Cook Islands Archives Catalogue
A Guide to Historical Records, Genealogies, Land Court Records, Government Records, Microfilms, Manuscripts and Research Collections
The Cook Islands possess a substantial body of surviving historical records, including Native Land Court Minute Books, Native Land Court Title Registers, High Court records, Native Appellate Court records, adoption files, probate files, church records, maps, genealogies and government archives.
The difficulty facing many researchers is not the absence of records but discovering what records exist and where they may be found.
This catalogue has therefore been created as a practical finding aid for Cook Islanders, genealogists, historians, students, landowners and customary law researchers.
The catalogue is intended to function as a living research resource and will continue to be expanded as additional records and collections are identified.
Master Index
- #family-historyFamily History and Genealogy Records
- #land-recordsLand and Customary Title Records
- #government-recordsGovernment and Historical Records
- #repositoriesResearch Collections and Repositories
- #island-indexIsland Index
- #research-guideResearch Guide
- #disclaimerDisclaimer
- #sourcesSources and Acknowledgements
- #revision-historyRevision History
Family History and Genealogy Records
Family history research in the Cook Islands typically begins with civil registration records, church records, genealogies and Land Court records.
Record Types
- Birth Records
- Death Records
- Marriage Records
- Adoption Records
- Probate Records
- Genealogies
- Church Records
- FamilySearch Collections
Death Records
Death records are among the most important sources available for family history research.
| Film Number | Contents |
|---|---|
| 1084934 | Death Registers 1917-1939 |
| 1084935 | Death Registers 1939-1965 |
| 1084936 | Death Registers 1965-1975 |
| 1084938 | Death Index 1917-1974 |
Land and Customary Title Records
The Native Land Court records are among the most important historical records surviving within the Cook Islands.
- Native Land Court Minute Books
- Native Land Court Title Registers
- Native Appellate Court Records
- Ariki Titles
- Mataiapo Titles
- Survey Plans
- Maps
Native Land Court Title Registers
The Title Registers record ownership histories, successions, partitions, leases and ownership determinations affecting individual parcels of land.
| Record Series | Date Range | AU Reel | Repository |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arorangi Title Register | 1903-1975 | AU 1832 | University of Auckland |
Research Collections and Repositories
| Repository | Location |
|---|---|
| Cook Islands Archives | Rarotonga |
| Cook Islands Ministry of Justice | Rarotonga |
| University of Auckland Special Collections | Auckland |
| Alexander Turnbull Library | Wellington |
| Te Papa Tongarewa | Wellington |
| FamilySearch | International |
Island Index
Southern Group
- Rarotonga
- Aitutaki
- Atiu
- Mangaia
- Mauke
- Mitiaro
- Palmerston
Northern Group
- Penrhyn
- Manihiki
- Rakahanga
- Pukapuka
- Nassau
Master Record Inventory
| Record Type | Locality | Date Range | AU Reel | LDS Film | Repository |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title Register | Arorangi, Rarotonga | 1903-1975 | AU 1832 | - | University of Auckland |
| High Court Birth Records | Cook Islands | 1916-1961 | AU 1630-1631 | - | University of Auckland |
| Death Registers | Cook Islands | 1917-1939 | - | 1084934 | FamilySearch |
Adoption Records
Adoption records are among the most important sources available for reconstructing Cook Islands family histories and family relationships.
Researchers should consult adoption registers, adoption indexes, court files, genealogies, probate records and church records wherever possible.
Possible Sources
- Adoption Registers
- Adoption Indexes
- Court Records
- Probate Files
- Church Records
- FamilySearch Collections
Research Value
- Birth parents
- Adoptive parents
- Family relationships
- Land interests
- Island affiliations
Probate Records
Probate files frequently contain information unavailable from any other source.
These files may identify beneficiaries, family members, land interests, executors, occupations and residences.
Typical Contents
- Wills
- Probate Orders
- Administration Orders
- Estate Inventories
- Lists of Beneficiaries
Genealogies
Genealogical records are among the most important research resources available in the Cook Islands.
Known Collections
- Jock MacCauley Genealogies
- Land Court Genealogies
- Family Genealogies
- Church Genealogies
Jock MacCauley Genealogies
Former Native Land Court Judge Jock MacCauley compiled extensive genealogical material from Native Land Court records.
| Collection | Date Range | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Rarotonga Genealogies | 1903-1970 | AU 1845 |
| Aitutaki Genealogies | 1902-1947 | AU 1845 |
Church Records
Church records frequently pre-date civil registration systems and may contain information not available elsewhere.
