Description
Handwritten letter from Elizabeth M. Rowley (nee Exley) of 348 Lake Road, Takapuna, Auckland, dated July 2, 1987. She had lived in Khandallah for 30 years and recently moved to Auckland. Writing to “Mr. Exley” (likely Lionel or another Wellington Exley) after a chance connection through a man called Ted at a business dinner.
Transcription
348 Lake Road Takapuna Auckland
July 2/87
Dear Mr. Exley,
You will not know me. I am Elizabeth M Rowley nee Exley and I lived in Khandallah for 30 yrs intending the whole time to ring you and your wife (whose name I saw in the Church News) to see if we were slightly related.
I have lived in Auckland (with my husband) for about 2 yrs now and my daughter happened to go out to a business dinner and a guest was a man called Ted who works for a security firm. He apparently saw a likeness in Anne to your family, asked a few questions to discover that we originate from Sheffield, England.
Now I’m really intrigued. My father is Joseph Wm Exley aged 85 ist. His parents were May and Joseph Wm Exley also of Sheffield. I vaguely remember relations in Sheffield near Page Hall but there it ends.
The same day a death notice took my eye because of the unusual name. I enclose it and perhaps you will know the connection if any.
My sister Dorothy Payne of Sheffield is trying to do a family tree and I understand that you are also doing this.
Are we related, if we are and you have a spare moment I’d love to know.
I have a brother Joseph William living in Tawa, he’s about 52.
I will not continue as I could go on for pages.
Sincerely
Elizabeth Rowley (Mrs.)
Extracted Claims
- Elizabeth Rowley (nee Exley) from Auckland, previously Khandallah
- Her father: Joseph Wm Exley, aged 85 in 1987 (so b. c.1902), of Sheffield
- His parents: May and Joseph Wm Exley, also of Sheffield, Page Hall area
- Her sister: Dorothy Payne of Sheffield, also researching family tree
- Her brother: Joseph William, living in Tawa, about 52 (b. c.1935)
- Sheffield/Page Hall branch — connection to main Exley line not established in this letter