FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH GUIDE - Tauranga City Libraries 2020
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FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH
GUIDE
Tauranga City Libraries
2020
Contents
Tauranga City libraries Family History Research Guide ....................................................... 1
How to start ......................................................................................................................... 1
Record your research ...................................................................................................... 1
Finding records of births, deaths and marriages (BDM)...................................................... 2
BDM indexes ................................................................................................................... 2
Requesting BDM documents........................................................................................... 2
Information listed on New Zealand BDM documents .................................................... 2
Māori births 1913-1960 .................................................................................................. 3
Māori deaths 1913-1961 ................................................................................................. 4
To access the Library subscription databases on your own device ................................ 5
New Zealand family research sources ................................................................................. 5
Cemetery records ............................................................................................................ 5
Local cemetery records ................................................................................................... 6
Historic newspapers ........................................................................................................ 6
Family notice websites and databases............................................................................ 6
Census and census substitutes ........................................................................................ 6
Other sources to try include: .......................................................................................... 6
Databases available in Ngā Wāhi Rangahau, Tauranga Library ...................................... 7
Microform available in Ngā Wāhi Rangahau, Tauranga Library ..................................... 7
Census information for other countries, visit: ................................................................ 8
Access to resources ......................................................................................................... 8
Immigration to New Zealand ............................................................................................... 9
Where did your ancestors come from? .......................................................................... 9
Where did your ancestors arrive in New Zealand? ....................................................... 10
Tracing where my ancestor lived ....................................................................................... 10
Electoral Rolls and directories ....................................................................................... 10
Maps .............................................................................................................................. 11
Cadastral Index .............................................................................................................. 11
1939 Register................................................................................................................. 11
Did your ancestors serve in the war? ................................................................................ 12
Background information and context to the world wars? ............................................ 13
International family history research sources ................................................................... 13
Using Facebook for Genealogy .......................................................................................... 14Facebook Groups to Consider ....................................................................................... 14
DNA testing ........................................................................................................................ 15
How to use the Ngā Wāhi Rangahau Resources ................................................................ 15
Cadastral Index .............................................................................................................. 16
NZSG Index .................................................................................................................... 17
Clip: Crew lists & agreements for the years 1863-1913 ............................................... 17
New Zealand Burial Locator .......................................................................................... 17
New Zealand Marriages 1836-1956 .............................................................................. 18
BDM New Zealander ..................................................................................................... 18
Bay of Plenty Times Births, Deaths, Marriages 1872-1910 ........................................... 19
Early Auckland Births and Deaths ................................................................................. 19
Nominal and Descriptive Rolls of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Waikato Regiments, 1863-1867 19
NZ Early Settlers Locator ............................................................................................... 19
Wellington Branch (currently not working) .................................................................. 19
NZ Combined Electoral Rolls 1881,1893, & 1896 ......................................................... 19
NZ 1911 Electoral Rolls.................................................................................................. 20
Microfiche Filing Cabinet ................................................................................................... 21
Cabinet 1 (on the right) ................................................................................................. 21
Cabinet 2 (On the left)................................................................................................... 22
Useful Resources ................................................................................................................ 22
Research support ............................................................................................................... 22Tauranga City libraries Family History Research Guide
Researching Your Genealogy and Family History
How to start
Start with yourself and everything you already know - collate names of family members,
dates of birth, marriage and death.
Talking to family can be helpful. They can often provide:
• Names
• Dates
• Photographs
• Interesting stories
• Certificates that you can transcribe or copy.
Tip
Treat anecdotal information as clues, rather than facts!
Always verify your information, family stories are often embellished.
Record your research
Start filling out a family tree.
Download a Generation and Family Group Chart from the library website. Your History,
Our History/ Genealogy at the Library/Printable Documents.
Keep note of references and sources and include dates. That way you can always go
back and make further enquiries.
Tips
• Record women by their maiden names (the name they were born with).
• Be sure to write surnames (family names) in upper case, as some surnames can
also be first names.
• Write dates in full, e.g. 11 June 1876, as date formats differ from country to
country.
• When writing place names, follow the format 'suburb, city, country.' For
example, “Greerton, Tauranga, New Zealand”.
• Use a pencil, when filling out charts.
1
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020Finding records of births, deaths and marriages (BDM)
When starting your family history research, look at BDM records.
