Biography contributed by Helen B. Laurenson
Helen, the daughter of Scott and Mary (née Irvine) Robertson was born on 23 June 1831 at Grutquoy, Walls, Shetland Islands. She married Laurence Laurenson, a crofter, on 11 December 1856, and on 17 August 1874 they sailed from Plymouth on the clipper Ocean Mail with their four children George (7), James (5), John (3) and Mary (7 months). Among the 400 people on board the emigrant ship there were 15 children aged from 6 to 12 years. Helen, although not a trained teacher, organised lessons for them on the 78 day voyage.
The Ocean Mail arrived in Nelson on 8 November 1874. After waiting at the immigration barracks for some time, their plans to settle in Dunedin did not eventuate, so they took part in the Sir Julius Vogel special settlement scheme then being promoted, and joined the group sailing to Karamea. The Karamea land allocated was unworkable, however, with only a thin layer of topsoil. After four years of great difficulty and hardship during which time Helen organised lessons for the children of the settlement before a school was opened, the family moved to Palmerston North where the family were closely involved with the Wesleyan (Methodist) church.
Daughter Mary died aged 18 years in 1892, and sons George (33) and James (30) both died in 1899. Helen died at the age of 69 years on 4 October 1900.
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Helen Laurenson