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SURNAMES & THEIR ORIGINS

ADAMSKI (Pol) Ad. Biblical Name Adam. Meaning; earth, man. It can also refer to individuals from specific villages named Adamy or Adamowo in Poland and Belarus.

DEY (Ger) Dey can be a topographic surname from a field name in North Rhine-Westphalia, derived from Middle Low German dē, meaning thigh, referring to the shape of the land. 

NEAS (Ger). Nies. Derived from the Middle Low German word nece. Meaning: son of grandson, nephew or younger son.

WOLFF (Ger) Wolf. Meaning: Wolf or who exhibited characteristics associated with the wolf, such as bravery or cunning. The name is also linked to the baptismal names Wolfgang and Wolfram, which were popular in medieval Germany. In summary, the Wolff surname has a rich history and is associated with strength and nobility, reflecting its origins in German culture and its evolution over centuries.

   St. Catherine of Alexandria at Starogard Gdański

Gottlieb Carl Deÿ (b. 1850–d. 1919) was born on 19 March 1850 at Czarna Huta. He decided to leave the harsh conditions in West Prussia behind him and left the village of Bojary for Hamburg, where he set aboard the Reichstag on 10 May 1874, arriving at Port Nicholson in Wellington on 6 August 1874.

Listed aboard was Gottlieb Dey age 24 and from Wellington he travelled south with immigrants from the Reichstag for Dunedin and Bluff. He married in 1876 to Emilie (Augusta) Adamski (b. 1858–d. 1896), the daughter of Johann Adamski (b. 1824–d. 1865) and Johann Wilhelmina Neas (b. 1826–d. 1906). The family born at Invercargill were Albert Frederick (b. 1878–d. 1879), Mina (Minnie) Anna (b. 1880–d. 1960), Matilda Emily (b. 1882–d. 1947), at Georgetown; Lena Augusta (b. 1884–d. 1978), Charles (John) Albert (b. 1887–d. 1965), Christina (Tina) (b. 1890–d. 1962), Amy Alice (b. 1891–d. 1914) and Frederick Henry (b. 1893–d. 1955).

“Waste Lands Board.  The following applications for village allotments (pash) in Makarewa were granted:— P. Ross, section 4, block 5; John Kallm, section, 12, block 6; and Gottlieb Dey, seotion 5, block; 7. A .number of deferred-payment sections m the same township were applied for and granted as follows:— Rudolph Neas, section 1, block 5; W. Cook, section 7, block 5; W. Judge, section 5, block 7; D. Maloney, section 9, block 6; and D. Ford, section 2, block 6. There were two applicants for section 7, block 6; Makarewa, and the ballot resulted in favor of W. Judge, junior.” Southland Times, 3 August 1883, p4.

Augusta died on 28 November 1896 at Makarewa and was buried at St. John’s Cemetery.

“DEATHS. At her residence, Makarewa, on 28th November, 1896, Augusta, beloved wife of Gottlieb Dey, aged 38 years. Deeply regretted. The funeral will leave the house at 2 p.m., this day (Monday) for St. John’s Cemetery. Friends will please accept of this, the only intimation. KINGSLAND & FERGUSON, Undertakers.” Southland Times, 30 November 1896, p 2.

Gottlieb Carl Dey

“Letters of naturalisation have been issued to the following ;—Hermann Arnst, farmer, of Ladbrooks, Tai Tapu; Gottlieb Dey, farmer, of Makarewa; John Mekalick, labourer, of Kaitawai; Anders Walfrid Peterson, labourer, of Masterton; Amol Koberstein, butcher, of Rongotea.” New Zealand Times, 2 April 1897, p 2.

“Police Court. Wednesday, 7th March. (Before Major Keddell, S.M.) PROHIBITION ORDER. On the application of his wife an order was issued against an elderly man. JUVENILE DELINQUENTS. Two lads named Bennett, aged 10 and 8 years, were charged with having on 19th February, stolen £3 6s from Gottlieb Dey, by breaking and entering his house at Makarewa. Sergt. O’Neil prosecuted and stated that on the morning of the day mentioned Dey left home early, £3 6s being in a clothes pocket in the house. Later on, his son went to school and, after locking the door, concealed the key in the back yard. The accused, who live nearby, went into the yard to play and finding the key, entered the house and stole the money. They told their mother that they found the money on the road, but on being questioned by the police admitted their guilt and the cash was at once handed over to the police. —Mr Macalister appeared for the defence and said that on finding the key the boys entered the house to get matches, and, feeling the pockets of garments, they came across a matchbox which contained money. Mrs Bennett had intended sending the money to the police, but the constables arrived before she had time to do so. As showing that the boys did not recognise the gravity of the offence counsel stated that accused gave some of the stolen silver to a child, one of the family.—His Worship stated that the younger boy most certainly, judging from his manner in court, did not realise the nature of the proceedings, and he thought that parental chastisement would serve the ends of justice. They would be convicted and discharged.” Southland Times, 8 March 1900, p 4.

“At Invercargill on Thursday, July 9, 1914, Amy Dey, beloved daughter of Gottlieb and the late Augusta Dey of Makarewa; in her 23rd year. The funeral will leave the residence of her brother, Charles Dey. of Makarewa. at I o’clock p.m. on Monday, 12th inst., for St. John’s Cemetery, Waikiwi. Friends please accept this (the only) intimation. A carriage will leave our Dee street yard at 11.45 a.m. KINGSLAND & FERGUSON, Undertakers.” Southland Times, 11 July 1914, p 5.