BDM indexes
Births, Deaths & Marriages online is the primary source for historical birth, death and
marriage records in New Zealand. It’s the first place to start your query and offers the
following information along with the year and registration number of each recorded
event:
• Births that occurred at least 100 years ago (including the parents’ first names)
• Marriages that occurred at least 80 years ago
• Deaths that occurred at least 50 years ago or where the deceased’s date of birth
was at least 80 years ago (and may include the exact birth date as supplied on
the death record)
This resource is particularly useful for finding out the exact birth, marriage, or death
date of someone by whittling away at the Search From Date: (dd/mm/yyyy) and the
Search To Date: (dd/mm/yyyy)
You will need a Family Name (surname) but be aware that sometimes there are errors of
transcription or interpretation of handwriting, or a mistaken informant.
Finding a precise date means that you can then go to the newspapers and find a notice
usually within a day or week of the event. In some cases there may be nothing, but often
it can supply invaluable information about your relatives.
TIP: When ordering copies of original records, it is preferable to order a printout, as it is
a copy of the original document and usually has more information than a certificate.
Requesting BDM documents
You can track down New Zealand BDM documents from the Department of Internal
Affairs (DIA). Printouts are available for the following years:
• Births and deaths - 1848 to 1997
• Marriages - 1854 to 1997
Information listed on New Zealand BDM documents
Births 1848-1875
• Date and place of birth
• Sex and names of child
• Name and occupation of father
• Name and maiden name of mother
• Signature, description and residence of informant
• Date of registration
• Signature of registrar
• Name of child, if added after registration
2
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020Births 1875-1912
• Date and place of birth
• Sex and names of child, and whether present
• Name, age, occupation and birthplace of father
• Name, age, maiden name and birthplace of mother
• Place and date of parents' marriage
• Signature, description and residence of informant
• Signatures of witnesses if the entry is a correction of a former entry
• When registered, and signature of registrar
• Name of child, if added or altered after registration
Births 1912 onwards
• Date and place of birth
• Sex and first names of child
• Name, age, occupation and birthplace of father
• Name, surname and maiden name, age and birthplace of mother
• Date and place of parents' marriage
• Previous issue of existing marriage, and whether living or dead
• Signature, description, and residence of informant
• Signatures of witnesses if the entry is a correction of a former entry
• When registered and signature of registrar
• Name of child, if added or altered after registration
Māori births 1913-1960
Includes the same information as records for births 1912 onwards, but also provides the
hapū details of the parents.
Deaths 1848-1875
• Date and place of death
• Name, sex, age, and rank/occupation of deceased
• Cause of death
• Description and residence of informant
• Date of registration and signature of registrar
Deaths 1875-1912
• Date and place of death
• Name, sex, age and rank/occupation of deceased
• Causes of death, duration of last illness, name of medical attendant
• When last seen by medical attendant
• Name and occupation of father, name and maiden name of mother
• When and where buried
• Name and religion of minister, or name of witness
• Birthplace of deceased and how long in New Zealand
3
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020• Marriage details of deceased
• Place of marriage, age at marriage and name of spouse
• If issue living, state number and sex
• Signature, description and residence of informant
• Date of registration and signature of registrar
Deaths 1912 onwards
• Date and place of death
• Name, sex, age, occupation and usual place of residence of deceased
• Causes of death, intervals between onset and death, name of medical
• attendant
• When last seen by medical attendant
• Name and occupation of father
• Name and maiden name of mother
• When and where buried
• Name and religion of minister, or name of witness
• Birthplace of deceased and how long in New Zealand
• Marriage details of deceased
• Place of marriage, age at marriage, name of spouse, age of widow if
• living
• If issue living, state ages of each, and sex
• If applicable, Māori blood and tribes of father and mother
• Signature, description and residence of informant
• Date of registration and signature of registrar
Māori deaths 1913-1961
Includes the same information as records for deaths 1912 onwards, but also provides
hapū details of the deceased and their parents.
Marriages 1854-1880
• Place and date of marriage
• Name, age, occupation and marital status of groom
• Name, age and marital status of bride
• Names and residences of the witnesses
• Name of officiating minister/priest
Marriages 1880 onwards
• Place and date of marriage
• Name, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace and residence of groom
• Name, age, marital status, birthplace and residence of bride
• Names and occupations of fathers of both parties
• Names and maiden name of mothers of both parties
• Names and residences of the witnesses
4
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020• Name of officiating minister/priest
Māori marriages 1911-1951
Includes the same information as records for marriages 1880 onwards, but also provides
hapū details of the bride and groom.
The Ngā Wāhi Rangahau Collection has microfiche and databases available, look for
Birth Death and Marriage records up to 1990 on microfiche and the Matching Brides and
Grooms up to 1956 database.
Family Search, available free online, has Probates and Coroners reports.
The Library also provides free access to subscription websites like British Newspaper
Archive, Ancestry.com, Find My Past and My Heritage.
