Charles Ray was born in Midlothian, Scotland, where he was educated and raised as a farmer. He came out to New Zealand in the ship 'Strathalan'. He spent some time working on the West Coast.

Jane McWhirter was born in Scotland. Shen came to New Zealand with her sister Isabella Sara and their paren ts Mr & Mrs McWhirter, The McWhirter family also came to New Zealand on the Strathalan.

On 14th April Charles Ray may have applied for resident site No.3312. This may have been the site of dwelling #69 which Charles Ray may have built. It was a 2 roomed sod and iron house.

In May 1871, at Naseby, Mr Charles Ray married Miss Jane McWhirter, daughter of Mr J McWhirter of Kyeburn.

Birth of John Charles McWhirter.

According to the electoral roll, Charles and Jane were living in a two roomed sod hut in Doctors Flat.

Sophia Ray was born on 19 Jan 1877.

Robert Marshal Ray was born on 20 July 1878.

Sarah Ray was born in 1880.

On Jan 17th 1882 Charles Ray broke his leg.

Lucy Elizabeth Ray was born on 29 June 1882.

On 12 Aug in the Wardens Court, W Menzies and J Horne versus C Ray, J Crombie, H Lynn, A Preston and J Short. Menzies and Horne had a claim immediately to the west. It was claimed hat Ray & Co were encroaching on the Menzies & Co and occupying more than the five acres they were entitled to under their certificate No 4069 in Pipeclay Gully. The warden ordered Ray to give up all land surplus to five acres measured from the North East boundary peg.

On Dec 23, Charles Ray and James Crombie had the first claim to try and work the DeepLead via Pipeclay Gully

Charles Ray elected secretary of the Bannockburn School Committee.

Ada Isabela ray was born on 7 Sept 1885.

Ethel Ray was born on Sept 12 1887.

Charles Ray may have built or had dwelling #69 built for him and his family. Mr Ray also had a stable and gig shed constructed about this time (see dwelling #130)

Robert Ray (Charles's son) listed in Stones directory as a dredger.

Jane Rays cousin, Jessie Gladis McWhirter came to live with the family for a few months.

Robert Marshall Ray purchased dwelling #68 for his Aunty, Miss Isabella McWhirter (see dwelling #68)

Charles Ray appointed as the Bannockburn Librarian.

Robert Ray (Charles's son) obtained a dredge masters certificate after examination. It is not known which dredge Robert was working on. He is listed in 1909 as a dredger.

Robert Ray was not listed in Stones directory for Bannockburn.

Charles Ray had been employed as Secretary for the Cromwell and Bannockburn Colliery Company . The company was downsizing and in 1911 Charles was no longer working for them. The company was finally wound up in 1914.

Charles Ray appointed as a Justice of the Peace.

Robert Ray listed as miner (possibly a coal miner)

Charles Ray applied for a domestic water right from a spring in Pipeclay Gully.

Robert Ray was still listed as a miner and may well have still been living with his parents in dwelling #69.

Robert Ray went away to fight in WW1 and was wounded.

Charles Ray and others ally for a water race for domestic use out of Pipeclay Creek in iron pipes (see photo #219). The race ran from a starting point in Pipeclay Gully, one chain above the Pipeclay sludge channel to Charles Ray's residence area, the last 400 yards ran in iron pipes in a syphon. The total length was nearly three quarters of a mile and took one month to construct at a cost of £100 (one hundred pounds).

Charles & Jane Ray move from dwelling #69 to dwelling #68.

James Frederick Ray and family move from dwelling #51 to the larger dwelling #69.

Robert Ray appears to have moved from Bannockburn. He took up the position of the County Clerk at Clyde.

Robert Ray died on Mar 11 1925 at the age of 45 years. He is buried in the Clyde cemetery.

Mrs Jane Ray may have moved back into dwelling #69 after the departure of her brother-in-law James Frederick Ray and his family.

On Feb 4, Mrs Jane Ray purchased dwelling #69 in her own name. This included the land around dwelling nos. #66, #67, #133, #68, #69 and #130.

On Aril 4, Mrs Jane Ray sold dwelling #69 and the surrounding land to her sister Miss Isabella McWhirter. Miss McWhirter did not live in the property at the time, as she was resident in Green Island, Dunedin, however she retired the property until around 1942.

Mrs jane Ray left Bannockburn around 1929. She possibly went to Dunedin to live with her son James Ray and his family, of with her sister Miss McWhirter.