Biography contributed by Wendy Napier-Walker
Christina was born Christina Brown Gilmour in Edinburgh, Scotland c. 1829 to James Gilmour and Christian Pearson.
On 23 April 1859 Christina married George Joseph Strong at St John the Evangelist, Brixton England. Residence for both Christina and George was given as Cold Harbour Lane.
The England 1871 census records George age 41 years, Christina age 40 years, and children Benjamin Strong age 11; Helen C Strong age 7 and Isabel J Strong age 2 years living in the Onslow Dwellings, St Luke Chelsea, Middlesex.
Another son Theophilus Benjamin Strong was born in 1871 4th quarter in Chelsea, London, England.
The Strong family, George, Christina and children Helen C Strong age 16 years, domestic servant; Isabel J Strong 11 years; and Theophilus Strong age 8 years left London in 1879 on the ship Westland, arriving in Canterbury on 21 February 1880. In the remarks column of the shipping register it notes Timaru. George’s occupation was Compositor.
George died on 15 March 1891 age 62 years and is buried in the Waimate Old cemetery, Presbyterian section, Plot 000239.
Christina died on 13 September 1919 age 89 years. She is buried in the Waimate Old cemetery, Presbyterian section, in Plot 000239 with George.
An obituary for Mrs Geo Strong which appeared in the Waimate Daily Advertiser records:
The late Mrs Geo Strong was a very old Waimate resident. She was a native of Edinburgh and early imbided a passion for knowledge.
A son, Theo at the time of her death was a School Inspector. He later went on to become the Director of Education c1927-1938. Daughter Isobel was a Public Librarian in Waimate.
Christina Strong also signed the unsuccessful 1892 Women’s Franchise Petition, Pg 398, Sheet 221.
Sources
UK Marriage Index Lambeth 1d 348 June quarter 1859 George Joseph Strong/Christina Brown Gilmour
UK 1871 census Onslow Dwellings, St Luke Chelsea, London, Middlesex, England RG10 Piece 85, Folio40, Page 21
UK Birth Index Chelsea Vol 1A, Page 264 – Theophilus Benjamin Strong
FamilySearch Shipping Records – George J Strong and family
NZ DIA Death Index – 1891/299 George Joseph Strong
1901 Wises NZ Post Office Directory
NZ DIA Death Index – 1919/6749 – Christina Gilmour Strong
Personal (Obituary) Mrs Geo Strong, Waimate Daily Advertiser, 15 September 1919, Pg 2
Who’s Who in New Zealand and Western Pacific 1938 – Theo Strong