Historic Newspapers Online: Many family notices can be found in historic newspapers
online – Papers Past for New Zealand, Trove for Australia and British Newspaper Archive.
Access to resources
• Ancestry.com, Find My Past, My Heritage and The British Newspaper Archive are
available free from our libraries.
You can access these resources on your own device while connected to our library wifi.
You cannot access these websites from home unless you have a paid subscription.
To access the Library subscription databases on your own device
When you are in one of our Libraries you can access our subscription databases for FREE.
To ensure you access the Library subscription:
1. Logon to the Library Free WiFi
2. Navigate to the Library Website/ Digital Library/ A-Z
3. Select the database you wish to use from the A-Z list.
New Zealand family research sources
There are a number of other places you can look for information when researching your
family history.
Cemetery records
Cemetery records can provide information about parents, siblings, children and spouses.
The library has some cemetery records on microfiche.
The full NZ Cemeteries Collection is held at the NZ Society of Genealogists [NZSG] library
available to members.
5
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020Hint:
Join a local NZSG group for support, and access to the NZSG resources.
Local cemetery records
Many New Zealand cemeteries have their burial and cremation records online. In most
instances, they give date of death and burial or cremation, and in some instances, they
include photographs, transcriptions, occupation, age, the plot number, others in the
same plot, and, more rarely, the cause of death.
Tauranga City Council's online cemeteries database provides information regarding
burial locations at all six cemeteries operated by Tauranga City Council.
https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/council/services/cemeteries/cemeteries-search
A useful online search tool for local and international cemetery records is
https://www.findagrave.com/ this site also links you to other records which can be very
helpful.
Hint:
You may need to search for cremation records in the nearest large town or city, for
instance Te Puke uses Tauranga and Tokoroa uses Rotorua Crematorium.
Historic newspapers
Many birth, death and marriage (BDM) notices and obituaries can be found in historic
newspapers online. Try searching under the name of your ancestor but don’t forget to
try different spellings of the name and limit your search results by date if you are getting
too many hits.
• New Zealand newspapers - Papers Past
• Australian newspapers - Trove
• British Newspaper Archive
Family notice websites and databases
• You can search for family notices on databases in Ngā Wāhi Rangahau
• For more recent deaths search A Memory Tree website, Press Reader and local
newspapers
Census and census substitutes
New Zealand doesn’t keep genealogical information from censuses. Try Census
substitute sources.
Most Libraries hold:
• Street directories
• Phone directories
• Local body electoral rolls
Other sources to try include:
• General electoral rolls on Ancestry.com
6
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020• School records on Archives New Zealand
Databases available in Ngā Wāhi Rangahau, Tauranga Library
Tauranga library’s Ngā Wāhi Rangahau has dedicated computers available to genealogy
researchers. These computers have the following specialist databases loaded for your
use:
• NZSG Indexes and Extracts of Births, Deaths and Marriages 1851 – 1891, as
published in the Lyttleton Times
• Early Auckland Births and Deaths compiled by Shirley Kendall
• Births, Deaths and Marriages 1845-1866 from ‘The New Zealander”, extracted by
Jackie Walles
• Dominion of New Zealand War Census, 1915
• NZSG Early Wellington Settlers
• New Zealand Early Settlers Locator
• New Zealand 1911 Electoral Roll
• Waikato Births, Deaths & Marriages 1864-1900
• Bay of Plenty Times Births, Deaths and Marriages 1872-1910
• New Zealand Elections, Five Significant Rolls, 1881, 1893, 1896, 1911, 1925.
• Nominal and Descriptive Rolls of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Waikato Regiments 1863-
1867
• NZSG, New Zealand Burial Locator
• Clip, Crew Lists & Agreements for the Years 1863 to 1913
• NZSG Index, version 5 (a guide to where to find information)
• Cadastral Index
• Index of Death Notices New Zealand Herald (2019)
• Oamaru Cemeteries - Headstone Transcriptions (2013)
• Indexes and Extracts of Births, Deaths and Marriages 1851-1891, as Published in
the Lyttelton Times (2012)
• The Naval Chronology of Great Britain 1803 - 1816 (2012)
• Passenger Lists - Victoria, Australia Outwards to New Zealand 1852-1923 (2009)
• A Return of Freeholders of NZ October 1882 (2010)
• New Zealand Cemetery Records: Waikato, King Country and Taupo (2012)
• New Zealand Land Transactions (2016)
Microform available in Ngā Wāhi Rangahau, Tauranga Library
The Library has microfilm/fiche reader and scanner available for researchers to use
when accessing the microfilm/fiche collection.
