First Nations Communities
First Nations peoples should be aware that we hold material that contain images and names of deceased people. Exposure to these records may contravene Indigenous laws or practices and may cause distress or harm, particularly to the relatives of these people. The records presented may contain descriptions and words which may not reflect current understandings. In particular, material regarding First Nations peoples and cultures has historically been created and recorded by non-Indigenous people and may not have had the input of First Nations peoples themselves. As a result, this material may contain inaccuracies and misinterpretations, or words and descriptions which could be considered insensitive, outdated and/or offensive in today's context. While we do not necessarily support such language and views, it is considered important historically to present this information without alteration. Care and discretion should be taken when viewing these records and their descriptions.NavigationUse the search tool below to explore this collection.Description
We hold the oldest Australian academic anthropology records documenting First Nations communities in Australia and the South Pacific region, including the records of anthropologists AP Elkin, HIP Hogbin, AR Radcliffe-Brown and Camilla Wedgwood. The anthropology field research and teaching records for 1926 to 1956 were inscribed in the UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Register in 2017 (learn more about this significant recognition).
The records pertaining to Australian Indigenous peoples include field notes, genealogies, correspondence, photographs, audio-visual material, reports and secondary sources. The field research records date from 1910 and include references to over 60 Indigenous languages.
These records comprise the personal papers of prominent anthropologists (including AP Elkin, HIP Hogbin, AR Radcliffe-Brown and Camilla Wedgwood), records of the Department of Anthropology, and records of researchers funded by the Australian National Research Council (including Ursula McConnell, Olive Pink, WEH Stanner, and WL Warner).
Please consult our Cultural Care and Sensitivity statement. We endorse the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library, Information and Resource Network (ATSILIRN) Protocols.
Access to Records
Where records are restricted or closed, permission from the relevant community is required.
Genealogies are available on request for individuals or families who are researching their own family history.
Native title claims must be submitted with an official letterhead including the claim and claim number.
Please contact us with details of the records you wish to view.
The photographs within AP Elkin's personal papers are currently closed. A project is underway to identify the relevant people/community/communities that can grant access to the images.
We manage these records in accordance with ATSILIRN protocols, recognising the historical and emotional importance these records hold for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Access to some records is restricted for privacy reasons or out of respect for the rights and/or beliefs of Indigenous peoples.
Records Relating to Indigenous Peoples from Australia and the Pacific Region
Australia:
- AP Elkin (P130)
- Peter Hinton
- Annie Margaret McArthur (P205)
- AR Radcliffe-Brown (P129)
- TW Edgeworth David (P11/25/113)
- Association for the Protection of Native Races (S55)
Pacific Region:
- Herbert Ian Priestley Hogbin (P15)
- Peter Lawrence (P170)
- Annie Margaret McArthur (P205)
- Camilla Hildegarde Wedgwood (P112)
Language Groups from Australia
These lists of language groups and places are drawn from the current guides to the record holdings. Some spelling will be out of date. These lists should not be taken as definitive. It is expected that additional languages and places will be identified through the process of indexing the records.
