Most NZ libraries carry fiche of the Birth, Death and Marriage indexes. These include the Surname, Name and Folio number (ordered alphabetically). You need to quote the folio number when ordering the copy of entry. The folio number (births and deaths only) also relates to the district in which the event was recorded. These districts are listed in books, usually kept in the same area as the fiche.
Marriage folio numbers are given to both the bride and the groom. So if you find a marriage, check the other spouse's name to validate that you have the correct one. Note that the indexes are ordered alphabetically by groom then bride. This means that all grooms names starting with A are listed, followed by all brides surnames starting with A.
Note that you should purchase a copy of the entry - NOT an official certificate. The copy of the entry is exactly that - a photocopy of the entry as written in the register book. An official certificate is typed from the register book. This leads to room for error. Graham and I have had two copies of our birth certificates - one when we applied to get married, the other as a replacement after the fire. Graham's first certificate had RAE as his surname, and in the second, the surname was recorded as RANSON. A quick squiz at the indexes showed that Graham had been registered under both names, but neither certificate showed this kinda vital piece of information!
Note also, that many of these records are not correct. For example, my gr-gr-grandmother Annie MORGAN married Daniel ROBINSON. The copy of the marriage entry states the name of the wife as Annie MORGAN, and her age as 22. When I finally got her birth entry (after following numerous false leads) I discovered that she was actually named Mary Ann MORGAN, and that she was 17 at the time of her marriage!
-1875
Number
When and where born
Name
Sex
Name and surname of father
Name and maiden surname of mother
Rank or profession of father
Signature, description and residence of informant
When registered
Signature of registrar
Name if added after registration of birth
An example of a Birth Entry pre 1875
1875-1911
Number
When and where born
Name and whether present or not
Sex
Father:
- Name and surname
- Rank or profession
- Age
- Birthplace
Parents:
- When and where married
Mother:
- Name and maiden surname
- Age
- Birthplace
Informant:
- Signature
- Description
- Residence
- If entry a correction of a former entry, signatures of witnesses
When registered
Signature of registrar
Name if added or altered after registration of birth
1912-
Number
When born
Where born
Christian or first name
Sex
Father:
- Name and surname
- Rank or profession
- Age
- Birthplace
Parents:
- When married
- Where married
- Previous issue of existing marriage (a) living (b) dead
Mother:
- Name and surname
- Maiden surname
- Age
- Birthplace
Informant:
- Signature
- Description
- Residence
- If entry a correction of a former entry, signatures of witnesses
When registered
Signature of registrar
Name if added or altered after registration of birth
-1875
Number
When and where died
Name and surname
Sex
Age
Rank or profession
Cause of death
Description and residence of informant
When registered
Signature of registrar
An example of a Death Entry pre 1875
1875-1911
Number
When and where died
Name and surname
Rank, profession or occupation
Sex and age
Causes of death
- Duration of last illness
- Medical attendant
- When last saw deceased
Name of father
Name of mother
Occupation of father
When and where buried
Name and religion of minister or name of witness
Where born
How long in New Zealand
Where married
At what age
To whom married
If issue living, state number and sex
Signature of informant
Description of informant
Residence of informant
If entry a correction of a former entry signature of witnesses attesting
Signature of registrar
Date of registration
1912-
Number
When and where died
Name and surname
Rank, profession or occupation
Usual place of residence
Sex
Age
Causes of death
- Intervals between onset and death
- Medical attendant
- When last saw deceased
Name of father
Name of mother
Maiden surname of mother
Occupation of father
When buried
Where buried
Name and religion of minister or name of witness
Where born
How long in New Zealand
Where married
At what age
To whom married
Age of widow if living
If issue living, state ages of each sex
Maori blood and tribe of (a) father) (b) mother
Signature of informant
Description of informant
Residence of informant
If entry a correction of a former entry signature of witnesses attesting
Signature of registrar
Date of registration
An example of a Death Entry after 1912
-1875
Number
When and where married
Name of groom
Name of bride
Age of groom
Age of bride
Rank or profession (groom)
Rank or profession (bride)
Condition (groom)
Condition (bride)
Signature (groom)
Signature (bride)
Name of officiating minister or registrar
When registered
Signature of minister
Names of witnesses
Example of a marriage entry pre 1875
1875-
Number
When and where married
Name and surname (groom)
Name and surname (bride)
Age (groom)
Age (bride)
Rank or profession (groom)
Rank or profession (bride)
Condition (groom)
Date of decease of former spouse
Condition (bride)
Date of decease of former spouse
Birthplace(groom)
Birthplace(bride)
Residence Present (groom)
Residence Usual (groom)
Residence Present (bride)
Residence Usual (bride)
Father's surname (groom)
Father's rank or profession (groom)
Father's surname (bride)
Father's rank or profession (bride)
Mother's name (groom)
Mother's maiden surname (groom)
Mother's name (bride)
Mother's maiden surname (bride)
Witnesses names
Example of a marriage entry post 1875
