Charles Jacobsen: Son of Peter Jacobsen and Mere Marieta, born ca. 1884. He was about 48 years old in 1932. He was born in Losa and died in 1950 in Itu'muta.
Margaret Gibson: Daughter of Alex Gibson and Akanisi (from Noa'tau), born ca. 1897. She was about 35 years old in 1932. She died in Suva, Fiji, in 1960. Macgregor listed her as a "fair" informant.
Charles Gibson: Son of Alex Gibson and Annie Thornburn, born ca. 1885 and died in 1933. He would have been about 47 years old in 1932.
Fred Gibson: Son of Alex Gibson and Akanisi (from Noa'tau), brother of Margaret. He was born ca. 1886 and died in 1945. He would have been about 46 years old in 1932.
Uafta: chief of Juju and son of Riamkau. Macgregor listed him as a "good" informant with whom he did not use an interpreter.
Mose: Son of Uafta. Macgregor listed him as a "fair" informant with whom he did not use an interpreter.
Turaga: Almost certainly Turaga Sosefo, brother of Uafta, son of Riamkau and Alifoa Kuagpiahe, born ca. 1874. He was about 58 in 1932 and died in Pepjei in 1934. Macgregor listed him as a "very good," informant who spoke good English and did not require an interpreter.
Mou: Brother of Uafta. Macgregor listed him as a "good" informant, about 80 years old in 1932. Possibly this is Nataniela Mou, son of Riamkau and Huagfaiaki, born around 1858 died in 1948. Both his parents were from Pepjei.
Aisake: Macgregor described him as a school teacher from Oinafa. Possibly Aisake Aitu Fa'af, born ca. 1898 to Ravatu Jioje and Pasepa Kauata, both from Oinafa. He died in 1957 and would have been about 34 years old in 1932.
Isaac: Almost certainly Aisake Harosio, son of Maraf Mamatuki and Rejieli Susau. He was born ca. 1866 in Noa'tau and was about 66 years old in 1932. He died in 1934. Both his parents were from Noa'tau. Macgregor listed him as a "good" informant who spoke "fair" English and had spent a long time at sea (presumably working on European vessels).
Akanisi: Macgregor listed her as "mother or aunt" of Isaac. He noted that her "mind wanders" and that he used an interpreter with her. This is possibly the daughter of Univao (from Noa'tau); she was born ca. 1859 and died in 1939. She would have been around 73 years old in 1932.
Urakmata: Noa'tau tautei (head fisherman) in 1932. Probably Urakmata Sausa, son of Mateo (from Noa'tau) and Mua (from Kalvaka), born ca. 1870 and died in 1934. Macgregor comments that he was about 50 years old in 1932 and that, like Aisake, he had been at sea for a long time.
Kitione: Macgregor noted that he was a minister, a man of Losa, and very good fisherman whom he used as an interpreter. Possibly Faserue Kitione, who attended Methodist Bible School at Davuilevu.
Fuata: Macgregor noted only that he or she was a "very good" informant whom he used as an interpreter.
Marasia1: Father-in-law of Fuata. Macgregor describes him as a very good informant and noted that he is of the family of Fonman (presumably a descendant of Fonman, the legendary sau). He lived in Motusa and was the mafua for Itu'ti'u in 1932.
Tokoara: Brother of Marasia, from Noa'tau. Possibly Tokoara Manava, born ca. 1873 to Tokoara Varomue and Arapelu Fatiaki. He would have been around 59 years old in 1932. He died in 1936 in Noa'tau.
Marfakita: Almost certainly Marfakita Fagfäega, born ca. 1879 to Marasia Muriraki and Varomua, both from Tua'koi, and died in 1946. She would have been about 53 years old in 1932. Macgregor described her as a "very good story teller in Tua'koi."
Marasia2: Marasia is a title belonging to Tua'koi. He was Marfakita's brother, born ca. 1861 and died in 1939. He would have been about 71 years old in 1932. Macgregor noted that he was over 70 years old at the time and a "very good informant."
John Solomon: Macgregor used him as an interpreter because of his "very good English," but noted that he knew little of Rotuma, that his information was unreliable, and that he was a "shady bird." John Solomon was born ca. 1890 to Riamkau Somone and Sarote in Hapmak, Itu'ti'u. He died in 1949 in Melsa'a, Itu'ti'u. He would have been about 42 years old in 1932.
