MobMap Family Tree Getting Started Checklist

1. Interview living family members first
2. Contact AIATSIS Family History Unit (1800 352 553)
3. Consult with relevant Indigenous communities
4. Gather existing documents (birth certificates, photos, letters)
5. Research local missions and reserves where family may have lived
6. Check state archives for relevant government records
7. Explore church records if family had religious connections
8. Search newspaper archives for community mentions
9. Consider DNA testing (with appropriate cultural consultation)
10. Connect with other researchers working on similar family lines

Comprehensive Indigenous Family History Research Checklist

Phase 1: Foundation Building

1. Interview Living Family Members First

Priority: Essential – Start here before anything else

• Record conversations (with permission) using audio/video devices
• Prepare open-ended questions about family stories, names, places, and traditions
• Ask about traditional names alongside English names
• Document family relationships, including adoptions and kinship structures
• Inquire about family movements between locations
• Gather information about cultural practices, language groups, and country connections
• Ask about family members who may have been removed or institutionalized
• Record pronunciations of traditional names and place names
• Follow up with additional interviews as new information emerges
• Consider bringing photos or documents to prompt memories

Contact AIATSIS Family History Unit

Phone: 1800 352 553 | Website: aiatsis.gov.au

• Schedule a consultation to discuss your research goals
• Access their specialized databases and collections
• Receive guidance on culturally appropriate research methods
• Learn about privacy protocols and family permission processes
• Get recommendations for relevant collections and archives
• Understand restrictions on accessing sensitive records
• Obtain referrals to community historians and cultural advisors
• Access their online family history resources and guides

Consult with Relevant Indigenous Communities

Essential for ethical and respectful research

• Contact Native Title groups, Land Councils, or Traditional Owner corporations
• Reach out to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organizations
• Speak with community Elders and cultural knowledge holders
• Respect protocols around sharing information and stories
• Understand cultural boundaries and sensitive topics
• Seek permission before researching certain family lines or stories
• Learn about traditional naming practices and kinship systems
• Understand the historical context of your family’s country and experiences

Phase 2: Document Gathering

Gather Existing Family Documents

Collect everything you can find within your family network

• Birth, death, and marriage certificates (including earlier versions)
• Baptism and confirmation records
• School reports and certificates
• Employment records and service files
• Immigration documents and ship passenger lists
• Land records, leases, and property documents
• Photographs with dates, locations, and people identified
• Letters, diaries, and personal papers
• Family bibles with recorded information
• Funeral programs and obituaries
• Hospital and medical records
• Court documents and legal papers

Research Local Missions and Reserves

Critical for understanding family movements and experiences

• Identify missions, reserves, and government settlements in your family’s areas
• Research the history and timeline of these institutions
• Look for resident registers, admission/discharge records
• Check for school records, employment records, and correspondence
• Understand the policies and practices that affected families
• Research closure dates and what happened to residents afterward
• Look for records of children sent to these institutions
• Check for records of marriages, births, and deaths at these locations
• Examine correspondence between institutions and government departments

Phase 3: Official Records Research

Check State Archives and Government Records

Each state has different record collections and access procedures

• New South Wales: State Archives & Records NSW
• Victoria: Public Record Office Victoria (PROV)
• Queensland: Queensland State Archives
• South Australia: State Records South Australia
• Western Australia: State Records Office of Western Australia
• Tasmania: Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office
• Northern Territory: Northern Territory Archives Service
• Australian Capital Territory: Archives ACT

Key record types to search:

• Aboriginal Protection Board records and correspondence
• Government station and settlement records
• Police records and court documents
• Education department records
• Health department files
• Child welfare and removal records
• Ration distribution lists
• Employment and labor records
• Voting rolls and electoral records
• Immigration and naturalization files

Explore Church Records

If family had religious connections or were at missions

• Contact relevant denominational archives (Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, etc.)
• Search baptism, confirmation, marriage, and burial registers
• Look for Sunday school records and membership rolls
• Check mission correspondence and annual reports
• Examine records of religious orders that worked with Indigenous communities
• Search for records of religious ceremonies and conversions
• Look for records of Indigenous clergy or lay workers
• Check orphanage records if run by religious organizations

Search Newspaper Archives

Valuable for community mentions and historical context

• Use digitized newspaper collections (Trove, state library databases)
• Search for family names, local events, and community activities
• Look for notices of births, marriages, deaths, and celebrations
• Search for reports about local missions, settlements, and reserves
• Check for coverage of political activities and land rights movements
• Look for sporting achievements, cultural events, and community gatherings
• Search for legal notices, employment advertisements, and property sales
• Examine letters to the editor and community correspondence

Consider DNA Testing (with Cultural Consultation)

Approach with sensitivity and community guidance

• Consult with Elders and community members before proceeding
• Understand the cultural and spiritual implications of DNA testing
• Consider the privacy implications for extended family
• Choose reputable testing companies with clear privacy policies
• Understand the limitations of DNA testing for Indigenous ancestry
• Be prepared for unexpected results that may affect family relationships
• Consider how results might impact Native Title or cultural recognition
• Respect family members who choose not to participate

Connect with Other Researchers

Build networks and share resources responsibly

• Join genealogy societies with Indigenous family history focus
• Connect with other researchers working on similar family lines
• Participate in online forums and social media groups (with cultural protocols)
• Attend family history workshops and conferences
• Share information ethically and with proper permissions
• Respect privacy and cultural sensitivities of other families
• Collaborate on researching shared ancestors or communities
• Exchange tips on accessing difficult records and overcoming research barriers

Phase 4: Specialized Resources

Access Specialized Indigenous Collections

• National Archives of Australia: Federal government records
• Australian War Memorial: Indigenous service records
• State libraries: Oral history collections, photographs, manuscripts
• University collections: Research papers, theses, interviews
• Museum collections: Cultural artifacts, photographs, documentation
• Legal aid archives: Land rights cases, legal representation recordsExplore Cultural and Linguistic Resources
• First Languages Map: Identify traditional language groups

• Native Title Tribunal: Research traditional ownership and boundaries
• Cultural heritage registers: Sacred sites, burial grounds, cultural places
• Anthropological studies: Academic research on specific communities
• Language centers: Traditional language resources and communities

Understand Historical Context

• Research government policies affecting Indigenous families (Protection Acts, assimilation policies)
• Learn about the Stolen Generations and forced removals
• Understand the impact of frontier violence and dispossession
• Study the history of missions, reserves, and government settlements
• Learn about resistance movements and political activism
• Understand the development of land rights and Native Title

Important Considerations

Ethical Research Principles

• Always prioritize community consultation and consent
• Respect cultural protocols and traditional knowledge systems
• Understand the ongoing impact of historical trauma
• Be sensitive to family secrets and painful histories
• Share findings appropriately and with permission
• Acknowledge the limitations of written records in capturing Indigenous experiences

Privacy and Sensitivity

• Many records may be restricted or require special permission to access
• Some information may be considered too sensitive to share
• Respect family members’ wishes about privacy and disclosure
• Be prepared for confronting information about historical injustices
• Understand that some records may contain racist language or attitudes

Ongoing Research

• Family history research is an ongoing process, not a one-time project
• New records become available as archives digitize collections
• Family stories and memories may evolve over time
• Building relationships with communities and researchers takes time
• Consider how your research might contribute to community knowledge and healing

Remember that Indigenous family history research requires patience, respect, and cultural sensitivity. The process is often as important as the outcomes, and building relationships with family and community should be prioritized over simply gathering information.