James Munro and Emily Bertram nee Whitlock

James Munro Bertram (7 December 1868, Willis Street, Wellington - 31 August 1934, Wellington) was the eldest son of James and Christina Bertram nee Waters.  He was only around fourteen years old when his father drowned.  As the eldest son, you can only imagine how much responsibility was shifted to young James, with four younger siblings.


The Wanganui Chronicle recorded James' marriage to Emily Blanche Whitlock (1873 -  March 1927, Wellington) in the 27 April 1900 edition:

St Lawrence, Aramoho, was yesterday the scene of one of the prettiest weddings yet celebrated in that pretty suburban chapel. The occasion was the marriage of Mr James Munro Bertram, eldest son of the late Mr James Bertram, and Miss Emily Blanche Whitlock second daughter of Mr F. Whitlock, of Wanganui.

The bride had been a member of the choir of St Laurence, and in her honour, the interior of the church had been very tastefully decorated, cosmos and chrysanthemums predominating. The service, which was fully choral, was conducted by the Rev T. B. Maclean, vicar of Christ Church, Wanganui. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a handsome costume of cream figured cashmere, with train to match, the dress being trimmed with silk, lace, tulle and sprays of orange blossoms  She also wore the orthodox veil and wreath and a gold brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. The bridesmaids were Miss Hilda Whitlock, sister of the bride, and Miss Bertram, the bridegroom's sister. The young ladies were attired in appropriate gowns of pale cream lustre, with tulle trimmings, and picture hats. Mr W. Bertram officiated as best man, the groomsman being Mr Herbert Bertram, both brothers of the bridegroom. 

After the ceremony the wedding party assembled at the residence of the bride's parents, where the wedding breakfast was held.  Mr and Mrs J. M. Bertram, who were the recipients of many presents, left by the afternoon train, en route to Wellington, where the honeymoon is to be spent. "Happy is the bride that the sun shines on" is a fanciful fallacy, a pretty little superstition, but yesterday's rainy weather made it necessary for the friends of the happy couple to wish that in their future life health, happiness and prosperity will be showered upon them.

St Laurence's Aramoho was an Anglican Church, however it's likely that the Bertram family were Presbyterian (brother Ivo was a Presbyterian minister).

James seems to have worked for some time as a farmer in the Waikato region.  He was certainly doing this at the time of his mother's death in 1905.  He and Emily had four children:

1. Blanche Marion "Marion" Bertram (1901).  I'm unsure whatever happened to Marion.  

2. Ella Kate Bertram (18 July 1903 - 1984).  Ella married Gordon Charles Blake (25 October 1904 - 1988).

3. Ivo William Herbert Bertram (1905 - 2 February 1965, Wellington).  This child was obviously named for each of James' three brothers, including Alister's Great Grandfather, Herbert.  Ivo married Nancy Valmai Bagnall (20 June 1903 - 13 March 1986) in Palmerston North in January 1935. The Evening Post of 18 January 1935 recorded the wedding as follows:

BERTRAM—BAGNALL.

All Saints' Church, Palmerston North, was the scene of the recent wedding of Nancy Valmai, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Bagnall, Palmerston North, and Ivo William, eldest son of the late Mr. and Mrs. James Munro Bertram, Wellington.

The ceremony, which was performed by the Rev. Canon. W. Fancourt, Auckland, was fully choral, Mr. J. Runnicles playing the organ. Messrs. T. Fancourt and Harvey were ushers.

The bride entered the church with her father. The bridal gown of magnolia satin, fashioned on princess lines, had tight sleeves and a full skirt, forming a train. The veil of magnolia tinted tulle was held in place by a halo of rosebuds, and she carried an inverted sheaf of gladioli and roses. The bridesmaids, Miss Peg. Bagnall, sister of the bride (chief), and Misses Marion and Ella Bertram (Wellington) wore frocks of floral silk, frosted crepe of hydrangea tone, with wide hats, and they carried sheaves of pink gladioli, roses, and blue hydrangeas.

Mr. Percy Bertram, Wellington, was best man, and the groomsmen were Mr. Gordon Bagnall and Mr. Gordon Blake, Palmerston North.

At the reception, held at the residence of the bride's parents, Mrs. Bagnall wore a frock of beige lace with a picture hat of brown. The bride's travelling dress was of navy silk crepe with white Russian blouse and navy hat.

4. James Percy Munro "Jim" Bertram (1908 - 1970).  On 2 April 1938, the engagement was announced between Jim and Katharine Mary April Andrew (8 April 1915 - 2005), second daughter of Mr and Mrs S.P. Andrew of "The Cottage", Khandallah.  At the time, Percy was living in Levin.  Later, on 12 December 1938, the Evening Post reported their wedding:

WEDDING

BERTRAM—ANDREW.

In a quiet ceremony Miss Catherine Mary Andrew, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S. P. Andrew, Khandallah, was married on Friday to Mr. Percy Bertram, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Bertram, formerly of Palmerston North.

The ceremony took place at the parish church, which had been attractively decorated with lilies, roses, and early summer flowers for the occasion.

The bride, who was escorted by her elder brother, Mr. Earle Andrew, wore a black and white picture frock of organdie made with a full skirt and an off-the-shoulder neckline. She wore a chaplet of white flowers in her hair and carried a bouquet of white roses. Miss Mary Rochfort was chief bridesmaid and the Misses Marjorie and Elsie Gibbons attended as bridesmaids. The best man was Mr. Andrew Mclvor.

A small reception, which was attended only by immediate relatives and the bridal party, was given by the bride's sister, Mrs. Norman Byrne, at her home in Roseneath. Mr. and Mrs. Bertram will make their home at Levin. When the bride left after the reception she wore a smart travelling suit of Gloucester green boucle with a hat and accessories to match.

James and Emily Bertram are both buried at the Karori Cemetery in Wellington.