New Zealand Genealogical Records

New Zealand Birth & Baptism Records

New Zealand Birth Index (1847-1965)

An index to births registered by the government, including name, year of birth and parents' names. The index can be used to order death records, which contain further details.

Foreign and Overseas Registers of British Subjects (1627-1965)

Registers of births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials containing over 160,000 entries from over 30 countries. These largely relate to British subjects.

British Nationals Born Overseas (1818-2006)

An index to births of British citizens born overseas that were registered with the British Consul or High Commissioner. Provides a reference that can be used to order a birth certificate.

Miscellaneous Births & Baptisms Index (1534-1983)

A small index to several-hundred-thousand records from select countries.

New Zealand Marriage & Divorce Records

New Zealand Marriage Index (1847-1935)

An index to marriages registered by the government, including names of the bride and groom and year of marriage. The index can be used to order death records, which contain further details.

Foreign and Overseas Registers of British Subjects (1627-1965)

Registers of births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials containing over 160,000 entries from over 30 countries. These largely relate to British subjects.

British Nationals Married Overseas (1818-2005)

An index to marriages of British citizens overseas that were registered with the British Consul or High Commissioner Provides a reference that can be used to order a marriage certificate.

Miscellaneous Marriage Index (1662-1945)

An index to more than 30,000 marriage records, including personal details, names of relations and particulars of marriage.

New Zealand Death & Burial Records

New Zealand Death Index (1847-Present)

An index to deaths registered by the government, including name, date of birth and age. The index can be used to order death records, which contain further details.

Foreign and Overseas Registers of British Subjects (1627-1965)

Registers of births/baptisms, marriages and deaths/burials containing over 160,000 entries from over 30 countries. These largely relate to British subjects.

Jewish Online Worldwide Burial Registry (1550-Present)

A searchable database of over 1 million Jewish burials with photographs of the matzevot.

Commonwealth WWII Civilian Deaths (1939-1945)

This database contains seven volumes listing civilians in the British Commonwealth and Empire who died during World War II.

British Nationals Overseas Deaths (1818-2005)

A name index linked to original indices of British citizens who died overseas. Records record the area in which the deceased died and their age.

Newspapers Covering New Zealand

New Zealand Gazette (1876-1886)

Searchable editions of the official newspaper of the New Zealand government. It contains details of government proceedings, estate, bankruptcies, the military and much more.

Scottish Australasian Magazine (1910-1918)

A journal intended to help Australasians of Scottish parentage to better understand the history, literature and songs of the land of their forefathers.

Name Card Index to AP Stories (1905-1990)

An index to over 2.1 million people mentioned in Associated Press stories, including name, subject, location, date and a reference to the article.

AP Stories & Newsfeatures (1937-1985)

An index to and digital images of hundreds-of-thousands of world newspaper articles.

Subject Card Index to AP Stories (1937-1985)

An index to around 500,000 Associated Press articles.

New Zealand Wills & Probate Records

New Zealand Probate Records (1843-1998)

An index to 100,000s of documents recording the last wishes of New Zealanders and the distribution of their estate after their decease. Records often contain much genealogical information.

Prerogative Court of Canterbury Wills (PPV) (1384-1858)

A index to testators whose will was proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury. They principally cover those who lived in the lower two thirds of Britain, but contain wills for residents of Scotland, Ireland, British India and other countries. A copy of each will may be purchased for digital download.

New Zealand Notices of Deceased Estates (1880-1950)

Details of deceased New Zealanders whose administered estate contained possessions in England.

Bank of England Wills Extracts Index (1717-1845)

An index to over 60,000 wills of people who died with money in public funds. Useful when researching counties where wills have been destroyed. Also contains wills for citizens of British colonies.

New Zealand Immigration & Travel Records

New Zealand Passenger Lists (1839-1973)

An index to and images of lists recording the arrival and departure of over 7 million passengers.

New Zealand Early Settlers (1815-1860)

A register of over 13,000 settlers in New Zealand. It includes settler's name, date of birth, date of death, the ship they arrived on and where they lived.

New Zealand Naturalisations (1843-1981)

An index to around 140,000 records detailing grants of British and later New Zealand citizenship. The index lists name, age or date of birth, place of birth, residence, former nationality, date of naturalisation and a reference which can be used to order copies of naturalisation records.

Cornish Emigrants (1785-1941)

Extracts from passenger lists, detailing the emigration and transportation of people from Cornwall, primarily to the New World and British colonies.

Swedish Emigration Records (1783-1951)

Abstracts of details found in passenger lists, passport records, correspondence and seaman records, which may list name, age, gender, birthplace, occupation, residence, destination, emigration date and more. Most passengers were traveling to North America.

