Finding out what others have already researched can provide information and save a lot of time. The following resources can help:
Surname directories and indexes
Check the Genealogical Research Directory (published annually) for people around the world, largely from Australia and New Zealand, North America and the British Isles, who may already be working on the same family.
There are a variety of similar directories. See the New Zealand Families Research Directory, and the annual indexes to members' interests in The New Zealand Genealogist.
The Alexander Turnbull Library Biographies Index (available on microfiche in the Auckland Research Centre) refers to correspondence received from many people already undertaking family research, to newspaper articles on family reunions etc.
Index New Zealand (INNZ) carries on from this, and can be accessed both from home and from any Auckland City Libraries public terminals. Membership is required.
Published family histories
As a result of legal deposit and many donations, the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington has the largest collection of New Zealand family histories. Even so, not all of those published have reached the Library.
Access to these is by several methods:
Books catalogued from 1984, including some published before that date, will appear on the National Library of New Zealand's online catalogue. Books published before 1984 will be recorded in the Alexander Turnbull Library's card catalogue, available on microfiche in the Auckland Research Centre. If you do not know an author or title, check the Subject catalogue under the name of the family.
Check the Te Puna database, available on all public computer terminals at any of the Auckland City Libraries. Membership is required.
Searching can be done via subject keyword search (e.g. nathan family), or a title keyword search (e.g. nathan family). Although the first search should produce the most relevant items, the second can add different results. It is more effective for less common surnames. Note: Some of the items found will not be found in New Zealand libraries. |
