The Hehir's Tale

The Hehir's Tale

Project 2014-08-14 09:50:45 +1200

My maternal Grandmother and Matriarch of our Hehir family, Remai Kathleen Hehir (nee Mullins) is a living legend. She is a crossword master, Papal Medal recipient and is a cherished stalwart of her church, village, and the wider Manawatu region. But none cherish her more than her exponentially expanding family. Remai is mother of 12, grandmother of 30 and great grandmother of 23 and counting.

You are reading this today because not only does she never forget a birthday, it is probable that she knows more about our home towns and the heritage of its peoples than most of us do ourselves . But most importantly, for this purpose, she is a wealth of familial and historical information. Throughout recent years I have missed too many opportunities as Remai has been talking, and I listening, and I have kicked myself later for not keeping a Dictaphone in my pocket, or at the very least taking notes.

From November 3^rd I will be spending 10 days with Remai who lives in the family homestead in Taikorea, on sixth generation farmland. During this time, over many a hot cup of tea and whirlygigs, we will have extensive yarns about living family, previous generations, ancestry and origin. I will be recording our sittings and gad abouts and capture every great tale she offers, every detail and every one of those most illuminating and consequential little anecdotes triggered perhaps only by turning down a quiet street in town or unearthing a long forgotten photo.

When I return back home I plan to spend as much time as possible transcribing my recordings and notes into an organised manuscript, which I will then have published! Most of the text will be in Remai’s own words to preserve the art of oral history and so that each piece offered is represented just as she remembers. The only pieces that won’t be are perhaps an introduction and bits and bobs offered by YOU and anyone that would like to contribute any information or tale, including photos, letters, poems etc.

I aim to raise at least $500 before November. This will cover my flights between Palmerston North and Nelson, a Dictaphone, teas and baked goods. The rest will stay in a savings account to be used for publishing. So the more we raise the more books we can publish for the multitude of friends and family that treasure Remai and the Hehir and Mullins heritage.

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions, suggestions or contributions.

Thanks for your time, and thank you in advance for your donation!

Ruth O’Connell

[email protected]

0276304295

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