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It would seem that as far back as the late 1700's the surname of VERGUSON existed in England. It does not appear to have been derived from FERGUSON although in some records it was incorrectly written this way. Various records show the surname written as VARGARSON, VERGERSON, VERGESON, VERGISON and VIRGERSON. It is acknowledged that the surname is not a common name in England today.
The family stories say that the original VERGUSON settlers were fishermen or sailors, from Sweden or a Scandinavian country, who were shipwrecked off the Norfolk Coast in England.
According to old directories the VERGUSONs initially lived in the Kings Lynn - Downham Market area of Norfolk working mainly as Agricultural Labourers. 1851 - 1861 Census papers show the sons in the family working as young as age 10 years. As agricultural work became scarce in the 1860's - 70's the VERGUSONs gradually moved toward London's West Ham and Edmonton districts. It was around this time that Jonah left for New Zealand. Today's phone books show no VERGUSONs in Norfolk and they appear to have all settled in the London area. Civil Records confirm that this family lived in no other regions other than those mentioned.
Compiled from Letters written by Mrs Katie Thompson, Staffordshire, England - January 1989
My Ancestral Link to the Verguson Family
My ancestors came from Wimbotsham and Stow Bardolph in Norfolk, England.
William
VERGISON was born around 1770, marrying Elizabeth GREEN in Wimbotsham in 1795.
Their grandchild, Jonah came to New Zealand in 1875, settling at Greymouth where
he married Emma NOBLE, in 1886.Jonah Verguson Migrates to New Zealand
SHIPPING INFORMATION - Arrival of the Duke of Edinburgh on 17 November 1875 - Duke of Edinburgh, ship, 1117 tons, Mosey, from London.
Passengers: Cabin - Messrs A. Bouch, C.B.M. Branson and 182 Government immigrants.
This fine vessel, commanded by Captain Mosey, arrived in harbour and anchored on Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock after a passage of 100 days. The S.S. MULLOGH, having on board Dr Rowse, Captain Gibson, Mr J.E. March and those connected with the vessel, reporters etc., steamed down to the ship, then lying off Rhodes' Bay. The official inspection being concluded, the reporters went over the ship. The vessel has before this been fully described, this being her third voyage to this port, during which she has fully maintained her reputation of being a splendid vessel for carrying immigrants. There are on board 182 persons, thirty-six being single girls, mostly domestic servants, and are of a superior class; they are, with a few exceptions, bound for Timaru. During the voyage there have been two deaths and two births. One day when the ship was running about eight knots, a man fell overboard; the ship was immediately brought to, a boat lowered, and within fifteen minutes the man was rescued. Without comment this will show the discipline of the ship. The vessel has a large cargo and comes consigned to the New Zealand Shipping Company. The steamer Hawea went alongside the ship yesterday, and took the immigrants for Timaru onboard. read more...
SOURCE - Newspaper: Lyttelton Times - 19 November 1875
Lost Contact Wwith New Zealand Relatives in 1891
Notice in Timaru Herald newspaper February 1891 pg 2
The following are enquired for in Lloyd's Weekly: - Joseph Verguson, in 1875, left London for New Zealand, and in November, 1877, was with Mr Hopkins, West Coast, New Zealand; brother William
I suspect William was actually seeking contact with his brother, Jonah, in the above notice
My general approach to researching genealogy is as follows:
- For descendants of a direct ancestor, migrating into New Zealand, I have endeavoured to verify the details provided in my family tree.
- For all direct ancestral lines, outside New Zealand, I have obtained as much documentation as possible.
- For families that descend from my ancestral lines, I have usually obtain this information from a variety of resources, much of which has not been verified.
- For people that have married into my ancestral lines, I have no documentation apart from details of those marrying in and their parents.
- Alan TURNER - Great grandson of William VERGUSON
- Dave VERGUSON - Great grandson of William George VERGUSON
- Dick VIGERS - Great grandson of Mary Ann FISHER nee BUTLER
- Dorothy PRICE - Granddaughter of Elizabeth Alice (Lizzie) THOMPSON nee VERGUSON
- Janet PRITCHARD nee DRAGE - Great granddaughter of James R VERGUSON & Selina nee CULLUM
- Jill WHITEFORD - Great great granddaughter of William VERGUSON
- Katie THOMPSON nee BENNETT - Great granddaughter of William VERGUSON
- Lesley HUGHES - Great granddaughter of Jonah VERGUSON
- Louise WHITE nee SMITH - Great granddaughter of Sophie Elizabeth VERGUSON
- Valerie VESSEY nee CLARKE - Great granddaughter of William VERGUSON
If you are related to this family then please contact me so that we can exchange information