Lovely afternoon

I had a lovely afternoon meeting some extended relatives for the first time! I met two of daughters of John II & Flora Bland,  M and L, and some of their grand children. M and L were able to tell me some interesting information about the family, and brought out some lovely old photos to show me...

Annie Bland with her children.
Left back to front: Bob, Ted & John II.
Right back to front: Annie II & Susie.
Photo taken 1884, probably just after John and
Annie's youngest daughter, Sarah, died.
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

Annie Maria Bland
Date and photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

Annie Maria Bland surrounded by her family.
Top right, clockwise: James Horne, Maud Horne,
Susannah Horne (Annie's mother), Edward Horne.
Dates and photographer/s unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

St George's in the East Church, London
Photo taken by C Murphy, 2015.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

The Blands enjoying Long Bay Beach.
Date and photographer unknown.
Back: Alf Bland, Flo and John Bland
Front: Jim, Herb, L, M, Noel
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

John Richard Bland II, aged 18.
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

John and Flo Bland with baby Eileen.
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

John and Flo Bland with daughters, M and L, at the grave of John and Annie Bland.
Date unknown about around 1940. Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of L)

The Blands having a picnic after visiting the grave of
John and Annie Bland at Purewa Cemetery.
Back row from left: Flo and John Bland, M Bland, Alf Bland
Front from left: Valerie (M Bland's friend) and L Bland.
Photo labeled 'Candid Camera Studies' and taken around 1940.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

Daughters of John Bland II outside the school-room in Hokianga
where the Bland children went to school in the late 1880s and early 1890s.
(Photo courtesy of L)

The Native School, Hokianga where the Bland children
attended school in the late 1880s and early 1890s
Unknown date and photographer.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)

Bob Bland (seated) with two friends.
This photo was taken in France shortly after he arrived
at the Western Front 9 June 1918.
Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtes of L)

The photo of Bob and friends was accompanied by this note to Alice:
Dear Alice, I write these few lines hoping to find you well...
We had a very fine trip across to England. I had my teeth out
when this photo was taken. This photo was taken in France
in the time of the great war. 9 June 1918.
(Courtesy of L)

John and Flo celebrate their golden wedding anniversary
with John's brother Edward (Ted).
30 January 1954. Photographer unknown.
(Photo courtesy of C Murphy)