My name is Ron Elder. I live in Gisborne, New Zealand. I have been following an interest in my family tree for some 25 years now off and on.
My family name originates in Scotland. Until very recently my earliest known paternal ancestor was Gt-Gt-Gt-Grandfather David Elder of Linlithgow near Edinburgh who was born about 1771. However, DNA tracing has revealed his lineage as William Elder (1741-1819) < William Elder (b1710) < James Elder (b1650) < Robert Elder (1629-1694) < John Elder (1565 in Biggar, Lanark, Scotland).
On my father’s side my roots are mostly Scottish – my father had two Scottish grandfathers. One of his grandmothers was from England while the other came from the USA.
Family surnames on this side include: Elder, Gardyne, Carr (aka Kurtain), Jones, Robertson, Keller, Hill, Menlove
My mother was English – she met my father during World War II when he was stationed at an airbase in her home town of Blackpool, Lancs. Three of her grandparents were English while one was Scottish.
Family surnames on this side include: Haigh, Kirby, Jones, Woodhead, Russel, Curtis, Fowler, Grimbaldestan.
This site is designed as a way to share some of my discoveries with other family members and to invite feedback. My family tree is posted online at Ancestry.com for those who wish to explore it – email me to request full access.
I have also started entering the tree in Wikitree. This is a free web-based genealogy system with open access. [Go to www.wikitree.com and join up – there is no charge or subscription]. As you start entering data about yourself and your parents and grandparents you will eventually make contact with our family tree and be able to make a connection. You will also be able to keep the tree up to date by entering birth and marriage information for your children and grandchildren.
I am always interested to hear from anyone who wishes to explore our shared family history.
Quick Link: Ivan Elder – My Life
