New Zealand Church Records

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New Zealand

Church Records

For information about records for non-Christian religions in New Zealand, go to the Religious Records page.

Anglican Records

How to Find the Records

The National Library of New Zealand in Wellington houses many Anglican parish registers. To see what they have in their archives, visit their catalog here. Some of New Zealand's church records have also been digitized and are available on FamilySearch.org. Additionally, the Auckland War Museum has many church records, including Anglican records, that are available to look at in their reading room. They also have some church records available online. To see what records they have available, visit them here.

However, many Anglican church records are kept in the Diocesan Archives for where your ancestor lived. The following are the five Anglican diocese in New Zealand and their corresponding archives:

• Auckland - Anglican Diocese of Auckland at 12 Saint Stephens Avenue, Parnell, Auckland 1052, New Zealand
• Christchurch - Anglican Diocese of Christchurch at Level 1/10 Logistics Drive, Harewood, Christchurch 8050, New Zealand
• Nelson - Anglican Diocese of Nelson at 48 Halifax Street East, Nelson 7010, New Zealand
• Waiapu - Anglican Diocese of Waiapu at 2 Bower Street, Napier 4110, New Zealand
• Waikato - Anglican Diocese Of Waikato and Taranaki at 104 Morrinsville Road, Hillcrest, Hamilton 3216, New Zealand

Online Resources and Websites

• 1840-2008 New Zealand, Index of Burials, 1840-2008 at MyHeritage - index ($)
• 1844-1870 - Church records : Church of England in New Zealand baptisms, 1844-1870 at FamilySearch - images
• 1886-1946 - Baptismal register, 1886-1946 at FamilySearch - images
• 1857-1975 - Church records, 1857-1975 at FamilySearch - images
• 1857-1914 - Parish registers, 1857-1914 at FamilySearch - images
• 1907-1950 - Parish registers, 1907-1950 at FamilySearch - images
• 1883-1940 - Register of Anglican Maori birth, death records in Wairoa District, 1883-1940; also land deals at FamilySearch - images
• 1886-1945 - Baptismal register, 1886-1945 at FamilySearch - images
• 1890-1984 - Parish registers, 1890-1984 at FamilySearch - images
• 1852-1863 - Marriage records of Rev. John Morgan at FamilySearch - images

Historical Background

The first Anglican missionaries, part of the Church Mission Society, began teaching in New Zealand in 1814. Historically, Anglicans in New Zealand are of English descent. Now Anglicanism makes up 11.79% of New Zealand's population, which makes it the second largest Christian denomination behind Catholicism. The religion has the largest presence in Canterbury, New Zealand.

Catholic Records

How to Find the Records

There are currently no Catholic church records for New Zealand available online. Most Catholic registers are kept in the parish where they were created. To find which parish your ancestor may have attended, visit the Catholic Diocesan website. There are six Catholic Dioceses in New Zealand:

• Auckland - Catholic Diocese of Auckland at 30 New St, St Mary’s Bay, Auckland 1011, New Zealand
• Christchurch - Catholic Diocese of Christchurch at 2/9 Washington Way, Sydenham, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
• Dunedin - Roman Catholic Diocese of Dunedin at 300 Rattray St., Private Bag 1941, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
• Hamilton - Catholic Diocese of Hamilton at 51 Grey Street, Hamilton East 3216, New Zealand
• Palmerston North - Diocese of Palmerston North at 33 Amesbury Street, Private Bag 11 012, Palmerston North, New Zealand
• Wellington - Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington at 22-30 Hill Street, Thorndon, WELLINGTON 6011, New Zealand

Additionally, the Catholic Dioceses of Auckland and Christchurch have diocesan archives that house some parish registers.

• Auckland - Catholic Diocese of Auckland Pompallier Heritage Centre and Archives at 30 New St, St Mary’s Bay, Auckland 1011, New Zealand - genealogical research is only permitted for records taken before 1900
• Christchurch - Catholic Diocese of Christchurch Archives at 2/9 Washington Way, Sydenham, Christchurch City 8011

The Auckland War Museum also has many church records, including Catholic records, that are available to look at in their reading room. They also have some church records available online. To see what records they have available, visit them here.

Historical Background

The first Catholic mass held in New Zealand occurred on Christmas Day 1769. Jean Baptiste Pompallier, a missionary, played an important role in establishing the Catholic church in New Zealand during the 19th century. Historically, most Catholics in New Zealand are of Irish descent. Today, Catholics make up 12.61% of New Zealand's population, which makes it the largest Christian Denomination. The territories with the highest percentage of Catholics are Kaikoura, Westland, and Grey.

