Biographical information provided by Stefanie Lash, Archives New Zealand, for the He Tohu exhibition:
Ada Emily Foster was born in 1858 in Heidelburg, Australia. She trained and worked as a teacher’s assistant in North Canterbury, and continued to teach after her marriage in 1886 to Alaraic Lissaman, a chemist. They had two sons: Selwyn and Alaric Disraeli. When her children were young Ada maintained her teacher’s registration. The family moved to Te Kuiti in about 1910.
Ada had a fine alto singing voice and was noted in newspapers for the success of her performances.
Her son Selwyn was an academic success and became a chemist. Her son Alaric died in France on 30 March 1918, just a few months before the end of the First World War.
Ada died in Te Kuiti in 1924, aged 64.
Click on sheet number to see the 1893 petition sheet this signature appeared on. Digital copies of the sheets supplied by Archives New Zealand.
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