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Beginning Research in Melanesia

© Christine Sievers

This week I am traveling into exotic regions of the Pacific, as I explore the Melanesian islands of Fiji, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. But, as with most exotic places I have explored, there is sparse genealogical information. Query and mailing lists are an important way to gather more genealogical information and help the community of family historians for Melanesia grow.

The following links will help you get in touch with others doing research in Melanesia and give you an opportunity to share what you have learned.

MelanesiaGenWeb Surnames

MelanesiaGenWeb Queries

PacificGenWeb: Pacific Islands Genealogy Mailing List links

Before venturing into research across the ocean, gather the stories from older family members. This will help you begin to understand the culture of your ancestors. Then, to fill in the gaps, explore the sites that provide history and cultural background. This knowledge will help as you begin to search for documentation. Where documentation is impossible to obtain, you can extend the story of your family by placing them in an historical setting, as they were part of the events that occurred in their homeland.

Fiji

General:

Moon Handbooks: Fiji Handbook: People and Customs of Fiji, Fiji: The Warrior Archipilago, and Life in Fiji with Indians will provide you with historical and cultural background information.

Genealogy:

FijiGenWeb Project is an excellent place to begin your genealogical search. It contains links to The Official Fiji Islands Home Page, General Fiji Genealogy Queries, Government for birth, death and marriage records, and Polynesian Migrations.

New Caledonia

General Links

For an introduction, start withCharting the Pacific - Places: New Caledonia. Then for more information, the Lonely Planet World Guide-Destination New Caledonia provides additional information on the History and Culture of the area.

Genealogical Links

I found a scarcity of genealogy links but theNew CaledoniaGenWeb Project provides some links. The site does not yet have a host, so you might consider adopting it.

Solomon Islands

General:

The Lonely Planet World Guide-Destination Solomon Islands will give background information on the History and Culture of the area

Genealogical:

TheSolomon IslandsGenWebis another WorldGenWeb project in need of a host. It does have some links to get you started.

Vanuatu

General:

Again, I recommend the Lonely Planet World Guide for an introduction into the History and Culture of the area.

An excellent site for more extensive facts can be found at Vanuatu A nice feature is their timeline. Be sure to click on "Related Articles" on the bottom of the page