand. Ernest Edwin RUSHBROOKE, his wife Ellen Sarah WRIGHT and their six children migrated to New Zealand on the steamship Gothic in 1897. Mary Alice WRIGHT and James George WRIGHT, Ellen's sister and brother, also traveled to New Zealand on the voyage.

  • Notes 
    • BIOGRAPHY

      Ernest Edwin Rushbrooke, the second son of Alban Rushbrooke and Charlotte Norton, was born on 10 February 1859 in Scoulton, Norfolk, England. Ernest's mother died in childbirth before he was a year old. As a child Ernest suffered from poliomyelitis and walked with a limp. Edwin's father was a farmer and the April 1881 Census he reported farming 374 acres, employing 13 labourers and 2 boys. However, by August 1881 Alban was bankrupt, with his property being sold in October 1881. Many smaller farms in Norfolk were severely affected in the 1870s and after by a long depression of the agricultural economy.

      Ernest was living with his father and step-mother in April 1881 when the Census was taken. He worked for his father on the farm. After his father went bankrupt Ernest and his older brother Alban moved to Great Ellingham, Norfolk and took on Bury Hall, a substantial property on the outskirts of the village. Ernest married Ellen Sarah Wright on 30 September 1884 in Great Ellingham. Ernest and Sarah had six children while living at Bury Hall, and appear to have lived comfortably. Sarah's sister Mary lived with the family and was employed as mother's help and a general domestic servant also lived with the family.

      In 1897 Ernest, Sarah and their six children migrated to New Zealand on the steamship Gothic. Mary Alice Wright and James Wright, Sarah's sister and brother, travelled to New Zealand with the family. It is thought that Ernest's father Alban insisted that Ernest migrate because he disgraced himself by getting his sister-in-law Alice pregnant. Ernest prohibited his family from making contact with relatives in England, and it was 100 years before contact was established again. On arrival in New Zealand at Wellington, the family immediately travelled on to Auckland on the steamship Te Anau.

      Soon after their arrival in New Zealand Mary Alice Wright, Sarah's sister, gave birth to Ernest's daughter Mary Louisa Rushbrooke. Mary Louisa was brought up as part of Ernest and Sarah's family. Mary went to live with her brother James at Remuera. James Wright worked for the Farmers Trading Company in Auckland and he supported Mary.

      Despite his previous comfortable life, Ernest did not have much money and had to find employment on arrival in New Zealand to sustain the family. Ernest found employment as a share milker at Kihikihi. His first venture in New Zealand was a farm on the outskirts of Hamilton, now used as a golf links. This was followed by successive farms in the Waikato at Taupiri (1901-1905), Te Aroha, Kihikihi (1911) and Te Mawhai (1914). The farm at Te Mawhai near Te Awamutu was 130 acres. Ernest built a house from clay and straw. Ernest and Sarah sold the Te Mawhai farm to their sons in 1929.

      The Evening Post on 8 March 1899 provided a report of Ernest's impressions of living in the Waikato based on a letter sent to friends in Norfolk.

      Mr. E. E. Rushbrooke, of Beerescourt, Hamilton, after being a year in the Waikato, writes a most cheery letter to his friends at Norfolk, who have forwarded the communication to the local papers, and they think that Mr. Rushbrooke is "not sorry he left Norfolk for a colonial life." In his letter he says:- "I am very pleased with the colony. I only wish I had come before I lost so much of my capital. There is a very good chance for any young man in this part with a small capital if he will work and we can grow anything. If any of my old friends ask how I am getting on, tell them that I am glad I am away from 'pay and pay, and nothing for self."


      In 1912 Ernest chaired a meeting of residents to discuss matters relative to railway station improvements and roads. The meeting resolved that an application be made to the Minister of Railways to have the name of the Te Puhi railway station changed to Te Mawhai; so as to be the same as the post office. The station's name was subsequently changed. The meeting also requested that the station have a a loading bank, cattle yards, caretaker and goods shed. A goods shed was added in 1915 and improvements for stock loading were made in 1929.

      In 1918 Ernest and Sarah retired and moved to Te Awamutu. After Sarah died in 1934, Ernest moved to Te Aroha where he resided until his death. Ernest died in Waikato Hospital, Hamilton on 27 April 1940. Both Ernest and Sarah are buried in Te Awamutu Cemetery.

      OBITUARY

      MR E. E. RUSHBROOKE.

      After a residence of about forty four years in New Zealand, the death occurred at Waikato Hospital last Saturday of Mr Ernest Edwin Rushbrooke, a former resident of Te Awanrutu and district, and very highly respected in the community.

      Mr Rushbrooke was born at Scoulton, in Norfolk, England, and came to New Zealand in the ship Gothic in 1896. Brought up to farming, he was not long in realising conditions in this country. His first venture was a farm on the outskirts of Hamilton, now used as a golf links; then he removed to Taupiri, and successively to Te Aroha, Kihikihi, and Te Mawhai, improving each holding, for he was a diligent and practical farmer. He retired from activities in 1918 to live in Te Awamutu, and was frequently to be seen about town or on the bowling green, until a leg injury compelled him to abandon that pastime. Six years ago Mr Rushbrooke removed to Te Aroha, where he resided until failing health just recently caused him to remove to Waikato Hospital.

