James and Rosina – From Hamilton, Scotland to Gore, New Zealand

This old map shows Leechlee and Lamb Streets in Hamilton, Scotland as they were prior to the demolition in the 1960s. These two streets were home to all the Stark’s that traveled to New Zealand including James and Rosina, as well as Thomas (James’ brother) who traveled 3 years later.

Leechlee Street in the 1950s. This street is such a time capsule in that it really hasn’t changed since the 1850s. A true Miner’s Cottage Tenement Row. This is the real first photographic support for the Stark Family in NZ as both James and brother Thomas were born on this street. Margaret Mitchel, their mother, passed away in 1897 also on this street. The housing is gone now and there is a mall on the right built in the 1970s. The street was relabeled Leechlee Road. Acknowledgement to Historic Hamilton for the photo.

Another view of Leechlee Street in 1961. Photo from “Old Hamilton” website.

This photo from 1965 is of Lamb Street looking towards Leechlee Street in the distance. The two storied building and lower building directly in front of the car driving away from us, are still standing in 2022. The houses on the right side of the photo are all gone, replaced by a shopping mall, but the houses on the left remain today. Photo from Old Hamilton website.

James Stark married Rosina Steel on the 16 Jul 1869 at his mother’s house, 23 Leechlee Street. From there the newly married couple settled at 10 Lamb Street and had at least 3 children, and potentially a fourth. The 1871 Scottish Census has James, Rosina and baby James (jnr) at that address.

Time to do something different

The coalmining industry in Scotland suffered many casualties and that includes from mines around Hamilton, of which there were many. At some point James and Rosina must have either heard about or read that skilled labourers were a sought after commodity in the colonies. Along with one of his friends and fellow coalminers, Thomas McNair, James and Rosina decided that it was time for a change and in mid 1875 left Hamilton, Scotland for new pastures and never returned. The McNairs accompanied the Starks on their voyage to the other side of the world.

James STARK, his wife Rosina nee STEEL and their 3 Scottish born children James, Robert and John, arrived in Bluff, Southland, New Zealand in October 1875 aboard the “Christian McAusland”. They left Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland to arrive at Greenock on the Clyde and started their new life by charting a course in a new country, away from everything they had every known; to start something different.

Images of the Christian McAusland that brought James and Rosina STARK to the other side of the world, landing at Bluff, Southland, in Oct 1875.

The only photo I have found of Rosina and James, taken circa 1906. Photo from Avon Goldie

In the picture above, on the right, James Stark, living in Masterton. He lived with his son, Charles, and his somewhat estranged wife, Rosina, who died in Masterton in 1919. The series of photos were taken in settings with the neighbour’s at 56 Cornwall Street, Masteron, New Zealand. James and Charles lived at 52 Cornwall Street. Previous photos from Hayden Trass, Wellington, who said that the photo album is a family heirloom and tracked me down because of James Stark’s appearance in a half dozen photos.

This is a letter sent by Rosina to her daughter Rosina. I will try to translate it.

I can[’]t get over our Magg[i]e[’s] death poor grill [=girl] she was fool[i]sh But alway[s] kind to me poor Mag

Duk[e] Street, Gor[e], A[u]g 24, 1916

Dear Rose,
Just [a] few lines in answer to your welcome letter. I received a while ago. You will think I am long in answer[ing] it. I haven[’t] been to[o] well, but feel better just now.

Father [has] not been too well e[i]ther he [has] bother with indigestion and his kidneys.
We are having very rough weather now snow and rain. I see by the paper you have had floods up your way but this was awful. I wish it was over.

Our Bert fights in Egypt. Had a letter from him a week ago. A lot of boys that live in Gore have been kil[le]d. [Bettie] Scot[t] that use[d] to live here got word her boy Walter is kil[le]d she sent me a letter telling me he is her youngest son she lives in Dunedin. [N]ow I will close hoping to hear from you soon love to all

Mother

Father sends kind regards. Ethel was up to see me on Tuesday.

Last resting place of Rosina Stark nee Steel is this gravesite in Archer Cemetery, Masterton, New Zealand. Photo from 2006.

Children of James and Rosina

Table below covers the children and their birth years, click to go to a new page. (I will add them over time)

Born	Name
1870	James Stark
1871	Robert Steel Stark
1873	John Thompson Stark
1876	Elizabeth Steel Stark
1878	Margaret Mitchell Stark
1880	Charles Leggate Stark
1882	Thomas Stark
1884	William Stark
1886	Rosina Cairns Stark
1888	Albert Stark
1890	Jessie Stark
1892	Ethel Thornley Stark