AHWA provides dedicated research services to help Aboriginal Western Australians trace their family histories and undertakes truth-telling projects that help to build shared understanding of our history.
Need help with your Aboriginal family history research? We may hold information in our collections about you or your direct ancestors.
Members of the public, such as academics, historians and researchers, can request access to restricted records managed by AHWA for the purpose of general research.
Native Title consultants, representative bodies, and prescribed body corporates can request access to AHWA-managed records for the purpose of gathering evidence relevant to a Native Title claim.
Learn about the many records that AHWA manages access to, including State Government records created by former Aboriginal Welfare departments, and genealogies and photographs collected by anthropologist Norman Tindale
Our service desk is a welcoming space for Aboriginal people who would like to learn more about their mob’s history.
It’s open from 10am to 2pm Monday to Friday and located on level 3 at the State Library of WA, 25 Francis Street, Perth.
Explore our many truth-telling projects.
A database of the men, women and children admitted to Carrolup Settlement between 1915 and 1922, and those who passed away and were buried at Carrolup or Katanning Cemetery up until 1949.
A searchable database of more than 400 Aboriginal Trackers engaged at WA police stations between 1931 and 1954.
Applications by Aboriginal people in Western Australia between 1887 and 1933.
Historical town blocks granted to Aboriginal people in Western Australia
A comprehensive database of the individuals buried at the Moore River Native Cemetery.
Genealogies and photographs of Aboriginal People collected from across Western Australian 1935-1966.
A name index of children of Aboriginal descent admitted to the Perth and Swan orphanages and missions between 1871 and 1920.
Explore our many truth-telling publications which bring to light less known aspects of Western Australia’s shared history.
6 August, 2024, 2 30 PM-5 PM
AHWA helps reconnect Aboriginal people with their family history. Join us at this free information session to find out how.
Join Aboriginal History WA (AHWA), together with the State Library of WA Storylines team, for a free family history information session.
At the session you will learn about the many historical record collections and photographs held by these 2 agencies.
The AHWA team are research experts who help Aboriginal people get access to restricted State Government records about themselves and their direct ancestors. These records, which span the period from 1886 to 1972, are closed to the public due to the personal and sensitive nature of information.
Storylines is an Indigenous online archive managed and hosted by the State Library of Western Australia. It features more than 12,000 photos and materials that can assist you to find information about your family and provides a safe place to share materials about Aboriginal people from Western Australia.
You will also get the opportunity to learn about the Sites of Truth Telling Project, which aims to address the lack of Aboriginal historic places on the State Heritage List. Team members from the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage are seeking input about which historic places should be included and to get a better understanding of these places. Aboriginal historic places may include places such as missions, orphanages, massacre sites, fringe camps, and much more.
Artwork (below): Beeliar Nyoons by Justin Martin.
Freecall 1800 161 301Email ahrs@dlgsc.wa.gov.auService desk open 10am to 2pm on level 3State Library of WA, 25 Francis Street, PerthPO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre WA 6849X @The_ACHWA