Biography contributed by Wendy Napier-Walker
Mrs W C Forsdick was born Lucy Maud Western in 1865 in New Zealand to John and Mary Western. John was a Farmer. The electoral roll for 1880-81 for Rodney shows that John Western was at Arai (Arai Lot 52) and a farmer.
Lucy married William Charles Forsdick in 1885. They had five children; George born 1887, Minnie Evelyn born 1889, Olive Isabell born 1891, Charles Frederick born 1892 and Gladys Clara born 1893.
In the 1896 electoral roll for Bay of Islands – Aratapu Lucy and William were living in Aratapu. William was the Foreman and Yard Boss at the Aratapu Mill.
Two daughters, Minnie and Olive Forsdick, attending Tairua School, Coromandel signed the 1897 Address to Queen Victoria.
A social was held in Tairua on 18 August 1898 to 'farewell Mr and Mrs Forsdick who were leaving for Auckland. Mr Forsdick had been Manager of the Kauri Timber Co Works. Mrs Forsdick’s willing assistance in cases of sickness had endeared her to many'.
In 1901 William was managing the Kauri Timber Company Mill at Mercury Bay, Coromandel. He was also appointed a Justice of the Peace.
In 1904 William Forsdick was appointed a Justice of the Peace in East Taupo.
A social and dance was held at Brown’s Hall, Mamaku on 29 April 1904 in honour of Mr Forsdick who was leaving the district after managing the Mountain Rimu Timber Co sawmilling business.
In 1905-06 the electoral roll records William Forsdick as Mill Manager at Mokai.
According to the electoral rolls, from 1911 Lucy and William lived in Victoria Avenue, Mt Eden, Auckland.
Also in 1917 William Forsdick was appointed a Justice of the Peace in Piako.
The electoral roll for 1946 shows that Lucy and William lived at 22 Horoeka Avenue, in the Eden electorate.
Lucy Forsdick died on 24 October 1957 age 92 years. Her ashes are scattered in Waikumete cemetery. Her husband William Charles Forsdick died in 1968 age 106 years in Wellington.
Sources
NZ DIA BDM Birth Index 1865/24883 – Lucy Maud Western
NZ DIA BDM Marriage Index 1885/1922 – Lucy Maud Western/William Charles Forsdick
1897 Address to Queen Victoria, Page 258-1
Auckland Star 22 August 1898 Page 3
Auckland Star 12 July 1901 Page 2 – Conciliation Board
Colonist 26 July 1901, Page 3 – Appointment of Justices of the Peace
NZ Gazette 1904, Page 3000
New Zealand Herald 4 May 1904, Page 7
Ancestry - NZ Electoral Rolls
NZ Gazette 1917, Page 2492
NZ DIA BDM Death Index 1957/34224 – Lucy Maud Forsdick
NZ DIA BDM Death Index 1968/48008 – William Charles Forsdick