New Zealand Obituaries - FamilySearch Historical Records

New Zealand

What is in This Collection?
This collection includes obituaries for the years 1844 to 1963.

Obituaries are a prime source for finding detailed family information. This collection contains obituaries and death notices from various New Zealand newspapers including the New Zealand Herald and the New Zealand Star.

What Can These Records Tell Me?
The following information may be found in these records:

Obituary
 * Name of deceased
 * Date of death
 * Age at death
 * Residence at death
 * Burial date
 * Burial place
 * Birth place
 * Birth date
 * Spouse
 * Parents
 * Children
 * Other relatives

How Do I Search This Collection?
When searching it is helpful to know: 
 * Your ancestor’s name
 * Residence of your ancestor
 * Approximate death date

How Do I Analyze the Results?
Compare each result from your search with what you know to determine if there is a match. This may require viewing multiple records or images. Keep track of your research in a research log.

I Found the Person I Was Looking For, What Now?

 * When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given
 * Download a copy of the record, or extract the genealogical information needed T
 * Use the estimated age at death to calculate a birth year
 * Some obituaries list “survivors.” This is a list of relatives of the deceased who were still living. Use these relationships to extend your family tree
 * Use the death date to locate a death certificate
 * Use the burial date or place to locate sexton’s records or to find a grave marker for your ancestor

I Can’t Find the Person I’m Looking For, What Now?

 * Check for variant spellings of the names everyone with that particular name. You can then browse the list for individuals that may be your ancestor
 * Remember, your ancestor may have used nicknames or different names at different times
 * If your ancestor used multiple names throughout their life, look for all their names
 * A “survivors” list in an obituary may not include all living relatives
 * Information in an obituary should be verified with other sources if possible. Sometimes the person who wrote the obituary had faulty or incomplete information
 * Check available newspapers for several days before and after the death of your ancestor

Research Helps
The following articles will help you in your research for your family in New Zealand.
 * Record Finder
 * Research Tips and Strategies

Citing This Collection
Citations help you keep track of places you have searched and sources you have found. Identifying your sources helps others find the records you used.