The Journey to New Zealand
The Rountree, Coleman & McFadden families of County Cavan, Ireland, began emigrating to New Zealand in the 1860s. It was a long and dangerous journey to a new life.
Our history dates back to our ancestors’ verifiable origins on the Rountree Tree Scroll, beginning with Charles Rountree and Mollie Coleman, who were married in 1730 at Bailieborough, County Cavan, Ireland. To date we’ve published two volumes of our history, and as at October 2025, are now embarking on our third!
Volume 3 in Production
Release Date Late 2026/Early 2027
Since we did Volume 2 in 2021 we have had the pleasure of meeting more of our extended family through word of mouth and more people doing DNA tests. Volumes 1 and 2 focused mainly on the descendants of Joseph and Jane Rountree, as well as John and Maggie Coleman.
Volume 3, on the other hand, is going to feature John and Mary Rountree, who arrived in 1864 on board Ivanhoe with four of their six children as well as their other adult children who arrived on two different ships in 1862 and 1868.
It will also provide more social and historic context that shaped our ancestors’ lives, both in County Cavan, and in Christchurch, New Zealand, plus our genealogical records have been updated and expanded from Volume 2.
Private Family History Books
This book is for private research for Rountree, Coleman, and McFadden Family descendants only. If you are interested in getting a copy on one of our books, or contributing to Volume 3, please get in touch with us and introduce yourself. We need to know some info about how you are related and also love hearing of any new information you have to share.
About the Publisher
Deb Donnell, Author, Publisher, Mentor
Deb is a direct descendant of the New Zealand Rountree & Coleman Families. She is passionate about documenting and sharing transformative journeys. This includes the history of Christchurch, NZ from 19th century colonial days, through to the 21st century earthquake years. Most importantly, she is on a mission to ensure people do not die with their life stories trapped inside of them. If you would like to release your family history book, Deb is the person to help you.
I honour Deb for her professionalism, guidance, focus and creativity of process and her invitation to allow difference.
Jo Noble, Volume 2 Rountree & Coleman Books Co-Editor
Our Book & Articles
Heirloom Edition – Volumes One and Two
It’s a Long Way From County Cavan to Canterbury – Heirloom Edition Nearly 160 years have passed since the Rountree and Coleman families began to leave County Cavan, Ireland in
Our Books: Volume 2 (2021)
It’s Still a Long Way From County Cavan – Volume Two The Rountree Coleman Book – Volume Two focuses on the history of the New Zealand branch of these two
Our Books: Volume One (2nd Edition)
It’s A Long Way from County Cavan – Volume One (Second Edition) This volume, edited by Dallas Rountree and Jo Noble, was privately published in 1994. Unfortunately, due to the