• New Zealand Maori electoral roll (1919)[microform]
• Index of first women electors [microform]
7
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020• Composite cemetery records. [microform]
• New Zealand Electoral Rolls 1972. [microform]
• New Zealand Electoral Rolls 1975. [microform]
• New Zealand Electoral Rolls 1978. [microform]
• New Zealand Electoral Rolls 1981. [microform]
• New Zealand cemetery records. 2004 (supplement) [microform].
• Wanganui newspapers [microform] : BDM extracts, 1845-1940
• Public Trust deceased estates 1901-1958 [microform]
• Divorce information extracted from New Zealand Truth newspaper. Series 1
[microform]
• The Enid Seton-Kellaway collection [microform] Vol. 1 : a compilation of death
notices from New Zealand newspapers 1957-1984.
• Passenger lists, Victoria, Australia outwards to New Zealand, 1852 onwards
[microform]
• New Zealand probates : volume one - an index to pre-1900 records [microform]
• South Island Presbyterian Church Records, Knox College Library Archives
[microform]
• London marriage licences and allegations 1521-1869 [microform]
• Index to the sacramental registers for Roman Catholic of Onehunga / Thames /
Coromandel[microform]
Census information for other countries, visit:
• Ancestry.com
• Find My Past
• My Heritage
• FamilySearch
Access to resources
Ancestry.com, Find My past, including the 1939 Index, and My Heritage are available
free from the library. You cannot access these websites from home unless you have paid
a subscription.
To ensure you access the Library subscription:
1. Logon to the Library Free WiFi
2. Navigate to the Library Website/ Digital Library/ A-Z
3. Select the database you wish to use from the A-Z list.
8
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020Immigration to New Zealand
To complete your family tree, you might need to think about when your ancestors
moved to New Zealand, where they arrived, did they stop over on the way, and where
they came from.
There is no single place to look for a record of people’s arrival in New Zealand, and for
many families there may be no surviving records. However, the library has many
resources that could help you find records of your ancestors’ arrivals, and there are
further sources of information available to you online
TIPS:
• Try searching using the full name, the last name and first initial, or just the last
name
• If you’re looking for an unusual name, try different spellings
• If you are unsure when your ancestors arrived look at the death certificate as it
lists the years the deceased has lived in New Zealand.
• If you cannot find a record of your ancestors arriving in New Zealand look for
them going to Australia as it was often used as a stepping stone to New Zealand.
Note: Records for NZ Assisted Immigrants (1839 – 1973) are available free on
FamilySearch.org.
Where did your ancestors come from?
Until the end of the 1840s, Auckland arrivals were mainly from New South Wales and
Tasmania, and then primarily from Great Britain. Mail steamers did bring some
immigrants from North America from the 1860s, and large numbers came from Victoria
in the 1850s and 1860s.
Recommended reading:
• The farthest promised land by Rollo Arnold. [325.242 ARN]
• Over the mountains of the sea by David Hastings. [304.8 HAS]
• Missing! from the 1881 British census: British and non-British crewmen arriving
at Sydney by Keith Giles [929.394 MIS]
• Immigration chronology: selected events 1840-2008 by Paul Bellamy. [325.93
BEL]
• Settlement by sail: 19th century immigration to New Zealand by Gainor Jackson.
[325.93 JACK]
9
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020Where did your ancestors arrive in New Zealand?
The main ports were:
• Auckland (Waitematā Harbour)
• Onehunga (Manukau Harbour - mainly coastal)
• Bay of Islands (mainly pre-1845)
• Hokianga (mainly pre-1840).
• Wellington
• Christchurch
• Tauranga
• New Plymouth
• Napier
• Dunedin (Port Chalmers)
• Nelson
• Bluff
Places to look:
• Petone Settlers Museum
• Toitū Otago Settlers Museum
• Puke Ariki (New Plymouth)
• Canterbury Museum
• Archives New Zealand
• Local Libraries
Tracing where my ancestor lived
Sometimes you may have a lot of information about your ancestor but not know where
they lived during certain periods. There are a number of ways to find this type of
information including electoral rolls and directories, both of which are available on site
at the Library.
Electoral Rolls and directories
Ancestry Library Edition is a popular family history subscription database freely
accessible onsite it has New Zealand Electoral Rolls 1853–1981 and New Zealand City &
Area Directories, 1866–1955, although some years are only browseable, not searchable.
Findmypast.com.au, which also has some searchable New Zealand electoral rolls and
directories.
Women’s Suffrage petition, 1893 published by New Zealand History, which also links
you through to the Archives New Zealand digitised sheets.
