What a great day to discuss anniversaries although I'm not sure I can top Norway's Independence Day. This one is not in my family tree but is part of every New Zealander's life. Today in New Zealand (February 6) we have a national holiday, Waitangi Day, commemorating the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on this date in 1840, an agreement between Maori and representatives of the British crown intended to sort out settlement and government of the country. As I write there are commemorative events being held, as they are every year, at what is known as the Treaty grounds in Northland. The Treaty of Waitangi is an important document in the NZ culture although it did not prevent all conflict and there were wars between Maori and British during the 1860-80 period. That is where the Lincolnshire connection comes in. Gt grt grandfather William BEET from Great Gonerby, Lincolnshire, having come out to Australia a few years previously, came over to NZ and joined up with the 2nd Waikato Militia to take part in the conflict in the 1860's. The reward of the militia men after several years service was a Land Grant of 50 acres of land, to be cleared for farming. 2014 also marks the 150th anniversary of several settlements that arose as those lands were developed and settled after hostilities mostly ceased about 1864. Judith Harper NZ On 6/02/2014 8:07 a.m., Louis Mills wrote: > Hi, Missing Lincs, > > I know some of you are getting ready for the big 200 year anniversary of Norway's Independence next week (Well, who wouldn't be?), but don't forget that 100 years ago, Charlie Chaplin first appeared in his famous role as "The Tramp" in a silent film. > > Got any February anniversaries in your family tree? Let's see what you've got. > > > Did any of your relatives serve in Norway during WWII? > > Lou > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >