RECENT EVENTS

Please contact John Hopkirk at  mailto:hopkirk@hopkirk.org if you have any births, marriages, etc. to list on this page

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for the HxxKIRK DNA testing project. Go here for more information about our DNA Project

The Hxxkirk gathering in Melrose, Scotland, was held August 4, 2007. View happenings at the gathering here.

The latest HxxKIRK News follows:

January 7, 2012, with great sadness we must report the passing of Stephen HOPKIRK in a tragic hot air balloon crash in Carterton, New Zealand. Stephen passed away along with his partner Belinda and 9 others. It was Stephen’s 50^th birthday.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Stephen’s family. Go here to view a recent photo of Belinda and Stephen.

ALERT: I have not figured out what is causing most of the links not to work correctly on this page. I’m sorry for the inconvenience. I hope to get it remedied soon.

March 10, 2011, Once again we have the passing of a Dorothy Hopkirk. Like "Vida" below, Dorothy was born in 1920, on October 23rd, and passed away in 2011 at the age of 90. Dorothy Hopkirk Ackerman was a well respected artist.  Dorothy is survived by her husband Eugene, a daughter, two sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Go here to see Dorothy's obituary from the Star Tribune Here is a picture of Dorothy from the 2000 Hopkirk Family Worldwide Convention held in New Zealand. Dorothy is in the middle row, 3rd from the left. She is pictured with the 15 family members from the John Hopkirk(1809-1875) branch of the family of the USA.

January 14, 2011, With sorrow we must report the passing of a grand lady, Dorothy Davida "Vida" Hopkirk Lucock, at the age of 90 years, in Christchurch, New Zealand. Vida was born in New Zealand on 25 March 1920 to David Humua HOPKIRK and Mary Caroline BLACKWELL. Vida married George Lucock and they had six children and many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Page down to March 25, 2010 for a photo of Vida from 2005. Vida established the 40+ tramping club.(That's hiking for the USA branch of the family) For more information about Vida, please read her obituary. (This is a .pdf file)

July 12, 2010. Sadly we must report the passing of Jacqueline (Jackie) Anne Habkirk Melanson. Here is a photo from the Habkirk Family Tombstone Tour, in which Jackie participated. Go here for obituaries, a photo and card about Jackie. Here is Jackie's branch of the family.

June 24, 2010. Congratulations to Marissa Hopkirk for placing 1st in the Novice Highland Fling competition in Ashburton, New Zealand

April 29, 2010. Congratulations to rally driving great Paddy Hopkirk for being one of the first 4 inductees into the new Rally Hall of Fame, located in Finalnd, on this day. Read more about Paddy and the just opened Rally Hall of Fame.

March 25, 2010 Congratulations to Dorothy Davida Lucock (nee Vida Hopkirk) on her 90th birthday today in New Zealand. Vida is undoubtedly one of the oldest living Hopkirks in the world!! Here is a picture of Vida from our visit in October 2005.

February 24, 2010. Michael Lee Habkirk Lansing Born October 15, 1946 in Flint, Michigan; died, February 19, 2010. Michael received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University in 1969. He worked for GM for 20 years until his retirement in 2008. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Mildred (Covert) Habkirk; step-father, Oscar Allen; and infant brother. Survivors include twin brother, Patrick Habkirk and brother, William (Rosalie) Habkirk. Inurnment will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan at a later date. Memorial contributions may be given to Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 West Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906. Arrangements are entrusted to Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 900 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912. Online condolences may be made at www.gorslineruncimanlansing.com.

February 14, 2010. HABKIRK, Douglas Russell Died peacefully at the Milton District Hospital on Sunday, February 14, 2010 in his 80th year after an eight week struggle due to complications from surgery. Douglas Habkirk, beloved husband of Velma (Diamanti). Dear father of Lynda (Rad) Rose. Loving grandfather of Darius. Survived by his sisters; Marion Mabee (Lloyd) and Betty Sine (Marvin), brothers; Don Habkirk (Carol), Ron Habkirk (Jean) and David Habkirk (Beth). Predeceased by sisters; Margaret and Doris Lawson (Bill) and brother William. Family and friends are invited to visit at the McKERSIE-KOCHER FUNERAL HOME 114 Main St. Milton 905-878-4452 from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm on Wednesday. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 11:00 am. Donations in lieu of flowers to the Alzheimer Society or the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation would be appreciated. Letters of condolence may be left for the family at www.mckersie-kocher.ca

February 12, 2010. Welcome to the newest Hopkirk, Alexander. Alexander is the son of proud parents William & Olya HOPKIRK of Moscow, in the Russian Federation.