The Library holds some electoral rolls and directories in hardcopy and microform.
Archives New Zealand has a large collection of telephone directories up to 1988 listed at
the end of the Personal identity guide.
10
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020Maps
Did your ancestors live where you think they did? Maybe not, if you’re looking up their
residence on a modern map.
Maps help you follow migration patterns, learn more about the place your ancestor
lived, determine the location of cities that no longer exist, show changes in county
boundaries, and verify land your ancestor owned.
Cadastral Index
Available on the PC’s in Ngā Wāhi Rangahau
This database gives easy digital access to hundreds of thousands of historic survey plans.
Information on historic survey maps can include:
• Legal descriptions of early subdivisions
• Property boundaries
• Land owners’ names
• Place names
• References to other historic survey plans that can be viewed for additional
information about neighbouring areas and/or earlier history of the area you’re
researching.
• References to Certificates of Title that can be ordered through LINZ for more
detailed ownership history.
1939 Register
The 1939 Register is provided by Find My Past. It is a catalogue of 41 million lives
recorded at the outbreak of the Second World War. The maps option allows you to see
who lived in any house, town or street in England and Wales before the draft to enlist in
the armed services.
It includes maps of 3 time zones; late 1800’s, 1939 and present day. It enables the user
to see the growth of the area.
This is very helpful in finding an old street address which may have been subsequently
renamed.
11
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020Did your ancestors serve in the war?
Many New Zealanders or their close family has served in a major conflict and their
records can help with your family research.
Archives New Zealand’s War guide is a good place to begin your search. It describes
what records they hold and is organised by period and conflict, focusing mostly on the
Army (1840–1970s), but also the Air Force, Navy, Home Guard, prisoners of war, and
nurses.
Archway lets you search across Archives’ personnel files for the Anglo-Boer (South
African) War and for the period 1914–1920, including the First World War. All files are
searchable by name and all of the South African War and First World War (1914–1918)
records are available online.
www.soldiersofempire.nz This database lists imperial soldiers serving in New Zealand,
c.1860-1869, during the New Zealand Land Wars Between 1860 and 1870 giving name,
regiment, rank, regimental number and some other details of service in New Zealand.
The New Zealand Defence Force NZDF Personnel Archives at Trentham Military Camp
holds personnel files relating to service after 1920, including World War II and up to the
present day. They allow one free record per year. This is a postal service and sometimes
takes a few weeks for information to arrive.
Auckland War Memorial Museum’s Online Cenotaph database is a biographical
database of over 140,000 men and women who served their country in the New Zealand
Wars, the South African War, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the
Malayan Emergency, the Vietnam War, and more recently, service in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
Also included are regular service members and those involved in various peacekeeping
efforts throughout the world. Information sources include the official nominal rolls and
New Zealand Gazette notices, and in many cases there are links through to digitised
personnel files held by Archives New Zealand.
Official WW100 website is part of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s First World
War centenary programme and provides additional contextual material. Family
members can contribute further information and photographs.
Findmypast.com.au allows you to search under the category ‘armed forces & conflict’
and limit to New Zealand databases. You can then further limit to either ‘record set’ or
‘collection’ to find these records:
• New Zealand War Medal Roll (4,458)
• New Zealand Boer War Servicemen (6,446)
• New Zealand WWI Soldiers (288,526)
Discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk holds more than 32 million descriptions of records
held by The National Archives [UK] and over 2,500 archives across the country. Over 9
million records are available for download. Popular topics include WWI army service
12
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020records, WWI unit war diaries, Merchant Navy service, Passenger lists, muster books,
naturalisation, Poor Law, etc.
Europeana is a digital portal to Europe's galleries, museums, libraries, archives and
audio-visual collections. The 1914-1918 category of their blog has a wealth of content,
including some sourced from Australia and New Zealand, thus allowing for a variety of
perspectives.
firstworldwar.amdigital.co.uk is a collection of primary and secondary material drawn
from 10 contributing libraries worldwide and includes digitised diaries, documents
(including the full-text of the Chronicles of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force),
historical and interactive maps, images, and some oral histories.
Papers Past has lists of casualties, names of people departing for and returning from
wars, or appearing in front of appeal boards either as conscientious objectors or for
other reasons.
Background information and context to the world wars?
Onward : portraits of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force / P.J. Beattie and M.J.
Pomeroy. (2013-) 4 Volumes available. Ngā Wāhi Rangahau Reference, [940.4 BEAT]
New Zealand History.net has articles on war and society
Te Ara has a section on war and defence.
