Biographical information provided by Peter Gerrie for the He Tohu exhibition:
Catherine Winifred Conroy, also known as Katie, was born Catherine Meehan around 1847. She married an Irishman, Mortoch Conroy in Whanganui on 7 January 1868. Mortoch (aka Mortimer or more often Murty) had taken his discharge from one of the British Regiments in New Zealand.
The couple had seven children between 1869 and 1889 – five girls and two boys – all born in Whanganui. At least one daughter, Mary Ann, also signed the Petition.
Murty was born in Rosenallis Ireland around 1830 and was about 17 years older than Catherine. He died in 1894, aged 64. Catherine lived on in Whanganui amidst her family until her death at the age of 88 on 13 October 1935.
Click on sheet number to see the 1893 petition sheet this signature appeared on. Digital copies of the sheets supplied by Archives New Zealand.
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