Canterbury Genealogy

05/10/2026

Each year members of Canterbury Genealogy Society look forward to attending the SWELL Seniors' Lifestyle Expo, Tuesday 13 October between 9am–2pm at the Lincoln Event Centre

Come along and chat to us about how we can help you with your family history research.

Connect with over 70 community groups, organisations and wellbeing providers at Selwyn's premier expo for older residents.

04/10/2026

Our evening meeting this month is on Thursday, 8 October from 7:30 pm at the Parkview Community Lounge.

"World War Voices and researching the sound archives".
Sarah Johnston is a former broadcaster and sound archivist who is researching radio broadcasts made during World War II and from 1946 to 1948 by some of the 12,000 New Zealand military personnel who served in Japan as part of "J-Force". She will talk about how to research in New Zealand's radio archives and will play some of these recordings.
Come and learn what the sound archives can tell us about post-war Japan and New Zealand's role there as part of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force. You can read more about Sarah's research on her blog. Https://worldwarvoices.com

Recordings of New Zealanders at war, 1940-1945

29/09/2026

Spring is here and the perfect opportunity for you to join us at the Canterbury Genealogy Library and Research Facility during October on the following days: Thursday 1st and 15th, and Saturday 10th from 12 Noon until 3pm.

This month we will also be open from 10am untill 3pm on Saturday 24th.

Explore our extensive collection of genealogy resources, including: Books, documents, and indices to help you trace your ancestry. Computers with access to online genealogy databases, Microfiche and readers to delve into historical records. But that's not all! Our experienced family history research volunteers are on hand to provide guidance and support to help you break through those research brick walls.

This is a free service for our members, however visitors are welcome with a donation.

You’ll find us at the Parkview Community Lounge, 75 Queenspark Drive, Parklands, Christchurch.

We look forward to welcoming you to our Research library and helping you uncover your family's history!

23/09/2026

Check this out for some history fun this coming weekend!

This looks fascinating! On Saturday Avonside Trinity Church are running historic tours of their graveyard. Cuppa and a biscuit included all for just $10!

22/09/2026

The Canterbury Index began with a collection of spreadsheets from local transcribers. Since then, it has grown into a remarkable resource of more than 430,000 records, thanks to the dedication of CGS volunteers. Parish register indexes, war memorials, headstone inscriptions, members’ interests, book indexes, and other Canterbury-specific material have all been gathered into one searchable database.

Recent work has added nearly 10,000 headstone inscription records, and new cemetery records with photo links are now being incorporated. The Index is available exclusively on the Parkview computers and is continually expanding.

If your family has roots in Canterbury, this is a resource you won’t want to miss. Visit us during our research room hours and explore the Canterbury Index with help from our volunteers.

18/09/2026

Please join us for our regular Computer Interest Group Saturday 26th September 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. There truly is something for everyone in this wonderful group. If you’re not confident with finding your way around the internet or looking for new websites or different ways to use websites for your research this is a great group to be a part of.

Visitors and guests are most welcome.

13/09/2026

Donated Books – Now Available in Our New Sales Cupboard.

We're fortunate to receive regular donations of books and magazines from members and the wider community. Many of these items find a home in our library, but some don't quite meet the criteria for inclusion. Rather than letting them go to waste, we make them available to members for a nominal amount.

Recently these books have been offered at our member meetings in small curated selections. We're pleased to let you know that all available donated books and magazines are now accessible in our new book‑sales cupboard in the foyer. The cupboard will be open before and after meetings, giving you more time and freedom to browse. Payment is by cash and can be left in the honesty box.

09/09/2026

Sir Hugh Acland’s remarkable life and career will be the focus of this presentation, with Dr Geoffrey Rice exploring Acland’s military service, his survival of the Marquette sinking, his extensive surgical work during the First World War, and his influential role in Christchurch’s medical and civic development. Dr Rice will discuss these aspects as part of his recent biographical research.

Thursday, 17th September from 10:00 am – Morning Meeting – Parkview Community Lounge – Small Hall

Dr GEOFFREY RICE is an independent historian who was formerly Head of History (2006- 10) at the University of Canterbury, where he started as a student in 1965 and ended up as an Emeritus Professor. He was general editor for the second edition Oxford History of New Zealand (1992). His more recent books have been in local and public history: Christchurch Changing: an illustrated history (1999) and Lyttelton, Port and Town (2004) have both been reprinted. The second edition of his definitive account of the 1918 influenza pandemic in New Zealand, Black November (2005), was shortlisted in the History section of the 2006 Montana NZ Book Awards. His most recent book is a biography of the Christchurch surgeon, Sir Hugh Acland. He was secretary of the Canterbury Historical Association for 25 years, and secretary of the Canterbury History Foundation for another 12 years. Since his retirement from the university he has published seven full biographies of medical men in nineteenth century Christchurch and a dozen shorter studies. In 2021 he was appointed ONZM for services to historical research and tertiary education.

03/09/2026

Sharing Our Stories Through Food — with Bill Bryce
Thursday, 10 September from 7:30 pm – Evening Meeting – Parkview Community Lounge – Small Hall

This month, we’re delighted to have Bill Bryce speaking about our new Recipe Stories Challenge for 2026. Bill reminds us that the dishes passed down through our families aren’t just recipes — they’re memories, emotions, and connections to those who came before us.

Following the success of our Family Stories projects in 2024 and 2025, we’re now inviting members to contribute a favourite family recipe and the story behind it. Big or small, everyday or special, if it matters to you, it matters to us.

Come along this month and be inspired to preserve your own culinary heritage.

30/08/2026

Join us at the Canterbury Genealogy Library and Research Facility this September on Thursday 3rd and 17th, and Saturday 12th and 26th from 12 noon until 3pm.

Alongside our books, documents, online databases, microfiche, and friendly research volunteers, we invite you to explore one of our most valuable member-created resources: the Canterbury Index. This unique database is available exclusively on the computers at Parkview and now contains more than 430,000 records, including parish register indexes, war memorials, headstone inscriptions, members’ interests, and other local resources you won’t find online. If you are researching Canterbury families, this is an excellent tool to help you make new discoveries.

You’ll find us at the Parkview Community Lounge, 75 Queenspark Drive, Parklands, Christchurch. Members visit free, and visitors are welcome with a donation for research services.

We look forward to welcoming you and helping you uncover new branches of your family history this September.