Papua New Guinea Genealogy

Pacific Island Guide &gt;  Papua New Guinea



General Information
Papua New Guinea occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea, just north of Australia, and many outlying islands. The Indonesian province of West Papua (Irian Jaya) is to the west. To the north and east are the islands of Manus, New Britain, New Ireland, and Bougainville, all part of Papua New Guinea. Papaua New Guinea is part of the Melanesia region of the Pacific.

Historical Background
about 500 BC Austronesian speaking people arrived in coastal areas bringing pottery, pigs, and fishing techniques. 1526 European discovery of Papua New Guinea by Portuguese explorer Dom Jorge de Meneses. about 1700 Sweat potatoes from South America were introduced by the Portuguese, which replaced taro, and allowed an increase in the population, especially in the highlands. 1883 Queensland, Australia annexes the southern part of New Guinea. 1884 Germany takes control of the northwest part of New Guinea. 1914 Australian troops capture German New Guinea and nearby associated islands.

Research Tools

 * Portal: Papua New Guinea in FamilySearch Research Wiki
 * Papua New Guinea GenWeb part of the Pacific GenWeb.