5 January 2010. Sadly we must report the passing of cousin Kathleen Margaret WATSON, nee HOPKIRK. She had fallen shortly before Christmas and was recovering in hospital when she suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. She was the daughter of Kenneth Robert HOPKIRK and granddaughter George Howard HOPKIRK and Mary Phemister KIRKMAN. She was 84 years old.

16 December 2008. Bryan Robson LECKIE, the loving husband of Robin HOPKIRK, passed away surrounded by his family. For more info go here.

23 November 2008. We sadly must report the passing of William Spottiswoode (Bill) HOPKIRK. For a little more info about Bill go here.

12 October 2008. Jane Petska HOPKIRK, the wife of the late William Hume HOPKIRK passed away on October 12th. She is survived by her sons David and Bruce, daughters-in-law, three grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, two great-granddaughters and one step-great-granddaughter. View William and Jane's page on this site. Memorial donations may be made to: John Wayne Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 1779, Newport Beach, CA 92659-0139, or jwcf.org.

We are pleased to welcome Lola-Rose Parker, now age 7 months. Lola-Rose was born on February 14, 2008 the daughter of Joanne Hopkirk and granddaughter of Ralph and Vivien Hopkirk. To see a picture of the proud mother and her beautiful daughter go here.

19 July 2008. With sadness we must report the sudden passing of Laura Beth Hopkirk Fejfar's daughter Sheila Elle on July 19, 2008 on the Island of Okinawa, Japan. She is survived by her husband Steve Elle and son Jordan. Sheila was 43 years old. Gifts in memory of Sheila Elle may be made to: Benedictine Health Foundation,Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, 1000 West Fourth Street, Suite 14, Yankton, South Dakota 57078. See a little more about Sheila here and here.

July 2008. We are pleased to announce the forthcoming wedding of William HOPKIRK and Olya. William is from the Glasgow/N.I. branch of the family. William and Olya currently live and work in Moscow, where they meet in 2004. William proposed to Olya on his 35th birthday!!! Olya is Russian and William speaks fluent Russian. It is interesting that William's father started his victorious Monte Carlo run from Russia. It looks like good things come out of Russia for both father and son.

12 July 2008. There was a birthday gathering in Taupo, New Zealand and family from around the North Island gathered to celebrate Kerry's birthday. Go here to view a photo of the clan.

Another wedding!!!....Nicole GIGLIELLO, the daughter of Sandi HOPKIRK & Ken GIGLIELLO married John McDONALD on May 24, 2008 in Redding, California. View a photo of the bride & groom, surrounded by the bride's family on this happy day.

We are please to announce the wedding of Stewart HOPKIRK and Lisa GARGAN on 14 September 2007 at Little Wymondley, Hertfordshire, England. Hopefully another opportunity to increase the number of Hopkirks. Here are some links to pictures from the wedding: Lisa & Stewart Lisa & Stewart The lovely bride and groom cutting the cake Ralph & Vivien, Stewart's parents Grooms' sister Joanne, son Luca and partner Laurence

Agnes HOPKIRK McHugh. With sadness we report the passing of possibly the oldest living Hopkirk in the USA. Agnes passed away on December 3, 2007 at the age of 93. Agnes was the daughter of Alexander Taylor HOPKIRK & Elizabeth Murray COWDELL. View photo of Agnes from 1940 here. View obituary here.

We have a new Hopkirk born in Dublin, Ireland, a daughter to proud parents Mary and Peter HOPKIRK, granddaughter of Clodagh and Eric HOPKIRK of Belfast, Northern Ireland. It has been 17 days and she still doesn't have a name, but we can show you her picture.

Sadly, we must report the passing of Robert "Larry" HOBKIRK on January 28, 2007 in Naples, Florida. Larry was the son of Lawrence Allen HOBKIRK.

We are pleased to announce the forthcoming wedding of Elizabeth Claudia HOPKIRK and Matthew Richard BEAL on August 19, 2006 in Ross, California.

