Biographical information provided by Raewyn Vogel for the He Tohu exhibition:
Margaret Mary Forgie (nee Alexander) was a child when she left Dublin with her mother and younger sister. When they both died at sea, Margaret was taken to Tasmania where she spent her early life.
Margaret eventually moved to New Zealand, and in Kyeburn Diggings in the South Island, she married a miner named Thomas Forgie on 31 January 1872. Thomas was born in Scotland and had come to New Zealand via Adelaide and Melbourne, where he mined for gold. Thomas represented Kyeburn Riding on the Maniototo County Council for six years.
Margaret and Thomas adopted a daughter and lived in Kyeburn Diggings for around 25 years, before moving to Naseby for another 18 years.
In 1880 Margaret was a key witness in a murder trial. According to newspapers, before the victim died she gave Margaret information which helped identify her attacker.
Margaret died on 19 July 1919 at Ross Home, aged 81 years. She survived her husband by three years.
The 1893 electoral roll confirms Margaret Mary, Kyeburn Diggings.
Related images:
Margaret and her husband Thomas.