Theresa it is a great relief to read your email because your story sounds so much like mine especially the Maori story. I cannot get any help because I am so far away from the birthplace of my ancestor and the people who are remain alive a very white and very not interested in hearing the real story. And unfortuneatly like you I can't prove anything I have to see records . Looks like there are a few of us on the long road so good luck in your search. -----Original Message----- From: telo <telo@primus.com.au> To: AUS-KOORI-L@rootsweb.com <AUS-KOORI-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Saturday, May 12, 2001 12:05 PM Subject: Re: [AUS-Koori] Proving aboriginality >Dear Gwen, > >Gwen Redman wrote: >> >> Perhaps this is a silly question, but perhaps someone will be kind enough to answer it. >> Is there any way to prove aboriginal ancestry other than by tracing the family line/s ? >> Thanks, >> Gwen >DNA testing might prove effective :). but seriously tracing aboriginal >ancestory is something that I have only just ventured into. Aboriginal >Affairs have tried to be helpful to me although because the names follow >whitefella ways and in my case I only have my ancestors first name to go >by it has become very hard for me. > >Talking to as many of your extended family members as you can may prove >rewarding. Some children are told one thing others are told something >completely different. I was told that I was Maori descent although some >of my other cousins where told that they maybe aboriginal descent. It >still means you still have to trace the lines. > >It is just being proven now that I am of aboriginal descent. To prove >this I had to become close to an amature local historian. My problem >was that I had to prove descent before the government would let me view >the records and I couldn't prove descent without viewing the records. >:( I am still not a full quid on asking to right questions! :) It has >been a hard road but I shall get there in the end - or maybe not, one >question answered is another one produced! :) > >I wish you well in your research. > >theresa >Perth, Western Australia > > >==== AUS-KOORI Mailing List ==== > > >