AIATSIS has developed the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Biographical Index (ABI) referring to people mentioned in published books, magazines and journals that are held in the Library. The ABI is part of Mura®, the AIATSIS catalogue. Infokoori also indexes many similar and other magazines / newspapers. The AIATSIS Family History Unit has developed many useful guides, available under the Resources heading on the Family History page
The SA Link-Up unit offers assistance and support to research client files, initiate family contact and provide ongoing support following reunion. Referral to Bringing Them Home counsellors and other agencies is also available.
The unit is located within Nunkuwarrin Yunti, 182-190 Wakefield Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Telephone: 08 8406 1600
GPO Box 592
Adelaide SA 5001
Website: https://www.genealogysa.org.au
Telephone: (08) 8272 4222
https://archives.sa.gov.au
115 Cavan Road, Gepps Cross
Telephone: (08) 8343 6800
State Records holds records of both South Australian Government and Local Government. Such records (including family care records) can assist members of the Stolen Generations and other Aboriginal people removed from their families.
State Records maintains a searchable database of names of Aboriginal people identified in key series within their collection, known as the Aboriginal Information Management System (AIMS). The database comprises more than 140,000 entries and includes tribal names, nicknames, age, sex, location, description of record, and a State Records reference number.
The Aboriginal Access Team provides a number of services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including personalised research assistance. Any enquiries about records relating to Aboriginal people can be directed to the Access Team via Email.
Library, archives and Aboriginal family history unit
email archives@samuseum.sa.gov.au
Science Centre, off North Terrace
Provides a research service for both family and community histories.
Due to heavy demand, access is by appointment only.
The SA Museum holds the Tindale Genealogies - information and photographs collected by anthropologist Norman Tindale during his visits to missions throughout Australia during the 1930s to 1950s.
Archival records kept by church bodies may provide information about baptisms, confirmations, marriages and burials, as well as records about children in care. Principles of confidentiality and privacy apply to gaining access. Some archives have not been fully indexed. The three largest church bodies with records are: Lutheran Archives, the Catholic Church, and the Anglican Church.
Watch Discovering Kin and Country: Tips and skills for researching Aboriginal family history
Recorded August 2021
Click on 'Show more' under the descriptions to see a list of speakers.
Adelaide office
Wed-Fri 10-5.
State Library of South Australia
Telephone: (08) 8204 8787
Online enquiry form
This fact sheet lists the types of records useful for researching Aboriginal history, including military records.