Cemeteries and Directories
Dunedin Public Libraries genealogical resources include The New Zealand Society of Genealogists’ transcriptions from New Zealand cemeteries, including most headstones and burial records.
These have been prepared by volunteers over many years.
Burial records are more complete than headstone records as they record everyone buried or cremated within the cemetery, not only those headstones standing and legible at the time of transcription.
Dunedin and most Otago cemetery transcripts are available in book form from our Genealogy Room.
All New Zealand cemetery transcripts are available on microfiche.A burial location database is available in the Genealogy Room. Greater Dunedin burial information is also available via the Dunedin City Council website.
Directories
Street directories are a useful source of information about people, albeit with some limitations.
Usually only one person per household, usually male, is mentioned, and prior to 1912 street numbers were rarely given for residential properties. Rural locations mentioned in the directories are also vague.
The following street directories are held, some of which have been microfilmed:
- Harnett’s Dunedin Directories 1863 – 1866
- Stone’s Otago and Southland Directories 1884 – 1954 (many available as searchable pdf files)
- Wise’s New Zealand Post Office Directories 1966 – 1980 (with some gaps)
Useful websites
Dunedin City Council – Genealogy and Grave Location Enquiries