Chinese geneaology in NZ

Chinese Genealogy

Since the arrival of Chinese goldminers in the 1850s, Chinese immigrants and New Zealand Chinese have fast become part of the New Zealand society. However, little has been documented about the Chinese in Auckland.

Auckland City Libraries has the largest family history collection in a public library in New Zealand. Our heritage collections also include many books, maps, manuscripts, photographs and ephemera which chart the changing face of this country and city through its short history. We are in the process of identifying heritage resources relevant to Chinese Aucklanders for present and future generations.


Chinese History and Genealogy Book Collection
Currently, the Auckland Research Centre holds books on both Chinese settlement history and Chinese genealogy. These include the famous Windows on a Chinese Past by James Ng and Manying Ip's Unfolding History, Evolving Identity: the Chinese in New Zealand.

You can also search the catalogue for more books on these subjects. Books on Chinese settlement in other Pacific countries can also be found there.

As some of these are held in the Auckland Research Centre, a 'card access only' area, you will need to either be a member of Auckland City Libraries (see membership for more details) or purchase a day access card to gain entry.

Chinese History materials from Digital Library
Our Digital Library offers many useful database for Chinese genealogy, such as:
Index Auckland
1881 Electoral Rolls
Auckland Area Passenger Arrivals 1838-1886
Cemetery Records - Hillsborough - Onetangi, Waiheke Island - Otahuhu Public - Waikaraka
Cemetery Records - St Stephens

Some biographical and historical events about Chinese New Zealanders can also be found on our Index Auckland database.

Chinese historical materials from Special Collections
Special Collection's Manuscript collection contains a diary by Elizabeth Shirtliff who travelled to Southeast Asia and China in early 1900s. They also hold some photographs of Chinese market gardeners in early Auckland and some unidentified Chinese women portraits photographed by Clifton Firth.

Chinese immigration records from Archives New Zealand
Archives New Zealand hold some Chinese New Zealanders' Limited Citizenship records as well as their migration records.

Want more information? Check out our Family History Research Service page to see how we can help you.