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Dowaloski Family

Johan Dovaloski (1822-1899) m. Catharina Maicrish (1845-1920) and had the following children in Kaschau (Kosice), Hungary (Slovakia), part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the time. They were; Maria (1867-1921), Anna (1868-1899), Catharina (1871) & Leonore (1872-1939).

The family set off from Kaschau, (Catharina was ethnically Hungarian, Johann was Polish) and boarded the ship "Prague" from Hamburg for an indirect voyage to New Zealand via England on the 5th of April 1874. However the family believed they were sailing for Santos in Brazil (this was quite a common tale among immigrants). The family story told was that it was quite a disastrous voyage as they lost some of their luggage before leaving and the ship was unable to land in Santos as there was a yellow fever epidemic and the port was closed. Also there was a fire on the original ship. Stories of this nature were common as to mislead the passangers from the truth. From here it becomes a bit blurred but they ended up on another ship. The truth of the matter was that many were coaxed on to ships through manipulating agents who seeked to fill their quota by scrupulous means. When the family boarded the other ship in transit their personal luggage & bedding had been overlooked and was never put aboard, there being many other families also affected. Fellow passengers loaned what little they had for the unfortunate travellers. It took about 26 months & many letters back and fourth to receive a final compensation payment to each immigrant of Ł3/10/- from England who continually denied any responsibility. The family boarded the ship "Sussex" which left Gravesend for New Zealand on the 16th of April 1874 arriving at Port Chalmers, Otago, New Zealand on the 17th of July 1874. The family aboard ship were Johan 38, Catharina (pregnant) 28, Maria 7, Anna 5, Catharina 3 & Leonore 2.

• Catharina Dowaloski, East Gore, 1913:
  The family first resided at Waipahee along with German families from the "Sussex" to work on the railway development before finally travelling south to the settlement of "Germantown", north east of Gore. On the 28th of February 1878, Johann purchased 22 acres at "Germantown", a subdivision of Johann Bucholz, a fellow Pole, who purchased a 200acre section previously. Shortly later John sold half of his 22 acres to John Klucofskie.

Here Johan & Catharina had the rest of their family being; John (1875), Franciszka (1878-1953), Frank (1880-1932) & Elvena Winifred (1881-1966).

The following is an interesting article from those early days:

In the Gore Police Court on Friday John Devoloskie was charged with having on January 22 at Waikaka threatened to shoot John Bucholz. Dr Macaffer JP and Mr. Souness JP occupied the Bench; and Messrs Aldridge and Henderson appeared for the complainant and the defendant respectively. John Halfke deposed that he had heard Devoloskie say that he would shoot Bucholz; that he tried two caps, which did not go off, but that the third would be all right. The threat was repeated and was accompanied by violent behaviour. In answer to Mr Henderson, witness made a rambling statement about a ghost with a long tail, which seemed to have been the cause of the trouble; but it was Bucholz that was to be shot, not the ghost. According to other evidence, Devoloskie had said a ghost was always coming to his house causing a disturbance among his sheep and frightening his wife; that he had tried to shoot the ghost, which had a long tail, and in all respects this one resembled Bucholz, whom he had tried to shoot.

The gun, however, did not go off, but if it did go off he would shoot him. He was sober. Bucholz lost his wife recently. To Mr. Henderson, witness could not really say whether Devoloskie really intended to shoot Bucholz. The complainant gave evidence and was cross-examined by Mr. Henderson, his evidence disclosing little of importance or interest beyond the fact that the morality of some of the Germans residing at Waikaka could be questioned. Without considering it necessary to hear evidence for the defence, the Bench dismissed the case. "Mataura Ensign", January 1883.

Catharina Dovalosky was natuaralised on the 21st of February 1901 listed as a settler residing at Gore. Johan died on the 14th of April 1899 aged 77 & Catharina died on the 28th of July 1920 aged 75. Both are buried at the Gore cemetery.

John (Jnr) Dovalosky moved to Dargaville with his wife and 3 children about 1904 never to see his family in Southland again. He kept in touch with his mother and sisters as he loved writing letters. He died in 1951 aged 76, in Taumarunui where his son Henry and family lived. His ashes are buried in Dargaville with his wife.

Editorials

Dowaloski Family Tree