Isabel was born 16 July 1878 (birth certificate number unknown) in Helensville in the southern Kaipara region.
Isabel Stanaway – Stanaway Family Collection.
We suspect that her childhood was much the same as other children at that time growing up in the Kaipara area.
The first records we have of Isobel is from the 1900, 1905 and 1911 Electrol Rolls where she is listed as living in Helensville – domestic duties.
Then on 6 November 1912 Isabel marries Wilfred Allen (Marriage Certificate number 1912/5507). Wilfred was born 22 October 1882 in Glemsford Suffok, England, to Alfred (1836-1900) and Catherine Allen (1846-1941). It seams that he made his own passage to New Zealand as both his parents died in England.
Isabel Stanaway – Stanaway Family Collection.
Isobel and Wilfred were active with the local Helensville Tennis club with Isobel being on the Ladies Committe and Wilfred being the Treasurer. Kaipara and Waitemata Echo 2 October 1914. In 1915 Wilfred was made Secretary of the Helensville Tennis Club.
Isabel and Wilfred Allen – Tides of Time.
On 6 October 1917 Isabel and Wilfred have a son Ailwyn Wilfred (1917-1953).
In 1919 Wilfred purchases Mr Graham’s Grocery and Drapery Business, and freehold property – he has left Messers Stewart Bros. store to start his own.
From the book Men Came Voyaging in Chapter 16 – Reconstruction – page 187
“A businessman, who, since 1906 had built a good reputation in Helensville, both as a grocer and as a courteous, public-spirited man, left Stewart Bros. store in 1919 and began in business on his own account at Helensville south. This man was Wilfred Allen and the grocery and general store he purchased, was that of Mr. Graham, on the north corner of Karaka Street and Commercial Road. This store had been built by J.A. Vercoe in 1903 for Mr. Hardy and had been owned by Mr. Masters before Mr. Graham’s time. When Mr Allen went into this shop, a verandah rimmed it on both frontages and a street light, one of the few in Helensville, stood on the corner and was maintained by the owner of the store. Mr. Allen’s staff consisted of his wife, her brother Jack Stanaway and her sister Eileen……. The ownership of this store included that of the old home of Charles Nelson on the same section, and by the late 1920’s Mr. Allen had made this house and grounds into one of the show places of Helensville with many trees, tennis courts and an aviary. Mr. Allen sold this grocery business in 1938 but conducted a store in Kumeu until 1961.”
Notice of purchase – Kaipara and Echo 25 September 1919.
From the above we see that the store included Isabel’s Uncles former home (Ihapere Isabella Nelson nee Stanaway)
Advert for the store – Kaipara and Waitamata Echo 18 March 1920.
Unfortunately this store and the home and tennis courts are now gone – it has been replaced by (at the time of this being written) a RD1 store!
The Electrol rolls from 1914 until 1928 have Isabel living on Eighth Avenue, Helensville.
Isabel Allen Grave – Billion Graves
On 17 August 1934 Isabel passes away aged only 56 (Death Certificate Number 1934/14288), she is buried in the Helensville Cemetery, Block E3 Lot 78.
Isabel’s death notice – New Zealand Herald 18 August 1934.
Her husband Wilfred, goes on to remarry, this time to Norah Patricia Stanaway on 8 February 1936, in Helensville. (This is the daughter of Joseph Patrick and Ethel Flora Stanaway). Wilfred and Norah have five children – Bernal 1937, Creina 1940, Brian David 1943, Michael 1944, Noni 1955.
Wilfred passes away on 6 April 1978 aged 95 and is buried in the Helensville Cemetery Block E3 Lot 7.
Captain John James Stanaway 1813 - 1874 