Question: What do an adventurous heiress, a mystery immigrant, a dutiful wife. a Puhoi pioneer and an impoverished member of the gentry class have in common? Answer: US! They are all our ancestors We carry their DNA and they are all remarkable.
This website is primarily intended for the descendants of Mary Palin, Bridget Carroll, Leah Barker, Harriette McKinstry, and Anne Palin. If you are a descendant we would love to hear from you! To gain access to all the pages, please login below or visit the Contact page to apply.
While listening to family stories we seemed to hear a lot about the adventures of the men, but very little about the women who partnered them. I thought it was time their stories were told. My research has been fascinating. Along the way I discovered three third cousins – Barbara Bronlund, Althea Barker and Jackie Chambers. I am grateful for the valuable information they provided..
Often uncomplaining, these five women all faced significant challenges and overcame them. They may have been uprooted from familiar family and country, often due to circumstances beyond their control, yet they all demonstrated bravery and determination and resourcefulness. Their lives may have been hard – but they just got on with it.
Their lives were not easy. Most bore children and grieved when their babies were taken too young. One chose independence over marriage. Three travelled to the other side of the world to an uncertain future with the hope of a better life. Most worked long hours managing domestic tasks and raising children and were co-workers in their husband’s enterprises – but usually in the background.
I wanted to acknowledge their lives and the important contributions they made. They are all remarkable and I am proud to call them my ancestors. I have tried to provide reliable sources where possible but all mistakes are mine. Please do let me know if you discover inconsistencies or errors. This is a work in progress.
Your corrections, suggestions for improvements or even better – photos and documents – would be gratefully appreciated and will be acknowledged.
They are our ancestors and these are their stories.
Thank you.
Jan Malone
July 2025