Tasmanian Aboriginal people
Introduction
There are references to Aboriginal people in many government agency records but only a few series of records specifically about Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
Tracing Aboriginal ancestry is generally the same as for any family in Tasmania. There is guidance on documenting Aboriginal descent, and some specific issues to keep in mind.
What’s available online?
What else is available?
Records of government administration with a focus on Aboriginal matters
Tasmania did not have an agency with specific responsibility for Tasmanian Aboriginal people between 1833 and the 1970s.
Some specific series of records relating to Aboriginal matters
General government administration records
Records from agencies providing a service to the whole Tasmanian community will include some records relating to Aboriginal people. For example:
- General correspondence files of the former Lands Department has files on Cape Barren Island (LSD1)
- Case files and administrative records of the former Department of Social Services can have relevant information on Cape Barren Island and individuals. They will not usually be identified as Aboriginal people. See for example:
- The administrative files of the former Health Department has files on services such as bush nursing on the Islands
- The administrative records of the Education Department and schools have information on all children who attended school. They will not be identified as Aboriginal
- Records created by the courts & prisons, police, and hospitals may be relevant. They will not indicate that a person is Aboriginal.
What other resources might be useful?
Library resources on the history of Tasmanian Aboriginal people. Try particularly:
There are very few records from before 1824. For this period, try:
For records post 1824: the Colonial Secretary’s Office later Chief Secretary’s Department. The earlier records of the Premiers Office can be useful.
What can I find from other organisations?
Office of Aboriginal Affairs within the Department of Premier and Cabinet