Winters Family

Dear Hugh,

I am currently engaged in Winter(s) family genealogical research and I’m seeking information on my late g/uncle Nathaniel Alfred Winter (1861-1942). He was born in Co. Limerick, Ireland, the son of William Winter and Jane Gardiner (later resident in Co. Cork). He emigrated to New Zealand in 1910, at 49 years of age. He was a teacher by profession and later took up journalism and owned or edited the Taumarunui Press. I think he lived initially in Auckland but about 1913 he published book entitled The King Country. On his retirement he took up sheep farming and had an island which he appropriately named "Winter Island". He passed away in 1942 at the age of 81.

My local research here in Ireland (with the help of my fourth cousin in NSW) has brought me back to the marriage of my g/g/g grandparents c.1794. In Ireland, the surname of Winter(s) is quite rare (or so I thought!) but in the course of my search I have uncovered a lot more Winter(s) families in Co’s Cork and Limerick than I had bargained for. I am acquainted with most of my relatives of that name but there are numerous Winters about that I cannot establish any connection with. Moreover, almost every Winter(s) family has Williams, Edwards, Johns and Janes, with a few Samuels thrown in for good measure.

My g/g/g grandfather was from mid-west Co. Limerick but the name occurs with considerable frequency in east and west Limerick and north Co. Cork. So, I’m wondering if it’s possible that we all have a common origin.

But for now, while I do not wish to cause you any inconvenience, I would greatly appreciate any information on g/uncle Nath and on his work and career and particularly on his family and decendants. If such information is readily available from your sources, I would be glad to hear from you.

Yours Sincerely,

Edward J. Winter,
Cork, Ireland.