Cook Islands (Includes Rarotonga): Difference between revisions

'' ''In 1997,''Japanese ''archaeologists unearthed a previously unknown ''marae'' (sacred site) on ''Motu Tapu'', an islet in the lagoon at ''Nagatangila.'' This is estimated to be 1500 years old (abt. 500 A.D.).  

'''500''' Expeditions to New Zealand by Maori begin from Rarotonga, probably from Ngatangila.<br>'''800''' Expedition of Ru from Tubua`i in French Polynesia to Rarotonga, Aitutake, and Tangaia.<br>'''1600''' Spanish explorers sight Pukapuka and land on Rakahanga <br>'''1800''' British and French explorers and Australian and New Zealand expeditions seek sandalwood. They name Pukapuka “Danger Island” because they cannot land. Captain James Cook lands on several of the islands and a Russian map maker names them the “Cook Islands” after him.<br>'''1821''' London Missionary Society landed in Aitutaki. Islanders quickly converted to Christianity.&nbsp; Population around 6,500.<br>'''1850''' Peruvian slave traders kidnapped outer islanders, who were never seen again.<br>'''1860s''' Population diminished to 2,000 due to sickness<br>'''1861-1907''' London Mission Society gives births and death, civil registration<br>'''1870''' Queen Makea Tukau has government authority and petitions for British protection. <br>'''1888''' Became a British protectorate. Freedom of religion guaranteed.<br>'''1895''' First Roman Catholic Church dedicated<br>'''1896''' (some 1876) A large number of oral genealogies was recorded.<br>'''1901''' Annexed to New Zealand in a deed of cession signed by five ariki and seven lesser chiefs.<br>'''1946''' Large numbers of Cook Islanders migrate to New Zealand for jobs.<br>'''1965''' Became a Self-Governing Territory under New Zealand. Cook Islanders have automatic New Zealand citizenship.<br>'''1996''' Population is 19,103<br>'''2000''' Universal suffrage and self-government with an elected parliament and a House of Ariki (hereditary chiefs) with representatives from all of the Cook Islands brings a peaceful environment in the Cook Islands.  

*Click on '''''Cook Islands - Rarotonga - Genealogy'''''.A list of oral genealogies will come up with the names of the families listed. By clicking on the one you are interested in you can get the microfilm number. Or, use a '''''Film/fiche number'''''searchand look at the descriptions of the following microfilms, all of which contain information about Cook Island ancestors: '''795886, 795837, 795960, 795720, 108490, 108491, 108492, 108563, 112651, 865045, 1026227, 165044, 165045, 928558.'''<br><br>

An important collection of compiled genealogies from Cook Islands is found in the ''Cole Jensen Collection: Oral Genealogies and Genealogical Information Collected from the Polynesian Peoples and from the Pacific Islands''. These records were collected by William Cole and Elwin Jensen over a period of 50 years and microfilmed by the Genealogical Department of the LDS Church in 1984. The original collection consisted of 51 binders. The original materials no longer exist as an intact collection. However, there are nine microfilms ('''1358001-1358009''') available at various family History centers.&nbsp; This collection has family group records, pedigree charts, oral genealogies, and other genealogical materials collected from the islands of ''Hawaii, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Niue, Cook Islands, and Frenach Polynesia, ''including the ''Society, Marquesas, Austral Islands, ''and the ''Tuamotu Archipelago.''