New Zealand Military Records

New Zealand World War II Ballot Lists (1940-1945)

An index and images of notices of men called up for Service with the Territorial Force, were extracted from the New Zealand Gazette. They list more than 310,000 names, addresses, and occupations of men who were called to service during WWII.

WWI Commonwealth Casualty Lists (1914-1920)

A list of over 1.3 million British and Commonwealth servicemen who were injured during World War One.

1861 British Army Census (1861)

An index listing the rank and regiment of over 245,000 British Army soldiers serving in June 1861. Compiled from paylists, this essential work can help locate further records for military men whose regiment is not otherwise known.

New Zealand Army WWII Nominal Rolls (1939-1948)

An index to and images of records detailing around 125,000 men who served in the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Records may contain name, dates of service, army number, rank, unit, marital status, place of enlistment, occupation, names of relatives, residence and more.

New Zealand WWII Records (1939-1945)

Transcripts of announcements found in the official publication of the New Zealand government regarding appointments, changes in position and resignation in the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces.

New Zealand Electoral Rolls (1853-1981)

An index to and images of registers that list the name, address, voting qualification and property description of those registered to vote. Contains around 21 million entries.

New Zealand Gazette (1876-1886)

Searchable editions of the official newspaper of the New Zealand government. It contains details of government proceedings, estate, bankruptcies, the military and much more.

New Zealand Jury Lists (1842-1862)

A list of over 45,000 people who served as jurors, compiled from newspaper reports. Lists include name, residence and occupation.

New Zealand Maori Voter & Electoral Rolls (1908-1919)

An index to 35,000 indigenous New Zealanders registered to vote, including name, tribe, sub-tribe, address and gender.

Lectric Law Dictionary (1066-Present)

A dictionary of law terminology from earliest times.

New Zealand Land & Property Records

New Zealand Land Records (1882)

A database of around 70,000 entities that held freehold title to land in New Zealand. Entries may list name, title, occupation, address, borough and county of land, value of land, acreage of land and year.

New Zealand Directories & Gazetteers

Cyclopedia of New Zealand (1897-1908)

A transcription of an early 20th century work detailing the government, localities and notable persons of New Zealand.

New Zealand Postal Directories (1890-1933)

Five searchable books listing towns followed by lists of tradespeople, professional, businesses and private residents.

Wise's New Zealand Post Office Directory (1872-1955)

Many searchable editions of books that give brief details on settlements, listing their residents and businesses.

New Zealand City & Area Directories (1866-1954)

An index to and images of books listing around 8 million names, with addresses and occupations. They also contain information on localities, government, amenities etc.

Steven's and Bartholomew's New Zealand Directory (1866-1867)

A directory of people living in and businesses operating in New Zealand.

New Zealand Cemeteries

Billion Graves (1200-Present)

Photographs and transcriptions of millions of gravestones from cemeteries around the world.

New Zealand Cemetery Records (1800-2007)

Over 1.6 million transcriptions of headstones from cemeteries in New Zealand, typically including details such as name, birth date, death date, and the cemetery name and plot location. But they may also provide family relationships with name and other details about a spouse, cause of death, military dates, an epitaph, or even a description of the headstone.

New Zealand Obituaries

Australia & New Zealand Obituary Collection (2006-Present)

A constantly-updated collection of abstract obituaries, inducing names of relatives. It contains over 300,000 entries.

Medical Directory (1915)

Contains a gazetteer of places, a directory of doctors, lists of institutions, regulations, obituaries and more.

Loxton's Medical Directory (1911)

Contains a gazetteer of places, a directory of doctors, lists of institutions, regulations, obituaries and more.

New Zealand Histories & Books

Cyclopedia of New Zealand (1897-1908)

A transcription of an early 20th century work detailing the government, localities and notable persons of New Zealand.

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand (1897-1908)

A detailed work covering the history of the nation's provinces and settlements; supplemented with photographs and biographies of notable Kiwis.

Early History of New Zealand (1500-1840)

A history of the country from its discovery, through colonisation to life under British rule.

Ancestry Member Stories (6000 BC-Present)

Over 7 million remembrances and historic details submitted by Ancestry members. Useful for local historians.

Ancestry Member Photos & Documents (6000 BC-Present)

Over 60 million historic photographs and documents submitted to Ancestry. This rich collection contains many rare sources of interest to local historians and will be relevant to most genealogical research.

New Zealand School & Education Records

New Zealand School Registers & Lists (1850-1967)

An index to and images of registers of pupils at several New Zealand schools.

New Zealand Occupation & Business Records

Medical Directory (1915)

Contains a gazetteer of places, a directory of doctors, lists of institutions, regulations, obituaries and more.

Loxton's Medical Directory (1911)

Contains a gazetteer of places, a directory of doctors, lists of institutions, regulations, obituaries and more.

Australasian Medical Directory & Handbook (1883-1900)

Five books, listing the names and particulars of medical practitioners in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa and New Caledonia. It also lists statistical, legal and other information relating to the medical profession.

