Locals are being invited to take a step back in time during Bay of Plenty Family History Month.

Throughout August, budding genealogists are encouraged to explore their family tree to find the role their ancestors played in New Zealand’s history – from farmers to fishermen, from blacksmiths to teachers working in quaint one-room schoolhouses.

Community Heritage Services co-ordinator|Kaiwhakarite Ratonga Tikanga Hapori, Sandra Haigh says many don’t know where to start – but it’s easier than you think.

“People are often sparked by a story they heard about a relative from an aunt or grandparent, so they have some clues to begin with. It’s not needed, though. You can simply start with yourself and work backwards.”

More complicated

She admits families can be a lot more complicated than they used to be.

“Now we have blended stepfamilies, foster children or adoptions. Sometimes when you pull on one thread and everything starts to unravel.”

That’s where online resources come in handy and for the first time, Sandra will be running free genealogy classes tailored to first-time family historians.

“I will be providing students with a starter pack of charts, information and a memory stick for all their information.

“I will demonstrate search techniques using MyAncestry.com and FindMyPast.com which are both free to access at our libraries here in the Western Bay of Plenty District and provide some tips and hints that go beyond the digital world.”

Pure magic

Sandra says it’s possible to find relatives over many generations.

“I have a lot of local archives and things get passed on to me that are very precious; and when we can reunite people with memories from distant relatives, it’s pure magic.”

Meanwhile, in Te Puke an open day is hoped to spark conversation about the people who’ve lived in the area with artefacts, photographs and memorabilia gifted by local families on show.

“It’s a two-day exhibition with a fascinating range of things from old bibles, hospital and dental equipment and even an old sewing machine,

“It ties in well with what kids are learning in schools. These tamariki are growing up with a better understanding of their community’s history.”

In Ōmokoroa, the descendants of the early farming families and members of the local history group are hosting a get together.

“The whole day is based on the book ‘Ōmokoroa Farming Families: 1900-1970’ which was compiled and published by the Ōmokoroa History Group in 2021,” says Sandra.

“This small slice of Ōmokoroa’s history is packed full of great stories, so this will be a fun day for the whole family. John Holyoake, CEO of WBOPDC will be just one of our guests talking about his Ōmokoroa roots.”

Free Western BOP events during Family History Month are:

‘Intro to Family History’ on August 10 & 24 and September 7, from 10am-12 noon at Katikati Library, Rereatukahia Room. Register to attend – numbers are restricted. Email: libraries@westernbay.govt.nz 

Te Puke Heritage Collection Open Day is on August 16 from 11am-4pm and August 17 from 9am-3pm at Te Puke Library & Service Centre.

‘Land, Sea & Turf - Ōmokoroa Farming Families 1900 to 1970’ is on Saturday, September 2 from 9am-3pm at Ōmokoroa Settlers’ Hall.

Discover all History Month events across the Bay of Plenty online on Whakatāne Museum, Rotorua and Tauranga City Libraries’ websites.