Genealogy
If you're researching family history and genealogy, Napier Libraries has many great resources to help you on your journey of discovery.
Courses:
The Library holds Introductory and Intermediate Genealogy courses each term. Introduction to Genealogy is designed for those new to family research. This class will show you how to search effectively and explore different features of popular websites such as ancestry.com and findmypast.com. To sign up for this free class, check out our Free Digital Skills Workshop page. Course dates:
- 10 am - 12 noon, 9 February, Taradale Library
- 1 pm - 3 pm, 11 May, Taradale Library
- 10 am - 12 noon, 10 August, Taradale Library
- 1 pm - 3 pm, 26 October, Taradale Library
Intermediate Genealogy is for those already confident in basic genealogy. This class has an emphasis on records held by Napier Libraries and other council facilities, cemetery searches, and alternative information sources. To sign up for this free class, check out our Free Digital Skills Workshop page. Course dates:
- 10 am - 12 noon, 25 February, Taradale Library
- 1 pm - 3 pm, 20 May, Taradale Library
- 10 am - 12 noon, 19 August, Taradale Library
- 1 pm - 3 pm, 4 November, Taradale Library
Research help:
Our Research Librarians have pulled together this useful guide to help you get started in genealogy:
If you would like any help finding your way through our resources, we have a Research Enquiry service available, or you can ask our friendly staff.
Databases:
We have a wide range of useful databases, which can be accessed on our Digital Content page. Three key resources are:
Ancestry
Ancestry unlocks the story of you with sources like censuses, vital records, immigration records, family histories, military records, court and legal documents, directories, photos, maps and more, with new content added daily. Ancestry Library Edition contains the UK and Ireland Census Collection, England and Wales Civil Registration Index, Immigration Collections and US Federal Census Collection data.
Please first login through the library online calalogue https://napier.spydus.co.nz/, login, then click home, then click on the database page link and then click on the Ancestry link. You must repeat this process every time you want access ancestory.
FamilySearch
FamilySearch is bursting at the seams with great records from across the world including church, vital, census, land, probate, military and immigration records, as well as many other types of records and histories that can help you uncover your family tree. Napier Libraries are an Affiliate Member. You will need to sign up to the FamilySearch site the first time you use it and log in each time you use the site.
FindMyPast
FindMyPast makes original historical documents available to search online so that you can explore a collection of over two billion records, find your ancestors, and trace your family tree from the comfort ofyour local library.
Note: FindMyPast is only available for use within the library.
Library Collections:
Napier Libraries holds several collections that are useful in genealogy and family history research:
- Genealogy Collection - useful books on starting your genealogy research, specific research areas, heraldry, surnames, the Phillimore Atlas of Parish Registers and more.
- Heritage Collection - key titles about all aspects of New Zealand history, including biographies and secondary historical sources. This includes newspaper clippings of articles relating to Hawke's Bay, and Hawke's Bay buildings.
- Heritage Hawke's Bay Collection - an in depth collection covering family histories, local histories, the Oral History Archive, historical deposit plans, and more.
- Newspaper holdings - The Daily Telegraph since 1881, The Hawke's Bay Herald 1877-1904, and an index of birth, death, and marriage notices from The Daily Telegraph and Hawke's Bay Today.
- The Irene Lister Archive - located at Taradale this is a small collection of photographs, indexed records of Taradale people with births, marriages, and deaths, articles about Taradale people, events buildings, index cards refer to information found in books, cemetery records and private collections.
- Whakapapa - Māori Genealogy - a list of useful resurces.
Other Useful Resources:
- Billion Graves
- Building Your Family Tree Online - a beginner's guide
- Cyndi's List - a list of genealogy sites on the internet
- DNA Test Comparison - by SmarterHobby.com
- Free Births Deaths and Marriages UK - this contains the same information as the GRO index
- Freereg - records from UK parishes
- Hastings Cemeteries
- Jewish Genealogy
- Napier Cemeteries
- New Zealand Births, Deaths and Marriages
- New Zealand Society of Genealogists
- Scotland's People - find your Scottish ancestors
- Smarter Hobby Genealogy
- A guide to genealogy research in Europe
- United Kingdom Society of Genealogists
- United States Citizenship and Immigration Services - history and genealogy
- United States Genweb project - free genealogy help for every US state and county.
Road To IELTS
Located in the Art Deco city of Napier. We have worked closely with our builders to promote and develop high quality housing within an open-aspect environment.
Visit the Napier i-SITE to find out more about what is happening in Hawkes Bay, from events, activities and accommodation.
The Faraday Centre in Napier, is Hawke's Bay's Museum of Technology. It's a place of discovery where history comes alive through hands on experience.
Unique Art Deco heritage has been preserved with the skilful addition of modern theatre facilities making it the best provincial performing arts centre in the nation.
We are Hawkes Bay's premier holiday accommodation park providing an array of facilities to keep the entire family entertained.
We offer an all purpose built venue that uniquely combines spectacular outlooks with functional layout.
Comprising a Museum, Theatre and Gallery - MTG is home to a significant collection of objects that form the foundation of distinctive exhibitions, a world-class research facility and the MTG Theatre.
Situated in the centre of Napier, in the middle of Onekawa Park, the Napier Aquatic Centre is a safe and affordable aquatic facility for everyone.
Come to Par2 MiniGolf and meet Seamore the Seagull at our sea-side minigolf courses. Challenge your friends and family for a round.
For Napier City residents and citizens to have easy access to see what council are currently working on, completed, what they do, facilities, and council information.
Nowhere else in New Zealand will you discover a wider range of marine animals and native species in a single facility than at the National Aquarium of New Zealand.
Located on Marine Parade, Napier, is the Bay Skate Park - home to skateboarding, BMX, roller derby, inline hockey and scootering.