Ancestry and Genealogy

The Library holds Introductory and Intermediate Genealogy courses each term: Introduction to Genealogy is designed for those new to family research. This class will show you how to search effectively and explore different features of popular websites such as ancestry.com and findmypast.com. Intermediate Genealogy is for those already confident in basic genealogy. This class has an emphasis on records held by Napier Libraries and other council facilities, cemetery searches, and alternative information sources. To sign up for these free classes, check out our Courses and Classes page.

Ancestry (Library Edition)

If you're visiting us at either library you can to access 'Ancestry' online free of charge.  Access 'Ancestry'.

British Newspaper Archive  

Digitised British newspapers from the British Libraries collection. This archive is only available for use within the library.

FamilySearch 

Uncover your family tree utilising worldwide census, military, immigration, land data. Create a login when first using this platform.

FindMyPast

Search over 2 billion original historical documents from around the world to trace your family tree. This platform is only available for use within the library.

Papers Past

Papers Past features digitised copies of New Zealand and Pacific newspapers from the 19th and 20th Centuries. The archive also includes journals, letters, diaries, parliamentary papers, and magazines. 

Our Research Librarians have pulled together the guide Researching Your Family History This useful guide will help get you started in genealogy.

If you would like help finding your way through our resources, our friendly team are here to assist. For more in-depth assistance, please complete our Research Help form and we'll be in touch.

Napier Libraries holds several collections that will help you on your journey of discovery. Special collections include:

• Microfiche and Microfilm: Burial Index, Divorces 1946-1966, Index to Births 1840-1990, Index to Deaths 1848-1990, Index to Marriages 1840-1990.
• Oral Histories: Interviews with local people on events, e.g. Hawke's Bay earthquake and post-quake rebuild.
• The Irene Lister Collection: Located at Taradale this is a small collection of photographs, indexed records of Taradale people with births, marriages, and deaths, articles about Taradale people, events buildings, index cards refer to information found in books, cemetery records and private collections.