      His wife predeceased him by several years, as also did three members of the family - Mrs Westgate, Kihikihi; Mr A. G. Rushbrooke, Te Aroha; and Mr E. E. Rushbrooke, who was killed in action at Gallipoli. Surviving members of the family are Mrs Roberts, Wanganui; Miss P. Rushbrooke, Te Aroha; Mrs Pearson, Patumahoe; Mr T. A. Rushbrooke, Te Mawhai; and Mr Jack Rushbrooke, Te Aroha. There are also 23 grandchildren ,and two great-grafndchildren. The funeral will leave St. John's Church this afternoon, interment being at Te Awamutu cemetery.

      Source: Te Awamutu Courier, 29 April 1940, Page 4.


  • Sources 
    1. [S31] Family Search, (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), none.
      1881 British Census. Ernest E. RUSHBROOKE. Birthplace Scoulton, Norfolk, England. Age 22.

    2. [S204] Copy of Entry of Birth, (General Register Office, London).
      Registration District Wayland. 1859 birth in the sub-district of Watton in the County of Norfolk. Born 10 Feb 1859 Scoulton. Name: none entered. Father: Alban Rushbrooke, farmer. Mother: Martha Rushbrooke formerly Norton. Registered by Alban Rushbrooke, father, Scoulton, 4 Mar 1859.

    3. [S1116] Family Search - NZ Archives - Probate Records, (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), none.

    4. [S31] Family Search, (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), none.

    5. [S31] Family Search, (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), none.
      1881 British Census. Ernest E. RUSHBROOKE, Son, Male, age 22, born Scoulton, Norfolk, England; Farmers Son; Dwelling - Caston Road; Census Place - Scoulton, Norfolk, England.

    6. [S207] Kelly's Directory for Cambridgeshire, Norfolk & Suffolk, 1883, (GENUKI).
      Norfolk - Great Ellingham. Rushbrook Ernest, farmer, Bury Hall.

    7. [S66] Census England - 1891.
      RG12/1549 Great Ellingham 80/7. Ernest E. RUSKBROOKE , head, married, 32 years, Farmer, employer, born Scoulton, Norfolk.

    8. [S17] David Bryant, NZSG Index, (New Zealand Society of Genealogists Inc., 2005).
      Waipa Cemetery Record

    9. [S205] Historical Directories 1750-1919, (University of Leicester), none.
      Kelly's Directory of Cambs, Norfolk & Suffolk, 1892. [Part 2: Norfolk] page 386. Great Ellingham. Rushbrook Ernest Edwin, farmer, Bury hall.

    10. [S205] Historical Directories 1750-1919, (University of Leicester), none.
      History, Gazetteer & Directory of Norfolk, 1890 page 1098 Farmers - Rushbrooke Ernest, Great Elingham, Attlebourgh

    11. [S205] Historical Directories 1750-1919, (University of Leicester), none.
      Kelly's Directory of Norfolk, 1896 page 125 Great Ellingham, Rushbrooke Ernest Edwin, farmer, Bury Hall.

    12. [S13] Michael A Rushbrooke, Rushbrooke's of New Zealand.

    13. [S67] Chris J Korte, Rushbrooke Voyage to New Zealand 1897, (Chris Korte, Horsham, Australia 27 Jan 2007).

    14. [S206] findmypast.com - Passenger Lists Leaving UK 1890-1960, (National Archives, London, England), none.

    15. [S162] Papers Past - The Evening Post (Wellington), (Papers Past - National Library of New Zealand), none.
      Evening Post, Wellington, Monday the 8th May 1899, page 4, SHIPPING. IONIC, FROM LONDON. At 10.15 last night the White Star liner Ionic, Capt. Kempson, from London, Plymouth, Tenneriffe, Capetown, and Hobart dropped anchor in the stream. Dr. James, Health Officer, made an official inspection this morning and the vessel was shortly afterwards brought alongside the Queen's Wharf for discharging passengers, mails, and cargo. She left Plymouth 25th March at 3.24 pm with a strong SW breeze and sea, on 27th had light wind and sea to arrival at Tenneriffe on 30th, at 9.51 am. Left same day at 9.50 pm. Met with light wind and fine weather, crossing the equator in long. 9deg 30min W. From thence had moderate SE trades and head seas till reaching Capetown on 14th April at 5.28
      pm. After landing and embarking passengers, &c., she sailed for Hobart on the following day, at 3.30 am, and experienced fresh to strong WNW and N winds with high following seas and fair weather generally until 27th, when a fresh S wind was experienced. On 29th a moderate N and NNW gale with hard squalls and rain was encountered, which continued to the Tasmanian coast. Arrived at Hobart 7.30 pm May 2, landed passengers, mails, and cargo, and left for Wellington 6 pm next day. Had moderate NW and N winds and sea with squally weather to Cape Farewell, which was passed at 10.43 am 7th, thence to Wellington light wind and fine weather. The voyage was uneventful and the health of those on board was satisfactory. The Ionic leaves on Saturday for Lyttelton, but returns to this port, sailing for London on the 25th inst.