New Zealand Teacher & Civil Service Records (1880-1920)

An index to and images of records of those holding teaching qualifications, teaching licenses, civil service exam results and other educational records.

New Zealand Medical & Nurses Registers (1873-1933)

An index to and images of registers listing over 110,000 name, qualifications, and residences listed for physicians, surgeons, nurses, midwives, and other medical practitioners.

Pedigrees & Family Trees Covering New Zealand

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Colonial Gentry: Genealogical & Heraldic History 1 (1891)

Genealogies of land-owning families in the British colonies, including biographies.

Colonial Gentry: Genealogical & Heraldic History 2 (1891)

Genealogies of land-owning families in the British colonies, including biographies.

Ancestry Member Family Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A compilation of lineage-linked family trees submitted by Ancestry users. The database contains over 2 billion individuals and is searchable by numerous metrics.

Genealogics (1400 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked families. It largely covers royalty and nobility, but also contains actors, footballers and American presidents.

New Zealand Royalty, Nobility & Heraldry Records

FamilySearch Community Trees (6000 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked genealogies compiled from thousands of reputable and not-so-reputable sources. Contains many details on European gentry & nobility, but covers many countries outside Europe and people from all walks of life.

Colonial Gentry: Genealogical & Heraldic History 1 (1891)

Genealogies of land-owning families in the British colonies, including biographies.

Colonial Gentry: Genealogical & Heraldic History 2 (1891)

Genealogies of land-owning families in the British colonies, including biographies.

Genealogics (1400 BC-Present)

A searchable database of linked families. It largely covers royalty and nobility, but also contains actors, footballers and American presidents.

New Zealand Church Records

The History of Methodism in New Zealand (1700-1900)

A detailed history of a religious denomination in New Zealand, with notes on its British roots.

Crockford's Clerical Directory (1929)

A directory listing Anglican parishes and other divisions of the Church or England hierarchy and their various religious officers. The directory covers the UK and Anglican churches throughout the world.

New Zealand Officiating Ministers (1882-1920)

This database contains lists all of the ministers who had the right to perform marriages in New Zealand under the heading of their churches’ denominations.

Australasian Methodist Ministerial General Index (1850-1896)

A book listing names of ministers in the Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Church since its inception. It also indicates the principal offices which each minister has held from the Conferences, biographies and obituaries.

Biographical Directories Covering New Zealand

The Cyclopedia of New Zealand (1897-1908)

A detailed work covering the history of the nation's provinces and settlements; supplemented with photographs and biographies of notable Kiwis.

New Zealand Maps

Topo Map (2010-Present)

Detailed and interactive topographical maps covering the New Zealand islands.

Old Maps Online (1497-2010)

An interactive index to thousands of maps covering the world, continents, countries and regions. The majority of maps cover Britain and Ireland.

New Zealand Reference Works

Lectric Law Dictionary (1066-Present)

A dictionary of law terminology from earliest times.

Archaic Medical Terms (1066-Present)

A dictionary of largely defunct medical terms.

