Searching archives can sometime uncover sad memories and traces of those marginalised in society. It is a function of archives to ensure those people are not forgotten. This year on All Souls’ Day, when the Church remembers all those who have died, I will be remembering one particular young soul - Ronald Morris.
While researching for a genealogy enquiry I read about the fire that destroyed the Takapuna orphanage in 1923.
The coronial inquiry is covered in Papers Past – see Auckland Star volume LIV, issue 57, 8 March 1923, page 8. The details are tragic so I will not reproduce the article here. The verdict returned by the inquiry was of accidental death with no blame being attached to anyone.
Nine year old Ronald Morris is buried at Waikumete Cemetery, Roman Catholic Division C, row 2, plot 18.
Sadly, as an orphan, Ronald did not have anyone to purchase a grave stone, so the plot is unmarked. But a century on, that is about to change.
If you are passing, do pay him a visit.
© ACDA 2024
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