Rankin Thornton History Information

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After a conversation with David Rankin in the 1990's at Manly, Whangaparaoa, New Zealand, this is what I recorded.

Grandma Lusk - Uncle David and Gloria Rankin (Copland)'s greatgrandmother from Milport on Cumbrae Island in the Firth of Clyde.

The sailing ship William Miles in 1864 to Christchurch. Her husband was a carpenter Archibald Lusk. He helped to build all the University buildings in Christchurch, the school of Art and shifted to Ashburton in 1890 - Wakanui Road to Kelwood Farm. Built a house. Morris and Elizabeth Rankin live there.

Rebuilt the Cathedral spire after an earthquake. Rebuilt it in scaffolding - wooden and copper. Was stone, now copper.

Grandma Lusk's daughter, Amelia married Bill whose father William Rankin was a shepherd for Deans in Riccarton and later at Homebush Farm.

William Rankin came out from Eyreshire - Kilmarnoch. He came out for John Deans to be a shepherd. Bought a farm in Palmerston (Mary is not sure whether that was Palmerston North or Palmerston). It became a dairy farm.

William Bill Rankin
married Amelia Lusk. Buried in Foxton Hill Canterbury ( not sure if this is infact lived in Foxton Hill...)