John William Suckling

John William Suckling was born in Steeple Bumpstead, Essex, England on 15 May 1855.

He was baptized in Steeple Bumpstead, Essex England, on 25 July 1858.

His father was not documented and his mother was unmarried. He was baptized under his mothers maiden name of Turner.

He came to New Zealand in 1865 with his mother, step-father, sister and half brother, another half brother was born at sea in 1865 en route to New Zealand.

He was raised under the surname of Suckling (believed to be his paternal father's surname), however after he married Mary O'Keefe in 1879 he also began to use Deed as a surname, it is noted in Mary O'Keefe's probate file that she objected to the use of the surname Suckling and refused to use it and preferred to be known by the name of Mary Deed.

John William Suckling is acknowledged as a step-son in John Jackson Deed's probate file. He is also mentioned in the probate file of his mother Frances Elizabeth, but it does not reveal who his father was.

UK Baptism

• County Essex
• Place: Steeple Bumpstead
• Church name: St Mary the Virgin
• Register type: Parish Register
• Register entry number: 376
• Baptism date: 25 Jul 1858
• Birth date: 15 May 1855
• Person forename: John
• Person sex: M
• Mother forename: Elizabeth
• Mother surname: TURNER
• Register note: mother a Spinster

NZ Marriage

• Registration Number: 1879/166
• Bride's Given Name(s): Mary
• Bride's Family Name: O'Keefe
• Groom's Given Names(s): John William
• Groom's Family Name: Suckling

Sources:

1. DEATHS., Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 13, 15 January 1908
2. Auckland Star, Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 14, 16 January 1908
3. BEREAVEMENT CARD., Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 28, 1 February 1908