Library

Our library is located at Parkview Community Lounge, 75 Queenspark Drive, Parklands. See our Location page for maps and travel details for getting to our library. There are many resources available to our members. Non-members are also welcome to visit our library for a look-around – donations appreciated.

Computer RoomOur library opening hours are:

  • 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month, 12 noon – 3pm
  • 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, 12 noon – 3pm

See the Meetings page for upcoming library days.

We can open the library by arrangement for visitors to Christchurch – email admin@canterburygenealogy.org.nz if you would like to arrange a time.

Resources available at the library:

  • internet-connected computers
  • microfiche including NZ Births, Deaths and Marriages from 1840 to 1990, divorce information extracted from NZ Truth and an index to petitions to Parliament 1854-1975
  • CD-Rom indexes including Kiwi Index v.1, NZ Burial Locator, NZ Marriages 1836-1956, Passenger Lists – Victoria, Australia Outwards to New Zealand 1852-1923, and many more
  • an extensive book collection to give background information on the places and time your ancestors may have lived in New Zealand or overseas
  • Canterbury school admission registers index and school histories – these are a wonderful source for information about our families. See our Research page for information on requesting a school admission register look-up.
  • local parish registers and cemetery transcripts (see below)
  • many other historical resources.

PDFs of Parish Registers and Cemetery Transcripts

If you have any questions about the library holdings, or would like to know more about being a volunteer helper in the library, email admin@canterburygenealogy.org.nz, or call into the library during our opening hours to see what is involved.

FamilySearch Affiliate Library

We are a FamilySearch Affiliate Library. This lets you view restricted FamilySearch records online – those with a key symbol beside or the record, or where the location says “Family History Library”. These records are available on our library computers, or you can bring your own device to access them in our library.

Library Catalogue

Library books

Our library catalogue is available to search on the computer in the Library Room. There is also a printout of all books, microfiche and CD-ROMs in the catalogue as at 21 September 2023. This printout is also available in pdf format below and on computer 1 in the Computer Room. Use Ctrl-F to search for a particular word in the title.

Some Key Library Holdings

These are in pdf format, updated 21 September 2023.