International family history research sources
When doing family history research in New Zealand you’ll often reach a point when your
ancestors have come to New Zealand from further afield, meaning that you’ll need to
expand your search overseas.
Ancestry Library Edition is a great tool for searching historical records from the USA,
United Kingdom and Ireland, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Findmypast.com.au (world) covers Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, USA and Canada
FamilySearch is a free genealogical resource that helps you access millions of records
from around the world, using the extensive historical collections of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS).
New Zealand based certificate services
• New Zealand Society of Genealogists (members only)
• GenBritz down under. Contact: Vivienne Parker, phone (09) 578 2525 or email
vivparker@xtra.co.nz
Recommended reading
• The street-wise guide to doing your family history/ Teviot, Mary (2018).
[929.1072 TEVI]
13
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020Using Facebook for Genealogy
When you think of useful tools for genealogy research, social media might not be the
first thing that springs to mind. However, social media in general, and Facebook in
particular, can be a powerful addition to your genealogy “toolbox.”
If you can think of a special interest that falls under the larger umbrella of genealogy
research, chances are good that someone has started a group or page for it on
Facebook.
Looking for an easy way to share your own research progress and family photos with
interested members of your extended family? You can create your own Facebook group
and invite them to join!
Facebook Groups to Consider
Most of these groups are closed which means you have to request to join. The Admin
then checks you are a real person and not a spammer or robot trying to gain access!
Genealogy New Zealand and Beyond
New Zealand History and Genealogy
Finding & Identifying NZ Genealogy Memorabilia
New Zealanders of Irish Descent
Kiwis of Scottish Descent
Caithness Family History
Genealogy - New Zealand Super Sleuths
Using DNA for Genealogy - Australia & NZ
Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) User Group
International Society of Genetic Genealogy (ISOGG)
Scottish DNA
Scotland, Beloved Country
Glencoe, Skye & Scotland Photography
Historic Scotland
My Heart Will Always Be In Scotland
New Zealand Society of Genealogists
New Zealand History and Natural History
Irish Genealogy
Archives New Zealand
14
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020DNA testing
DNA is in every cell of our bodies. We inherit it from our biological parents and they
from theirs and so on back through the ages. You contain DNA from many of your
ancestors not just your parents. A person’s DNA (be it yours or a relatives) contains
evidence to support your research, more than that contained in any single certificate.
DNA Results generally give us two types of information. Firstly, about the places our
ancestors came from (ethnicity estimates) and secondly matching with the people who
are descended from our more recent ancestors (cousin matching).
The most significant benefit from DNA test results is the evidence that can help break
through brick walls, confirm assumptions made from circumstantial or indirect evidence
and can give a name to those unknowns within our trees. DNA evidence is best when
used in conjunction with paper records, but is still valuable even when records have
been lost or are not available.
Most genealogy questions will be answered by an Autosomal DNA (atDNA) test – all five
companies offer atDNA testing.
• 23andMe
• AncestryDNA
• FTDNA
• LivingDNA
• MyHeritage.
Comparing data in the largest pool of atDNA data maximises the potential matches and
genealogy evidence you can gather. Currently, AncestryDNA has the largest pool of data.
Testing biological family in the generations above you is generally the best place to start
as they carry more of your ancestors’ DNA than you do.
DNA expert, Michelle Patient, recommends: Initially test at AncestryDNA, then when you
are comfortable, consider taking advantage of the free uploads available by transferring
raw data to:
• Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) join geographic & surname projects
• MyHeritage
• GEDmatch
Recommended reading
The family tree guide to DNA testing and genetic genealogy (2016)/ Blaine Bettinger,
929.1072 BETT
How to use the Ngā Wāhi Rangahau Resources
Ngā Wāhi Rangahau [Tauranga Library Research Collection] holds a variety of helpful
tools to aid in your family history research.
15
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020In addition to the books and journals you will find dedicated PCs loaded with useful
databases, maps, microfiche and protected in the Sladden Room, a selection of
newspaper, postcard, letters, diaries and other exciting treasures.
Cadastral Index
The Cadastral Index is installed on the Genealogy PC’s
This database gives easy digital access to hundreds of thousands of historic survey plans.
Users will need to know the reference number of the survey plan they want to view.
They may know this from:
• The legal description of the property (e.g. if you look up 80 Willow St on Mapi:
https://www.tauranga.govt.nz/exploring/maps/council-map-viewer-mapi, you
will see Lot 1 DPS 52610 is the legal description, so 52610 is the number you
would enter into the Cadastral Index to find the survey plan).
• A reference from another map (e.g. the image below is from SO 428, and you can
see a reference on the left to SO 44676, so 44676 will be the number to enter
into the Cadastral Index to find the survey plan).
