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Genealogical and family history resources at the Walsh Memorial Library, MOTAT
The Walsh Memorial Library at MOTAT has been part of the collections since MOTAT opened but many people are unaware of our resources. We are a technical heritage library with strengths in aviation and rail with much to offer researchers of social history.
Rail advices It used to be said that everyone in New Zealand had a family member who worked for the Railways. The Rail Advices include some personnel as well as operating information.
Auckland Transport Board senior management board photographs The Auckland Transport Board ran first trams and then bus services in Auckland through the mid Twentieth Century. Most Aucklanders of the time used trams at some stage of their lives and the ATB itself employed many people at engineering, maintenance as well as operating staff.
Auckland Tramways’ Sick and Accident Friendly Society The Tramways’ Sick and Accident Friendly Society was established c.1905 to provide assistance to Auckland City tramways staff, and family members in times of sickness, bereavement or hardship. In later years with changes in transport and welfare the organisation changed its name several times until it finally became The Auckland Transport Club, and continued until c.1971 to play a major role in social and sporting activities of the staff of the Auckland Transport Board. The Library holds
Whites Aviation was known for aerial photography over New Zealand during the middle of the 20th century but their photography was broader than this. This collection includes many photographs of aeroplanes, airport buildings, and passengers as well as aviation employees in small and large aviation companies around New Zealand.
Les Downey Rail photograph collection Les Downey took and collected many photographs of railway stock and plant in the upper North Island in the mid to late 20th century. This collection of photographs includes images of stations, rolling stock and some technical drawings.
The Walsh brothers Leo and Vivian with Reuben Dexter established the first flying school in New Zealand in Auckland. The pupils learned to fly and build aeroplanes and some of the students ended up in the Royal Flying Corps in World War 1. There are three collections of papers and photographs which illustrate the activities of the school and the area around Mission Bay in the first third of the Twentieth Century.
Fire Service histories It is still the case in many parts of New Zealand that the frontline fire fighters are volunteers and in early New Zealand these were crucial men. The library has recently begun collecting volunteer brigade histories.
Oral Histories Our collections of oral histories relate to both artefacts and events. We have a particular strength in oral histories relating to New Zealand civil aviation since World War 2 and the experiences of men in Bomber Command.
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For
more information, including current events and exhibitions, call the MOTAT
Infoline 0800 MOTATNZ (0800 668286)! |
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New
Zealand Flying School, Mission Bay, Auckland