Other Genealogical Resources page4

Please note :

The lists below do not attempt to be exhaustive - they are a summary of the major repositories in Invercargill of interest to genealogists. A comprehensive list of Southland resources is contained in the Regional Research Repositories in New Zealand Series (Series Editor: Heather Bray) published by the NZSG in 2005 but updated in 2013. The booklet "Researching in Southland" is available for reference in the Southland Branch Library, or can be purchased from the NZ Society of Genealogists' Shop in Auckland for $9.00 plus p+p.
Many of Southland's official records are held at National Archives in Dunedin, and may be worth an enquiry. Ask for "A Guide to Family History Sources at the Dunedin Regional Office of National Archives" (April 1998) for a summary of their holdings.

Bluff Maritime Museum - 241 Foreshore Road, Bluff 9814. Ph. 03-212 7534. The Museum is home to an extensive collection of models, boats, displays, photographs and documents of the maritime history of the Bluff/Foveaux Strait area. Website: Bluff Maritime Museum. The Museum is not equipped to answer genealogical enquiries. All shipping lists etc. are held in the Invercargill Public Library, so please direct enquiries to the Library (see below).

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - Family History Center, 205 North Road, Waikiwi, Invercargill 9810. Contact : Mr James Stapleforth (Ph. 03-215 7682 - on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only; 10a.m.~1p.m.). Other times by appointment.

Invercargill City Council (Parks Division) - Private Bag 90104, Invercargill 9840. Administers several cemeteries. Office on-site in the Eastern Cemetery, located at the corner of Rockdale and East Roads. Contact : The Cemetery Attendant. Ph./Fax 03-217 8362. Website: www.icc.govt.nz (see under Services/Cemeteries) Email: cemeteries@icc.govt.nz

Database for Invercargill Cemeteries (from early 1860's) - Eastern Cemetery, St Johns Cemetery (Waikiwi), Bluff Cemetery, Greenpoint Cemetery and the Southland Crematorium.

Invercargill Public Library - 50 Dee Street, Private Bag 90111, Invercargill 9840. Ph. 03-211 1444. Website: www.ilibrary.co.nz Contact : Cynthia Smith, Family History Librarian (Information Services). Email: Cynthia.Smith@ilibrary.co.nz Prior advice of visits appreciated.

Southland District Council - 15 Forth Street, PO Box 903, Invercargill 9840. Phone 0800 732 732 Fax 0800 732 329. Website: www.southlanddc.govt.nz Email: emailsdc@southlanddc.govt.nz

Cemetery Database of cemeteries in the Southland District area (excludes Invercargill City and Gore District Cemeteries). The cemetery database is now available online on the Southland District Council website: www.southlanddc.govt.nz. Contact Knowledge Management Department for further information.
Archival repository for the Southland District Council and its predecessor agencies including Southland County Council, Wallace County Council, Stewart Island County Council and Winton Borough Council. Archives are open by appointment only. Contact Knowledgement Management Department for further information, or email archives@southlanddc.govt.nz

Southland Museum and Art Gallery - Queens Park, 108 Gala Street, PO Box 1012, Invercargill 9840. Website: www.southlandmuseum.com

Closure : Please note that the Southland Museum and Art Gallery was CLOSED in April 2018 because the building was deemed to be an earthquake risk, falling below recommended engineering standards, and thus places visitors at risk. It is closed indefinitely, with no alternative plans for services to the public yet announced.
The Invercargill i-SITE has relocated to Wachner Place in the city centre and is open for business at 8.30am-5pm weekdays; 8.30am-4pm weekends. Telephone 03-211 0895.

Riverton Heritage Society/Te Hikoi - Southern Journey - 170-172 Palmerston Street, Riverton 9822. Phone 03-234 8260. Website: www.tehikoi.co.nz/index.html Open daily 10am~4pm April to September; 10am to 5pm October to March. Admission: Adults $6; Children free. Research is available from Riverton Heritage Society from 1.30pm to 4pm Monday to Friday, or by appointment. The email for research is te.hikoi@xtra.co.nz. Contains holdings relating to the Western Southland District. Resources include -
- Riverton Post Office BDMs 1861~1920; Winton Post Office BD and intention to marry 1874~1986.
- Ruapuke registers 1848~1884.
- Western Districts cemetery records.
- Western Star newspaper, most copies 1873 to 1942.
- School rolls, Western District Schools ( approximately 28 schools).
- Local histories and early family files.
- Photographic archives - portraits of early pioneer residents and numerous early photos.