A new book tracing the history of a family's Dunedin roots is the work of its author ``on and off'' for 40 years.
Dominic's Dynasty: The story of Dominic and Winifred Harris of Heyward Point, Otago, and descendants was written by Otago Daily Times journalist Anthony (Tony) Harris.
The book begins with the arrival of Mr Harris' great grandfather Dominic, who landed in Dunedin with wife Winifred in 1863.
It then follows branches of the Harris family until the present day.
Mr Harris, of Mosgiel, who grew up in Alexandra, moved to Dunedin in 1976.
Moving to the city had motivated him to learn more about his Dunedin roots.
Mr Harris said the story of Dominic and Winifred differed from typical settlers.
"They were Irish. They were Catholic and they came from America and a convict background in Australia.''
Dominic Harris was born in Lubec, Maine, in the United States, in 1830. He travelled to Melbourne in 1852 where he met Winifred Connor, whom he married that year.
In 1863, the pair arrived in Port Chalmers on board the Oregon.
The crown granted a block on Heyward Point, near Aramoana, to Dominic Harris and Alexander McKenzie where Dominic and Winifred Harris also built up a herd of dairy cattle.
The pair raised five children.
Dominic Harris worked as a lighterman, along with Mr McKenzie, at Port Chalmers, operating small boats to load and unload passengers and freight from ships in Dunedin.
Dominic Harris later bought Mr McKenzie's interest in the land. Dominic Harris died in 1906 and Winifred sold the land six years later.
Mr Harris said the Harris' herd was larger than he expected.
"I found that he had attended a meeting of the Taieri and Peninsula Dairy Company, which was a big company around Dunedin, and that he had 40 shares. And one share equalled one cow so they had 40 cows.''
Mr Harris said he had been working on the book ``on and off for about 40 years''.
The internet had helped him find extensive American connections.
A Google search revealed a family tree produced by a relative in the United States with more than 200 of Dominic Harris' descendants.
• Requests for copies of Dominic's Dynasty should be directed to Mr Harris via email Tony.Harris.NZ@outlook.com
JOSHUA.RIDDIFORD @thestar.co.nz
