AHWA provides a family history research service to help Aboriginal people access historical records about themselves or their ancestors. We manage access to restricted State Government records relating to Aboriginal people, and undertake truth-telling projects that help to build shared understanding of our history.
The AHRS is a unit within AHWA that assists members of the public to access to thousands of restricted historical records relating to Aboriginal people in Western Australia. We provide access to records through our free, family history research service. General researchers and Native Title representative bodies can also apply.
Request copies of records about you or your direct ancestors.
Members of the public, including authors, academics and anyone with an interest in Aboriginal history can request access to AHWA-managed records.
Entities engaged in Native Title research, such as Native Title Representative Bodies and respondent parties, can request copies of AHWA-managed records.
Learn about the many records that AHWA manages access to.
We have partnered with Storylines to hold monthly family history sessions at the State Library of WA in Perth.
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.
10 February, 2025, 12 30 PM-2 30 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) and the State Library’s Storylines team for a FREE family history information session.
Learn about Aboriginal family history records, our many truth-telling projects and how we can help you research your own family history.
The AHWA team are research experts who help Aboriginal people get access to restricted State Government records about themselves and their direct ancestors.
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