Finding records of births, deaths and marriages (BDM)
Te kimi rēhita ā-whānautanga, ā-matenga, ā-mārena
When starting your family history research, you'll want to look at BDM records.
BDM indexes
We have unique family history online resources, and provide free access to subscription websites like Ancestry.com , Find My Past ,
MyHeritage and The Genealogist . Many family notices can be found in historic
niupepa online – Papers Past for New Zealand and Trove for Australia. We also offer access to
BDM microfiche indexes and
district keys.
Access to resources
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Ancestry.com and
The Genealogist are only available at a library.
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Find My Past provides full access from libraries only.
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1921 Census of England and Wales has 38 million records available for access only within a library at this time. Watch out for updates on remote access.
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MyHeritage provides full access to information whilst signed in from home or at a library.
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BDM microfiche indexes are accessible in all Auckland Libraries research centres and selected community libraries. These fiche cover 1840 - 1990.
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District keys are accessible at Auckland Libraries research centres, although years covered may vary across locations, from 1848 - 1955 only. These can help identify the district in which a birth or death was registered.
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BDM indexes for 1991 - 1997 can be accessed via a unique database at Auckland Research Centre only, located in Central City Library.
For New Zealand records, start your BDM index search on the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) website for:
births more than 100 years ago
marriages more than 80 years ago
deaths where the person was over 80 years, or died more than 50 years ago.
Tip
Don’t rely on indexes as your only source. We recommend that you request a printout, as these will have more complete information.
A number of other BDM resources like parish records or church registers can also be found in our catalogue by searching with the reference 2 NZL BDM.
Information listed on New Zealand BDM documents
Date and place of birth
Sex and names of child
Name and occupation of father
Name and maiden name of mother
Signature, description and residence of informant
Date of registration
Signature of registrar
Name of child, if added after registration
Date and place of birth
Sex and names of child, and whether present
Name, age, occupation and birthplace of father
Name, age, maiden name and birthplace of mother
Place and date of parents' marriage
Signature, description and residence of informant
Signatures of witnesses if the entry is a correction of a former entry
When registered, and signature of registrar
Name of child, if added or altered after registration
Date and place of birth
Sex and first names of child
Name, age, occupation and birthplace of father
Name, surname and maiden name, age and birthplace of mother
Date and place of parents' marriage
Previous issue of existing marriage, and whether living or dead
Signature, description, and residence of informant
Signatures of witnesses if the entry is a correction of a former entry
When registered and signature of registrar
Name of child, if added or altered after registration
Includes the same information as records for births 1912 onwards, but also provides the
hapū details of the parents.
Date and place of death
Name, sex, age, and rank/occupation of deceased
Cause of death
Description and residence of informant
Date of registration and signature of registrar
Date and place of death
Name, sex, age and rank/occupation of deceased
Causes of death, duration of last illness, name of medical attendant
When last seen by medical attendant
Name and occupation of father, name and maiden name of mother
When and where buried
Name and religion of minister, or name of witness
Birthplace of deceased and how long in New Zealand
Marriage details of deceased
Place of marriage, age at marriage and name of spouse
If issue living, state number and sex
Signature, description and residence of informant
Date of registration and signature of registrar
Date and place of death
Name, sex, age, occupation and usual place of residence of deceased
Causes of death, intervals between onset and death, name of medical attendant
When last seen by medical attendant
Name and occupation of father
Name and maiden name of mother
When and where buried
Name and religion of minister, or name of witness
Birthplace of deceased and how long in New Zealand
Marriage details of deceased
Place of marriage, age at marriage, name of spouse, age of widow if living
If issue living, state ages of each, and sex
If applicable,
Māori blood and tribes of father and mother
Signature, description and residence of informant
Date of registration and signature of registrar
Includes the same information as records for deaths 1912 onwards, but also provides
hapū details of the deceased and their parents.
Place and date of marriage
Name, age, occupation and marital status of groom
Name, age and marital status of bride
Names and residences of the witnesses
Name of officiating minister/priest
Place and date of marriage
Name, age, occupation, marital status, birthplace and residence of groom
Name, age, marital status, birthplace and residence of bride
Names and occupations of fathers of both parties
Names and maiden name of mothers of both parties
Names and residences of the witnesses
Name of officiating minister/priest
Includes the same information as records for marriages 1880 onwards, but also provides
hapū details of the bride and groom.