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- From The New Zealand Raitts (http://www.raitt.org/nz-raitts.html)
?i?James Raitt was born in 1841 in St Vigeans, Angus and was, like so many other Raitts from St Vigeans and Arbroath, a seaman in the merchant service. In 1864 in Arbroath he married Helen MacDonald, born in Arbroath in 1843. At some point James appeared to have given up the sea and became a joiner '96 at least that is what he gave as his occupation when he and his wife and their four surviving children emigrated to New Zealand in August 1874. Their eldest daughter, seven year old Elizabeth, died of typhoid fever just a couple of months before the family set sail, and sadly their youngest daughter, Mary, aged eight months died at sea, succumbing to diarrhoea. The family eventually settled in Lyttelton, just outside Christchurch, South Island, where James became a carpenter. In New Zealand they had five more children.
?/i?Actually, James was always a carpenter, as can be seen from the 1871 Census for Ipswich. Also, the eldest daughter was Eliza, not Elizabeth.
From the 1851 Scotland Census for Saint Vigeans, Forfarshire (Scotland Census Parish St Vigeans ED 4 Page 4 Line 8 Roll CSSCT1851_57) James, 9, Scholar, was with his parents James, 36, Oil Cloth Maker, and Elspeth, 39, in Saint Vigeans, Forfarshire, Scotland. With him were his brothers William, 11, Flax Dresser (Machine), and Joseph, 6, Scholar. Lodging with the family was James Johnston, 1. Everyone was recorded as having been born in Saint Vigeans, Forfarshire.
From the 1861 Scotland Census for Saint Vigeans, Arbroath (Scotland Census Parish St Vigeans ED 26 Page 3 Line 13 Roll CSSCT1861_36) James, 19, Seaman M. S., was with his parents James, 46, Hand Loom Flax Weaver, and Elespet (sic), 49, at 26 Barngreen, Saint Vigeans, Arbroath, Scotland. With him was his brother Joseph, 16, Saddler Apprentice. Everyone was recorded as having been born in Saint Vigeans, Forfarshire.
From the 1871 England Census for Ipswich, Suffolk (RG10 Piece 1754 Folio 126) James, married, 29, Carpenter from Arbroath, Forfarshire, was aboard the Good Intent from Montrose, at Ipswich Dock, Ipswich, Suffolk, England. Also present were William Forbes, married, 33, Master from Montrose, Forfarshire, George Hunter, 26, Mate from Montrose, Forfarshire, John Malay, 36, Boatswain from North Shields, Northumberland, Charles Brown, 28, Cook & Steward from Heligoland (British), James McGregor, 17, Apprentice from Montrose, Forfarshire, James Guthrie, 17, Apprentice from Montrose Forfarshire, Margaret Forbes, married, 31, Master's Wife (on visit) from Montrose, Forfarshire, and Mary Forbes, 2, Master's Daughter born Montrose, Forfarshire.
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