Most Common Surnames in New Zealand

RankSurnameIncidenceFrequency
1Smith13,6671:331
2Williams8,8141:514
3Jones8,5631:529
4Brown8,3651:541
5Taylor8,0481:563
6Wilson8,0441:563
7Scott7,0101:646
8Anderson6,9861:648
9Young6,8871:658
10Singh6,8801:658
11Thompson6,7051:675
12King6,4891:698
13Walker6,4851:698
14Harris6,3791:710
15White6,3111:718
16Lee6,2971:719
17Robinson6,1981:731
18Edwards6,1601:735
19Johnson6,1451:737
20Stewart6,1081:741
21Davis6,0521:748
22Robertson5,9871:756
23Mitchell5,8971:768
24Johnston5,8661:772
25Martin5,8381:776
26Thomas5,8021:780
27Watson5,7771:784
28Turner5,7641:786
29Simpson5,7511:787
30Morgan5,7451:788
31Cooper5,6821:797
32Clark5,6681:799
33Phillips5,6301:804
34Murray5,6161:806
35Reid5,5721:813
36Miller5,5671:813
37Jackson5,5501:816
38Campbell5,5491:816
39McDonald5,5391:818
40Moore5,5291:819
41Hill5,4991:823
42Clarke5,4421:832
43Baker5,4251:835
44Gray5,4021:838
45Thomson5,3991:839
46Evans5,3611:845
47McKenzie5,3571:845
48Ward5,3511:846
49Roberts5,3101:853
50McLean5,3091:853
51Parker5,2921:856
52MacDonald5,2801:858
53Marshall5,2631:860
54Morris5,1911:872
55Davies5,1861:873
56Grant5,1691:876
57Wright5,0961:889
58Bell5,0901:890
59Green5,0371:899
60Hughes5,0331:900
61Allen5,0201:902
62Henderson4,9931:907
63Kelly4,9911:907
64Carter4,9901:907
65Shaw4,9451:916
66Bennett4,9211:920
67Hall4,9111:922
68Ross4,9081:923
69Russell4,8511:933
70Lewis4,8481:934
71Cook4,7391:956
72Collins4,7311:957
73James4,7261:958
74Sutherland4,7041:963
75Gibson4,6611:972
76Fraser4,6341:977
77Duncan4,6241:979
78Wallace4,5991:985
79Graham4,5971:985
80Wood4,5761:990
81Paterson4,4941:1,008
82Cameron4,4901:1,009
83Hunt4,4731:1,012
84Sinclair4,4281:1,023
85Stevenson4,4181:1,025
86McKay4,3521:1,041
87Harrison4,3231:1,047
88Murphy4,2951:1,054
89Mason4,2591:1,063
90Adams4,2571:1,064
91Wells4,1831:1,083
92Gordon4,1771:1,084
93Bailey4,1541:1,090
94Ryan4,1211:1,099
95Black4,1191:1,099
96Stevens4,0741:1,112
97Harvey4,0681:1,113
98Kennedy4,0381:1,121
99Hunter4,0321:1,123
100McGregor4,0001:1,132
101Crawford3,9991:1,132
102Williamson3,9901:1,135
103Hansen3,9551:1,145
104Mills3,9541:1,145
105Price3,9451:1,148
106Jenkins3,9401:1,149
107Nelson3,9321:1,152
108Foster3,9231:1,154
109Richardson3,9151:1,157
110Rogers3,9051:1,160
111Kerr3,8961:1,162
112Allan3,8811:1,167
113Wilkinson3,8601:1,173
114Morrison3,8501:1,176
115Andrews3,8151:1,187
116O'Connor3,8101:1,189
117Burgess3,7241:1,216
118Munro3,7221:1,217
119Patel3,7131:1,220
120Dunn3,6991:1,224
121McLeod3,6851:1,229
122Hamilton3,6831:1,230
123Lawrence3,6821:1,230
124Pearce3,6671:1,235
125Bradley3,6591:1,238
126Walsh3,6241:1,250
127Matthews3,6181:1,252
128Boyd3,5921:1,261
129Armstrong3,5841:1,263
130Davidson3,5771:1,266
131Richards3,5521:1,275
132Rowe3,5261:1,284
133Fletcher3,5231:1,285
134Jamieson3,5061:1,292
134MacKenzie3,5061:1,292
134Palmer3,5061:1,292
137Cox3,5031:1,293
138Ellis3,4941:1,296
139Saunders3,4911:1,297
140Alexander3,4701:1,305
140Dawson3,4701:1,305
142West3,4591:1,309
143Fisher3,4531:1,311
144McMillan3,4521:1,312
145Griffiths3,4271:1,321
146Oliver3,4151:1,326
147Butler3,4011:1,331
148Chapman3,3331:1,359
148Elliott3,3331:1,359
148Sutton3,3331:1,359
151Knight3,3221:1,363
152Ford3,3071:1,369
153Patterson3,2991:1,373
154Douglas3,2691:1,385
155Kumar3,2591:1,389
156Ferguson3,2391:1,398
157Milne3,2381:1,398
158Craig3,2321:1,401
159Barker3,2111:1,410
160Bishop3,2101:1,411
161Barnes3,2031:1,414
162Perry3,2021:1,414
163Payne3,1821:1,423
164Webster3,1721:1,428
165Hart3,1691:1,429
166Rose3,1471:1,439
167Dixon3,1411:1,442
168Cole3,1401:1,442
169Marsh3,1361:1,444
170Holmes3,1321:1,446
171Millar3,1161:1,453
172Peters3,1011:1,460
173MacKay3,1001:1,461
174Reynolds3,0941:1,464
175Paul3,0771:1,472
176Donaldson3,0741:1,473
176O'Brien3,0741:1,473
178Hay3,0551:1,482
179Woods3,0471:1,486
180Muir3,0211:1,499
181Webb3,0141:1,502
182Fleming3,0101:1,504
183Pearson2,9941:1,512
184Todd2,9891:1,515
185Booth2,9701:1,525
185Powell2,9701:1,525
187Johnstone2,9621:1,529
187O'Neill2,9621:1,529
189Cunningham2,9611:1,529
190Hayes2,9441:1,538
191Lloyd2,9071:1,558
192Fox2,9001:1,561
193Osborne2,8911:1,566
194Gardiner2,8871:1,569
195Buchanan2,8771:1,574
196Burns2,8451:1,592
197Stephens2,8331:1,598
198Day2,8181:1,607
199Holland2,8151:1,609
200Barrett2,7951:1,620