Use can email these files to themselves, save them onto a USB drive, and/or print them
up to A3 size.
Please note that we do not have access to survey plans with a reference number greater
than 300,000, and we cannot offer customers access to current or historic Certificates of
Title – these can be ordered through LINZ: https://www.linz.govt.nz/land/land-records/order-
title
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Tauranga City Libraries, 2020NZSG Index
The NZSG Index is installed on the Genealogy PC’s
The NZSG Index is a guide to where to find information, click on ALL RECORDS to see the
list of databases available to search
The search screen shows four panes:
Search in Defaults to All Records. A drop-down list allows the user to select
one selected record set.
Search For Allows the search terms to be defined. Surname, Given name and
Year all have drop-down menus.
Left panel After you enter your search criteria and click on SEARCH, a list of
all records matching your criteria will be extracted and displayed
in the list panel below the search button. Use the right hand scroll
bar to view all the results.
The results search can be sorted by name, date or record type by
clicking on the column headings.
Right panel Click on one of the index entries in the left-hand panel and details
are displayed in the right-hand panel.
Click the RECORD SOURCE button below the panel to find
information about the source and whether further details are
available.
Printing Choose PRINT from the FILE menu. You will need a paid printing
ticket to release the printing.
Clip: Crew lists & agreements for the years 1863-1913
Clip is installed on the Genealogy PC’s
This database contains both a searchable index to crew lists, crew agreements
(contracts) and log books as well as details including: full name, age, date of birth, place
of birth, name of ship, previous ship and more.
Searching Use CTRL F to find a name, use CTRL G to extend your search
When you find a name in the index make a note of the
reference number and piece number then load the Vessel List.
Click on the alphabetical bookmark for the vessel name and use
CTRL F to search for the reference number.
This will highlight the entry in full, showing the individuals and
the ships details.
Printing Use CTRL P and click on ‘current page’
Use fit to page and print as image options
New Zealand Burial Locator
The Burial Locator is installed on the Genealogy PC’s
17
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020The Burial Locator is a directory containing over 3 million names. Its purpose is to assist
in the location of a burial or death, generally in NZ, but includes some that occurred
overseas. In most cases the overseas burials are annotated with the name of the NZ
cemetery where the records can be found.
The locator is not a complete transcription but points you to where the source material
can be found.
You can then go to Find a Grave website to find more details which often includes a
photo of the headstone.
Search Using surname only, choose exact, partial or soundex (variations)
option.
Using Surname and given names using exact or partial option.
Using Soundex which finds possible spelling variations.
Choose a range of years to make your search more specific
Abbreviations
N/R Not recorded
B/R Burial Record
M/I Monumental Inscription
D/R Death registration
C/R Cremation Record
D/N Death Notice
I/M In Memoriam Notice
P/K Personal Knowledge
C Cremated
S Ashes Scattered
New Zealand Marriages 1836-1956
The NZ Marriage Index is installed on the Genealogy PC’s
This is an index of the NZ Registrar General’s marriage entries, plus other pre 1956
marriages.
Note: 1956-1990 both bride and grooms names are on the microfiche held in the library.
To use this database Continue, add the name, click Search.
Highlight the name, click on Search for Spouse.
You will see the year of marriage and the names of both spouses. This can be helpful to
order a certificate, find more information in Papers Past and other sources.
BDM New Zealander
The BDM New Zealander is installed on the Genealogy PC’s
This is a database of births, deaths and marriage records extracted from the The New
Zealander newspaper from 1845-1866.
18
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020Click CTRL F to search. Enter a name in the search box and press enter.
Bay of Plenty Times Births, Deaths, Marriages 1872-1910
This database early Bay of Plenty records, useful for local research.
To search click CTRL F type a name in the search box and press enter. Make sure you
choose Current Page from the print dialogue box to avoid printing too many pages.
NOTE: You will need a paid printing ticket to release your printing.
Early Auckland Births and Deaths
This database includes registers of births and deaths, records of Howick Historical
Society, the Howick Colonial Village and obituary notices from newspapers
To search select CTRL F, type a name in the search box then press enter.
Note: Make sure you choose Current Page from the print dialogue box to avoid printing
too many pages.
Nominal and Descriptive Rolls of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Waikato Regiments, 1863-1867
This database lists name, number, date and place of enlistment, place of birth,
occupation, age, height and ship they travelled on to NZ.
Each regiment is recorded separately and lists names in alphabetical order.
To search select CTRL F, type a name in the search box and press enter.