Congregationalist Records

How to Find the Records

The National Library of New Zealand in Wellington houses many Congregationalist records. To see what they have in their archives, visit their catalog here. Some of New Zealand's church records have also been digitized and are available on FamilySearch.org. Additionally, the Auckland War Museum has many church records, including Congregationalist records, that are available to look at in their reading room. They also have some church records available online. To see what records they have available, visit them here.

Online Resources and Websites

• 1871-1905 - Marriages, 1871-1905 at FamilySearch - images

Historical Background

The first Congregational Church in New Zealand was established in 1840. By the 1875 Census, Congregational Independents were the fourth largest Protestant denomination. Today, congregationalists make up 8.47% of the population of New Zealand.

Information Recorded in the Records

You will usually find the following types of records for Congregationalists:

• Baptisms
• Marriages
• Burials
• Admissions
• Dismissions
• Minutes

Methodist Records

How to Find the Records

The National Library of New Zealand in Wellington houses many Methodist records. To see what they have in their archives, visit their catalog here. Some of New Zealand's church records have also been digitized and are available on FamilySearch.org. Additionally, the Auckland War Museum has many church records, including Methodist records, that are available to look at in their reading room. They also have some church records available online. To see what records they have available, visit them here.

Online Resources and Websites

• 1830-1877 - Christenings and marriages from northern New Zealand, 1830-1877 at FamilySearch - images
• 1844-1969 - Register of European names from Methodist records from Hokianga, New Zealand, 1834-1850 at FamilySearch - images
• 1846-1917 - Marriages, pre-1915 at FamilySearch - images
• 1830-1968 - Methodists records for New Zealand, 1830-1968 at FamilySearch - images
• 1878-1914 - Church records, 1840-1954 at FamilySearch - images

Historical Background

Methodists were among the earliest missionaries to come to New Zealand. Today, Methodists make up 2.64% of New Zealand's population.

Information Recorded in the Records

Typically, Methodist church records may consist of the following:

• Baptisms (infant and adult)
• Marriages
• Burials
• Ministerial Records

Presbyterian Records

How to Find the Records

The best resource for Presbyterian records in New Zealand is the "Register of New Zealand Presbyterian Marriages 1848 to 1935." This database was compiled by the Presbyterian Research Centre and contains marriage records for Presbyterians during this time period. The National Library of New Zealand in Wellington also houses many Presbyterian church records. To see what they have in their archives, visit their catalog here. Some of New Zealand's church records have been digitized and are available on FamilySearch.org as well. Additionally, the Auckland War Museum has many church records, including Presbyterian records, that are available to look at in their reading room. They also have some church records available online. To see what records they have available, visit them here.

Online Resources and Websites

• 1856-1980 - Register of New Zealand Presbyterian Marriages 1848 to 1935 at the Presbyterian Research Centre - indexes
• 1848-1920 - Register of Otago & Southland Marriages 1848 to 1920 at the Presbyterian Research Centre - indexes
• 1881-1908 - St. David's Presbyterian Church : index to marriages, 1881-1908 at FamilySearch - images

Historical Background

Scottish settlers brought Presbyterianism to New Zealand, and consequently, most Presbyterian New Zealanders are of Scottish descent. The city of Dunedin was established as a Presbyterian settlement. Today, Presbyterians make up about 8.47% of the population. They have the strongest presence in the lower part of the South Island.

Church of Christ Records

How to Find the Records

Some of New Zealand's Church of Christ records have also been digitized and are available on FamilySearch.org.

Online Resources and Websites

• 1875-1926 - New Zealand, Auckland, Port Albert, Membership Lists and Minutes from the Church of Christ, 1875-1926 at FamilySearch - images
• 1907-1958 - Church register, 1907-1958 at FamilySearch - images

Historical Background

Today there are 2,145 members of the Church of Christ in New Zealand, which makes up 0.05% of the country/s population.

Information Recorded in the Records

Membership lists usually consist of:

• Names of members
• Baptisms date
• Admission date

Marriages usually consist of:

• Place of registration
• Birthplace and date
• Full name
• Gender
• Father's name
• Occupation
• Age
• Birthplace
• Mother's name
• Marriage date and place
• Previous issue
• Informant

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Records

How to Find the Records

Some of New Zealand's records for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have also been digitized and are available on FamilySearch.org.

