Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family history

The Queensland Government is one of the custodians of historical archival information about Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This information exists because of the control past Queensland Governments had over the lives of many of Queensland’s Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts provides access to records created by the department as a result of its administration of the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act 1897 (and subsequent 'Protection Acts'). These departmental records mostly relate to Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples who lived in Queensland and who were subject to the 'Protection Acts'.

Many of these records are held at Queensland State Archives. A restricted access period, where records are not available to the public for a period of time, may apply to these records as required under the Public Records Act 2002. Restricted records are made available via an administrative release process underpinned by both the Right to Information Act 2009 and the Information Privacy Act 2009.

For more information about accessing archival records visit the Queensland Government website.

Proof of Descent requests

Please note that the department cannot provide 'Proof of Aboriginality', 'Proof of Torres Strait Islander heritage' or 'Confirmation of Aboriginality'. These are official letters that must be approved by a local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation or Land Council, and each service will have its own policies and procedures.

Read about the steps involved in obtaining proof of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage on the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) website. If you require assistance locating an incorporated Aboriginal organisation / local Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation or Land Council, contact the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations:

• ORIC (Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations)
  Phone: 1800 622 431
  Website: http://www.oric.gov.au/

Contact us

Community and Personal Histories unit
Phone: 1800 650 230 (toll-free within Australia)
Email: cph@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au