Genealogy
The Cyclopedia of New Zealand is now available online. These six volumes were published between 1897 and 1908, and present a glimpse of life in New Zealand at the turn of the twentieth century. There are around 20,000 people profiled in these texts, many of whom have biographical notes and photographs providing a snapshot of their activities and achievements.
The six volumes are:
· Volume 1. Wellington Provincial District. Published 1897
· Volume 2. Auckland Povincial District. Published 1902
· Volume 3. Canterbury Provincial District. Published 1903
· Volume 4. Otago and Southland Provincial Districts. Published 1905
· Volume 5. Nelson, Marlborough and Westland Provincial Districts. Published 1906
· Volume 6. Taranaki, Hawke's Bay and Wellington Provincial Districts. Published 1908
The aim of The Cyclopedia, stated the publishers in the Preface to Volume One, was to “place on record plain facts regarding the settlement and progress of the Colony”. Notwithstanding this ideal, it is important to note that members of the public paid to feature in The Cyclopedia and supplied the compilers with their histories and personal details. The information they provided was as accurate as memory—and honesty—permitted. Not surprisingly, the portraits are invariably flattering: in the publishers' words, “the compilers have recognised the advisability of representing the various subjects of notice as they individually appeared to themselves and their friends, in their best and happiest moments, rather than as they might have appeared to their enemies, at their worst.” Similarly, many of the business entries are unashamedly promotional—business owners were, effectively, buying advertising for their products and services. Individuals who would not or could not pay the fee required to feature in The Cyclopedia are not included—there are few entries for women, Māori or non-European settlers for example.
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| On the Birth, Death and Marriage Historical Records website, you can search New Zealand Government records for births, deaths and marriages (BDM).
The historic data available for you to search is limited so that information relating to people who might still be alive, can be protected. Information available includes:
- Births that occurred at least 100 years ago
- Stillbirths that occurred at least 50 years ago
- Marriages and eventually Civil Unions that occurred 80 years ago
- Deaths that occurred at least 50 years ago or the deceased's date of birth was at least 80 years ago.
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HP 372 Berretti wedding in Paraparaumu ca. 1914. B Howell Collection
HP 331 Mr & Mrs W B Howell of Whakemauku Station and their family at their Golden Wedding, Paraparaumu, 1914. G H Howell Collection
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Each library contains materials about the history and people of the Kāpiti Coast.
At Paraparaumu Library you can find more about your family through resources in:
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HP 26 Paraparaumu School Carnival of 1926
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Local History Collection: includes books, audio visual material, school magazines, jubilee publications, journals, archives and local history files.
Historical Photograph Collection: photographs of local people and places.
Newspaper Collection:
Local newspaper holdings include
· Kāpiti Observer 1950—present
· Kāpiti Mail 1988—2000
· Ōtaki Mail 1991—present
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HP 128 Annie and Jess Shine from Waikanae 1896
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To access these resources you must be a member of either the Kāpiti or Ōtaki NZSG branches.
Non– members are welcome to use these resources on a Wednesday 10 –12 pm when an NZSG member is on duty.
Resources include:
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New Zealand Gazette—the official newspaper of Government covering such things as land transfers, bankruptcies, business proceedings etc.
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Births, Deaths and Marriages—microfiche
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Electoral Rolls from 1853—present
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Family History Newsletters from overseas
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New Zealand Cemetery Records—microfiche
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Wises Post Office Directories
All enquiries to:
Secretary - Lyn Lee 293 1610
Ancestry.com is a subscription database available free on library computers. It is the largest family history site online with 400 billion names worldwide.
Ask at the Information Desk or phone your nearest library to book a time.
For Beginners
Genealogy for the first time - Laura Best
Tracing family history in New Zealand - Anne Bromell
Tracing family history: overseas from New Zealand - Anne Bromell
Family Research Resources
A genealogists guide to discovering your Irish ancestors - Dwight A Radford
Burke’s family index
Genealogical Research Directory
How to trace your ancestors to Europe - Hugh T Law
How to trace your convict ancestors -Janet Reakes
Medieval Genealogy - Paul Chambers
National register of shipping arrivals: Australia and New Zealand
New Zealand Genealogist magazine 1984—present
The Phillimore atlas and index of parish registers
Whakapapa
Te haurapa: an introduction to researching tribal histories - Charles Royal
Genealogy and Computers
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This brochure is a list of the resources on genealogy and family tree research which are held by and available at Kāpiti Coast District Libraries.
PLease ask at the Information Desk for your copy.
The Kāpiti Branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists' Library was renamed the Alison Procter Family Centre on April 7th 2008 in honour of Alison Procter.
Alison joined the New Zealand Society of Genealogists Inc. in 1998. First elected onto the Kāpiti Branch Committee in 1999, she was a Committee member until she passed away in early August 2007.
Alison was instrumental in managing and updating a valuable resource, reshelving and cataloguing, purchasing new items, supervising a weekly public research help session and maintaining links with Kāpiti Coast District Libraries' staff.
In November 2006, Alison was presented with a NZSG Branch Service award in recognition of her dedication.
From 1978 she was involved in quite a number of Kāpiti community groups, often in executive positions, and sometimes as a founding member. Some of these were: Kāpiti Workers' Educational Asssociation, Kapiti Herb Society, Kāpiti International Toastmistress Club, Council 6 ITC, Friendship Force of Kāpiti Coast, Kāpiti Citizen's Advice Bureau, Kāpiti Community Social Services Committtee, Kāpiti Family Budgeting, Kāpiti Carers (driver) Kāpiti DPA, Grey Power, Probus Millenium, Shakespeare Playreaders and Kāpiti Historical Society.
In 1986 she commenced extra-mural studies at Massey University and 11 years later completed a Bachelor of Arts degree.
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