Need help with your Aboriginal family history research? We may hold information in our collections about you or your direct ancestors.
Aboriginal History WA (AHWA) holds many records relevant to Aboriginal people and their histories. These records were created by previous government agencies responsible for administrating Aboriginal policies between 1886 and 1972. Due to the personal and sensitive nature of information contained in the records, many are restricted and not publicly available.
To access your family history records, complete the family history request form and email it to ahrs@dlgsc.wa.gov.au, along with a copy of your identification.
If you are intending to release your family history records to someone other than yourself, you will also need to complete the Family History Consent Form:
If you would like help completing these request forms, please call the AHWA team on 1800 161 301 or email ahrs@dlgsc.wa.gov.au
For more information please see our family history fact sheet.
If you have a parent(s) or grandparent(s) who is living on the family side that you are researching, then the oldest living generation will need to be the applicant for the records.
Unless you have requested something specific, you will receive copies of all records that relate you and your direct ancestors along with a researched family tree.
Please be warned that the records contain confronting information which may cause sadness or be distressing to read. They also contain words, descriptions and terms which are considered offensive in today’s contexts. It is also possible that recorded information may be inaccurate or incomplete.
Within AHWA’s collections are records containing confidential personal information or material that is considered sensitive for one reason or another. Under the State Records Act 2000 this type of information needs to be restricted for up to 100 years. Personal and sensitive information can only be released to the person who the record relates to, or to their direct descendants if that person is no longer living. Third parties can access material by obtaining third party consent.
Aboriginal History WA manages access to restricted State Government records created by agencies that were responsible for the management of Aboriginal affairs from the late 1880’s through to 1972.
For a list of key organisations that hold or can help you to find Aboriginal family history records.
We have partnered with the State Library of WA Storylines project to hold monthly family history sessions at the State Library of WA in Perth
The policy for access to restricted records is currently under review. If you have any questions please contact us.