A Pioneer Jewish Community – David Theomin & Family
Research Group – Overview of roles and tasks for data gathering
Roles and Tasks
Your group task is to find out as much as you can about David Theomin 1852 – 1933.
Your group roles include the following people. You need to choose or assign the following roles...
5A Researcher: The role of the researcher is to locate and gather information resources
about your subject from websites and books. This will include biographies and other
historical information.
5B Archivist: The role of the archivist is to locate original information resources (primary
resources) about the subject. This will include a visit to the cemetery for photographs of
personal information, printing out or taking notes from newspaper cuttings, and archived
photos where these are available.
5C Journalist: The role of the journalist is to write a series of short narratives or paragraphs
about the subject for publication using material located by the researcher and the archivist.
5D Editor/Producer: The role of the editor/producer is to gather
cemetery data, design the layout and create the end product.
\
David Theomin and family: For the Archivist
David Theomin is buried in
the plot numbered 124
Genealogy Society Map.
Southern Cemetery, Dunedin.
Jewish portion Dunedin Southern
Cemetery
Jewish Section Map reproduced from Ngaire Ockwell, (1985). Southern Cemetery Dunedin. Vol
5. Jewish and Chinese Portion. Member of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists.
David Theoman 1852 -1933
For the Researcher
Biographical Information
A biography of David Theomin is available online. Palmer, Mervyn. 'Theomin,
David Edward 1852 - 1933'. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, updated
22 June 2007 URL: http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/
Palmer, Mervyn. 'Theomin, Dorothy Michaelis 1888 - 1966'. Dictionary of
New Zealand Biography, updated 22 June 2007 URL:
http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/
Thompson, J. (Ed).(1998). Southern People: A dictionary of Otago and
Southland Biography. The Theomin Family pp 505 – 506. Longacre Press in
association with Dunedin City Council.
Further Information
The Olveston Experience http://www.olveston.co.nz/family.php this is a
virtual tour of the Theomins House – Olveston
Margery Blackman "Dorothy Theomin of Olveston - Mountaineer,
photographer, traveller & benefactor"
http://www.nzine.co.nz/views/olveston.html This is a book review but there is
information about the Theomin Family on this site.
The Age Of Elegance: Olveston Published 27/11/2001
http://www.cityofdunedin.com/city/?page=feat_olveston
The New Zealand Jewish Archives
http://www.nzjewisharchives.org/history.htm
A photograph of the Theomin family is also available online from the
Dictionary of New Zealand Biography.
Photographs are also available for viewing at the Settlers Museum.
David Theoman 1852 -1933
For the Archivist - adapted from ODT obituary
The friends of Mr D E Theomin, for many years prominently associated with the commercial life of this city and
closely identified with its communal and philanthropic organisations, will learn with regret of his death which
occurred on Saturday afternoon at his residence, “Olveston” Royal Terrace. Mr Theomin who had reached his
82nd year had been in failing health for a considerable time and was confined to his room for several weeks past.
Mr Theomin son of the Rev J.B. Theomin, was born at Bristol in 1852. He was educated in the Grammar School
in that city but left England while he was a young man arriving in Melbourne in 1874. Five years later he married
Marie, daughter of Mr M Michaelis of Melbourne and in the same year Mr Theomin arrived in Dunedin. From that
time he became associated with the business life of the city and for a lengthy period had been recognised as one
of its commercial leaders. In 1884 he founded the Dresden Piano Company now known throughout the Dominion
with branches in the five chief cities. The business expanded almost from its inception. Shortly after this Mr
Theomin joined with Messrs Michaelis, Hallenstein, and Farquhar which was subsequently incorporated as
Glendermid Ltd., with tanneries at Sawyers Bay. For many years Mr Theomin was Chairman of Directors of
Glendermid Ltd. His other business venture was the importing form of Messrs David Benjamin and Company and
this was liquidated in 1910 after a successful career.
Photograph of
David Theomin
reproduced
withpermission
from Otago
Daily Times
Monday July
17th 1933.
In addition to holding a leading place in his personal business undertakings Mr Theomin had a close and lengthy
association with many worthy civic movements. He frequently held the position of president and was always an active
member of the Jewish Congregation. As a lover of the artistic he had a long and active association with the Dunedin Public
Art Gallery Society and helped to provide better housing facilities for the treasures, which have multiplied throughout the
years. His first association with the society was in 1899, when the building adjoining the museum and known as the ’Old
Tin Shed’ was used as a gallery. It was a long and progressive step from this old building to the premises in lower High
Street and a much greater one to the spacious gallery at Logan Park. The present collection owes much to Mr Theomin.
He had a lengthy association with the Royal Dunedin Male Choir of which he held the office of president for many years. In
July 1932 in recognition of his valued service he was presented with a handsome gold lyre and clasp. He was a member of
the executive, which was entrusted with the organisation of the arrangements for the reception of the present King and
Queen on their visit to Dunedin in 1901. He was a member of the executive of the Otago Patriotic and general welfare
association from its inception in 1915, and of the Shipwreck Relief Society of which he was treasurer for many years.
David Theoman 1852 -1933
For the Archivist - Obituary Continued
A personal experience of Mr Theomin’s own will have prompted the warn interest he took in the latter society. It was his misfortune to have himself
been involved in a shipwreck – that of the Union Steamship Company’s steamer Taranaki on Karewa Island close to Tauranga during a fog on
November 20 1878. Fortunately there were no lives lost, all the passengers being safely landed and some of them, including Mr Theomin, being
able, to return to the steamer to recover their belongings.
When as treasurer of the Shipwreck Relief Society, he personally superintended the
administration of relief to passengers and crew of the steamer Manuka when they were
brought back to Dunedin after the wreck of that vessel on the South Otago coast in 1929 he
will probably have been vividly reminded of is own experience even though more than half
a century had intervened.
As a member of the Committee of the Patients and Prisoners Aid Society, Mr Theomin did
good work. He not only founded the James Powell Rest Home at Warrington but in
company with Sir George Fenwick, then chairman of the society, he took a very active part
in ensuring that the home was established financially. Mr Theomin had a useful association
with the Dunedin Chamber of commerce having served on the executive and been elected
as president for the years 1900 – 01 and again in 1901 – 02. He represented the local
chamber of Commerce at ceremonies in connection with the inauguration of the federation
in Australia in 1900 and also at the coronation of King Edward. From May 11, 1905 until
this year Mr Theomin acted as one of the Dunedin City sinking fund commissioners.
At all times he showed a pleasant readiness to help civic activities or any worthy movement
promoted by those anxious to forward its welfare. In business he was enterprising and
deservedly successful. In private life he was always kindly and considerate where the
needs of others were concerned, his charity recognising neither creed nor distinction of
class. A wide circle of friends will miss his cheery greetings. Mr Theomin suffered the loss
of his wife in 1926 and a fresh blow was dealt to him with the death in 1928 of his only son.
His only daughter Miss Dorothy Theomin survives him.
Adapted from Otago Daily Times Obituary Mon July 17 1933
David Theoman 1852 -1933
For the Archivist
Several advertisements for the Dresden Piano Company from
the Otago Witness (from Papers Past
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ )
Above Advertisement Page 50 Otago Witness 23 July 1896
At Right Advertisement. Page 6 Otago Witness, 13 January
1888