Record Cards of Aboriginal Children (1953 - 1966)

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Access conditions

Due to the sensitive nature of these records access is restricted. Persons wishing to view these records must first contact the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.

Records

Please be aware that these cards use language that is derogatory and offensive, and is unnacceptable today. The language used on these cards is a reflection of the attitudes, assumptions, and judgements made about Aboriginal people at the time of their creation. We have reproduced some of that language here in order to place the records in their historical context, and provide an accurate description of them.

The first set of cards in this series, the Aboriginal Child Record Cards, contain the following information: child's name, if the Aborigines Welfare Board had assumed "control" of them, date and reason for the "control", Homes admitted to, discharge dates, education and training received, health, conduct and character, training and progress, date of appointment to apprenticeships, and file number. The reverse side of these cards contain information about the movement of the child, e.g. Homes they were sent to or people they were boarded with, dates of inspections made on the child, observation notes and other general remarks.

The second set of cards, the Aborigines' Record Cards contain the following information: individual's names, "caste" & "colour shade" (please note that this is the language used on the cards), sex, date of birth, place of birth, religion, parent's names, details of marriage (often including information on siblings), details of children (including names, dates and place of birth), date and place of death and burial if applicable, and notes on the individual's character and habits. The reverse of these cards includes general information about occupation, places of employment, movements, and where children of this individual have been placed in 'care'.

This series only contains cards for six individuals. Most of these individuals had both types of cards created about them.