July 22, 2006 was a joyous day as Piers HOPKIRK and Kate RECORDON were married at Easebourne, in West Sussex, England. Piers states "we're hoping to bring a few more Hopkirks into the world in the future. Global domination is just a matter of time." Piers and Kate have a lot of work to do to achieve that goal!!! See a wonderful wedding photo of Piers and Kate.

My neice Dana Gigliello finishing 6th overall, on Fanci, at the Hiskins Horse Show at Oregon House, California, July 23, 2006

WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF THIS!!! There are about 35 people now using the name HOPKIRK in the USA. There are probably over 1000 colleges and universities in the USA. There were two Hopkirks going to college in the early 2000's. They were both going to the same school, San Francisco State University and neither knew the other was there for a long time. They both graduated about the same time, they both became teachers, they both got married about the same time, and they both had daughters born this year. Their common ancestor is John Hopkirk, born in 1809 in Scotland. John is the great great great grandfather of Stacy and the great great grandfather of Becky. Stacy and Becky are third cousins, once removed. So now, introducing:

       AVERY JANE CLARK, born 17 February 2006 to Stacy and Steve CLARK. The Jane in her name must come from Avery's great grandmother Jane Petska HOPKIRK, the wife of the deceased Hume HOPKIRK. Here is a picture of Avery and her proud parents.

      LILIANA "Lily" ANAIS ROSEN, born 5 July 2006 to Becky and Jesse ROSEN. Here is a picture of Lily and her proud parents.

Sadly we must report another passing. The former Valerie HOPKIRK passed away on June 1, 2006 at the age of 59 at Shrewsbury Hospital in the United Kingdom, after suffering with leukemia for several years. She is survived by her children Jason & Jane. Valerie was the youngest child of John HOPKIRK (1895) of Largs and the Hopkirk family from Jedburgh.

We must report the passing of the eldest living male Hopkirk, JOHN (Jack) WILLIAM HOPKIRK. Jack passed away around February 20, 2006. Jack was the loving husband of Priscilla. You never saw one without the other. Our sympathies go to his wife, their two children and their grandchildren. Jack held the title of oldest living USA HOPKIRK for less than 3 months. View obituary #1 & #2

DIEDRICH HOPKIRK, the oldest Hopkirk? With sadness we must report the passing of our cousin and dear friend Diedrich Hopkirk on December 4, 2005. There will be a memorial service from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005, at the Waterford, 2911 S.E. Village Loop, Vancouver. Diedrich was the loving husband of Beatrice. Our sympathies go to his wife, two children and grandchildren. Diedrich was the oldest Hopkirk in the USA, possibly also in the world. To learn more about Diedrich's family, go here. To see a picture of Diedrich and his wife Bea from 2003, go here.

We have yet another birth to report from New Zealand!! Welcome William George Gentry, son of proud parents Gina and Daniel Gentry, and grandson of Don & Eila Hopkirk. See the new family!

The Northern Ireland branch has been busy this summer producing new descendants. On 29 June 2005, Eric & Clodagh Hopkirk's daughter, Jacqueline had a girl named Katie(Kathryn) Mary. Then on 8 August 2005 Eric & Clodagh's son Peter and his wife Mary brought John Gary Hopkirk into the world. (I think that is the first John Hopkirk in decades!) Congratulations to all!!!
Kate and older brother Conor GREER. John Gary HOPKIRK at his christening in Dublin, 4th December 2005.

April 2005. HOPKIRK RESEARCH INSTITUTE.  On 20 April 2005, at Massey University in New Zealand, the unveiling was held for the new Hopkirk Research Institute. To read more about the new Hopkirk Research Institute and Cyril Spottiswoode Moy HOPKIRK in whose honor the building is named, click here. View a drawing of the proposed Hopkirk Research Institute. Read an article from the "Massey News."

