Data to help trace Aboriginal family histories

8/7/93

Important historical data which will help Aboriginal people trace their family histories accurately has been given back to Western Australia's Aboriginal community.

Part of the Tindale genealogical collection was handed over by Peter Bertani of the South Australian Museum's anthropology department.

The WA portion contains some 1,500 genealogical charts and family trees and about 3,000 photographs with personal information.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Kevin Minson said the material was gathered by Mr Norman Tindale of Harvard University from 1926 to 1954.

He said about half the material collected related to Aboriginal people in WA.

"The material will be a significant addition to information already held by the family history service of the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority," Mr Minson said.

"The service is already used extensively by Aboriginal people to research family histories."

Mr Minson said more than 350 Aboriginal families had used the service and the Tindale collection would further enhance the vast archival records.

He said the Department for Community Development, Curtin University, Yorganop Child Care Aboriginal Corporation and Link-Up operated similar family history services.

"The collection will be accessible only to Aboriginal families trying to trace their backgrounds," Mr Minson said.

"Researchers will not be able to view personal information to protect the privacy of the families involved.

"Strict controls will enforce this."

Mr Minson said the collection provided a unique opportunity for many Aboriginal people who had given up records.

Media contact: Diana Callander 222 9595