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Historical photo, Circa 1916 showing Aboriginal people gathering at the Carrolup Settlement for food distribution

New database establishes links to former Aboriginal settlement

May 26, 2024
We've released a searchable 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 the nearby Katanning Cemetery up until 1949.
Wongi man Johnny Grey, also known as Pannican, is one of the many Trackers featured in the database. Considered one of the best Trackers of his time, Pannican worked for the police in the Laverton-Leonora area from 1942 to 1962.

Tracking down the history of WA’s Aboriginal Police Trackers

May 21, 2024
The names and details of more than 400 Aboriginal men who played a crucial role in tracking and wayfinding for Western Australian Police between 1931 and 1954 have been released.
Aboriginal dot painting with text: Aboriginal History WA and Storylines are coming to the Great Southern and Wheatbelt

Aboriginal History WA and Storylines take off on regional road trip

Mar 11, 2024
Team members from Aboriginal History Western Australia (AHWA) and the State Library of Western Australia's Storylines will be hitting the road this March to jointly hold free family history sessions in the Great Southern and Wheatbelt.
Left to right: Community Education Officer, Duane Kelly; AHWA client Roma Winmar and NITV journalist Kearyn Cox

National Indigenous TV help promote Aboriginal History Unit

Jan 11, 2024
Visitors to level 3 of the State Library had a surprise this week when a crew from National Indigenous TV came to film a story promoting the Aboriginal History WA
Mel Walley-Stack, Director of AHWA , Minister and Mark Chambers from AHWA looking at historical records.

New face-to-face space for Aboriginal people seeking family history

Dec 19, 2023
Aboriginal people who want to learn more about their family history now have a dedicated client space within the State Library to request ancestry information and research services.
Working townsite plan of Badjaling

Historical town blocks granted to Aboriginal people in Western Australia

Oct 2, 2023
A new database is now available, revealing town blocks purchased, leased and licensed by Aboriginal people throughout Western Australia between 1900 and 1960.
Remembering Mount Margaret Mission cover

Remembering Mount Margaret Mission’ sheds light on a history seldom told

Aug 4, 2022
A unique insight into the lives of Aboriginal children living at the Mount Margaret Mission, located on Wongatha land in the Goldfields-Esperance region, has been produced by the State Government’s Aboriginal History WA.
Historical Agricultural and Pastoral Leases

Publications promote richness of shared history

Jun 3, 2022
Two publications launched during Reconciliation Week are connecting people to their Aboriginal history and celebrating the richness of Western Australia’s shared history.
Norman Tindale Collection cover showing an old photograph

New online resource helps trace Aboriginal family histories

Sep 25, 2020
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt today launched the Norman Tindale Collection which includes genealogical information and photographs from Aboriginal communities throughout Australia.
Aboriginal children at Moore River Settlement Church, courtesy of the AHWA collection.

Aboriginal History WA helping Western Australians unlock their Aboriginal ancestry

Jun 26, 2020

LG Alert

The important work of the department’s Aboriginal History WA (AHWA) unit was recognised during National Reconciliation Week.
Aboriginal children at Moore River Settlement Church, courtesy of the AHWA collection.

Aboriginal History WA helping Western Australians unlock their Aboriginal ancestry

Jun 3, 2020
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ben Wyatt is encouraging Western Australians to use the services of Aboriginal History WA (AHWA) to learn about their Aboriginal ancestry, after gaining access to his own family records.
Page reviewed 23 August 2023
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