The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) has had an Aboriginal Family History Unit since the late 1970’s.   The Unit began as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Biographical Index (ABI) of names. Its aim was to provide a brief biographical entry of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people referred to, or depicted in published or unpublished material held in the Institute’s collections.

The Family History Unit is now jointly funded by the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and AIATSIS, as part of the Recommendations from the Bringing Them Home Report.

We can assist anyone of Indigenous heritage with their family history research. The Unit specifically assists Link-Up caseworkers in family tracing and reunion for members of the Stolen Generations. 

We do not undertake the compilation of family trees, nor can we provide official confirmation of Aboriginality.

• Getting Started
• Enquiries and Visits - make a booking or ask us a question
• Family History Information Kit - background information, addresses and more
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Biographical Index (ABI) - make a family history name search
• Family History Guides - to cemeteries / adoption / archives / libraries etc
• Indigenous Family History Guides - to the records held in archives and libraries
• Dawn and New Dawn magazines - A full set to search and read
• Confirmation of Aboriginality - background information
• Link-Up Services
• Bringing Them Home Counsellors - Contact list (pdf)