Lesley, I know of the contents of these files that were held on Aboriginal people. If you like I would be more than happy to provide any help i can with the contents of these files. Regards Paul On Sun, 9 Dec 2001 07:53:58 +1100, AUS-KOORI-L@rootsweb.com wrote: > Hi all, > I recently sent away to the DHS, for wardship files of family members( under the freedom of information act, ) who were placed in Gov CARE !!! and sent to St Aiden's orphange Bendigo, St Augustines Geelong. ( commited 1923 )before being sent into service, Has anyone else had any experience with these type's of files, I am very confused with what they say, and have trouble believing the reasons, > Would they say Aboriginal on the Wardship files if the govt back then did not recognise children from mixed relationships as being Aboriginal, am I wrong in thinking that it was not until the 1970s that the Wittlam govt gave this recognition, The reason I asked is at first I was told that the family migrated from America to Australia in 1852 > and he was a negro and she was born in Ireland, this explaining the dark skin, I visited the town of Eddington near Bendigo, and I was told no they were Aboriginal, how do I find the truth the children were placed in orphanages, and their mother was in a convent, scrubing floors from 1923 until 1974 before living the rest of her life in the Bendigo home for the aged, Some of the children never being reunited with their siblings, can anyone help. Thanks Lesley > > > ==== AUS-KOORI Mailing List ==== > > _______________________________________________________ Get 100% private, FREE email for life from Excite Australia Visit http://inbox.excite.com.au/