Rosiama: Macgregor described her as an "old woman of Noa'tau," and as a "good informant but a bit silly and known to twist stories." She "always brings herself into every genealogy or connection with great person," he wrote in his notes.
Niua: Macgregor described him as an "old man of Oinafa," where he held the position of taki (war leader). He was, in Macgregor's words, a "very good informant," and a former sailor. He was the son of Niua and Susana, both of Oinafa and was born ca. 1852, which would have made him about 80 years old in 1932. He died in 1942 in Oinafa.
Timote: Almost certainly Timote Saurotuam,Niua's brother (the son of Niua and Susana), born ca. 1860 and died in 1945 in Oinafa. He was about 72 years old in 1932. Macgregor described him as a "good informant."
Emeli: Niua's sister. Macgregor described her as a "good informant, but mind failing."
Poar Rupeni: He was chief of Oinafa in 1932. He was the son of Aptinko (from Noa'tau) and Taitai Penerope (from Oinafa); he was born ca. 1873 and died in 1936 in Oinafa. He was married to Fanifau. According to Macgregor he was a "former sailor," and a "good informant," though he spoke little English.
Tavo: Macgregor described him as from Oinafa, "middle aged but sick," and belonging to an Oinafa "chiefly family." In the list of titled men (Oinafa 7) he is listed as Tavo Farsau.
Niomfaga: Probably Niomfaga Raki, born ca. 1873 to Poara and Raniga of Oinafa. He died in 1950 in Oinafa. He would have been about 59 years old in 1932. Macgregor noted that he was "over fifty, [a] good informant, but away [for a] long time as [a] sailor."
Susau: A blind woman from Sauhata, Oinafa. Possibly the daughter of Terani and Taknava, both from Oinafa; she was born ca. 1893 and died in 1941 in Oinafa. She would have been about 39 years old in 1932. Macgregor noted that she told "stories from her family."
Kava: Described by Macgregor as an "old woman of Huo [Lopta, Oinafa], [who] knows many stories." Most likely Kava Tapiti, daughter of Sakman and Naka, both from Oinafa; she was born ca. 1874 and died in 1944 in Lopta. She would have been about 58 years old in 1932.
Häe: According to Macgregor he was the "son of [the] last Urakmat, [and had] heard some information from [his] father when Hocart was on [the] island [in 1913].
Penamena: Possibly Penamena Garsau Pak, son of Urvaru (from Malhaha) and Luisa; he was born ca. 1880 in Malhaha and died in 1949 at Ahau. Macgregor noted that Penamena had the "best story of Raho and the Mua," that he also knew astronomy, and that he had a book (presumably he had information written in a notebook).
Tavai: Possibly Mesulama Tavai, son of Jope and Ranieta Tiforoa, both from Malhaha. He was born ca. 1885 and died in 1956, which would have made him about 47 years old in 1932. Macgregor noted that he was a "good informant but known to be a liar and tells information that is not always correct." According to Varamua and Penamena, Macgregor wrote, Tavai's information in his Muasol Book was "quite mistaken."
Varomua: Macgregor describes him as a "good informant from Malhaha and [a] former chief." Possibly Varomua Konrote, son of Salvalu and Sukamnau, both from Malhaha; he was born ca. 1872 and died in 1945. He would have been about 60 years old in 1932.
Solvalu: Described by Macgregor as an "old man of Malhaha [who] has been [a] sailor most of his life."
Isimeli: Described by Macgregor simply as a "good informant of Malhaha." Possibly Isimeli Raurikau, born ca. 1869 to Solvalu Jueli and Maoi Mere, both of Malhaha, and died in 1937, or Isimeli Tausie, born to Faretoga and Meseini, also of Malhaha, ca. 1881 and died in Malhaha in 1954. The former would have been about 63 years old in 1932, the latter 51 years old.
Semesi: Described by Macgregor as a "good informant and former minister of Malhaha."
Jotama M: Most likely Jotama Muaheahea Vamarasi, a Methodist Minister. He was born ca. 1868 to Jekope and Meriama, both of Malhaha, and died in 1948, which would have made him about 64 years old in 1932. He attained Lth, BD degrees. Macgregor wrote that he was an "old sailor and minister of Malhaha, [a] good informant and reliable about what he knows." He wrote that Jotama had a book (presumably a notebook).
