Balclutha, famous for the bridge which spans the mighty Clutha River, is in the heart of South Otago.  NZSG Balclutha Branch draws its membership from Balclutha, Owaka, Clinton and Milton, and the surrounding rural districts, townships and the beautiful Catlins.

South Otago is rich in history.  From pre European settlement to the present day, this region bears strong evidence of families, at work and leisure, learning and beliefs.  We hope that our website will help link you with your families that may have spent a part or all of their lives in South Otago. 

NEW  -  Cemetery Database !

Click the cemeteries link at left 

Where in the world is Balclutha?

Click HERE for map

 CONTENTS

Branch Information

Contains information on branch history, aims, membership and contacts, news, meetings and activities, where we are, and help if you are planning a visit to South Otago.  On this page there is a map showing our general location on the south east coast of the South Island of New Zealand.  Also here are details of items we have for sale that you may find useful in your research.

Branch Resources

Here you will find a brief list of our holdings focusing on South Otago records and information.  We also hold many useful resources for those researching elsewhere in New Zealand and overseas.

Locations

These pages are a gazetteer of local place names in South Otago, where they are located and in some cases, extra information of interest. 

Master Index

The Master Index is a simple ‘index of indexes’.  Here you can search by surname and forenames for entries on the branch computerised indexes.  This is an ongoing project and indexes are continually being added.

Cemeteries

Link to our CEMETERY DATABASE.  Information on cemeteries in our region (within the boundaries of Clutha District Council), current status of our updating records, grave photo service. Indexes for all transcriptions, old and new, also on Master Index

Schools

Information on schools in our region.  Indexes for pupil names attending schools we have transcriptions of are in the master index.

Can We Help?

This details the ways in which our branch can assist you with your research.  Listed here are surnames we have recently undertaken research queries on.

Members’ Interests

These pages list alphabetically, the surnames our branch members are researching, both in New Zealand and worldwide.

Photo Help

Here we have photos for which we need help identifying people and/or places.  Non branch members are able to submit photos of local content to these pages.

Information Wanted

This page details information we would like help with.  Non branch members are able to submit queries of local content to these pages.

Links

Genealogy and other websites which we have found helpful.

Updates

A new addition to our site especially for frequent users.

The boring but important bit:

The intention of this site is to inform, promote and assist in the friendly spirit of genealogy.  We make no warranty whatsoever as to the accuracy or completeness of information on this site.  We have however endeavoured to remove errors and typo’s.  Please forgive if any have snuck through.

Except where otherwise stated, contents of this site are copyright © to NZSG Balclutha Branch (Balclutha Genealogical Society). 

“Genealogy – the search for the greatest treasures, our ancestors”

Our first site was created by enthusiastic amateurs – N McLaren with help from F Michie and R Richardson and input from other branch members. 

Thankyou to B Michie for helping us take the first steps. Thank you to Ian Simpson for his patient guidance in the construction of the cemetery database.

Thanks also to South Otago Historical Society, E Sell, J McKenzie, N McLaren for supplying photos used on this site.