Biographical information provided for the He Tohu exhibition:
Ellen Amelia Cullimore was born in 1861 to Joseph, a farm labourer, and Ann, in Peasemore, West Bershire. In 1873, aged 12, she left England with her parents and six siblings and came to New Zealand. The family settled on the West Coast. At the age of 15, Ellen married Joseph Luff. They had thirteen children, of whom three died as babies. Joseph worked as a labourer and gold miner.
The formidable Mrs Luff trained as a nurse and midwife, and later in her life owned and ran a nursing home. She was still registered as a nurse when she died in Westport at the age of 71. She is buried with her family at Middle Orawaiti Cemetery. Descendants of the Luff family still live on the West Coast.
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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