5 : Move to US and Canada
In December 1921, Barbara set off on what would prove to be a life-changing adventure.
Accompanied by her friend Margaret Armstrong, she set sail from Wellington on 6th December on
board the SS Tahiti, bound for San Fransisco.1
SS Tahiti
Margaret was a Southland Hospital-trained nurse who moved up to Wellington Hospital in 1919
and was appointed Sister in charge of the Fever Ward the following year.2
Barbara spent a short time doing private nursing in or around San Fransisco3 before travelling
in May 1922 to Toronto, Canada.4 There she would stay with Alexander Mackenzie,
a cousin of her father.5 Alexander was born in 1853, married Mary Campbell in Toronto
and they had no children. They lived at 38 Coolmine Road. Alexander was an avid family historian
and was often referred to as "Alexander of Coolmine Road" in Mackenzie genealogy circles.6
Alexander Mackenzie and his home at 38 Coolmine Rd, Toronto
Barbara resumed private nursing in Toronto.7
There seemed to be a small group of expat New Zealanders who managed to get together. In January 1924
a report described how another Wellington nurse Stella Anson travelled to Toronto as part of a grand North
American tour and was looked after by Barbara and a former Lyall Bay School teacher Hazel Gooder.8
One of Barbara's patients was Irving Robertson and it is possible that their first meeting was as early as
1922, not too long after her arrival in Toronto.9 It is clear that they got on very well! Irving
certainly brought a lovely smile to the face of Barbara.
So who was this guy called Irving? At this point it is appropriate to describe something of the notable Robertson family of Toronto.