Feb 23, 2008

Canterbury Orcadians Unite

The Shetland and Orkney Societies of Canterbury are to combine. The final meeting of the Canterbury Shetland Society was held in Christchurch on the 17th of February. Members formalised the shutting down of the society in preparation for a special meeting on 2nd March, when a new organisation representing them and the members of the Orkney group comes into being. The meeting will be chaired by Shetlander John Laurenson, headmaster of Shirley Boy's High School in Christchurch. More at the Shetland Times.

The Canterbury Heritage Biographical Index indicates that between 1863 and 1875 not less than 40 emigrants from the Shetlands and 19 from Orkney settled in the Province.


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