Record Types
- Baptisms
- Marriages
- Burials
- Membership Records
- Mission Records
Denominations
- London Missionary Society (LMS)
- Cook Islands Christian Church
- Catholic Church
- Other denominations
High Court Records
The Auckland University collection contains High Court Birth Records preserved on AU Reels 1630 and 1631.
| Record Series | Date Range | AU Reel |
|---|---|---|
| High Court Birth Records | 1916-1961 | AU 1630-1631 |
These records may contain birth information, family relationships and civil registration details.
Native Appellate Court Records
The Native Appellate Court reviewed decisions of the Native Land Court and related matters concerning customary land ownership and customary title.
Research Value
- Appeals
- Genealogical Evidence
- Historical Submissions
- Customary Law Discussions
- Land Ownership Disputes
Ariki, Mataiapo and Rangatira Titles
Traditional title investigations often require the use of multiple record series.
Recommended Sources
- Native Land Court Minute Books
- Native Appellate Court Records
- Genealogies
- Cook Islands Gazettes
- Historical Publications
Many traditional title investigations contain extensive genealogical material spanning multiple generations.
Cook Islands Gazette Records
The Cook Islands Gazette provides an official published record of government activities.
Contents
- Legislation
- Government Notices
- Public Appointments
- Regulations
- Land Matters
- Administrative Changes
Researchers studying legal, political and governmental history should consult Gazette records whenever available.
Maps and Survey Records
Maps are among the most under-utilised historical sources available to researchers.
Possible Sources
- Survey Plans
- Cadastral Maps
- Village Maps
- District Maps
- Historical Island Maps
Research Uses
- Boundary Identification
- Land Research
- Village History
- Land Court Research
Electoral Records
Electoral records can assist researchers to identify residence, community affiliation and civic participation.
- Electoral Rolls
- Polling District Records
- Election Notices
- Government Gazettes
Labour Migration Records
Labour migration records may document Cook Islanders who travelled overseas for work or participated in government employment schemes.
Possible Sources
- Labour Contracts
- Migration Registers
- Transport Records
- Government Correspondence
University of Auckland Collection
MSS-Archives-A-155
The Cook Islands Government Records collection comprises approximately 45 reels of microfilm and includes Native Land Court Title Registers, Minute Books, High Court Records and Genealogies.
Principal Reel Series
| Reels | Contents |
|---|---|
| 1630-1631 | High Court Birth Records |
| 1832-1842 | Title Registers |
| 1843-1846 | Miscellaneous Records and Genealogies |
| 1844, 1847-1875 | Minute Books |
FamilySearch Collections
FamilySearch contains extensive Cook Islands civil registration, church and genealogical collections.
Examples
| Film | Description |
|---|---|
| 1084934 | Death Registers 1917-1939 |
| 1084935 | Death Registers 1939-1965 |
| 1084936 | Death Registers 1965-1975 |
| 1084938 | Death Index 1917-1974 |
FamilySearch Collections
FamilySearch contains extensive Cook Islands civil registration, church and genealogical collections.
Examples
| Film | Description |
|---|---|
| 1084934 | Death Registers 1917-1939 |
| 1084935 | Death Registers 1939-1965 |
| 1084936 | Death Registers 1965-1975 |
| 1084938 | Death Index 1917-1974 |
Research Guide
Step 1
Identify the type of record sought.
Step 2
Locate the relevant section of this catalogue.
Step 3
Record reel numbers, film numbers, dates and repository information.
Step 4
Contact the repository holding the records.
Step 5
Retain full references for future citation.
Disclaimer
This catalogue has been prepared as a research aid only.
Researchers should verify all references with the repository holding the original records before relying upon information contained in this catalogue.
The catalogue is a finding aid and not a legal record.
Sources and Acknowledgements
- Peter Hughes, Inventory of the Cook Islands Government Records (1976)
- William Hamill Revision (2009)
- University of Auckland Special Collections
- Cook Islands Ministry of Justice Inventories
- FamilySearch Collections
- Alexander Turnbull Library
- Te Papa Tongarewa
- Archives New Zealand
Revision History
| Version | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | October 2026 | Initial public release |
| 1.1 | October 2026 | Family history and genealogy records added |
| 1.2 | October 2026 | Government, repository and inventory sections expanded |
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