March 2005. Congratulations to Mikey Lauer for finishing 2nd on the 140 pound division in the State of Hawaii Championships. See Mikey after receiving his medal

January 15, 2005. Announcing the wedding of Rebecca Anne Hopkirk and Jesse Nicasio Rosen In Berkeley, California on Saturday, January 15, 2005. Rebecca is the daughter of John D. and June Hopkirk of the Melrose branch of the family. To view a few pictures from the wedding, go here. To view professional photos of the bride and her wedding, please go here http://www.jayreilly.com/rosen

December 12, 2004. We have yet another Hopkirk decendant to announce. Welcome Jeerayu(Jamie) Nokdajun-Knox, born in Christchurch, New Zealand, the son of proud parents Shian Nokdajun and Heather Knox of the Alexander Hopkirk branch of the Melrose Hopkirks.Click here to see Jamie

December 7, 2004. We are pleased to announce the arrival of the newest Hopkirk.......presenting Julianne Louise Hopkirk, the daughter of proud parents Dabney and Ian of the Peebles Branch of the family, living in Tennessee. Click here to see Julianne Louise.

We are pleased to announce the wedding of Gwendolyn Stacey Louise Hopkirk and Stephen Duane Clark, in June 2004. Attendants included the bride's sister Wendy Nalder, brother Trevor, cousin Alicia Nicholas, and niece Laitlyn Nalder; the groom's sister Jodi Costella and brothers-in-law Tony Costelli. To view pictures.....The bride and attendants The bride, Stacey Hopkirk and her father Dave The bride, Stacey Hopkirk and her parents, Pam and Dave

Mikey Lauer(grandson of Harriet Hopkirk) finishes 3rd in State Of Hawaii, Maui Region, Wrestling Tournament . Mikey pins his man. Awards ceremony. (Mikey is the one with the towel around his neck)

Joe Hopkirk and the Volcano. Read about the adventures of this Kiwi.

HABKIRK, Mary Jane Frances (COCARELL)
Unfortunately, we have another loss in the family, Jane Habkirk passed away, after a brief illness, on February 19, 2004.
To read the obituary for Jane and view a couple pictures, please go here.

With sadness we report the passing of columnist Sally Hobkirk Stone while visiting her children and grandchildren in Hong Kong. Sally led a full life in her 68 years, having lived in England, France, Bulgaria, Germany, Scotland, Malaysia, North Borneo, Jamaica, Nigeria, St. Lucia, Zambia and South Africa. View her obituary.

We are pleased to announce the marriage of Mari Hobkirk
and Joseph Andregg, on June 20, 2003, at Bunchrew House in
Inverness, Scotland. As you can see from the picture to the right,
even though Joseph is not Scottish, he was a good sport and
wore a kilt!! Welcome to the family Joseph.
I wonder if anyone sang the song "Mari's Wedding":

Step we gladly on we go,  heel for heel and toe for toe
Arm and arm and row for row, all for Mari's wedding
Over hillways up and down, myrtle green and bracken brown
Past the sheiling, thro' the town, all for sake of Mari.

Red her checks as rowans are, bright her eye as any star
Fairest o' them a' by far, is our darling Mari
Plenty herring, plenty meal, plenty peat to fill her creel
Plenty bonnie bairns as weel, that's the toast for Mari.

(I've been informed that a piper played "Mari's Wedding" at the wedding)

Rowans probably refers to the Rowan tree, believed to be good
at warding off evil.
Bairns is the Scottish word for babies.

Mari is a descendant of the Hobkirk Family from Peebles,
Peebleshire, Scotland.

November 7, 2003. We welcome baby boy "Conor Francis" to the world, the son of proud mother Jacqueline and first granchild of Clodagh and Eric Hopkirk of Belfast, Northern Ireland.

November 26, 2003. We regretfully report the passing of Doris Habkirk on Wednesday, November 26, 2003. Doris was the daughter of Arthur Habkirk and Annie Beryle Hunter, and the great great granddaughter of William Habkirk and Jannet Scott, the early settlers of McKillop, Ontario, Canada in the 1834. There will be a service held Friday, November 28, 2003 in Milton, Ontario, Canada.

October 11 and 12, 2003. The Northern Ireland HOPKIRKS had a grand get together of about 40 relatives, culminating with a wonderful dinner

at the Brown Trout Inn. Included in the gathering  was the champion rally driver, Paddy Hopkirk, far right. Paddy's brother Eric, the eldest Hopkirk on the Glasgow line and keeper of the Hopkirk Coats of Arms, is on the far left of the picture.  Go here to see a larger view of the above picture.

