Here at the Central Auckland Research Centre, we were very pleased at the announcement that Ancestry have released six important databases of historical significance to New Zealanders through their ancestry.com.au website.
Ancestry is available free to any members of the public visiting the Auckland region's 55 libraries from Wellsford to Waiheke to Waiuku.
The databases make up part of a collection accumulated from the 20 year's worth of research of noted family historian Anne Bromell.
The collections number some 20 million family history records and cover 140 years, from 1842 to 1981.
The summary of the new online collections are as follows:
New Zealand, Electoral Rolls, 1853-1981Electoral rolls for New Zealand from 1853 to 1981 are contained in this collection. The rolls were compiled during general and provincial election years and include the names of individuals from each electoral district who were qualified to vote. By law, all persons who were eligible to vote were required to register on the electoral roll, even if they did not intend to vote. When the first national elections were held in 1853, eligible voters were male British subjects who owned property and were age 21 or older. Māori were granted the right to vote in 1867 without the property ownership requirement, and in 1897 the requirement was repealed for British subjects as well. New Zealand was the first country to grant women the right to vote in 1893. The original collections of electoral rolls are held in the Parliamentary Library in Wellington, New Zealand.
New Zealand, Maori Voter and Electoral Rolls, 1908 & 1919
Maori voter rolls for 1908 and Maori electoral rolls for 1919 are contained in this database. Those listed in the voter rolls are men and women of half or more Māori descent over 21 years of age. Information listed in the rolls includes: Name of voter, tribe, sub tribe or hapu, address, and gender.
Maori voter rolls for 1908 and Maori electoral rolls for 1919 are contained in this database. Those listed in the voter rolls are men and women of half or more Māori descent over 21 years of age. Information listed in the rolls includes: Name of voter, tribe, sub tribe or hapu, address, and gender.
Canterbury, New Zealand, Provincial Rolls, 1868-1874
Electoral rolls for Canterbury province, New Zealand years 1868 to 1874 are contained in this collection. The rolls were compiled during election years and include the names of individuals from each electoral district who were qualified to vote for the provincial superintendent and members of the provincial council. Information listed includes number, name of voter, address, qualification, and property description.
Electoral rolls for Canterbury province, New Zealand years 1868 to 1874 are contained in this collection. The rolls were compiled during election years and include the names of individuals from each electoral district who were qualified to vote for the provincial superintendent and members of the provincial council. Information listed includes number, name of voter, address, qualification, and property description.
New Zealand, Jury Lists, 1842-1862In the mid 1800s every male British subject between the ages of 21 and 60 years old who resided in New Zealand was qualified to serve as a juror. This collection contains an index of these individuals from 1842 through 1862. Contained in the jury lists are names of jurors, residences, and trade or calling for the individual.
New Zealand, Naturalisations, 1843-1981This is an index of persons who were naturalized or given citizenship in New Zealand between 1843 to 1981. The records may include name of individual, age or birth date, birthplace, place of residence, former nationality, naturalization date, file number, certificate register, and register page number. Images of the records won’t be displayed due to privacy restrictions.
New Zealand, Maori Land Claims, 1858-1980
As recorded by the New Zealand Parliament, this index contains Maori claims made for land from 1858 to 1980. Information listed includes claimant (person, group, or tribe), year of claim, description of claim, and additional notes. This database is not a comprehensive list of all Māori claims to the New Zealand Parliament for land. Only the petitions that were tabled are included. All claims or reports of claims by Māoris for land or land loss compensation are included, but no Pakeha (European) claims for Māori land are included. Petitions requesting changes to the Native Lands Act, those asking for an increase in rent, or those correspondences negotiating a land sale are also not included.
As recorded by the New Zealand Parliament, this index contains Maori claims made for land from 1858 to 1980. Information listed includes claimant (person, group, or tribe), year of claim, description of claim, and additional notes. This database is not a comprehensive list of all Māori claims to the New Zealand Parliament for land. Only the petitions that were tabled are included. All claims or reports of claims by Māoris for land or land loss compensation are included, but no Pakeha (European) claims for Māori land are included. Petitions requesting changes to the Native Lands Act, those asking for an increase in rent, or those correspondences negotiating a land sale are also not included.
So come on in and see us at the Central Auckland Research Centre, or your friendly local library!
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