Last time we looked at the erroneous headstone of my distant relative, David Bell.

Like many of my Irish ancestors, David was born in the townland of Dunmore, which lies about 8km north-west of Cookstown, County Tyrone, Ireland. At the time of these events, Ireland was a single entity; nowdays, these farms are part of Northern Ireland.

Dunmore is nestled sleepily between the eastern peaks of the Sperrin range; at an elevation of about 250m and touching on the picturesque Lough Fea. The eastern boundary of the townland is marked by the Lissan Water, a stream running down from the Sperrins to the Lissan House; at the time a landlord’s seat, but now a tourist attraction.

I’ve previously mentioned that I had only one blood relative at Oxford Cemetery – John Phillips. However it turns out there is another: David Bell.

David was the second cousin of my great-great-grandmother – a distant relationship, to be sure. Many people – families, and singles – left Ireland to seek a new life in the colonies. David was one of the latter; first coming to New Zealand in 1907 to work in coal mining at Westport, before switching careers and becoming a Canterbury farmer in partnership with other Irish relatives who emigrated after him.