By Charlotte CooperHOW I AM SHAPED BY MY PAST

My grandparent’s decision to emigrate to New Zealand, has shaped who I am

today.

Mother’s Family

Father’s Family

My Father’s parent’s heritage is from Ireland. My ancestors were black Irish. This means that they probably originated from Spain. This is

where my dark hair and olive skin comes from.My Mother’s family comes from England. Granddad came here on a naval ship during World War 2 and met my Grandmother at a dance.

He went back to England but decided to come back to New Zealand to marry my Grandmother.

My maiden name is MOULTON.

The name Moulton means- from the mule farm. The name

Moulton originated as an English name.

Now that I am married I have taken my husbands last name

COOPER.The name Cooper means- barrel maker. Cooper also

originated as an English name.

This is my Granddad This is the winning ticket

My Granddad worked at a tannery when he moved to New Zealand. He was in a betting syndicate with some of his work mates. They won the

big prize. This changed his life, the life of his children and as a result my life.

With this money he bought a factory in Kaitangata that made underwear and nighties.

He won and made enough money that he was able to send his daughters off to boarding school so that they could get a good education.

I don’t see my parents divorce as a bad thing because my Mum meet my Step-Dad when I

was 5. He is an important person in my life and has helped to shape me into the person I am today by always encouraging and supporting

me in everything I do.

When I was 3 years old my parents separated. I was too little

to remember this when it happened. I am a different person because of my parents divorce.

My Dad still lived in the same town but I only saw him in the

weekends.

I am a middle child. I have a sister that is 2 years older and a little brother

who is 9 years younger. I think that this has shaped me to be who I am today. I

can be loud and bossy. I fight to get my own way.

High SchoolGoing to Otago Girls High School shaped me a lot as a person. I

wasn’t put in a very good class and it made me want to show everyone that I wasn’t stupid. I worked really hard and developed my

leadership skills, even becoming a Prefect in year 13.

High school was where I developed a love of sports. I started playing a number of sports including Squash. I played this because my

parents used to play.

My Mum is my best friend and has had a big influence in shaping who I am today.

Family Traditions

My family often has a roast together on a .Sunday. When I

was little we used to do this at my

Grandparents, now it’s at my parents

house with my children

On Birthdays we get to choose what we

have for dinner.

At Christmas time we always have a

big family get together. I always look forward to a sing along after

lunch.

I am who I am for many different reasons. We are all who we are today because of our past, be it good or bad. Everyone is different

because we come form different backgrounds and have experienced different events in our lives.

The world would be a pretty boring place if wewere all the same.

Now that I have children, it’s my turn to pass on to them my knowledge and interests. Hopefully one day they will part of

shaping their own children’s lives.