Hi

I am seeking information about the family of my great-great-grandmother Ellen (or Eleanor - various spellings) Daly / Daley / Dailey / Daily.

She was born in the parish of Armoy, in the county Amtrim, Ireland around the year 1834, and was the daughter of James Daly (farmer) and Margaret Blair.

Ellen emigrated to New Zealand, arriving in Christchurch with her cousin Eliza Black on September 30, 1862, as a "promised bride" to James Doak (my great-great-grandfather, from Belfast, County Down - born May 4, 1828, and the son of John Doak and Margaret Donaldson). The couple were married in the St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Christchurch, on June 17, 1863 - although they were known to be Methodist (the first Methodist church in Christchurch wasn't opened until 1864 - although I know from another branch of the family, that Methodist services were being conducted in private homes).

James and Ellen lived briefly in Christchurch, where their eldest son William George was born in 1864 (married Mary Eliza Quigley), before purchasing farmland in Leeston, in the Ellesmere district south of Christchurch. It was here in the Leeston area that James and Ellen lived the remainder of their lives, having four more children, Margaret Maria (born 1867, married John Quigley), James (born 1870, married Annie Clara Wills), John Alexander (1875, married Mary Elizabeth Wills - my great-grandparents) and Mary Eleanor (born 1877, married John Frederick French).

Ellen passed away on December 22, 1912, while James departed this earth on May 27, 1909.

I would be grateful for any information related to Ellen's and James' families.

Thanks
David Hill
Christchurch, New Zealand