Hi,

My name is Ilana Burness and I live in Suva, Fiji. My mom is a Whippy and i'm researching my mum's family history.

I wish to know, does anyone out there know the actual racial mix of David Whippy, all I know is he was born in Nantucket Island, USA and that he comes from a ship building family.

Thank you, Ilana Burness

Ilana,
according to the introduction to Kaivalagi ni Viti,
David Whippy was "born in Salem, (Whippy) had gone to sea as a young man on his brother's ship. Unable to deal with the harsh life on his brother's ship, he deserted in Peru and eventually made his way to Mexico. There he joined the crew of the brig Calder that was on its way to trade in the Feejees. At Bau, Whippy was left behind to reconnoitre for beche de mer. For unknown reasons, the young sailor was left behind when the ship departed Fiji waters. This was in 1825.
A personable young man, Whippy came under the patronage of Tui Levuka and lived in Levuka for the next twenty years... David Whippy died at his home at Wainunu on Vanua Levu on 27 November 1871."

On this message board page there is an ad for Ancestry to allow you to see the American census documents. Whippy could be in the 1800, 1810, or 1820 censuses.

I suggest you join up and look for him in these census documents, in either Salem, Massachusetts, or Nantucket, Massachusetts. Also look at other Massachusetts and whaling sites.
Christine

Hi there
I saw your email regarding David Whippy I am adirect descendant of David Whippy too.. he is my great great grandfather my mum who passed away in Jan of this year aged 91years & my aunt who is still alive & is 93 is now the only remaining geat granddaughter of David Whippy.I am very interested in the Whippy genealogy & have researched the family quite extensively & am quite happy to share with interested family members
regards Frances

Hi Frances, Do you have a copy of the letter to Captain Le Bris, commander of His Majesties Louis Napoleon's ship of war "Baoyonnaise. David Whippy is the first signatory on a petition to the French Navy requesting protection from warring tribes. The petition is dated July 3rd 1858 and a copy was obtained from the US National Archives 11 - Fiji Consular Records.
If you are interested will send youa copy by snail mail
Regards
Joy

Hello Frances,
I too am researching the Whippy family. I was born Lea Whippy in 1960 in London England. I have been led to believe that my ancestor James Whippy who left Bristol for Nantucket Island in 1760(?) is the ancestor of David Whippy of Fiji. I would love to have contact with any Whippy form Fiji who would love to exchange family information.
I have lots of information on the Whippys and that there are actually more living members in Fiji than in England.
Hoping to hear from you
Lea.

Dear Lea,

Bula there! I am a young woman, Ilana Burness from Suva city in Fiji. My mum is a Whippy, a direct descendent of David Whippy.

I read your reply and just wanted to let you know that, I may be coming to England in the coming months, i have applied for a working holiday visa and at present, i have to find some sort of temporary work in London. Fortunately, i have somewhere to stay when in England for two years (this is length of visa) and the place is in Kent. I will also have an interview with the UK Embassy in a few weeks time with regard to my UK working holiday application. What are your recommendations with regard to finding work before leaving Fiji? My first degree is in Geography and Tourism and i have four yrs work experience in research and project management.

What sort of work are you involved in?

With regard to whippy family information from Fiji, there is a Morman archives facility here, unfortunately, at moment, i don't have adequate family background on the whippy family. however, there are many whippy families living in Fiji, who would have more information than I do.

Looking forward to your earliest reply.

Regards,
Ilana Burness

Hello Frances,
Could you tell me how many children did David Whippy have and their names please. Do you know if he had a daughter called Julia?
Thanks
Josephine

Hello Josephine

I received your email request I am really happy to assist you with your query.

David Whippy's first wife Tulia was the daughter of the Tui Namara of the vanua Tamara, Tailevu Viti Levu and they had a son David Jnr

He had 2 children from a woman ofrom Koro island Arieta in the Lomaiviti group Daniel & Tom

His only lawful wife was Tokasa (Dorcas) she was the sister of the Tui Levuka of Ovalau they were married in the little church which is still standing at Levuka they had five children Samuel, Peter, Alameda Kasaia and Julia.

Samuel is my great great grandfather & Julia is my great great Aunt I have a photo of her & her husband... I have an idea that my aunty Jane who is 93 remembers her & I am sure my mum who passed away this year t the age of 91 years also mentioned her they are both wonderful historians... I will ring Aunty Jane & ask her

Julia married a Mr Sutherland & they settled on the Sutherland propery in Seva, Macuata Vanua Levu

Hope this has been of some help to you Jospehine... if I can be of any further assistance please let me know
Best wishes
Frances

Hello again Frances,

Thank you so much for your reply. Isn't the web wonderful? Thank you for the information about Julia Whippy.
I am Julia Sutherland's daughter. Great granny Julia Whippy married my great grandpa John Martin Sutherland of Seva, Macuata. My mum (Henry Sutherland's daughter) is called after her. I knew she was related to Tui Levuka and that was all, so I am so grateful to you for the information. It also means I have other relatives out there!
Thank you again.
Josephine (nee Covert

Hi Ilana,

I have information for you regarding David whippy's racial mix.

Kind Regards
Sam Montgomerie