Beginning family history research

The only effective way to succeed in family history research is to start with yourself and your parents, and work back from them. Below are a few tips to help you get started.

Get started by: 

• Asking family members
• Obtaining copies of birth, marriage and death registrations of parents, grandparents, etc. See New Zealand births, deaths and marriages, or select a region from the left.
• Reading basic guides on how to do family research.
• Checking catalogues for a published history of your family.
• Checking research directories for names of people who may already be researching your surnames.
• Checking cemetery records for names and dates. If your ancestors were buried in Auckland, see Auckland cemeteries.

Asking family members for names, dates and places

Family members can be an invaluable source of information for names, dates, and stories.  Talk to relatives and, if possible, record their stories.  Search our catalogue for guides to recording family biographies.

Read basic guides on how to do family history research

There are several books for background on New Zealand research located at shelf number 2 NZL AID. Guides for other countries are located in each country section, eg. 4 IRL AID for Ireland, 2 AUS AID for Australia.Two booklets, First steps in genealogy by Colleen Main A beginner's guide to family history research in New Zealand by Anne Bromell are available for purchase from the Central City Library Shop.

Check catalogues for a published history of your family

Use both the library catalogue and Bibliography of published New Zealand family histories.

Check research directories

Try New Zealand Family Research Directory and Genealogical Research Directory.