Genealogy Research
Encouragement From a Genealogist
Genealogy work can be a spiritual and sometimes daunting task, yet so rewarding! You never know what you might discover, and who it will help or hinder in the process. After speaking with a genealogist at OHA, she shared with me the best way to approach this type of research. This is by no means a complete list of resources or information, but hopefully it inspires you to begin.
*Note: Native Hawaiians were a matriarchal society. Ranking often came from a mother's namesake! This might be useful the further back in time you're able to go.
Feel free to email me with questions. I'm by no means an expert in Hawaiian history, or this type of work, but I'm fairly good at finding answers and coming up with creative solutions.
Important Dates in Hawaiian History
Ideally, each individual traces back their own lineage. Try your best to back up verbal stories with documentation. Here are key dates in Hawaiian history to reflect on when you hit a roadblock:
1778 Captain Cooke lands in Hawaiʻi
1822 The Pīʻāpā (Hawaiian alphabet / language primer) was printed
1840 Hawaii becomes a Monarchy (read Hawaiʻi Legal History)
1842 St. Benedict’s Catholic Ministry began in Honaunau Bay
1848-1850 The Great Māhele & Kuleana Act
1867 Hawaii Surname Law
1858-1859 Hawaii become a Territory, then a State
1865-1869 Kalaupapa
1897 Kuʻe petition
Online Resources
Here are a few starting points for tracking down information:
Personal family records
State and Bureau of Conveyances records
Other official records: travel logs, land titles, kuʻe petition etc.
Church records (Family Search via the Mormon Church)
Museum records (Bishop Museum, to start)
Hawaiian Newspapers (Papakilo by Oha, to start)
For the sake of keeping things neutral, I’m only including important findings on this page. I’m also looking for additional information, photos, and stories to put faces to names, and place everything within historical context. If you'd like to compare research, I'm open to meeting and discussing these things in person!
Na Ohana O Kelekolio A Me Peleiliahi
Scans of genealogy work provided at previous reunions