Brett’s Colonists’ Guide and Cyclopaedia of Useful Knowledge was first published in 1883. All information that could possibly be needed for the new settler to New Zealand was covered in this book. From how to keep bees, shoeing horses, making a will and treating sore nipples, to recipes for Jugged Hare and Christmas cake, the breadth of tips and tricks to living in the colonies is wide and variable.

Of the many different and fascinating chapters, one I particularly like is called Cottages for Settlers. The chapter is introduced with, “A large proportion of the country settlers of New Zealand are compelled, by the exigencies of their location, to become their own architects…” In the following pages “three designs of convenient cottages, of very simple construction, with specifications of the sizes and quantity of timber required to complete them…” are provided, with illustrations. Below is an example of one of these designs.

The Old Colonists Association Register is an original manuscript listed on Manuscripts Online, that is held within the Sir George Grey Specialist Collections on L2 of Central City Library.

The Old Colonists Association was originally developed out of reunion gatherings for early Auckland settlers who arrived on the Duchess of Argyle and the Jane Gifford, the first two immigrant ships into Auckland.

It was extended to include early colonists of fifty years' standing and their descendants.

Members were listed in the Register between 10 October 1919 to 16 November 1934, and includes a list of 13 early vessels with their arrival dates pasted on the register's front endpaper, which covers the period 1840-1842.

The register contains a list of members of the association, including information relating to joining date, badge number, address at time of joining, when and where born, date of arrival in New Zealand, name of ship, and some miscellaneous remarks.

The inclusions of gems such as where and when born is pure gold, for those wanting to trace their ancestors back to their country of origin. And the date of arrival and ship's name answers the inevitable family history question "when did my ancestor arrive in New Zealand" for many researchers.

The Old Colonists Association Register is often cited as a source in our databases "Index Auckland" and "Auckland Area Passenger Vessels".

Searching for "Dora Close" in Index Auckland brings up six records. The top record is her entry in the Old Colonists' Association Register. You can open the actual image of the page by "Clicking here to view".

In this image of the Old Colonists Association Register, you can see where Dora Close was born, amongst other wonderful pieces of information.

Conducting a successful search for a name - Dora Close in this instance - in Index Auckland gives you not only an abstract of the record, but also allows you to click and open the actual image of the page, which you are free to download and use as part of your personal research. 

Happy hunting

Seonaid