Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley.
Christina Roberts was born about 1871, possibly in New Zealand, the daughter of Ellen Roberts.
She married Thomas Charles Morris on February 18th 1893 in South Dunedin & they had 4 children, one who died in infancy.
When Christina signed the suffrage petition they were living in Castle St, Dunedin.
Their marriage was not a happy one, in 1911 Christina sued Thomas for a dissolution of marriage.
She said that Thomas treated her with great cruelty & she suffered physical assaults. “For a long time she was practically the sole support of the family on her earnings.” Her mother assisted as best she could but Thomas would not attempt to find work.
In 1904 Christina had taken the children and left Thomas to live in Masterton & Christchurch. The divorce was granted.
Thomas died in 1930 when he fell from a ladder, he is buried in the Southern Cemetery, Dunedin. In his will he left property to Christina & their children.
Christina died on November 6th1937 in Mount Roskill, Auckland, she is buried in the Hillsborough Cemetery.
Sources
Click on sheet number to see the 1893 petition sheet this signature appeared on. Digital copies of the sheets supplied by Archives New Zealand.
Community contributions