Morialta Protestant Children’s Home Records, State Records of South Australia

These are records created by Morialta Protestant Children’s Home that are held by State Records of South Australia. The records contain information about children living at the Home, and include children’s files, photographs, adoption forms, annual reports, a film made about the Home, visitor’s books, and administrative records such as reports, meeting minutes and regulations.

Access Conditions

Access to these records is restricted for 100 years in order to protect personal privacy. Some of these records are still restricted, while others over 100 years old are open and can be viewed by any member of the public. People mentioned in these records have a right to access information about themselves. To request access to restricted records please contact the Department for Child Protection Freedom of Information team. To arrange access to open records please contact State Records of South Australia.

Records

The following records in this collection contain information about children who lived at the Morialta Protestant Children’s Home, or contain contextual information about the Home that may be of interest to former residents and their families. More information about these records has been published on the State Records of South Australia catalogue, and can be accessed via the links below. Records from Morialta Children’s Home that relate only to staff members, or contain more general administrative or financial information, have not been included in this list, but are listed on the State Records of South Australia catalogue.

Records about children:

Children’s files – Morialta Protestant Children’s Home, 1943-1973 (GRG29/142). Restricted access.

These files contain details about children admitted to Morialta Children’s Home, including name, date of birth, religion, physical appearance, parents details, information about their health and education, and correspondence about their care.

Miscellaneous files including children’s releases – Morialta Protestant Children’s Home, 1960-1970 (GRG29/143). Restricted access

These files include admission forms containing details about children admitted to Morialta, and release forms signed by parents/guardians removing a child from the Home.

Photographs – Morialta Protestant Children’s Home, 1924-1957 (GRG29/150). Restricted access

This series is made up of two albums containing 159 photographs taken at Morialta Children’s Home.

The Open Door [Motion Picture], Morialta Protestant Children’s Home, c.1948-c.1950 (GRG29/176). Restricted access

The Open Door is a documentary film shot in 1948-49 to publicise the work being done at the Morialta Protestant Children’s Home. It follows the story of two fictional children admitted to the Home, and includes shots of children at the Home going about their daily routines.

Consent to adoption form – Morialta Protestant Children’s Home, 1953 (GEG29/158). Restricted access

Visitors’ books – Morialta Protestant Children’s Home, 1926-1973 (GRG29/146). Restricted access

Administrative and contextual records:

Minutes of the Board of Governors – Morialta Protestant Children’s Homes, 1942-1969 (GRG29/144). Restricted access

These minutes sometimes mention the names of children at the Home, often in relation to the Board’s approvals for admissions and adoptions. They also include reports from the matron and superintendent about the Home, statistics and numbers of children at the Home, and matters related to the running of the Home.

Annual Reports – Morialta Protestant Children’s Home, 1925-1976 (GRG29/153). Open access

Annual general meetings minutes and related correspondence – Morialta Protestant Children’s Home, 1946-1950 (GRG29/175). Open access

Minutes, correspondence etc – Women’s Guild, Morialta Protestant Children’s Home, 1955-1975 (GRG29/155). Open access

Newspaper cuttings – Morialta Protestant Children’s Home, 1928-1968 (GRG29/147). Open access

Constitution and regulations – Morialta Protestant Children’s Home, 1946-1948 (GRG29/157. Open access