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Local History - Aboriginal History - Family History
The following website's main purpose is to make available, information that will help Aboriginal people with their family history and those wanting to confirm family stories of possible Aboriginal ancestry. The tab above will take you to the free to access index. The area covered is New England NSW and in particular the towns of Armidale, Bundarra, Glen Innes, Inverell, Tenterfield, Walcha and Wollomombi. I am doing this as a voluntary project and hope that it will help many people find their roots.
I have been lucky to have received emails of thanks from people who have found their missing link. Sometimes records are hard to dig up, or family stories are not shared. I wish you all the best in your search and hope that you find who you are looking for.
Please note that the following index contains the names of Aboriginal people who are now deceased. Some of the language used in the historical documents cited is now seen as inappropriate by today's standards.
This language has been included for historical accuracy and is often written in quotation marks.
The index of historical records can be found below
Facebook Page
I now have a Facebook page and separate discussion group which will help in the sharing of information. I love hearing about what you discover on my site, so feel free to send me an email. Always willing to share my advice and tips as well. Look for "Aboriginal History of New England NSW".
Access the collection in Armidale
The places you may find extra information on your family are at the UNE Heritage Centre (02 67 736555), the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Keeping Place, and the Armidale Family History Society. UNE Heritage Centre (and regional archives) have old station records and many many old records.
https://www.facebook.com/AboriginalHistoryNewEngland/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/AboriginalHistoryNewEngland/
Bush Camp
Early photo of an Aboriginal camp near Armidale. Taken by C Brown Photographer who was working in Armidale in 1892. I am confident that the man standing on the right is King Bobby. It is thought that this photo may have been taken on the North Hill Camp which was on and behind where the Apex Lookout it today.
Original Photos are located at the UNE Archives and the State Library.
St Mary's Catholic Primary School - 1950s
Mother Celestine with students shortly after St Mary's Catholic Primary School started enrolling Aboriginal Students as part of their mission to the Aboriginal people of Armidale. Source: Australian Woman's Weekly Magazine. Wed 6 November 1957. (article can be found on TROVE)
'Black Emily' - Armidale 1914
'Black Emily' who with other Aboriginal people is said to have attended Harold White's wedding to Molly Baker where they sat in the White family pew. Both photographs were found in the Saumarez Station photo albums.
The second photo of the two is believed to have been taken on the day of the wedding shortly before she died unfortunately.
Reference: UNE Heritage Centre Armidale - Saumarez Photo Collection. If anyone has any more information about 'Black Emily' we would love to know.
Update: The latest theory is that Emily was the wife of King Bobby / Robert King. She married Alexander McKenzie after the passing of Bobby. She died on the train from Guyra as Alexander was rushing her to the Armidale Hospital with a respiratory illness. The similarities of her and a photo of her and Bobby taken circa 1905 are striking.
Index - Historical Records - Aboriginal Genalogy New England
Index - Historical Records - Aboriginal Genalogy New England
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