September 27, 2003. The Northern Califonria Hopkirks had a great get together at the home of cousin Howard Hopkirk. They also took the opportunity to celebrate a milestone birthday of cousin Diane Kalliam. Go here to view pictures.

July 2003. We have just learned about the wedding of Andy Hopkirk and Anne McLaughlin in Edinburgh, Scotland, on April 19, 2003. I'm going to hoist one to a long and happy union.......and maybe a few new Hopkirks!!

July 2003. Sadly we must report the passing of Margaret Hopkirk, the loving wife of John "Jock" Hopkirk. Following is the announcement:
HOPKIRK — The death occurred at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Charlottetown, on Tuesday, June 17, 2003 of Margaret (nee Curtis) Hopkirk, of Summerside, aged 87 years. Survived by sons Dr. Gerald and Rev. Gail (Jenkins) Hopkirk of Charlottetown, and John Robert Hopkirk of Sechelt, B.C.; grandchildren Dr. Susan Hopkirk, Janice Hopkirk (Sean Hickey), Trevor Hopkirk and Nicole Hopkirk; great-granddaughters Grace and Ella Hopkirk Hickey.Predeceased by her husband John "Jock" Hopkirk; son David Alan Hopkirk, and a brother Austin Curtis. Resting at the Moase Funeral Home, Summerside, where funeral service will be held on Thursday at 11 a.m. Interment in Peoples Cemetery, Summerside. Visiting hours Wednesday 7-9 p.m. Memorial donations to Trinity United Church or the Prince County Hospital Foundation would be appreciated. www.moase.ca (From the Journal Pioneer)

July 2003. Congratulations to Priscilla Miller's son Whit. He just graduated from High School in New Jersey and will be attending the University of St. Andrews in Scotland in the fall. Whit and Priscilla are descended from the Walter Hopkirk(b.1821) line in the USA.

April 2003. News from Hong Kong. Sara Hopkirk-Jones reports that they are fine, inspite of the SARS scare. Below are Sara and Gavin's children, from a Christmas photo, of daughters Caitlin, age 4, Erin, age 2, and Jack, age 5.

October 2002. Sadly we must report the passing of Molly Hopkirk, the loving wife of James Hopkirk in Makahu, New Zealand. Our thoughts and prayers go out to James and their children. Pictured below is Molly, on the far left, her husband James and cousin Beth  from the United States, the day after the Hopkirk Convention in March 2000.

December 27, 2001 The newly issued HOPKIRK STAMP./*  Also view a January 25, 2003 newspaper article, from the Belfast Telegraph, about Paddy Hopkirk and his Monte Carlo Road Rally victory.     Page 1 Page 2

December 21, 2001 An exchange scholership
Robin Hopkirk's son Jonathan, from Rotorua, New Zealand, has won an exchange scholarship to go to Gordonstoun School in Scotland. The first term starts January 10, 2002. Congratulations to Jonathan, maybe he can find a few of the clan while he is studying back on the old sod.

November 14, 2001  The end of an era.
Alan Charles Home Hopkirk , a fine old gentleman, passed away this morning at Waikanae, New Zealand at the age of 96. Alan was the last of the New Zealand Hopkirk's whose parent was born in Scotland. Alan was born 5 January 1905 in Waipukurau, New Zealand to Robert Alexander Hopkirk and Susannah Margaret E. Burch. On September 24, 1938 he married Gwenda Jean Black. Gwenda passed away in 1992.

August 15, 2001
Congratulations to Jill Hopkirk and Adrian Hand on their forthcoming marriage in Donegal, Ireland on August 31, 2001. Jill is from the Belfast/Dalkeith Hopkirk line. Hopefully we will receive a few photos from the wedding to place here.

August 14, 2001  Please welcome Gracie!!
Congratulations to the Beth (Thurston) Hopkirk and Bruce Hopkirk(the proud grandparents) and Kimberly(Hopkirk) Chaffee(the proud mother)  with the birth of Grace Elizabeth Chaffee on July 19th, 2001. 8 lbs., 6 oz., 20 " long.