    16. [S68] Michael A Rushbrooke, Lavenham, Suffolk, Rushbrooke Family, (Michael Rushbrooke, Lavenham, Suffolk 2000).

    17. [S17] David Bryant, NZSG Index, (New Zealand Society of Genealogists Inc., 2005).
      Probate record

    18. [S26] New Zealand Society of Genealogists, NZ Cemetery Records, (New Zealand Society of Genealogists Inc 1985).

    19. [S641] Waipa District Council Cemetery Search, (Waipa District Council, http://rid.waipadc.govt.nz/cemetery/).

    20. [S719] Papers Past - New Zealand Herald, (Papers Past - National Library of New Zealand), none.
      DEATHS - RUSHBROOKE. - On April 27, at the Waikato Hospital, Ernest Edwin, beloved husband of tho late Ellen Sarah Rushbrooke, late of Te Mawhai; aged 81 years. The funeral will leave St. John's Church. Te Awamutu, at 1.30 p.m. to-day (Monday), for the Te Awamutu Public Cemetery. - Published 29 April 1940

    21. [S13] Michael A Rushbrooke, Rushbrooke's of New Zealand.
      Obituary of Mr E E Rushbrooke.

    22. [S719] Papers Past - New Zealand Herald, (Papers Past - National Library of New Zealand), none.

    23. [S204] Copy of Entry of Birth, (General Register Office, London).

    24. [S213] Copy of Entry of Marriage, (General Register Office, England).
      1856 marriage solemnized at the parish church in the parish of Hardingham in the county of Norfolk on 24 December. Groom: Alban Rushbrooke, full age, bachelor, farmer, Scoulton; Father Thomas Allen Rushbrooke, farmer. Bride: Berthalina Norton, 21, spinster, Hardingham; Father John Norton, farmer.

    25. [S163] 1861 England Census [database online]., (Ancestry.co.uk.), none.
      Name: Alban Rushbrooke; Age: 60; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1801; Relation: Head; Gender: Male; Civil parish: Scoulton; County: Norfolk; Country: England. Others in household: 5 servants, Alban Rushbrooke 3 son, Ernest E Rushbrooke 2 son.

    26. [S93] 1871 England Census [database online]., (Ancestry.co.uk.), none.
      Name: Alban Rushbrooke; Age: 50; Estimated Birth Year: abt 1821; Relation: Head; Gender: Male; Where born: Scoulton, Norfolk, England; Civil Parish: Scoulton; Town: Scoulton; County: Norfolk; Country: England. Farmer of 570 acres employing 19 men 4 boys. Others in household: Alban Rushbrook 13 son, Ernest E Rushbrook 12 son, 3 servants.

    27. [S92] FreeBMD, (http://www.freebmd.org.uk//), none.
      Marriages Sep 1884. Ernest Edwin Rushbrooke and Ellen Sarah Wright. Wayland, 4b, 445.

    28. [S213] Copy of Entry of Marriage, (General Register Office, England).
      1884 Marriage solemnized at the Parish Church in the Parish of Great Ellingham in the County of Norfolk. No 163. When Marrried: September 30 1884. Name and surname: Ernest Edwin Rushbrooke, Ellen Sarah Wright. Age: 26 and 26. Condition: Bachelor and Spinster. Rank or Profession: Farmer. Residence at time of marriage: Great Ellingham and Great Ellingham. Father's name and surname: Alban Rushbrooke (Farmer) and George Samuel Wright (Farmer). Witness: William Arthur Roberts and Alice Mary Wright.

    29. [S332] FreeREG, (http://www.freereg.org.uk/), none.
      Marriage - County Norfolk; Place Great Ellingham; Church St James; RegisterNumber 163; MarriageDate 30 Sep 1884; GroomForename Ernest Edwin; GroomSurname RUSHBROOKE; GroomAge 26; GroomParish Great Ellingham; GroomOccupation Farmer; GroomAbode Great Ellingham; BrideForename Ellen Sarah; BrideSurname WRIGHT; BrideAge 26; BrideParish Great Ellingham; BrideAbode Great Ellingham; GroomFatherForename Alban; GroomFatherSurname RUSHBROOKE; GroomFatherOccupation Farmer; BrideFatherForename George Samuel; BrideFatherSurname WRIGHT; BrideFatherOccupation Farmer; WitnessOneForename William Arthur; WitnessOneSurname ROBERTS; WitnessTwoForename Maria; WitnessTwoSurname WRIGHT

    30. [S614] NZ Electoral Rolls, 1853-2010, (Ancestry.co.uk.), none.