Gambier Islands

Pacific Island Guide &gt;  French Polynesia  &gt;  Gambier Islands

General Information
Gambier Islands or Mangareva. These atolls have a population of about 6,500 people. Whaling ships stopped here in the 19th century. One of the last strongholds of cannibalism, overzealous missionaries worked the population to death. The majority are Protestant. LDS Missionaries have begun to work here.

They are: Mangareva (Pearl), Taravai (Belcher), Temoe, Aukena (Elson), and Akamaru (Wainwright)

Historical Background
1823 Frederick Beechey enters the lagoon of the Gambier Islands. 1834 A Catholic mission is begun in the Gambier Islands. 1841 Hurricane in the Gambier Islands.

Research Tools

 * Portal:French Polynesia in FamilySearch Research Wiki