Research Ideas

Personal Education and Research

Highlighted below, are research and learning opportunities that family members may be interested in.  The topics relate to information contained in this Blog.  While most will simply choose to read, others (e.g. children) might want to research a specific subject that will connect them to some aspect of their family history.  Using information from the Blog for class projects, can:

1. personalize learning, and 
2. make learning relevant to the individual researching 

Family members may also have personal experiences they want to research and post.  ALL submissions are valuable.  They can help family members to better understand themselves and their ancestors.

Topics and Options

The topics below should NOT limit the information readers of this Blog may choose to research and/or submit.  Instead, they are suggestions that show the depth and breadth of learning that is available to anyone who is interested.  There are hundreds of topics that family may choose to reflect on, research, and/or submit.  Feel free to explore.

Begin Recording Your Family History and Research

1. Connect your family, and other individuals, to the Richard Heperi and/or TeMaki ‘Neho’ Heperi family lines.
2. After researching a particular area of interest, reflect on Grandpa’s situation. Suggest some things that were likely happening to Grandpa during the time you have researched.
3. Research any personal detail about Grandpa, as contained in his War Record (e.g. height, weight, complexion, etc.). 
4. Track the ships that Grandpa sailed on (i.e. HMNZT #61 Aparima, S.S. St George, S.S. Westmoreland) and identify what types of ship they were; the date they were built; the route they sailed; and the captains that sailed them.
5. Identify the military camps that Grandpa occupied in France (e.g. Report on conditions, locations, distances from Front Line, etc.)
6. Research medical facilities and their role during WW1. (e.g. How did a G.H. (General Hospital) differ from a C.C.S. (Casualty Clearing Station)?  Did Grandpa need any help from a C.C.S.?  G.H.?)
7. What was the WW1 Armistice?  When was it announced?  Why was the Armistice important for Grandpa?  What did Grandpa do after the Armistice was declared?
8. Larkhill Camp is famous for a giant white “Kiwi” that is carved into a chalk hill, nearby. How did the Kiwi get there? Did Grandpa help to make it?
9. Describe the events and celebrations that welcomed the Maori Pioneer Battalion (with Grandpa), home. (What date did the battalion arrive?  Where did they disembark? Who was there to greet them?  What was involved in the celebrations?)
10. Choose a Key Date.  Reflect on why this date was important to Grandpa?  Record any feelings you have about this date in a Personal Journal.
11. Report personal accounts you have collected from family members about Grandpa, and/or write about an aspect of his life that interests you
12. Grandpa was disciplined for having an “untidy bed.” Where was he located when he was disciplined?  What did the “untidy bed” cost him?  How serious were Grandpa’s infractions when compared to other levels of discipline the military had available?
13. Submit ANY memories you have/can collect about Grandpa and Nanny, following his return from WW1.  These will include discussions you have had with family members and/or friends.
14. Research histories that tell about the areas Grandpa and Nanny lived or worked near.  (e.g. Where are the following locations: Pangaru? Kaeo? Rahiri? Waihapa? Waima? Kohukohu? Okaihau?  Did Grandpa and Nanny live in these areas?  If yes, which ones?  What was the main industry or work in the area?) 
15. What physical, emotional, psychological effects does war have on soldiers?  Did Grandpa struggle with any of these effects?  If yes, how do you know?  If yes, how did he deal with those challenges?
16. The Great Depression affected all people, throughout the world.  How did the Depression affect the Hokianga and the livelihood of people living in that area?  How was Grandpa and his family affected by the economic challenges of the day?
17. At the time of The Great Depression, what garden produce was grown or collected by Grandpa and his family?  Is the produce you identified still grown?  Collected?  Eaten? 
18. Do you, your parents, or your grandparents have any memories of favorite kai (food) that may have its origins from the time period, immediately following WW1?  Describe the kai.  Do you still eat that kai today?  (e.g. How did the post-war economy affect the cost and availability of sugar?  Flour?  Other basic commodities?)
19. Which prominent, German leader from WW2, fought against Grandpa and Pona, on the Western Front? Were there other ‘high profile’ German leaders from WW2, who fought in France during WW1? Who are they?  What role did they play in WWII?
20. What employment opportunities were available for Grandpa, following the war?  Did employment opportunities differ between rural towns and cities?  How did they differ?  How did the availability of employment affect grandpa and his family?
21. What was the name of Grandpa and Nanny’s daughter, who died? Where did Grandpa and Nanny hold the tangi? What is a tangi? How old was their daughter when she died?  Do any of her living siblings have memories or stories about their sister?
22. Where was Nanny’s tangi held?  Reflect on the feelings Grandpa must have had, when Nanny died.  If you could have been present at that time, what would you have said to him?  Reflect, then, in a Personal Journal, write a letter to Grandpa. Include things you would have said to him, during this time of great sorrow. 
23. Nanny was sick for over two years.  She initially began her hospital stay in the Rawene Hospital.  Where is Rawene?  Is the hospital still there?  How far was Nanny from Rahiri, when she stayed in the Rawene Hospital? Was Nanny able to return home, to care for the children?  Why? Why not?
24. Why did Nanny move from the Rawene Hospital to the Kaeo Hospital?  How was she transported? By ambulance? Bus? Other transportation?  How did Nanny’s children, and Grandpa, benefit from her relocation to Kaeo? 
25. Nanny was the niece of Bill Morgan (Piri Mokena).  Who was this man?  Where did he live?  How was Nanny related to him?  What role did Bill Morgan play in supporting Nanny, while she was ill? What role did Bill Morgan play for the children, after Nanny died?
26. Where was Grandpa working when Nanny was sick?  How far away was his work from Rawene?  Kaeo?
27. After Nanny’s passing, Grandpa was left with a number of young children.  Name the children.  Rank them in order of age, oldest to youngest.  Did they marry?  If yes, who did they marry?  What family names are associated with children from these unions?
28. Reflect on what you learned about Grandpa.  Then, write a tribute about him.  Even if you did not know Grandpa, personally, rely on your own research, information from family members, and stories you have heard, to guide your writing.  Share your tribute.  
29. Reflect on any service Grandpa provided to others. Document any service that others provided for Grandpa.  Share the services that were provided.  
30. After researching some aspect of Grandpa’s life, identify two (2) positive characteristics he exhibited.  Then, next to each attribute, write two (2) things you can do to emulate that characteristic or attribute.  In a Personal Journal, record the experiences you have, while applying these qualities in your own life.  Share your experiences.  

One final note:  No one submitting information to the Blog should insist upon the use of either a formal writing style or casual/informal writing style.  To do so would limit participation and submissions.  Instead, EVERY submission has value, without regard for the style it is written in.