Online Resources and Websites

• 1905-1972 - Marriage licenses, 1905-1972 at FamilySearch - images
• 1904-1971 - Marriage registers, 1904-1971 at FamilySearch - images
• 1936-1940 - Record of lost and unknown members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1936-1940 at FamilySearch - images
• 1881-1929 - Membership records, 1881-1929 at FamilySearch - images
• 1884-1921 - Membership records, 1884-1921 at FamilySearch - images
• 1884-1922 - Membership records, 1884-1922 at FamilySearch - images
• 1886-1921 - Membership records, 1886-1921 at FamilySearch - images
• 1881-1921 - Membership records, 1881-1921 at FamilySearch - images
• 1884-1929 - Membership records, 1884-1929 at FamilySearch - images
• 1884-1921 - Membership records, 1884-1921 at FamilySearch - images

More records for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are available on the FamilySearch Catalog. Search for places within New Zealand.

Historical Background

Today, there are about 41,000 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in New Zealand, which makes up about 1.04% of the country's population.

Information Recorded in the Records

Most records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints available are membership records which usually consist of:

• show the births and blessings of children
• baptisms
• confirmations
• marriages
• move-ins and move-outs
• deaths

Lutheran Records

How to Find the Records

The National Library of New Zealand in Wellington houses many Lutheran parish registers. To see what they have in their archives, visit their catalog here. Some of New Zealand's church records have also been digitized and are available on FamilySearch.org. Additionally, the Auckland War Museum has many church records, including Lutheran records, that are available to look at in their reading room. They also have some church records available online. To see what records they have available, visit them here.

Online Resources and Websites

• 1850-1885 - Church records, 1850-1885 at FamilySearch - index and images

Historical Background

Today, there are about 4,000 Lutherans in New Zealand, which makes up 0.1% of the country's population.

Information Recorded in the Records

Typical Lutheran records include:

• Baptisms
• Marriages
• Deaths

History

The keeping of church records in New Zealand generally began when representatives of each religious organization arrived in the islands. Records of the Church of England (Anglican) exist from 1814 while those for the Catholic church date from 1838, and the records of the Baptist church date from the 1850's. No one religion was ever predominant enough in New Zealand to be considered a "state church".  For more information about the various churches in New Zealand, see New Zealand Church History and New Zealand History.

Civil authorities in New Zealand began registering vital statistics of European settlers in 1848, but registration did not become compulsory until eight years later. Registration of Maori marriages became compulsory in 1911 and births and deaths in 1913. Church records can contain information on many individuals who do not appear in the civil records.

Church records continued to be kept after the introduction of civil registration, but they generally contain less information than civil registration records, particularly after 1876. For birth, death, and marriage records after 1848, see New Zealand Civil Registration.

Information Recorded in the Records

The information recorded in church or parish registers varies somewhat from religion to religion, and later records generally give more complete information than earlier ones. Most church registers for the Anglican, Catholic, and Presbyterian denominations provide the following information:

Baptisms

• Birth and baptism dates
• Place of baptism
• Christian name of the child
• Christian and surname of the father
• Christian name of the mother (some include maiden surname)
• Parents’ abode
• Occupation of the father
• Name of the officiating minister

Children were generally baptized within a few days of birth. If a child died soon after birth, death information was sometimes added as a note.

Marriages

• Date and place of marriage
• Full names of the bride and groom
• Parish of residence of the bride and groom
• Marital status of the bride and groom prior to this marriage
• Married by banns or license
• In the case of a minor, whether with consent of parents
• Name of the officiating minister
• Signatures or marks of the bride and groom
• Signatures or marks of witnesses

Marriage registers may also include other information about the bride and groom such as their ages, occupations, and names of parents. In cases of second and later marriages for a woman, they may include her former married names along with her maiden name.

Marriage registers sometimes include the published banns. These were announcements of intent to marry which were made for two or three Sundays prior to the marriage, and gave an opportunity for anyone to come forward who knew of any reason why the couple should not be married.

Burials

• Dates of death and burial
• Place of burial
• Name of the deceased
• Place of abode at time of death
• Age of the deceased
• Occupation of the deceased
• Name of the officiating minister

Occasionally parents' names, cause of death, and even the date and place of birth are given for the deceased. Burials were recorded in the records of the church where the person was buried. The burial usually took place within a few days of death. Burial records exist for individuals for whom no birth or marriage record exists. In addition, stillbirths may have been recorded in a burial register when no baptism occurred.

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