Armstrong, Maryanne Elizabeth, 1867–1954 (Person)

SummaryMaryanne Elizabeth Armstrong, known as Aunt Polly, was born in Ventry, County Kerry, Ireland, in 1867. She was the daughter of Benjamin Armstrong and Matilda Rebecca Moriarty. The family emigrated on the Maraval, arriving at Auckland on 15 January 1879, when she was about 12 years of age. Settled at Te Puna, Tauranga, with relatives William Gore Armstrong and his wife Mary Anne. Schooling was initially arranged through Canon Jordan, Miss Hamilton’s Private School. Remembered for her strong memory for names and ages of local children, both Pākehā and Māori. Described as patient, content, and “one of the happiest and most contented of women” despite a life of hard work and little leisure.

She remained at the Armstrong homestead at Te Puna for more than seventy years. In 1924 the Te Puna Memorial Hall was opened on what had become Armstrong land.

She died in 1954, aged 87.SourcesAunt Polly's Memories of Seventy Summers at Te Puna"Placement and Replacement - The Te Puna Memorial Hall" in the Tauranga Historical Society Blog (August 2020)Genealogy Tree with Tauranga Library's former Vertical FilesNew Zealand Death Registration Record 1954/24526

Stories - People

Te Puna's "Aunt Polly" (1867–1954)

Supporting PDF

Aunt Polly's Memories of Seventy Summers at Te Puna

Supporting Notes

Genealogical tree with library's former Vertical Files collection for Maryanne Armstrong (1867–1954)

The only photo of Maryanne is thought to be this 1930 photo within a larger photocopy. See Supporting document "Aunt Polly's Memories of Seventy Summers at Te Puna"

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Kaitiakitanga StatementWe ask that, in addition to normal copyright and privacy considerations, users of our heritage resources uphold the mana and dignity of the people, communities and places depicted within.CopyrightTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesLicenseCC BY 4.0AcknowledgementTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City Libraries, Armstrong, Maryanne Elizabeth, 1867–1954 (Person)

Personal Information

First Name(s)Maryanne ElizabethSurnameArmstrongAlso Known asAunt PollyGenderFemaleDate of Birthc. 1867Place of BirthVentry, County Kerry, IrelandDate of Death28 August 1954

Whānau

MotherMatilda Rebecca Goodwin (née Moriarty), c. 1833-1913FatherBenjamin (B.G.) Armstrong, c.1818–1908SiblingsAnna MatildaMargaret EleanorBenjamin Goodwin (Big Ben)John JosephWilliam Robert (W.R. or Willie)

Settler Information

Name of ShipMaravalDate of Arrival15 Jan 1879Port of ArrivalAuckland

Admin

AuthorTe Ao Mārama - Tauranga City LibrariesType of ContributionLibrary authorityTaxonomyStories | People

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Armstrong, Maryanne Elizabeth, 1867–1954 (Person)