July 26, 2001
It is with regret we announce the unexpected passing of Valerie Jasmine Hopkirk at the age of 61, in San Jose, California. She was the loving mother of Robert C. and Donald S. Hopkirk.
She was born Valerie Jasmine Frazier on May 30, 1940 in Luton, Bedfordshire, England to Blanche(Bette) Beatrice Brown and Charles Frazier. Her father was a boxer, a rugby player and a professional football (soccer in the USA) player in England.  He died when Valerie was a young child. Her widowed mother met her future husband, Robert, near the end of World War II. In 1946 she moved from England to Silver City, New Mexico and married Robert. Robert adopted Bette's two children, Valerie and Rodney, and raised them as his own. Valerie met her future husband in late 1958 while they were both attending Western New Mexico University. On June 24, 1961 they were wed. Valerie had a wonderful voice and loved singing. She worked for Litton Industries for 30 years and had just recently started working at Zeta, as a senior contract administrator. Valerie was predeceased by her father, mother, brother and step-father. She is survived by her two sons.

March 20, 2001
Thomas Hopkirk, of the Sunderland Hopkirk Family, passed away earlier this year. He was born in 1918.
Thomas' father was also named Thomas. The senior Thomas, son of James Hopkirk born in 1845, was born in 1887 and died around 1960. The elder Thomas lived a full and active life, was a great singer and an ardent local councillor. (I believe this may be like a city council member in the USA)
The younger Thomas was in the RAF in World War II. He counted amoung his good friends Jimmy Denyer, who became controller of the Newcastle Airport. They toasted the birth of their respective children together, born on the same day, in 1944.
Thomas and his first wife Peggie had one son, Barrie. Thomas also adopted Peggie's daughter Maureen. Sadly, Peggie died of cancer over 25 years ago.  Thomas was lucky enough to meet another lovely lady, Norah, who survives him.
Thomas was a very succesful business man who started working in the electrical field and later developed a successful bicycle business, which has now been passed down through two more generations of the family.
In addition to his wife Norah, Thomas is also survived by his step-daughter Maureen, his son Barrie and four granddaughters and two great grandsons.

March 2, 2001
Carol Davidson, the daughter of David Hopkirk and granddaughter of John Brown Hopkirk, died of a severe stroke in Hawkes Bay Regional Hospital, New Zealand, on 2 March 2001. Her 80th birthday party on 24 February 2001 had been cancelled because of her condition.  The funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, the 6th of March at St. Andrews Church, Waipukurau at 2 p.m.
Carol and her husband had a farm at Porongahau , in the Hawkes Bay area, were she was well known and liked. Carol had also been a rural teacher at Wimbleton.
Carol attended the Hopkirk Convention in Stratford, NZ in March 2000.
She is survived by her elder sister Vida(Davida), by three children and three grandchildren. Her husband passed awaay about 10 years ago.

February 2001
Harriet Hopkirk Kalliam passed away at the age of 90 in San Jose, California. She is survived by daughters Carol, Diane and Michelle. Her husband Michael predeceased her by 50 years. She also had a son, Michael, who passed away in 1985.
Harriet was born in July of 1910 in Ruskin, Nebraska. She was the fourth of 5 children of Frank Hopkirk and Iva Jones. She attended Kearney State Teachers College, in Nebraska, in the early 1930's and in the late 1930's moved to San Mateo, California. She married Michael Kalliam and they owned eating establishments in the central valley of California and in San Mateo, California. Harriet was loved by all whom she met, and there was a great gathering of family and friends to celebrate her life held in Campbell, California.  Pictures from Harriet's 90th birthday party can be viewed here.

October 2000
Once again we must report the passing of another clan member...Darby Thompson at the age of 31.  Darby leaves his wife Desir'ee and four children ranging in age from 7.5 months to 9 years old. Darby was the son of Sharon and grandson of Carolyn Hopkirk Anderson. The Eulogy was delivered by John D. Hopkirk on October 27, 2000 in Lakeport, California.

September 30, 2000
We welcome another descendant into the clan....Tara Marie Fejfar was born September 30, 2000 at 7:08am to Jamie and Clayton Fejfar in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. The proud grandparents are Laura and Bill Fejfar. Tara was born 9 days after the passing of her great great Aunt Margaret.

September 21, 2000
With sadness we must report the passing of the oldest known USA Hopkirk, Margaret Hopkirk. Margaret was born on November 8, 1903 to Frank Hopkirk and Iva Jones in Ruskin, Nebraska. She married Fred Kohtz around 1930. They later moved to Oakdale, California. They had no children. Fred died in the mid 1960's.  "Aunt Margaret" passed away in San Jose, California on September 21, 2000.

