Church of the Holy Trinity at Lubiszewo Tczewskie

Listed aboard were: Franz Tykowski age 25, Anna 25 and Johann 1. Anna gave birth to a male infant while on board on 4 December 1875 but the child did not survive and was buried at Carterton. Also, on board was Francis sister, Francisca, with her husband Johann Klukowski. It is believed when Francis and Anna left Europe they brought with them a bag of gold, a bag of silver, and some of their precious church relics (holy pictures) and very little else. After a month on Somes Island, they were sent to Carterton with other Polish settlers clearing the land and helping to build the road to Masterton. Here they camped in tents but their stay was not for long.

Francis Tecofsky.

They travelled south to the settlement of Germantown in the Waikaka Valley where other Poles had settled.  The family born here were: Francis Joseph (b. 1877–d. 1953), Anthony (b. 1879–d. 1966) and Maximillion (b. 1881–d. 1954). According to the 1882’ Return of Freeholders, Francis owned four acres to the value of £38 in the Gore region. During the early 1880s, the family moved 60 kilometres west of Invercargill, along the rugged coast line of Foveaux Strait to the small township of Dalmore (Pahia). Here the rest of the family were born: Thomas (b. 1884–d. 1967), David (b. 1885–d. 1963), Joseph (b. 1886), Alexander (b. 1890–d. 1927) and Mary Francisca (b. 1892–d. 1949). The Tecofsky children were listed among the first day pupils to attend the Pahia School when it opened in 1884. Here Francis worked as a farmer and built the family home.  It was complemented with a sizable orchard which Francis planted and is still visible today.

“LOCAL AND GENERAL. Whilst travelling to Invercargill by the morning train on Thursday, Mrs Tecofsky, of Pahia, fell from the carriage platform, onto the side of the railway just as the train had left the railway station. Fortunately. she escaped unhurt.” Western Star, 16 September 1910, p 2

Francis died at Pahia on 24 August 1919 aged 69 and Anna died at Ruahine on 8 May 1921 aged 70. Both are buried in the Orepuki Cemetery.

Anna Tecofsky (nee Szynrok)

John Tykowski was born at Wędkowy on 05 March 1874. He married on 2 December 1896 at Gropers Park in Riverton to Janet (Jessie) Elizabeth Campbell, the daughter of John Campbell (b. 1852–d. 1929) and Catherine Robertson (b. 1858–d. 1929). The family born at Riverton were: Francis John (b. 1897–d. 1897), at Hawera; Catherine Ivy (b. 1900–d. 1986), Albert Gordon (b. 1907–d. 1964) and Leslie Clifford (b. 1911–d. 1996). John worked as a farmer at Hawera.  Jessie died on 3 August 1923 at Hawera and John died at Hawera on 4 March 1924, a day short of his 50th birthday.  They are buried together at the Hawera Cemetery.

Tecofsky cottage at Pahia, originally shared courtesy of MervRowe76 on 15 Jul 2012 at ancestry.com

References

Pobόg-Jaworowski, J. W, History of the Polish Settlers in New Zealand, ed. Warsaw; Chz “Ars Polonia.” 1990, pages 62 & 155.

Research Sources

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

Bocock Graeme, supplied family information (2005).

Godziszewo, Lubiszewo Tczewskie, & Rajkowy Parish Records, Pelplin Diocese, Poland.

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

New Zealand Government Property Tax Department, from the rates assessment rolls, Return of Freeholders of New Zealand 1882, published 1884.

Patten Isabell, Australia, supplied photos, documents & information (2004).

Websites

Hawera Cemetery – Johann “John” Tecofsky (1874-1924) – Find A Grave Memorial

Orepuki Cemetery – Anna “Ann” Schoenrock Tecofsky (1850-1921) – Find A Grave Memorial

Orepuki Cemetery – Franciszek “Franz” Tecofsky (1850-1919) – Find A Grave Memorial

Compiled by Paul Klemick (2022)