Tracing Family Roots
Every Wednesday morning at Te Āhuru Mōwai, a passionate group of local genealogists help visitors uncover their family history. The Feilding branch of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists (NZSG) have been supporting the community for decades and they are still going strong.
From 10am to 12pm, anyone can drop in for friendly guidance on researching whakapapa, building a family tree, or searching archives. The group offers hands on help using microfiche, genealogy books and archives within the Hub, and access to world class genealogy databases like Ancestry Library Edition, Find My Past, and FamilySearch.
NZSG Branch Librarian Janet Doyle says people often come in with a single question and end up uncovering unexpected family history. “Once people get started, they carry on. It’s very intriguing,” she says. “Our group provides a foundation to support people as they follow their own path of discovery.”
At the heritage area within the Hub Library, volunteers like Janet and NZSG Feilding Branch Convenor, Ian Wightman, will demonstrate how to use the local archives and online tools. Some members have been attending since the 1980s, but newcomers are always welcome.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced researcher, this welcoming group is ready to help you to investigate your past, one name, photo, or record at a time.
For more information visit: Heritage | Manawatū Community Hub Libraries
NZSG Feilding Branch Convenor Ian Wightman with the genealogy archives at Te Āhuru Mōwai, where local history is carefully preserved.
Microfiche machine on the left being used by NZSG Feilding Branch Librarian Janet Doyle and computers are also available for research in the heritage space.