Ufamarat: Described by Macgregor as a "chief of Malhaha." Probably Fatafesi Ufamarat, born ca. 1883 to Sukamanu and Ripeka, both of Malhaha, and died in 1955. This would have made him about 49 years old in 1932.
Terani: Most likely Terani Suakmasa, from Savlei, Itu'ti'u, born ca. 1855 to Konau and Rauhifau, both from Itu'ti'u. She died in 1945 and would have been about 77 years old in 1932. Macgregor described her as a "good" informant.
Irava: Probably Irava Tafo'ou, born ca. 1867 to Taragtiak and Luisa, both of Itu'ti'u. Macgregor noted that he was living in Savlei in 1932. He died in 1934.
Vakatua: Most likely Vakatua Josefa, born ca. 1866 to Sitiveni and Josefa, both from Motusa, and died in 1940. He was described by Macgregor as "chief of Motusa," and was about 66 years old in 1932.
Manava: Probably Manava, son of 'Aitu and Vimaine, both from Maftoa, Itu'muta. He was born ca. 1864 and died in 1942, making him about 68 years old in 1932.
Sanpati: Possibly Sanpati Maratino, son of Mamatuki and Tausia, both of Itu'muta. He was born ca. 1864 and died in 1934. He would have been about 68 years old in 1932, although said "he must be in his eighties."
Jotama: Chief of Motusa in 1932. Almost certainly Jotama Tigarea, born ca. 1900 to Tigarea Horosio and Vafo'ou Selina, both from Motusa, and died in 1941. He would have been about 32 years old in 1932.
Tigarea: Father of Jotama. Macgregor indicated that he had a "book" (likely a notebook). He was born ca. 1868 to Fakamanoa (from Losa) and Sauriroa (from Motusa) and died in 1954. He would have been about 64 years old in 1932.
Nataniela: Macgregor noted that he was a "very good, if not best informant," and that he had books (probably notebooks). He was a retired Methodist minister in 1932.
Catherine (Katarina): Possibly Katarina Kijiana from Tua'koi, Itu'ti'u, born to Kalae Tafo'ou and Urakmata, both from Tua'koi, ca. 1879 and died in 1948. Macgregor described her as "very good on Itu'ti'u and old stories."
Mereama: Macgregor described her as "very good on Itu'ti'u and Losa, and old stories."
Mrs. Kaad: Mother of Fred. Macgregor described her as a "very good" informant, "though [she] has been away a long time."
Timote: Macgregor described him as a "man of Uea and Itu'muta [who] knows stories but has forgotten."
Ritia: Probably Ritia Garisau, born ca. 1891 to Salval and Malagi, both of Malhaha. She died in 1957 and would have been about 41 years old in 1932.
Emose Rima: Son of Kalae, from Noa'tau. He was born ca. 1867 and died in 1942, making him about 65 years old in 1932.
Jakopi: Possibly Iakopo Tifere, born ca. 1882 and died in 1941. His father was Surava, his mother, Ata, both from Losa, Itu'ti'u. He would have been about 50 years old in 1932.
Taito Matiasi: Probably Taito Tivaknoa, born ca. 1888 to Matiasi Lefanau and Ranieta Sa'a. He died in 1936 and would have been about 44 years old in 1932.
Sai: Probably Sai Jeseua, born ca. 1875 to Tuatoko (from Oinafa) and Mua. He died in 1938 and would have been about 57 years old in 1932.
Tuirotuma: Tuirotuma is a title from Kalvaka, Noa'tau. He was the son of Tua.
Father Lucien Soubreyan: A French Catholic Marist priest who served on Rotuma from 1907 until 1954.
Father Gustave Griffon: A French Catholic Marist priest who served on Rotuma from 1913 until 1959.
Reverend C.M. Churchward: A Methodist Minister who served on Rotuma from 1923-31, 1935-37. He was a linguist and developed the modern orthography for the Rotuman language and published a Grammar and Dictionary , a book of legends in collaboration with Mesulama Titfanua, and several articles on Rotuman history.
Dr. William Carew: Resident Commissioner on Rotuma 1923-24,
1928-29, 1930-32.
A.E. Cornish: District Officer on Rotuma 1935-40, 1940-1944. |
