Mary Bland

This is one of two known photos of my great great grandmother, Mary Jane Bland, nee Curtis, so it is a very special one. This photo would have been taken in 1867, shortly before Mary passed away. It is also the only photo we know of that shows Frederick, the oldest son. 

Fred (Back), Alf (seated), Charlie (standing), and baby Stephen with Mary Jane Bland nee Curtis. Photo taken around 1867. Photographer unknown. Photo courtesy of S Houston. 

Brothers

It's amazing to see the similarities between my great grandfather, Charlie, and his older brother Alf!

Charlie Bland
Photographer unknown. Photo taken around 1900.
(Photo courtesy of K J Bland)

Alf Bland
Photographer and date unknown.
(Photo courtesy of SH)

Lovely afternoon

I had a lovely afternoon meeting some extended relatives for the first time! I met two of daughters of John II & Flora Bland,  M and L, and some of their grand children. M and L were able to tell me some interesting information about the family, and brought out some lovely old photos to show me...

Annie Bland with her children.
Left back to front: Bob, Ted & John II.
Right back to front: Annie II & Susie.
Photo taken 1884, probably just after John and
Annie's youngest daughter, Sarah, died.
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

Annie Maria Bland
Date and photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

Annie Maria Bland surrounded by her family.
Top right, clockwise: James Horne, Maud Horne,
Susannah Horne (Annie's mother), Edward Horne.
Dates and photographer/s unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

St George's in the East Church, London
Photo taken by C Murphy, 2015.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

The Blands enjoying Long Bay Beach.
Date and photographer unknown.
Back: Alf Bland, Flo and John Bland
Front: Jim, Herb, L, M, Noel
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

John Richard Bland II, aged 18.
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

John and Flo Bland with baby Eileen.
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

John and Flo Bland with daughters, M and L, at the grave of John and Annie Bland.
Date unknown about around 1940. Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of L)

The Blands having a picnic after visiting the grave of
John and Annie Bland at Purewa Cemetery.
Back row from left: Flo and John Bland, M Bland, Alf Bland
Front from left: Valerie (M Bland's friend) and L Bland.
Photo labeled 'Candid Camera Studies' and taken around 1940.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

Daughters of John Bland II outside the school-room in Hokianga
where the Bland children went to school in the late 1880s and early 1890s.
(Photo courtesy of L)

The Native School, Hokianga where the Bland children
attended school in the late 1880s and early 1890s
Unknown date and photographer.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

Bob Bland (seated) with two friends.
This photo was taken in France shortly after he arrived
at the Western Front 9 June 1918.
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtes of L)

The photo of Bob and friends was accompanied by this note to Alice:
Dear Alice, I write these few lines hoping to find you well...
We had a very fine trip across to England. I had my teeth out
when this photo was taken. This photo was taken in France
in the time of the great war. 9 June 1918.
(Courtesy of L)

John and Flo celebrate their golden wedding anniversary
with John's brother Edward (Ted).
30 January 1954. Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

The Bland grave

This afternoon I took a moment of silence at the grave of my great great grandfather, John Richard Bland and his third wife, Annie Maria Bland. It felt good to be able to show my respects to them especially after I felt I got to know them through my family research.

Also special was the memorial plaque to my great uncle, Robert William Bland who died of wounds during World War 1. 

The grave of John and Annie Bland. Purewa Cemetery, Auckland.
(Photo by K Bland 2016)

The grave of John and Annie Bland. Purewa Cemetery, Auckland.
(Photo by K Bland 2016)

Gravestones on John and Annie Bland's grave.
(Photo by K Bland 2016)

In loving memory of John Richard, beloved husband of Annie M Bland,
died 31 Mar 1918 aged 81 years. Until the day breaks.
(Photo by K Bland 2016)

Robert William, beloved son of J R and A M Bland
Killed in action in France, 7 Sept 1918, aged 41 years.
(Photo by K Bland 2016)

John and Annie's grave lies in a peaceful section of the old cemetery.
(Photo by K Bland 2016)

Mary Jane Curtis?

This very old photo was discovered in the family memorabilia once owned by Sylvia Anderson (daughter of Charles Bland). The photo was simply labelled 'Grandma Bland'. We believe this refers to John Richard Bland's first wife, Mary Jane Curtis (c1841 - 1867). The child with her, could be her firstborn son, Frederick who was born c1861.

If you have any information about this picture, please contact me:

Kirsten 

kirfsteiny@gmail.com

John Richard & Annie Maria Bland

In my parent's possession is a large framed portrait of my great great grandfather and his third wife, Annie Maria Bland, née Horne. John and Annie immigrated to New Zealand as assisted passengers, in 1874 via the ship Rooparell, with John's three sons from his first marriage.