The Histories

The Histories of the Stevens—Croot Family Heritage

Edith Jane Croot (nee Day)

David Day came to New Zealand from England and probably berthed in Lyttelton, where he met and married Annie Maria ???. The couple moved to Westport where they had seven children—three girls and four boys: Ernest, Bert (Albert or Herbert?) George, Edith, Ada, Annie and Harold.

David worked as a Custom House Officer in Westport and was part of the Salvation Army.

The family transferred to Dunedin where David retired. He died in 1904.

Annie Maria ??? was brought up in Lyttelton where her father was the first Postmaster.

Little else is known of the lives of this family.

David and Annie Day

The Day Family in Dunedin

Back from left :   Ernest,  Bert , George

Middle (seated): Edith,  David  (father),  Ada, Annie  (mother)

Front (on floor):   Annie, Harold

Edith Jane Day married Frederick George Croot in Dunedin in 1895. They had one daughter Elsie Victoria born on 26 December 1900.

As with the rest of her family, little is known about the early life of Edith Jane, we know that after she married Fred Croot they lived for a time in Portobello, and we know that after Fred’s passing in 1907, Edith and her daughter Elsie returned to live with her mother Annie Day in Dunedin.

Edith’s daughter, Elsie Victoria, married Leslie Stevens—a son of Edward John Stevens—on 12 March 1924.

It is not clear when or where Edith passed away, as many of the tales told by Elsie Stevens to her grandchildren were of life in the big house with her grandmother.

 Copyright © Lesley Catterall 2006. All rights reserved. This is a free website and no part of it can be reproduced or sold without the prior permission of the editor.

Can you help?

If you know anything about the origins of this family, their life in Westport, what was Annie Day’s maiden name (ie who was the first postmaster of Lyttleton) or any other information pertaining to members of this family. Please contact the author at catterall@bluewin.ch