Does anyone in our group have any research tips for finding burial details for ancestors in Tonga?
I've been told that my great grandfather left Samoa to travel to Tonga and work as a carpenter? (possibly extended family members of the Royal Family) There is no record of his death date but only that he never returned to Samoa and died in Tonga. This is becoming my new project. To find out what happened to and where my great grandfather died and is buried. Any research tips or resources will be much appreciated.
Answers
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I really am not certain, but would the state church of Tonga, the Methodists, I believe, have his burial record even if no civil record exists? @tagivaleschwenke1 tagivaleschwenke1 did the Methodists keep burial records? Perhaps that's a clue.
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I know Samoa Methodist Church keeps record of their members and I'm sure each congregation through out the pacific keeps records of their people. We visit their church office and its amazing the records they have. But i'll search for more detail from the Tongan community here and give more deatils.
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This is what I've found from talking with some Tongan families of Methodist faith. The Methodist church in Tonga don't keep records of their members but the government kept records.
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Thank you tagivaleschwendke1 for finding that out. I'll have to research how to get access to government records I guess. Thanks for your help. Much appreciated.
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Thanks for the suggestion A.M. Pili. Worth a try.
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Malo elelei,
check with Family History Center if they have films of Tonga. The church have a large collection of government record that should help you.
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Malo e lelei tagivaleschwenke1 tagivaleschwenke1.
Thanks for the heads up. I'll look into that.
Malo aupito. 😃
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