Aboriginal History WA (AHWA)

AHWA provides a family history research service to help Aboriginal people access historical records about themselves or their ancestors. We manage access to restricted State Government records relating to Aboriginal people, and undertake truth-telling projects that help to build shared understanding of our history.

Explore Aboriginal names, places and projects here.

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Aboriginal History Research Service (AHRS)

The AHRS is a unit within AHWA that assists members of the public to access to thousands of restricted historical records relating to Aboriginal people in Western Australia. We provide access to records through our free, family history research service. General researchers and Native Title representative bodies can also apply.

A history image of Aboriginal women peeling potatoes

Family history research

Request copies of records about you or your direct ancestors.

Two Aboriginal men and an Aboriginal women in front of a tent

General researcher

Members of the public, including authors, academics and anyone with an interest in Aboriginal history can request access to AHWA-managed records.

Historical photograph. Aboriginal family group walking on a bush track.

Native Title research

Entities engaged in Native Title research, such as Native Title Representative Bodies and respondent parties, can request copies of AHWA-managed records.

Torn and discoloured historical record title 'Colonial Secretary's Department - Aborigines and Fisheries. Dated 1915.

Records we provide access to

Learn about the many records that AHWA manages access to.

Aboriginal dot painting showing fish and graphic elements

Family history information sessions

We have partnered with Storylines to hold monthly family history sessions at the State Library of WA in Perth.

Come and say hi

Our service desk is a welcoming space for Aboriginal people who would like to learn more about their mob’s history.

It’s open from 10am to 2pm Monday to Friday and located on level 3 at the State Library of WA, 25 Francis Street, Perth.

Drop in anytime for a yarn with our staff. You don’t need to book.

2 people in front of the Aboriginal History WA desk in a library

Projects

Explore our many truth-telling projects.

Aboriginal passengers

Database containing the names and passage details of Aboriginal people who arrived and departed Western Australian ports by ship between 1850 and 1925.

Map of Wadjemup prepared by surveyor A.J. Lewis with later amendments, c.1909. S2168, cons5698, item 1493, State Records Office of WA

Wadjemup database

A searchable database of Aboriginal people sent to Wadjemup (Rottnest Island) between 1900 and 1931.

Carrolup Settlement

A 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 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.

Aboriginal Trackers of Western Australia Index

A searchable database of more than 400 Aboriginal Trackers engaged at WA police stations between 1931 and 1954.

A newspaper clipping showing Tom Kickett and a horse.

Agricultural and Pastoral Leases

Applications by Aboriginal people in Western Australia between 1887 and 1933.

Historical town blocks

Historical town blocks granted to Aboriginal people in Western Australia

Moore River Native Settlement ploughing the farm

History of Moore River Native Settlement

A comprehensive database of the individuals buried at the Moore River Native Cemetery.

Norman Tindale Name Index

Genealogies and photographs of Aboriginal People collected from across Western Australian 1935-1966.

A black and white historical photo of the Swan Native and Half-Caste Mission

Perth and Swan Orphanages and Missions Name Index

A name index of children of Aboriginal descent admitted to the Perth and Swan orphanages and missions between 1871 and 1920.

Publications

Explore our many truth-telling publications which bring to light less known aspects of Western Australia’s shared history.

Events

There are no events scheduled.

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