You asked for ideas. The plot deepens. You never know what you will unearth! Did John Daley die in 1869 or did he run to ?Melbourne? There is a high proportion of 'no finds' with reported births and deaths at sea. It is more romantic to have been born on board ship than in a busy port, and the same seems to apply to deaths at sea. https://www.bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/search/ 1863 Louisa Hill married John Daley 1865 Daley James John born to Louisa and John Daley 1867 Daley Charles Henry born to Louisa and John Daley 1869 Daley NR born to Louisa and William Daley [sic] 1870 Daley Williams Nabbs born Parents Louisa and William Daley [sic] 1879 Louisa Daley married William Nabbs Don't believe everything recorded on official documents or in the newspaper. Reading between the lines Louisa had two babies out of wedlock and the one child was registered William Nabbs Daley, that was not unusual for a child to be registered with the name of the real father as the Christian names. False info given for father's surname. http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=DOM19110626.2.94 http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=ODT19110629.2.41 http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=FS19110626.2.8 Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1163, 26 June 1911, Page 9 In the Early Days With the death of Mrs. Nabbs, which took place recently at Pirongia, a link was broken with the very early days of New Zealand's history. She was the first white girl born in the Auckland provines, though fourth in the list of births, as she had been preceded by three- boys. Seventy years ago, on March 17 (St. Patrick's Day), her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hill, settled in Auckland. [Came from Gloucester to sydney about 74 years ago. >From Sydney they came over to Russell to settle down and moved to Auckland on 17th march (St. patrick's Day, 70 years ago. It was on the 28th August following that the daughter Louisa was born] On August 28, their daughter Louisa (Mrs. Nabbs) was born in a raupo whare. Lady Hobson was at that time in Auckland and personally interested herself in the welfare of the child. She was baptised in a raupo church, the forerunner of St. Paul's, by the Rev. Mr. Churton and twenty-two years later, married to John Daley, of the Waikato Militia, at old St. Mary's, Mr. Churton again officiating. Mrs. Daley, with her husband went to Pirongia to live, and eighteen years [ sic: months] later their first child was born, [ James John Daley] he being the first boy born within the boundaries of the Pirongia township or settlement. After the death of her husband, John Daley, who was lost at sea, Mrs. Daley [a widow with two small boys] married Sergeant William Nabbs, of the Sixtieth King's Royal Rifles, also of the Waikato militia, and after living at Pirongia for some little time they bought land at Mangapiko, being the first residents in that district. Mrs. Nabbs was again widowed, and at the time of her death, was living with her daughter, Mrs. Lowe, at Pirongia. Te Awamutu Museum, Waikato Nabbs, William Details of Colour Sergeant William Nabbs. Copies of personal references. Parchment certificate. Includes photographs (5) of medals obtained while in service. Areas: Managapiko Ohaupo. Dates covered: 1862 - 1862 Auckland Libraries Record ID 84602 Source Reference file 294, Location ARC Reference File ASK AT DESK, Abstract Family tree of the descendants of Charles Hill and Harriet Viner who came to New Zealand in 1840, and to Auckland on the 'Anna Watson' 15 September 1840. Subjects Hill, Charles, d.1844; Austin, Harriet, (formerly Hill, nee Viner), d.1882; Hill, Charles Viner, 1838-1922; Hill, John William, d.1841; Nabbs, Louisa, (formerly Daley, nee Hill), 1841-1911; Hill, Henry Richard, 1842-; Family history; Anna Watson (Ship); Settlers Record ID 54601 Title Roll of Honour of Pioneer Women Author Ellen Melville & Pioneer Women's Memorial Hall Committee Source New Zealand Pioneers' and Descendants' Club (Inc) 1947 N 1 Location Family History 2 NZL SET AKD - ASK AT DESK, Notes First marriage to Daley. Subjects Hill, Louisa; Nabbs, Louisa, (formerly Daley, nee Hill), 1841-1911 From: truelearner@ihug.co.nz Subject: [nz] John Daley Death in 1869 Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2014 15:21:28 +1300 I have in one of my families John DALEY who married Louisa HILL in 1863. Two children born between 1865 & 1867 & then in 1870 a child by the name William Nabbs Daley to Louisa & William. This child, I am picking is really from the 2nd marriage for Louisa as John Daley had died in 1869. The second marriage was to William NABBS in 1879. I then located a write up for Louisa's death & in it it stated that John died from drowning at sea, but I cannot on Archway find a coroner's report, nor any write up on papers past. I have not sent for the death certificate yet for John but may have to to find out anything else on it. Would it be common not to have a coroners report at the time? Children from the second marriage between Louisa & William NABBS have birth years 1872, 1875, 1881, 1883 & 1897. William NABBS died in 1887 aged 62. Louisa NABBS died in 1911. The dates from the article don't seem to add up as her marriages were in 1863 & 1879 (going from Births, Deaths & Marriages) yet the article states that "Mr Daley was lost at sea two years after the first child was born, leaving her with 2 small boys. In the following year she married Sergeant William Nabbs of the 60th Kings Royal Rifles" Maybe I am looking at this puzzle the wrong way & missing something? Any ideas greatly appreciated.