Note: Make sure you choose Current Page from the print dialogue box to avoid printing
too many pages.
NZ Early Settlers Locator
This database contains early records from 1853-1864 sourced from Electoral Rolls and
Jury Rolls.
Because NZ did not keep the National Census Records, these lists have become a useful
link to locate missing ancestors.
To search, click continue, enter a name in the search box and click search.
Explore the list as the same person is mentioned several times depending on the source
and year he was listed.
You cannot print from this database.
Wellington Branch (currently not working)
This database allows you to search Wellington Pioneer Roll, Wellington Hospital Records
1847-1880, 1940 Wellington Exhibition and the early Wellington Cemeteries.
NZ Combined Electoral Rolls 1881,1893, & 1896
This database includes the 1893 electoral roll when woman were allowed to vote.
To search enter the name and select search.
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Tauranga City Libraries, 2020Note: The options on the bottom right of the page where you can choose Maps and
Same Surname and Electorate.
The same Surname and Electorate allows you to view family groups.
You cannot print from this database.
NZ 1911 Electoral Rolls
To search enter a name in the search box and select search.
Note the options on the bottom right of the page where you can choose Maps and Same
Surname and Electorate.
The same Surname and Electorate allows you to view family groups.
You cannot print from this database.
20
Tauranga City Libraries, 2020Microfiche Filing Cabinet
Microfiche are a good starting point if you don’t know many details.
All fiche are numbered according to the sequence of the particular group of fiche.
The reference number provided should be used when purchasing a certificate from the
department of Internal Affairs. The reference number is the same for both bride and
groom on the marriages record.
Births, deaths and marriages are arranged alphabetically except between 1950 and 1954
where the groom is listed alphabetically first, followed by the bride.
Cabinet 1 (on the right)
Drawer 1 New Zealand Births 1840 – 1990
NOTE: Use the District Key booklets (on top of cabinet) to find the
folio number for a record.
Folio numbers are allocated by District and year and then by Jan –
Mar, April-June, July -Sept, Oct – Dec.
Drawer 2 New Zealand Marriages 1840-1990
Drawer 3 New Zealand Deaths 1840-1990
NOTE: Use the District Key booklets (on top of cabinet) to find the
folio number for a record.
Folio numbers are allocated by District and year and then by Jan –
Mar, April-June, July -Sept, Oct – Dec.
Drawer 4 War Deaths in both World Wars
Directories and Provincial Rolls
Births, Deaths & Marriages from miscellaneous sources
Cemetery Records
Pre 1900 Families Index
International Geographical Index - New Zealand
Miscellaneous
NOTE: Groups of fiche are separated by coloured dividers
Drawer 5 Electoral Rolls 1898-1938, 1943, 1946, 1954, 1981
Note: 1941 & 1949 are available on microfilm
NOTE: The NZ Electoral Atlas (on top of cabinet) helps determine
the electoral boundaries.
Drawer 6 New Zealand Cemetery Records
NOTE: The Blue book (on top of cabinet) contains the list of
holdings. At the back of the book is the list of cemeteries. Use the
code listed to find the relevant fiche number listed in the front of
the book.
Drawer 7 Turnbull Biographical Index (contains obituaries and general
articles).
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Tauranga City Libraries, 2020Cabinet 2 (On the left)
Drawer 1 Australian Collection
NSW Births, Deaths and Marriages 1856 - 1905
Victoria Births 1853-1913
Drawer 2 Victoria Deaths and Marriages 1853 - 1913
Drawer 3 International Geographical Index [IGI] – England
Drawer 4 IGI: England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Denmark
Drawer 5 IGI: Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany
Drawer 6 IGI: Germany, Canada, Caribbean, Pacific Islands, Australia, NZ,
World miscellaneous, UK miscellaneous
Drawer 7 London, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales miscellaneous
Drawer 8 England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales miscellaneous, Locality
Catalogues: Australia, Bangladesh, Europe, Pakistan, Polynesia
Useful Resources
Research support
Genealogy @ The Mount
An informal group which meets on the first Wednesday of the month
Enquiries to Joy Edmonds 07 575 5820 or Ken Read 07 575 6260
New Zealand Society of Genealogists Pāpāmoa Branch
Enquiries to: Kate McEwan
Phone: 07 929 7884
Email: Papamoa@genealogy.org.nz
DNA results help by appointment contact: Betty, betty.ra.atkinson@xtra.co.nz ph. 0274
475 448
Family History Research Centre
Run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Genealogy, research into family
trees. Appointments advisable. Contact: Kaye ph. O7 578 7607
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Tauranga City Libraries, 2020You can also read
