The Ted Gilberd Family History Award
The NZSG sponsors an award for the best family history article published in The New Zealand Genealogist each year. The Ted Gilberd Family History Award is a certificate and a $100 NZSG voucher.
Any original and previously unpublished work of the writer, who must be a member of the New Zealand Society of Genealogists at the time the article is submitted, is eligible for judging.
The criteria for inclusion in the judging are that the article should show a clear relationship between the research evidence and the written result, be well referenced and include illustrations. The NZSG evaluates each essay for:
- the effort to provide a broader context for the story rather than just a description of a family or person
- clarity of structure and style
- organisation and evaluation of the evidence
- evidence of sources through references and/or bibliography.
2026 Winner
Jenny Collins #26535 for 'Poor, Irish and Catholic: Love in a Time of Intolerance' published in the June 2025 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist.
The judges commented:
'The article provides a fascinating insight into 19th century New Zealand societal attitudes, prejudices and religious bigotry, particularly in the "English dominated" provinces of Wellington and Canterbury. Backed up by extensive research and a well sourced list of references, the author cleverly weaves together stories passed down through her family, of parental disapproval at her grandmother's choice of husband, of her great grandfather's refusal to forgive his daughter for defying his wishes and marrying an Irish Catholic.
Despite everything faced by Ethel Florence Squire and Maurice John O'Connor, the author's grandparents, what shines through is their tenacity, their acceptance of "what is" and their determination to get on with everyday life in the best interests of themselves and their young family.
Previous Winners
- 2025: Allan Hawkes (#878) for his article: 'A case of 19th century chain emigration to North Canterbury', published in the September 2024 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2024: Sarah Hewitt #25499 for her article 'The Silver Cup', published in the December 2023 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2023: Christine Barbour #8327 - 'Just Jack'. March 2022 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2022: Stephen Palmer #27335 - 'Adventure ahead?'. February 2021 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2021: Catherine Clarke #18886 - 'Felonious, Wicked and Diabolical?'. October 2020 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2020: No award given due to the Trust's AGM being delayed
- 2019: John Catley #4325 - 'Class A, B and C Midwives'. April 2018 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2018: Delwyn Blondell #12676 - 'Ordinary Men, Extraordinary Experiences'. June 2017 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2017: Yvonne Milbank #21898 - 'My Poppa was a humble ag lab from Coull'. April 2016 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2016: Elizabeth Foster #17549 - 'The Zealandia - a foster family provenance for the only known painting of the famous immigrant ship'. June 2015 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist; Julie MacDonald #1270 - 'From Peat Banks to River Gravel'. October 2015 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2015: Pamela McKirdy #9224 - 'The life and crimes of William Barker'. April 2014 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2014: Dorothy Dowgray #25146 - 'Immigrants and settlement schemes - or how I became a New Zealander'. June 2013 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2013: Jennifer Clark #3781 - 'Master Mariner, Mr James Robinson'. March/April 2012 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2012: Jane Smallfield #9858 - 'Dolly the Bridge - Llangwn fisherwoman'. Jan/Feb 2011 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2011: Dr Thomas Pendreigh Brown #2497 - 'Who was Mr Marriott'. Jan/Feb 2010 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2010: Paul Hickford #13587 - 'On the Wright Trail - London, Melbourne, Echuca, Hokitika'. Sept/Oct 2009 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2009: Jeni Palmer #18059 - 'Maternity Care in Hamilton'. May/June 2008 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2008: Pat Brocklebank #15269 - 'Arrow Agony'. May/June 2007 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
- 2007: Lynda Richards #12935 - 'My Irish Connection: James and Mary of the 57th'. Jan/Feb 2006 issue of The New Zealand Genealogist
07/07/2026