September 2, 2000
We are pleased to announce the marriage of Kathleen J. Haughton and Michael S. Kime this day in Magalia, California. Michael is the grandson of Harriet Hopkirk, currently of San Jose, California.

August 26, 2000
Vin and Gladys Anderson celebrated their 60th anniversary in a small park in Auburn, California. They were married on August 23, 1940. Vin is the great grandson of William Hopkirk and (Mary) Jane Redpath and the grandson of Isabel Hopkirk Bankhead.  Here is a picture from the 60th anniversary party.  Congratulations Vin and Gladys.

July 8, 2000
The 90th birthday of Harriet Hopkirk was celebrated in San Jose, California. Happy birthday Harriet. View the birthday party pictures.

June 10, 2000
We are pleased to announce the marriage of Cynthia Marie Heeren and Donald Stephen Hopkirk today in Oakhurst, California at 1:30 pm.  We are pleased to welcome Cindy as the newest Hopkirk! Follow the link if you would like to see the  Wedding pictures.

May 5, 2000
The newest known Hopkirk descendant is Jetsada "Jack" Alex Nokdajun, born on March 13, 2000 to proud parents Heather Knox and Shian Nokdajun in Bangkok, Thailand.  Hopefully we will receive a picture to place on the site.

March 25 and 26, 2000
The HOPKIRK WORLDWIDE CONVENTION, in Stratford, New Zealand.  I hope to meet you there!!

February 26, 2000
I've just received the sad news of the passing of cousin Kellie Hopkirk, in Otis, Colorado.  Kellie was born 9 March 1971, I believe in Kansas, the daughter of David Hopkirk, and granddaughter of Maurice and Millie Hopkirk. She was just 28 years old.

February 20, 2000
Cousin Colleen Hobkirk, of the Florida Hobkirk's, suffered a ruptured aneurysm in her brain the other day and under went surgery on the 14th.  Colleen is making a miraculous recovery and is much improved.  She is talking and only has a little blurred vision, which the doctors anticipate will eventually be gone. Please remember Colleen in your prayers.

February 14, 2000
The date for wedding of Cynthia Marie Heeren and Donald S. Hopkirk has been changed by one day to June 10, 2000.  The wedding will be in Oakhurst, California, just a few miles from Yosemite National Park.

January 23, 2000
Our cousin Theresa Hopkirk, in South Africa, has been valiantly battling cancer for the last few years, and her struggle continues.  Please remember her in your prayers.

October 16, 1999
With sadness we must report the passing of Cousin Robert Dudley Mason Burch Hopkirk in London on October 8, 1999. He was the the son of R.E.B. Hopkirk, eldest son of Robert Alexander Hopkirk, great grandson of Robert Home Hopkirk of the New Zealand branch of the Melrose Hopkirk's.  Bob worked many years for the World Health Organization. He and his father also spent a considerable amount of time working on the family history and keeping the connections with the USA branch of the family alive.  Cousin Bob is survived by his son Christopher and daughter Jolene. See the picture of Cousin Bob below.

Ralph, Vivien, Bob, and John Hopkirk in London about 1991

September 14, 1999
We welcome the newest known Hopkirk to the world, weighing in at a staggering 9 lbs. 7oz..........drumroll please .....................William Ian Hopkirk.   William was born June 4, 1999 to Ian and Dabney Hopkirk of Nashville, Tennessee.  He joins his big brother Alec who is now 2 1/2 years old . William is also the newest member of the Edinburgh Hopkirk Family, if you were wondering which branch of the tree to hang William from. Click here to see a picture of William, youngest known Hopkirk in the World, and also a picture of William with his older brother Alec.  I must comment that the Hopkirk's of Melrose know a thing or two about the names William and Alec.  :-)

July 31, 1999
April 9, 1999 was a big day for the Hopkirk clan.  Not only was that the day that Heather got married, but Sara Hopkirk(See June 11,1999 posting below) gave birth to Caitlin Hopkirk-Jones that day. Because of the handover of sovereignty just before their youngest son Jack's birthday on December 7, 1997, Sara's husband Gavin likes to say "Jack was made in Hong Kong, born in China!"  I like that.

