From Glasgow to Auckland: Family History & Library History

My grandfather John Barr (1887-1971) was the chief librarian at Auckland Public Library from 1913-1952.

Ref: Photographer unknown, John Barr, City Librarian, no location or date, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 360-10

Often called “Jack”, he was born in Glasgow, the son of a tin smith. His mother, Rebecca (née Witherington), was a mill worker before she got married. She appears to have valued education, though may not have been very literate herself. Jack started working for the Mitchell Library in Glasgow when he was 13 or 14.

Jack is pictured below in this 1906 photo with fellow Mitchell Library cadet Abe Cunningham, in front of a statue donated to Glasgow by John Stewart Kennedy. Abe Cunningham later worked at the Auckland Public Library as a cataloguer.

Ref: Photographer unknown, John Barr with Abe Cunningham Glasgow,  1906, from The Munro-John Barr Album (private family album)

My grandmother, Jessie Isabella Mary MacPherson (1889-1979) was born in Perthshire. She probably met John Barr whilst working at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow.

Jack’s brother Bobbie was diagnosed with tuberculosis around 1910.  The doctor recommended that Bobbie go to live in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales but told his mother that she probably couldn't afford it. His mother Rebecca apparently responded, “If I havta, I wull”. She saved enough to send Bobby and John to Sydney. Jack and Bobbie arrived in Sydney in early 1911 (from: The Douglas Munro Collection: Douglas is the son of Catriona Munro, née Barr, and grandson of John and Jessie Barr).

From Sydney, Jack wrote to Jessie’s father, marine engineer Dugald MacPherson, asking to marry Jessie.  Dugald replied on 30 June 1913, with a letter that began, “Dear Mr Barr, I received your letter in due time and I must say it was a surprise. As I had not previously heard even your name.” As his daughter was of age, and seemed set on marrying John Barr, he gave his consent and best wishes on their marriage. (from: The Douglas Munro Collection).

As passenger lists show, Jessie sailed to Sydney on the SS Malwa soon after the outbreak of WWI, and arrived safely in Sydney on 28 November 1914. John and Jessie got married the same day, and travelled to Auckland in December 1914.

Ref: P & O fleet, passenger list brochure from John Barr personal scrapbooks, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries,  NZMS 848

Ref: Jessie MacPherson (soon to become Mrs Jessie Barr), is listed on the official passenger list brochure for the SS Malwa, of the P & O Fleet, October 1914, destination: Syndey, Australia 

Jessie and John and their three daughters, Sheila, Catriona (Mac), the eldest and Margaret, the youngest, lived in a house next to the Epsom Library that was provided for the chief city Librarian.

Ref: Photographer unknown, Barr family outside Epsom House, Manukau Rd, c. 1930s, from The Munro-John Barr Album (private family album)  

Ref: Henry Winkelmann, exterior of Epsom Public Library, 1925, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 360-17

In his writings and public lectures, John Barr strongly supported both the educational and cultural value of public libraries: a service to be available to all residents.

Ref: S.P. Andrew, group portrait of the staff of the Auckland Public Library, (John Barr at centre, which one is Abe?), c. 1930s, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 360-17

Keen to find out more? Here is a list of Auckland Libraries resources:

• Barr, John, 'Auckland Public Libraries, 1880-1950: a brief historical description' (1922)
• Barr, John, 'The city of Auckland, New Zealand, 1840-1920. Preceded by A Maori history of the Auckland isthmus / by George Graham; and a foreword by J.H. Gunson' (1985)
• Barr, John, 'City of Auckland, New Zealand, Public Library, Art Gallery, and Old Colonists' Museum: a brief historical and descriptive account' (1922)
• Barr, John, 'The ports of Auckland, New Zealand: a history of the discovery and development of the Waitemata and Manukau harbours: prepared by direction of the Auckland Harbour Board to commemorate its jubilee, 1871-1921' (1926)
• Colgan, Wynne, 'Auckland Public Library: towards a history' (1964/1965)
• Munn, Ralph and John Barr, 'New Zealand libraries: a survey of conditions and suggestions for their improvement' (1934)
• Verran, David, 'Auckland City Libraries: another chapter' (2011).

Author: Carolyn Skelton, West Auckland Research Centre