“INQUEST. YOUNG WOMAN’S DEATH. On Saturday morning a coronial enquiry was held into the circumstances surrounding the death of Amy Dey. aged 22 years, who was admitted to the Southland Hospital on June 9 suffering from burns, and who died on Friday. The Magistrate, Mr Titos. Hutchison, S.M., acted as coroner Gottlieb Dey. father of deceased, said that he was a retired farmer living at Spar Bush. His daughter was 22 years of age and at the time of her death was in the service of Mrs Lawrence. When he saw her last, she was in good spirits. At, times she was subject to attacks of dizziness, but he did not know of anything that could make her unhappy, or that would account for her action. Mrs Lawrence deposed that the girl entered into her service at the beginning of June. In the afternoon of June 9 witness found her sitting on a box in front of the fire in her room, swaying backwards and forwards but making no sound. Her skirts were burned and when witness removed the girl’s clothing, she found that deceased was burned extensively about the thighs. A doctor was summoned and, in the meantime, witness put the girl to bed and applied oil to the wounds. After a time, the girl seemed to recover a little and as witness thought that she smelt eucalyptus she asked the girl if she had taken any. The girl replied that she had not, but later when the doctor came, she said that she had taken stuff out of a bottle on the cupboard. The bottle contained “Coolabah” and when taken internally was poisonous. Witness had seen the bottle on the cupboard the day before the incident, and it was then full but was only three-quarters full after the girl had taken it. The doctor had the girl removed to the hospital. Witness accompanied her but she never spoke. The girl had only been in her service for a week and during that time had been out on two evenings, visiting a neighbour. She was a quiet girl and inclined to be melancholy. When witness returned home, that night she was given the piece of cardboard (produced) which had writing on, but which she did not read until the next morning, as she was upset. On the cardboard was a message from the girl which read as follows — “Mis Lawrence. Do forgive. My life is not worth living. I thank you all for being so kind to me. I wish I could be smart like you. but I’m too slow and no good to you. Don’t worry about me I’ll be in a watery grave, and I hope my sisters and brothers will forgive me. Good-bye all. I feel worried I can’t explain all to you. I’m only a bother to you. I often wish I was dead. I’ve nothing to live for. I hope this won’t upset you. Good-bye forever.” Continuing witness said that deceased had given every satisfaction and they had never had any disagreements. She could not throw any light on the message or suggest any reason why the girl should have written it. The river would be eight or nine chains distant from the house. Wm. Hyslop. who manages the estate for the previous witness, gave evidence as to finding the piece of cardboard, which was on the shelf in the girl’s room. He only saw deceased at mealtimes, and she seemed very quiet and only spoke when spoken to. Dr Barclay stated that when admitted to the hospital deceased was suffering a great deal from shock. She was also badly burned, and as was usual in these cases the burns were slow in healing. Deceased was inclined to vomit and could not take much food. On July 8 she died, death being due to meningitis, or inflammation of the brain, caused by the burns and the consequent shock. The coroner returned a verdict to the effect that the girl died from the effects of burns, which produced meningitis. He found that the burns were sustained by deceased having fallen backward into the fire while in a giddy state, which perhaps was caused by “Koolibah.” the contents of which were unknown.” Southland Times, 13 Jul 1914, p 2.

Gottlieb died on 12 February 1919 at Spar Bush and was buried at St. John’s Cemetery.

“ACCIDENTS & FATALITIES A man named Carl Dey Gottlieb, aged 67 years, died at his residence at Spar Bush yesterday. Dr Stewart was summoned eariy in the afternoon, hut the old man had expired before the doctor arrived. It is not known what caused his death, and an inquest may be held.” Southland Times, 13 February 1919, p 6

“At the residence of his son-in-law (Mr D. Johnston), Spar Bush (suddenly), on Wednesday, February 12, 1919, Gottlieb Dey, of Makarewa; in his 69th year. The funeral will leave the residence of his son, Mr Charles Dey, Makarewa, on Saturday, 15th inst., at 1 p.m., for St. John’s Cemetery. Friends please accept this (the only) intimation.—Kingsland & Ferguson, Undertakers.” Southland Times, 14 February 1919, p 4.

Gottlieb & Augusta Dey, St. John’s Cemetery, Block 15 General Plot 24

References

Archives New Zealand, Passenger Lists, 1839-1973, FamilySearch.

New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs Naturalisations, Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Przwidz, Lublewo Gdańskie, Skarszewy, Sobowidz, Starogard Gdański & Szymbark Lutheran Parish records

Websites

Saint John’s Cemetery – Gottlieb Carl Dey (b. 1850–d. 1919) – FindAGrave

Compiled by Paul Klemick (2026) still in progress

Poles in New Zealand   We would like to hear from Poles or people with any Polish connection, who visited New Zealand and particularly those of you who paid a visit or lived anywhere in Otago or Southland.
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Polski  “Poles Down South” jest stroną internetową organizacji polonijnej w Nowej Zelandii działającej w rejonie Otago i Southland na Wyspie Południowej. Siedzibą organizacji jest Dunedin.