Biographical information provided by Stefanie Lash, Archives New Zealand, for the He Tohu exhibition:
Orpah May Moore was born in 1842 in the village of Harrold, Bedfordshire (England). In 1866 she married George Foster Bird at the age of 24. In 1874, George, Orpah and their three children Samuel, Ruth and Alice made the journey to Canterbury and settled in Waimate. George worked as a labourer, and they had another five children. George died in 1902, and Orpah lived until 1933. She died at the age of 91 and is buried with her family in Waimate Cemetery.
Additional biography contributed by Wendy Napier-Walker
Orpah Bird was born as Orpah Moore in January 1842 to John and Ruth Moore in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England.
In 1866 Orpah married George F Bird in Bedford, Bedfordshire, England.
Orpah and George had three children born in England, Samuel born in 1867, Ruth born in 1870 and Alice born in 1872.
Orpah, George and their three children left London on 25 February 1874 on the ship Ballochmyle and arrived in Lyttelton, Canterbury on 1 June 1874.
A further five children were born in New Zealand; Sarah Elizabeth Bird born 1876, Amy Rose Bird born in 1879, John Bird born in 1881, Orpah Bird born in 1885 and David Harold Bird born in 1887.
The electoral rolls for 1896 and 1900 record George and Orpah living in Waimate. George was a Labourer. The electoral rolls for 1905-06, 1911, 1914 and 1919 record Orpah living at Norton Reserve, Waimate, Orpah was a Widow.
Orpah Bird died on 5 June 1933 age 91 years and is buried in the Waimate Old cemetery, Anglican section, plot 0015AN000022. George died on 19 October 1902 age 61 years and is buried in the Waimate Old cemetery, Anglican section, plot 0015AN000021.
Sources
Free UK BMD marriages George Bird/Orpah Moore
Ancestry public member family trees
Ancestry – New Zealand Electoral Rolls
Timaru Herald 6 June 1933, Page 6, Funeral Notice – Orpah Bird
NZ DIA Death Index 1933/8644 Orpah Bird
Waimate District Council cemetery records online
