Wilma Stephens learns about Family History

Following many years away from Church activity, Wilma Stephens started learning about Family History in a Sunday School Family History class.  Excited to document her Maori family history, she began going through old photos from cousins on her mother’s side.  Wilma found a picture of her great grandfather with a group of men.  They were all young men, dressed in suits in what seemed to be a church group.

Anxious to share her discovery, she brought the picture to her Sunday School class.  One of the young men in the picture, along with her great grandfather, was Elder Matthew Cowley. It seems that her great grandfather, Kirini Wikaira and another young man, David Ngakuru were called to be missionary companions with Elder Matthew Cowley.  Local New Zealand priesthood holders were being used to replace those missionaries sent home due to the start of WW1.  The picture showed Mission President Richard Lambert with Elder Cowley and the two called to be his companions.  She was delighted to find such a strong Church heritage in her family line.  Wilma completed her My Family 15 in 15 and especially enjoyed taking her own family names to the temple.  Wilma is now working on her father’s line.

Left to right: Mission President Richard Lambert, Hirini Wikaira, Elder Matthew Cowley, David Ngakuru