Some may have thought this street had a French connection, but alas no – it is attributed to the Kelsey family. If you recall the origins of Doralto Road, you may remember that the Frankleigh Park area was subdivided by a group led by Thomas Owen Kelsey and that he had three children. The third child not immortalised in the naming of Doralto Road was a daughter called Brois Kelsey. She got a street all to herself.
She seems to have had a talent for music, as the record shows her having gained passes in the primary division of the Royal Academy of Music in 1906 and junior honours in Trinity College exams in 1907 as a pupil of the Sisters of Notre Dame des Missions, Taranaki. She also passed the Elementary Division of the school piano exams in 1907.
She appears to have been a well-behaved and competent student. Prize lists for the convent schools of Taranaki in 1907 have her as a Standard One pupil attending the Kindergarten School. She received first prize in both Politeness and Writing.
She then disappears from Taranaki records around 1908, which coincides with the death of her father. Following this, many of the remaining Kelsey's seem to have gone to the South Island. Mind you, with music, writing and especially politeness on your CV, the world is probably your oyster.
This story was originally published in the Taranaki Daily News.
Related Plan:
Frankley Road District DP1704, ICS Pre 300,000 Cadastral Plan Index (Imaged by LINZ)
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