Please contact the Archivist, ISMAPNG Archives and Heritage – Sydney.
Postal Address: PO Box 284 Petersham, NSW 2049
Email: ismapngarchives@ismapng.org.au
Website: https://institute.mercy.org.au/about-us/archives-and-heritage/
NOTE: According to the ISMAPNG website, the Archives are currently closed to the public, with the exception of requests of medical or care leaver records. Their website states: “No external research requests or inquiries will be processed except those received from individuals requesting copies of their medical or care leaver records. Please be aware that a response may take some time.” The ISMAPNG Archives have confirmed they can process direct care leaver requests however cannot respond to any family history requests. The website notes they will reopen on 1 October 2025.
Quote this number to access your records: ISMAPNG Archives Series Number, Series 003
This Series of Admission Registers is made up of five registers containing handwritten entries with information on boys who were admitted to St John’s Boys’ Home, Goulburn, or on boys and girls who were admitted to St John’s Home, Auburn Street, Goulburn (the home provided care for girls and boys and was established in 1976 when St John’s Boys’ Home, Goulburn and St Joseph’s Girls’ Home, Goulburn were amalgamated).The Admission registers are managed by the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG).
for access to these records please contact the Archives and Heritage Centre of the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea. Physical access to the records is not permitted due to their fragility and the need to protect the confidentiality of information concerning other persons. Information will be forwarded by mail.
In most cases the registers in this Series contain the following information: name of child; date of birth; dates of admission and discharge; former address (sometimes only the name of a town); and religion. The name of at least one parent appears. If siblings came into care their details are also recorded. It is not always possible to determine the exact reason for admission. One register was compiled in 1985 using information found in various other records, and includes names missing from the other Admission Registers. It covers admissions from 1915-1986, mainly 1940-1960. Related records include personal record cards and some baptismal certificates.