The first Alves to settle in Aotearoa-New Zealand arrived, aboard the sailing ship Gutenberg which arrived from Germany, in Whanganui-a-tara
(Wellington Harbour) on 23 March 1876.
Terry & Margaret Alve
This website is dedicated to following the lives of Margaret and Terry Alve's ancestors and to exploring what is known of their lives. Some of this knowledge is canvassed in the 2024 publication, Valentine's Day 1874: A Ruhr Valley Romance and in its companion volume published in 1994, Alve Road: How do you spell that? Currently a new volume is about to be published in book form. From Bremerhaven to Wellington: the 1876 Gutenberg Immigrants to Aotearoa will record the story of the 165 people and crew who travelled on the Gutenberg from Bremerhaven in Europe. This book will be available for the Gutenberg Descendant Sesqui-Gathering in Wellington on 22 March 2026. In 230 pages and 75,000 words Terry offers biographical snippets of 131 of the 165 Gutenberg immigrants, including children.
In 2022-2023, Terry turned his attention to researching and writing about Margaret's family, having been greatly influenced by her parents and especially her father Don Milne. He produced a study of his life, Don Milne: a most extraordinary man.
The Alve Family Facebook page is foll0wed by about 120 people (mainly Alve descendants) and is a forum for discussion about descendants. In preparation for the Gutenberg sesqui gathering the Gutenberg1876-2026 Facebook page was established.
Terry, a great grandson of Carl & Theresia Alve continues in retirement to research the family which he has pursued for 60+ years. He has created a MyHeritage (Alve-Milne Family NZ) website which contains 10,000+ records of his and his wife Margaret Milne's families, and related-ones. Also he uses Ancestry and FamilySearch websites and other resources to supplement his genealogical research. He is currently focusing on DNA research analysing matches with hundreds of people who share DNA matches with his relatives, including Alve ancestors.
In addition he has, with others, organised Alve family reunions notably in 1995, 2015 and 2024. Another such gathering is planned for 22 March 2026 to acknowledge and celebrate the sesqui-centennial (150 years) arrival of the Alves and other Gutenberg descendants in Wellington, NZ.
Periodically, Terry speaks on family related subjects to various groups. Also, he regularly offers consulting services, often free, for people exploring their genealogy and family history.
In 2022-2023, Terry turned his attention to researching and writing about Margaret's family, having been greatly influenced by her parents and especially her father Don Milne. He produced a study of his life, Don Milne: a most extraordinary man.
The Alve Family Facebook page is foll0wed by about 120 people (mainly Alve descendants) and is a forum for discussion about descendants. In preparation for the Gutenberg sesqui gathering the Gutenberg1876-2026 Facebook page was established.
Terry, a great grandson of Carl & Theresia Alve continues in retirement to research the family which he has pursued for 60+ years. He has created a MyHeritage (Alve-Milne Family NZ) website which contains 10,000+ records of his and his wife Margaret Milne's families, and related-ones. Also he uses Ancestry and FamilySearch websites and other resources to supplement his genealogical research. He is currently focusing on DNA research analysing matches with hundreds of people who share DNA matches with his relatives, including Alve ancestors.
In addition he has, with others, organised Alve family reunions notably in 1995, 2015 and 2024. Another such gathering is planned for 22 March 2026 to acknowledge and celebrate the sesqui-centennial (150 years) arrival of the Alves and other Gutenberg descendants in Wellington, NZ.
Periodically, Terry speaks on family related subjects to various groups. Also, he regularly offers consulting services, often free, for people exploring their genealogy and family history.
17-18 February 2024 Alve Descendant Reunion
This gnarled old macrocarpa tree marks the likely spot on Alfredton Road where the Alves lived, on a farm, near Eketahuna 1880-1896.
Dave Farrant and Gregory Pedersen (Canadian whānau) ponder this fact!
Dave Farrant and Gregory Pedersen (Canadian whānau) ponder this fact!
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61 Alve descendants and partners, attended this Masters Hall, Pahiatua Reunion. They represented 2nd to 5th generation descendants of Theresia & Carl Alve. Nelson Rangi of the Busch line and a great grandson was the eldest at 95, closely followed by Jean Alve, wife of Hilton who was a grandson. The youngest was baby Luke Nelson Wright a 3xgreat grandson in Theresia Simmon's (nee Alve) line.
Jean and Nelson cut the Reunion Cake as Christine Lockett looks on.
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Third cousins Sarah Alve and Naomi Pedersen chat over dinner.
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BOOKS FOR SALE
Valentine's Day 1874 was launched on Valentine’s Day 2024.
Second Edition: 64,000 words, 208 pages. Published: 1 August 2024. ABSTRACT: Valentine’s Day 1874 occurred during the sixty-one years this history records (1849-1910) about a Deutschland-Aotearoa New Zealand family. Theresia Möllers and Carl Alve married in the Ruhr Valley on this day, and just over two years later they disembarked from an emigrant ship at Port Nicholson, Wellington. This study celebrates their marriage and asks two primary questions. Why did they leave Germany when they did? And, what happened to them in Aotearoa New Zealand subsequently until 1910? In the process we will discover how their romance worked out! Out of stock. Reprint available end May 2024. This revised edition includes details of the Alve Descendant Reunions 1995, 2015 and 2024 and Rosa Alve’s grave restoration at Featherston, including the addition of a memorial to her baby sister Emma. Other formatting, textual and pictorial additions and corrections have been made. 208 pages (1st ed. 200 pages; 60,000 words) |
Unexpectedly, we have received some original, unused copies of 'Alve Road: How do you spell that?'
We thought they were out of print! These are original book copies. 12 copies remain. |
Easter 2015 Reunion in Palmerston North
Over 50 people young and old came from across the original families
Eddie's Clan |
Theresia's Clan |
Clara's Clan |
