Biography contributed by Katherine Blakeley
Janet/Jessie McCorkindale was born on 8 September 1864 in Killean & Kilchenzie, Argyllshire, Scotland – the daughter of Malcolm McCorkindale, a shepherd, and Janet Greenlees.
She emigrated to Otago with her family in 1867 on the Vicksburg and she married William Blaikie on 18 January 1888 at Waitahuna in South Otago.
They had six children and when Jessie signed the suffrage petition the family were living in Waitahuna.
Three of their sons fought in WWI, one who died of his wounds.
In 1918 the family moved to Dunback, north of Dunedin.
A social was held at the Mount Stuart School and was opened 'by the company singing the National Anthem'. William presented a Roll of Honour to the school which 'already contains twenty-two names of ex-pupils who have gone to fight for their King and country...a plentiful supply of refreshments, provided by the ladies of the district, was handed round' followed by games and the singing of Auld Lang Syne.
William died at their home in Dunback in 1940 and Jessie died the following year on 28 March.
They are buried together in the Palmerston Lawn Cemetery.
Sources
BDM online NZ https://bdmhistoricalrecords.dia.govt.nz/
Family Search https://www.familysearch.org
Otago Nominal Index http://marvin.otago.ac.nz
Papers Past https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz
Presbyterian Research Centre https://www.presbyterian.org.nz/archives/
Waitaki District Council https://www.waitaki.govt.nz/our-services
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