Records of Koonibba Children's Home

The collection Records of Koonibba Children’s Home includes personal record cards, a copy of the original register, the church register, copies of the periodical The Australian Lutheran, synodical reports and some photographs. This collection is held by the Lutheran Archives in South Australia.

Access Conditions

Most records at the Lutheran Archives are available for inspection. Some records have closed or restricted access. Some private records that are less than 30 years old may not be opened for research without written permission. The Archives does not have a comprehensive catalogue of its holdings. Researchers are invited to discuss the nature of their research and the information they are seeking with the Archivist, who will endeavour to find relevant records in the collection.

Records

Records of Koonibba Children’s Home held by the Lutheran Archives include:

Koonibba Church Register (1902 – 1988)
This register includes records of Baptisms 1902-1975, Confirmations 1904-1964, Marriages 1913-1988, Burials 1917-1971.

Note: This volume of personal records is indexed in Records of National Cultural Significance: A guide to records of Indigenous Australians in the Lutheran Archives, Adelaide SA. (Commonwealth of Australia, 1999)

Lutheran Archives Reference Number: KNBBA Vol 1

Koonibba SA Personal Records Volume 2 (1900? – 2000?)
These records are copies of record cards giving name, date of birth, baptism, confirmation, marriage, death and burial. It includes an index to names in front. The back of the cards sometimes provides further information and comments.

Note: This volume of personal records is indexed in Records of National Cultural Significance: A guide to records of Indigenous Australians in the Lutheran Archives, Adelaide SA. (Commonwealth of Australia, 1999)

Lutheran Archives Reference Number: KNBBA Vol 2

Koonibba SA Personal Records Volume 3 (1900? – 2000?)
These records are copies of record cards giving name, date of birth, baptism, confirmation, marriage, death and burial. It includes an index to names in front. The back of the cards sometimes provides further information and comments.

Note: This volume of personal records is indexed in Records of National Cultural Significance: A guide to records of Indigenous Australians in the Lutheran Archives, Adelaide SA. (Commonwealth of Australia, 1999)

Lutheran Archives Reference Number: KNBBA Vol 3

Koonibba Children’s Home Record Book (1938 – 1953)
This record book is a photocopy of the original register. The volume begins with an index to surnames giving page reference. Kinds and amounts of information provided under each entry vary but generally include: (1) Name, (2) Date when entered, (3) Father’s name, (4) Mother’s name, (5) Born, (6) Went for holidays (with dates). Sometimes entries include discharge date, information on where the child went on discharge, health information, comments on behaviour, marriage etc.

Lutheran Archives Reference Number: KNBBA Vol 4

Photographs, Koonibba Children’s Home (c.1913 – c.1963)
The Lutheran Archives holds a number of photographs relating to the Koonibba Mission including photographs of buildings, children and staff.

Synodical Reports Proceedings of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Australia [ELSA], SA District, Koonibba Children’s Home (1900 – 1966)
These reports provide a summary of developments at Koonibba each year. They include a section on the Children’s Home. Numbers of children, staff changes and occurrences at the home, (including general maintenance, health issues and problems) are recorded. No names of children are given.

The Australia Lutheran [Periodical], Koonibba Children’s Home (1913 – 1966)
A monthly magazine which includes regular articles and reports relating to Koonibba Mission and the Children’s Home. These contain general information about happenings at the home. Many are designed to encourage financial and other forms of support from readers.