Sisters of Charity Archives

The Sisters of Charity Archives holds a few documents relating to the children admitted to St Joseph’s Orphanage. These include admission and departure books and baptismal certificates.

Access Conditions

Conditional Access
Access is restricted because the records are fragile and contain private information. People wishing to see these records should contact the Sisters of Charity Archives.

Records

St Joseph’s Orphanage, St Joseph’s Child Care Centre, St Joseph’s Crisis Accommodation Centre and Bimbadeen, Carinya, Loreto and Villa Maria Family Group Homes

• Admission Register, 1879-1937 – Contains infromation such as: child’s name, where they were born, parent or guardian’s name, address, baptism details, admission and discharge dates, and who the child was released to upon discharge. The register is handwritten in a black hardcover exercise book.
• Admission Register, 1879-1967 – Contains information such as: child’s name, parent or guardian’s name, address, date of birth, dates of admission and discharge, and further remarks. The register includes the first admissions in 1879 but these were likely copied from the original register in 1920. The register was handwritten and indexed.
• Admission Register, 1884-1920 – Contains information such as: child’s name, date of birth, name of the person who sent the child to the Orphanage, date of discharge, and where the child went. This register is handwritten and indexed.
• Admission Register, 1929-1978 – Contains information such as: child’s name, mother’s name, father’s name, date of birthday, and date of discharge. This register is a loose leaf, indexed, handwritten ring binder and is arranged alphabetically by surname.
• Admissions and Discharges Book, 1929-1979 – Contains information such as: child’s surname, given names, name of the mother or guardian, address, child’s date and place of birth, date and source of admission, date of discharge and destination, and other remarks. The book is handwritten.
• Admission and Discharges Book, 1938-1980 – Contains information such as: child’s date of birth, name with other details, date of admission by year, and date of discharge by year. The listings are handwritten and only go to 1979 even though 1980 is written on the first page of the register.
• Admission and Discharge Book, 1945-1985 – Contains information such as: child’s name, dates of arrival and departure. It is handwritten and alphabetically arranged by surname.
• Children’s Admissions – Applications Forms, 1945-1979
  • “St Joseph’s Orphanage Application for Admission” forms, 1948-1956 – Contain information such as: child’s name, date and place of birth, baptism details, immunisation details, names of parents, their dates of death if this is relevant, religions, and addresses if still living, address of relatives or guardians, and address of clergyman. Occasionally there is an additional note giving the admission date. There is also a declaration giving the Sisters of Charity full charge of the child.
  • “Aikenhead House Admission” forms, 1948-1967 – Contains information such as: surname of family, names, religions, addresses, and occupations of parents, child’s name, date of birth, sacraments, immunisation record, and schooling, dates of admission, dates of discharge and to whom. Information about relatives may also be included.
  • “Catholic (Family) Welfare Bureau Confidential Notification to Aikenhead House” forms, 1968-1976 – Contains information such as: admission and discharge dates, child’s name, date and place of birth, religion, baptism details, school (including place, grade and when last attended), names of parents, whether they are living or deceased, their address, occupations, religions, sibling’s names, sex, ages, and addresses, health history including size of family, types and dates of inoculations, illnesses, current treatments, name of family doctor, sensitivity to drugs, and a signed consent for the administration of anaesthetic, reasons for admission, the circumstances of the family and signature of the person completing the form.
• Cottage and School Lists, c.1958-1981 – Contains lists of children attending Mount Carmel or St Joseph’s Schools, children at St Joseph’s Orphanage/Aikenhead House, and residents of the cottages, including a list of birthdays and a tally of the admissions to St Joseph’s Crisis Accommodation between 1978 and 1981.
• Holiday placement records, 1957-1979 – Contains information about holiday placements of children living at St Joseph’s Orphanage and St Joseph’s Child Care Centre.
• Baptismal Certificates, 1934-1974 – Contains items such as: baptism certificates, first communion souvenirs and confirmation lists.

Theresian Emergency Centre

• Notification of Reception records, 1966-1969 – Contains information such as: child’s name, date and place of birth, religion, mother’s name, marital status, occupation and address, father’s name, address and occupation, name and address of the person from whom the child was received, date when child was received, particulars of arrangements made by the parent for clothing and medical attendance, and maintenance agreement.
• Admission Forms, 1966-1973 – Contains information such as: child’s name, date and place of birth, religion and address, expected length of placement, social worker contact, details of sacraments, schooling and medical history; parent’s name, address, occupation, religion, date of birth, remarks, and reasons for placement in some detail. Some forms have correspondence attached providing additional information about the placement.

St Anne’s Orphanage and St Anne’s Group Homes

• Admission Registers, 1888-1971, Contains information such as: date of admission, child’s name, age at time of admission, residence, native place, by whom recommended, date of discharge, to whom discharged, surviving parent, religion, parents’ and guardians’ names and child’s date of birth. From 1948 onwards, the following information is also recorded: parents’ occupation; name, address and occupation of other person to whom child was delivered, and particulars of arrangements made by mother for care of the child.
• Admission Records (applications, notifications, files), 1892-1985, Contains information such as: child’s name, date and place of birth, date and place of baptism, vaccination record; father’s name, occupation, date and place of death and religion, mother’s maiden name, date and place of death and religion, parents’ date and place of marriage, names and addresses of surviving parent, near relative or guardian, clergyman or person recommending the child, maintenance agreement if any, date of admission, signature of person receiving the child, and signature of person having the child admitted. Additional information is available for more recent admissions (from 1974) as forms become files including correspondence and court orders referring to expected length of placement, social worker contact, sacraments, schooling, medical history, particulars of children in the family (surname, first names, dates and places of birth, religion, address), details of reason for placement, and progress reports.
• Notifications of Reception, 1921-45 and 1954-67 – Contains information such as: date of reception, mother’s name, address and condition; child’s name, date and place of birth, reason for admissio, maintenance agreement, if placed with person for nursing before reception, and child’s religion. From 1954 onwards, additional information includes: mother’s occupation and marital status, father’s name and occupation, name and address of person from whom the child was received, and arrangements made by parent as to clothing and medical attendance.
• Record of Children’s Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation, 1929-1966 – Contains information such as: child’s name, and type and date of sacrament.
• Notifications of Discharge, 1943-46 and 1950-67 – Contains information such as: infant’s name, date of birth, date of admission and date of discharge; name, address and occupation of person to whom discharged or by whom adopted. From the 1950s, additional information is recorded including: name and occupation of person who will care for the child, and name and occupation of husband of carer.
• Doctor’s Book, 1945-1963 – Contains information such as: child’s name, when and where seen by the doctor, nature of illness, remarks by the doctor and doctor’s signature.
• Children’s Personal Record Cards, 1962-1977 – Contains information such as: child’s name, date and place of birth, religion, date and place of baptism; father’s name and address; mother’s name, maiden name and address; details of step parents, if any; name of person and organisation arranging admissio, date and circumstances of admission, maintenance order or agreement, date of discharge, to whom discharged and at what address, and medical information.

St Anne’s Children’s Centre

• Admission and Discharge Record Book, 1979-1985 – Contains information such as: child’s name and date of birth, parents’ names and home address, date of admission, date of discharge and to whom discharged, Medibank number; social worker contact and period in care.