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.

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.

Family history resource directory

There are many other resources that may be able to help with your family history research.

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.

Dulhi Gunyah Orphanage

This database provides details of child admissions to Dulhi Gunyah Orphanage in East Victoria Park between 1909 and 1919.

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

Aboriginal History WA visits the East Kimberley

9 September, 2026, 11 30 AM-1 30 PM

Warmun
Warmun Community Hall

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Learn about Aboriginal family history records and get support with birth certificate applications.

Aboriginal History WA is visiting the East Kimberley this September. We will be joined by the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

Come and have a yarn with our teams about family history records, birth certificates and the support available to you.

Drop in for a yarn, meet our teams and find out how we can help. All sessions are free.

About Aboriginal History WA

Based in the State Library in Perth, we provide a free, statewide family history research service for Aboriginal people. We help people access restricted State Government records about themselves and their direct ancestors in a culturally safe manner. For example, we hold copies of many mission records, station records and personal files that were created by the former ‘Department of ‘Native Welfare’. We’ll also introduce you to other resources such as the State Library of Western Australia Storylines Program, the Berndt field notes archive and the Norman Tindale Collection.

These records can help people learn more about their family history, ancestors, communities and connections to Country.

We can help you:

learn about Aboriginal family history records and resources
find out how to apply for family history research
get help starting an application.

About the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages

The Registry team can provide information and support with:

applying for a birth, death or marriage certificate
getting a birth certificate if you have never had one and understanding your options if you do not have enough identification
changing your name or gender
what to do if you need help to pay for a certificate.

These are free, informal drop-in sessions. You can meet our teams, ask questions and learn what support is available.

Please note, family history research and birth certificates won’t be provided on the day, but our teams can answer your questions and help you get started.

Warmun date, time and location

👉 Wednesday 9 September, 11:30am – 1:30pm

📍 Warmun Community Hall

Contact us

Call the Aboriginal History team on 0447 882 799 if you’ve got any questions or email ahwa.outreach@cits.wa.gov.au

Other sessions in the East Kimberley

Town	Date	Location
Halls Creek	Tuesday 8 September 10am to 2pm	Outside the Child and Parent Centre, Duncan Highway. Find us at the Family Day coordinated by Binarri-binyja yarrawoo Aboriginal Corporation.
Wyndham	Thursday 10 September 11am to 2pm	Ngnowar Aerwah Community Shed 60 Great Northern Highway, Wyndham
Kununurra	Friday 11 September 2pm to 4pm	Kununurra Community and School Library, Corner of Coolibah Drive and Mangaloo Street

Contact us