Passenger indexes to and from New Zealand

Having narrowed down a time frame where I know when George Griffith was in New Zealand, and when he had returned to Victoria, it is time to have another look at the available passenger indexes.

In the Index to Unassisted Inward Passenger Lists to Victoria 1852-1923, if I search for George Griffith/s returning to Melbourne in 1867 and 1868  I find:

Family Name	First Name	Age	Month	Year	Ship	Port	Fiche	Page

GRIFFITH	GEO	A	MAR	1868	TARARUA	N	083	002
GRIFFITHS	G	23	APR	1868	OMEO	N	084	003
GRIFFITHS	GEO	40	JAN	1867	ALHAMBRA	N	073	001
GRIFFITHS	GEO	A	MAR	1868	TARARUA	N	083	008
GRIFFITHS	GEO	4	JUL	1868	SOMERSETSHIRE	B	276	004

 
I can eliminate the one who arrived in January 1867, as George played in a concert in March 1866.  I can eliminate the 23 year old and the 4 year old who arrived in 1868 on their age (though I should check the indents in case the age has been indexed incorrectly), and the two Adults who arrived via the Tararua are perhaps the most probable candidates.  The Tararua was a vessel on the New Zealand run in this period.

The full index for the Tararua shows a number of Griffith/s passengers arriving on that voyage:

Family Name	First Name	Age	Month	Year	Ship	Port	Fiche	Page
GRIFFITH	GEO	A	MAR	1868	TARARUA	N	083	002
GRIFFITH	MARY	A	MAR	1868	TARARUA	N	083	007
GRIFFITH	THOS	A	MAR	1868	TARARUA	N	083	007
GRIFFITHS	---- MR	36	JUN	1868	TARARUA	N	086	001
GRIFFITHS	ELLEN	A	MAR	1868	TARARUA	N	083	003
GRIFFITHS	GEO	A	MAR	1868	TARARUA	N	083	008
GRIFFITHS	WM	A	MAR	1868	TARARUA	N	083	003

Further investigation in this passenger list should be useful.  If any of the Georges is my ancestor, he doesn't appear to be travelling with his wife or children.

REGULAR WEEKLY STEAM COMMUNICATION

to NEW ZEALAND.

The Panama, New Zealand, and Australian Royal Mail Company (Limited) will despatch the following favourite and powerful steamships to the various New Zealand ports :

4th.-OTAGO, W. J. O. Symons, R.N.R., 800 tons,

150-horse power.

12th.-RANGITOTO, W.H. Bax, R.N.R.,650 tons, 

140-horse power.

20th.-CLAUD HAMILTON, J. V. Hall, jun.,

800 tons, 180-horse power.

28th.-TARARUA, Jas. Hagley, 850 tons, 150

horse power.

The above sailing dates will be as strictly adhered to as the necessities of Her Majesty's mail service will admit.

Passengers and cargo booked to all ports at lowest current rates. In order to keep time and dates, in future no cargo (except green fruit) will be received, or bills of lading signed, on day of sailing.

For further particulars apply to:

CHARLES LEWIS and Co., agents, 4 Elizabeth street south.

Advertising. (1868, March 12). The Argus 6), p. 1. 

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5810861