July 16, 1999
We have another cousin reporting in from a far and distant land.  This time it is Heather Knox, of the New Zealand branch. Our congratulations go to Heather, on April 9th, 1999 she married Shian Nokdajun. They live in Northern Thailand where they run a guest house and Heather teaches English. She says all travelling Hopkirks are welcome!!! In October Heather and Shian will have a wedding blessing ceremony, with her mother and friends coming from New Zealand to celebrate the occasion.

On another front, I neglected to post info from cousin Chris Hopkirk in the UK. His father is Robert Hopkirk, formerly of New Zealand, and now also living in the UK. Chris and his wife Claudia have two sons, Alec(7) and Charlie(about 4). They live in a small town along the river Severn.  Chris says "Alec celebrated his seventh birthday six days before Xmas and was showered with the usual football paraphernalia. The red of Manchester United is splashed all over our house." Chris also reports that "Alec represented his school at football for the first time two weeks ago." but "I still have not lost hope that he will be better at the other ball game Rugby. I have the enviable task of coaching rugby to Alex and a number of other six, seven, and eight year olds on a Sunday morning.  With one parent from New Zealand there must be something in his genes that will help."
I've seen the game played on TV, and I hope they have medical and dental insurance!

June 11, 1999.
We finally have some good news to place on this site.........and they are from unexpected locations........new Hopkirk's!!!
Polish and Chinese Hopkirk's!

We have just received word from Denmark that on December 16, 1998 Nicola and Dr.Bjarne Hopkirk were blessed with daughter Madeleine Hopkirk.  She joins her older sister Anne and brother Frank.  I have to admit that Bjarne is much more of a liberal guy than me.  Since the people in Denmark couldn't pronounce Bjarne's Polish last name of Rzepa, he took Nicola's last name!  That is the story of how we now have Polish Hopkirk's living in Denmark.  Of course, they probably don't have the problem of being called Hopkins in Denmark.

But Madeleine isn't the youngest!  Nicola's sister Sara just gave birth to Caitlin Hopkirk-Jones two months ago in Hong Kong.  

Nicola and Sara are part of the Glasgow branch of the Hopkirk family, by way of Belfast, Northern Ireland.

If someone has pictures of proud mothers and new borns that they could email me, I will gladly post them here.  

G. Howard HOPKIRK, passed away on April 13, 1999 at St. Anne's Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

The passing of Louis(Jolly) West, husband of Kathryn Hopkirk West on January 2, 1999.

Louis was born to Russian Jewish imigrant parents in Madison, Wisconsin, and grew up in poverty. His mother gave him his middle name of Jolyon after reading "The Forsthe Saga" and she convinced him that he was destined for greatness.

West was named head of psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine in 1954, and remained there until 1969 when he was hired by UCLA where he headed UCLA's Alcohol Research Center.  Oklahoma named its alcohol related studies facility the Louis Jolyon West House.

Louis was an expert on cults, torture and brainwashing. He examined Jack Ruby(the killer of John F. Kennedy's assasin, Lee Harvey Oswald) and newspaper heiress Patty Hearst who was kidnapped by the SLA(Symbionese Liberation Army) and who eventually joined the ranks of the SLA as a bankrobber.

Louis was also a civil rights activist and was the first white psychiatrist to go to South Africa to testify on behalf of black prisoners during the apartheid era.

West is survived by his wife of 50 years, Kay; son John; daughters Anne West and Mary Hawkins; and a sister Nancy Wheeler. 

On a happier vein, my nephew, Donald S. Hopkirk will be getting married to Cynthia Marie Heeren on June 10, 2000. I'm sure we all wish them great happiness....and a couple sons to keep the name going!!  God knows I haven't done my part.

 .

Descendants of William Hopkirk and Isabella Home's children(Melrose Hopkirk's) John and William from the USA and Alexander from New Zealand met February 21, 1999 in San Carlos, California.

Front row: Dana Gigliello and her mother Sandi Gigliello-descended from William.

Back row: John Hopkirk(descended from William), his wife Anne Murphy, Colin Hopkirk(descended from Alexander), Michael Hopkirk(descended from Alexander) and his wife Shonagh, John D. Hopkirk(descended from John) and his wife June.

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This page last updated 7 January 2012