AHWA provides dedicated research services to help Aboriginal Western Australians trace their family histories and undertakes truth-telling projects that help to build shared understanding of our history.
Need help with your Aboriginal family history research? We may hold information in our collections about you or your direct ancestors.
Members of the public, such as academics, historians and researchers, can request access to restricted records managed by AHWA for the purpose of general research.
Native Title consultants, representative bodies, and prescribed body corporates can request access to AHWA-managed records for the purpose of gathering evidence relevant to a Native Title claim.
Learn about the many records that AHWA manages access to, including State Government records created by former Aboriginal Welfare departments, and genealogies and photographs collected by anthropologist Norman Tindale
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.
Explore our many truth-telling projects.
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.
A searchable database of more than 400 Aboriginal Trackers engaged at WA police stations between 1931 and 1954.
Applications by Aboriginal people in Western Australia between 1887 and 1933.
Historical town blocks granted to Aboriginal people in Western Australia
A comprehensive database of the individuals buried at the Moore River Native Cemetery.
Genealogies and photographs of Aboriginal People collected from across Western Australian 1935-1966.
A name index of children of Aboriginal descent admitted to the Perth and Swan orphanages and missions between 1871 and 1920.
Explore our many truth-telling publications which bring to light less known aspects of Western Australia’s shared history.
Freecall 1800 161 301Email ahrs@dlgsc.wa.gov.auService desk open 10am to 2pm on level 3State Library of WA, 25 Francis Street, PerthPO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre WA 6849X @The_ACHWA