See also Caversham research databases
Originally transcribed as Emma Allen
Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Ellen Godso was born about 1854 in Warwickshire, England – the daughter of James Godso, a carpenter, and Martha Wigget.
She emigrated to Victoria, Australia with her family in 1858 on the Merchant Prince and, in 1863, the family came to Otago on the City of Hobart.
Ellen married John Allen, a draper, on 24 May 1876 at St Paul’s, Dunedin and they had nine children, one who died in infancy.
When Ellen signed the suffrage petition the family were living in Clark St, Caversham.
John died in 1912 and Ellen died on 16 February 1932, she is buried with John in the Southern Cemetery.
Her obituary said she 'knew much of the early history of her adopted city and could recount many of its early events. She was of a quiet and kindly disposition and devoted her life to her family'.
Sources
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
DCC Cemetery Records http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/facilities/cemeteries/cemeteries-search
Family Search https://www.familysearch.org
Free BDM https://www.freebmd.org.uk
NZ Yesteryears http://www.yesteryears.co.nz
Otago Nominal Index http://marvin.otago.ac.nz
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Public Record Office Victoria https://prov.vic.gov.au
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