Kimberley
Languages (Bardi, Karajarri, Jabirr Jabirr, Gija / Kija, Ngarinyin, Worrorra, Nyulnyul, Jaru)
Places (Forrest River, Hall’s Creek, Beagle Bay, Sunday Island, Wyndham, La Grange)
New South Wales
Languages (Gumbaynggirr, Gathang, Bundjalung, Muruwari, Gamilaraay / Gamilaroi / Kamilaroi, Yuwaalaraay, Yaygirr, Dhanggati / Dunghutti, North Raga?, Paakantyi / Paakantji / Barkindji, Nulla Nulla, Southern Anaiwan, Northern Anaiwan, Birrbay, Wanyuparlku, Ngambaa, Yugambal, Wiradjuri, Yandruwandha)
Places (Bellbrook, north-east NSW, Walgett, Deniliquin, Kyogle, Darlling River, Murray River, Port Stephens, Edward River, Bowraville, Wallaga Lake, Angledool, Brewarrina, Gundagai, Brungle, Coonabarabran, Tingha, Bassendean, Cabbage Tree Island, Mossgiel, Pilliga, Roseby Park [now Jerrinja], Toomelah)
Northern Territory
Languages (Rembarrnga, Jawoyn, Djinba, Warlpiri, Warumungu, , Mangarrayi, Alawa, Menthe, Batjamalh, Arrernte, Yolngu Matha, Anindilyakwa, Tiwi, Western Desert, Malak Malak, Kaytetye)
Places (Arnhem Land, Roper River, Port Essington, Groote Eylandt, Bathurst Island, Milingimbi, Elcho Island, Crocodile Islands, Melville Island, Tiwi Islands, Hermannsburg, Mount Lieebig, Daly River, Darwin River, Alice Springs, Victoria River, Petermann Ranges, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Port Keats, Musgrave Ranges, Wave Hill, MacDonald Downs Station, Goulburn Islands)
Queensland
Languages (Wik Mungkan, Yugambeh, Yuggera, Umpila, Jandai, Yandruwandha, Guugu Yimithirr, Kuku Yalanji, Yir Yoront)
Places (Yarrabah, Weipa, Cape York, south-east Qld, Thursday Island, Cape York, Aurukun, Palm Island, Cherbourg [formerly Barambah], Torres Strait Islands, Cockatoo Creek, Mitchell River, Diamantina)
South Australia
Languages (including Antikirinya, Luritja, Arabana, Yaraldi, Wirangu, Dieri, Tanganekald, Ramindjeri, Narungga/Nharangga, Kokatha, Western Desert, Yandruwandha)
Places (Mt Margaret, Fowlers Bay, Oodnadatta, Macumba, Point McLeay [now Raukkan], Point Pearce, Murray River, Adelaide, Ooldea, Musgrave Ranges, Ernabella [now Pukatja], Great Victoria Desert)
Victoria
Languages (Bangerang, Ngangaruku, Tanganekald)
Places (Buangor, Tatyoon, Morangbark, Murray River, Keilor, Picola)
Western Australia
Languages (Karigarra, Kariyarra, Ngarluma, Warriyangga, Maya, Pinikura, Burduna, Bayungu, Nhuwala, Yingkarta, Warriyangga, Thalanyji, Palyku, Martuthunira, Tharrkari, Wajarri, Nyamal, Karajarri, Wunambal, Mirniny, Noongar / Nyoongar, Jabirr Jabirr, Nyangumarta, Western Desert, Bardi, Worrorra)
Places (Albany, Bernier and Dorres Island, Carnavon, Lagrange Bay, Broome, Ninety Mile Beach, Petermann Ranges, Great Victoria Desert, Cundelee)
Search this Collection
Evil Magic by DW Bailey
Reports of the Queensland Aboriginals Department
Report of Royal Commission into the Murder of Aboriginal People in the East Kimberley
The Australian Aborigines
North Australia Commission Initial Report on Scheme for Development of North Australia
Some Aspects of the Aboriginal Problem in Australia
The Australian Aborigines: A Noble-hearted Race
Aborigines Claim Citizen Rights! [Aborigines Progressive Association]
Reports of the Chief Protector of Aborigines, Western Australia
Annual Reports of the Chief Protector of Aboriginals, Queensland
Aborigines' Friends' Association (AFA) Pamphlets
The Call of the Aboriginal…
Arnhem Land Peace Expedition Church Missionary Society
Australian Aborigines' Amelioration Association Annual Report
News Clippings re Trials In the Northern Territory Presided Over by Judge Wells
Outback Exhibition
The Queenslander Articles on Aboriginal People
Parliamentary Reports on the Administration of the Northern Territory Administration
Report of the Royal Commissioner Appointed to Investigate the Condition and Treatment of Aborigines
What is Their Destiny?
