Family History: Indigenous Australians (NSW) research guide
Start your research by working through the resources under 'Starting points'. Use the information (names, dates and places) found here to search further using the 'Major sources'.
Starting points
| Resource | Type |
|---|---|
Birth, death and marriage records, 1788-presentMany (though not all) Aboriginal births, deaths and marriages were recorded in the same way as the rest of the population — particularly when families were in regular contact with church or government officials. Names, dates and places found here will help you start putting your family tree together. Start from what you know and work back in time. | website/ microform |
Electoral rolls, 1903-presentBefore 1984 Aboriginal people were not required to enrol to vote, however many did. Electoral rolls give the address and, in older electoral rolls, the occupation of individuals. They are very useful to find out where people were living at particular times. Find instructions for searching the electoral rolls:
Only available at the State Library | microform |
Major sources
| Resource | Type |
|---|---|
Tindale genealogiesFamily histories from 9 Aboriginal communities in NSW (Boggabilla, Brewarrina, Cummeragunja, Kempsey, Menindee, Pilliga, Walgett, Wallaga Lake and Woodenbong) documented by Norman Tindale in 1938-1939. They include thousands of names with birth, death and marriage information and some photographic portraits. Only available at the State Library | website/ print |
Australian Indigenous IndexAn index of names and historical information of Indigenous people and communities, written about in newspapers and magazines, such as the Koori Mail (1991-present), Identity (1971-1982), Dawn and New Dawn (1952-1975), and Our Aim (1907-1961). | website |
Minutes of the meetings of the New South Wales Aboriginal Protection Board and the Aboriginal Welfare BoardNames and details of hundreds of Aboriginal people mentioned in the Boards' meetings (1890-1969) where they discussed and made decisions about Aboriginal people living on government-run reserves. Only available at the State Library | |
Aboriginal Biographical Index (ABI)Index of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people mentioned in published books, magazines and journals that are held in the AIATSIS Library. | website |
Recommended books - by region in New South WalesBooks for researching Aboriginal genealogies in particular regions of New South Wales. Available at the State Library or try your local public library | book list |
Other organisations holding Aboriginal recordsA list of other organisations which can assist with Aboriginal family history research, including details of the organisations and links to their websites. | website list |