Aborigines' Friends' Association (AFA) Annual Reports
Annual Reports of the Commissioner of Native Affairs, Western Australia
Report of the Initial Conference of Commonwealth and State Aboriginal Authorities
Select Committee on the Administration of the New South Wales Aborigines Protection Board Minutes
New South Wales Select Committee on Administration of the Aborigines Protection Board Proceedings
The Australian Abo Call
What of our Aborigines?
New South Wales Department of Education Syllabus for Aboriginal Schools
ABM Review [Australian Board of Missions]
Ministers' Bulletin of the National Missionary Council
Australian Aborigines [Aborigines' Friends' Association (AFA)]
Present and Future in Aboriginal Missions
The Anti-Slavery Reporter and Aborigines' Friend
Victorian Aborigines Assistance Committee
The Future of the Aborigines of Australia
Land Hunger in the Colonies
Methodist Overseas Missions' Revised District Policy for North Australia
Our Aim : A Monthly Record of the Aborigines Inland Mission of Australia
Northern Territory Ordinances re Trials and Treatment of Aboriginal People
The Problems of the Aboriginee
The Natural Food Supply of the Australian Aborigines
Articles by NWG Macintosh and FD McCarthy on the Tandandjal Cave
Parliamentary Reports of the Northern Territory Administration
Native Affairs - Work of Department Reviewed
The Helping Hand
The Westralian Aborigine [Coolbaroo League]
Development of the Northern Territory [Commonwealth Department of Territories]
National Service Scheme: Aboriginal Welfare
Register of Wards in the Northern Territory
Smoke Signals [Aborigines' Advancement League]
The Central Aborigines Reserve
Report on Health And Nutrition of Natives From Rawlinson Range To Lake Macdonald
Are We all Murderers?
Varieties of Cross-Cousin Marriage and Incest Taboos: Structure and Causality by Barbara Savadkin Lane
Northern Territory Ordinances and Legislation
Aboriginal People and the Law
Annual Reports of the Victorian Aboriginal Group
New South Wales Aborigines Welfare Board Annual Reports
West Australian Legislation re Aboriginal people
Report of the Aborigines Protection Board, South Australia
Annual Reports of the Director of Native Affairs, Queensland
Reports of the Aborigines Welfare Board, Victoria
National Aborigines' Day Pamphlets
Leaflets of the Council for Aboriginal Rights
Papers of the House of Representatives Select Committee on Voting Rights of Aborigines
Statistical Data re the Aboriginal Population
The Policy of Assimilation
Allawah News: Newsletter of the Allawah Grove Administration
Assimilation in Action
New South Wales Aborigines Protection Act, 1909-1963
Report of Officers' Conference on Aboriginal Welfare
Papers re OPAL [One People of Australia League]
Report of Special Committee on Legislation for Indigenous People in Queensland
Irabina [Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs]
On Aboriginal Affairs [Aboriginal Affairs Group]
The Aborigine Today' Weekend School
The Aborigines' and Torres Strait Islanders' Regulations of 1966
Report of the Joint Committee on Aborigines Welfare
Aboriginal Welfare News [Aboriginal Advancement Council of Western Australia]
Dawn: A Magazine for the Aboriginal People of New South Wales
Palm Island News
The Preservation of Aboriginal Cultural Sites
Dawn: A Magazine for the Aboriginal People of New South Wales
Information Bulletin on Czechoslovak Scientific Expedition
The Phoenix 'Totemism' by CG von Brandenstein
Annual Reports of the Commissioner of Native Welfare, Western Australia
Reports of the Aboriginal Affairs Board, South Australia
Annual Reports of the Director of Aboriginal and Island Affairs, Queensland
Aboriginal Man in European Australia
Origin
Inhabiting the Great South Land
Sky Pilot News
Young Aboriginal Movement (YAM) Newsletter
Annual Reports of the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority and Aboriginal Lands Trust
First Report of the Aboriginal Land Rights Commission
Report of the Director General of Community Welfare, South Australia
Aboriginal 'Dreamings' and Town Plans
Aboriginal News
Report of Royal Commission into Aboriginal Affairs, Western Australia
Annual Reports of the Director, Department of Aboriginal and Islanders Advancement



