Kennion House Records

Kennion House Records is a collection of records from Kennion House (1955-1982) and its predecessors, The Church of England Boys’ Home at Walkerville (1903-1955) and The Children’s Home at Walkerville (1886-1904). The records in this collection were created by the staff and officers of the Homes, between 1886-1983. This collection includes minutes and associated working papers, registers, admission forms, house logs and diaries, visitors’ books, annual reports, architectural records, correspondence, financial records, and a wide variety of other working documents created by staff of the Homes and by members of the committee that ran the Homes.

Access Conditions

Former residents of the children’s Homes of the Anglican Diocese of Adelaide and Church of England, or members of their families, can apply to the Diocesan Archivist to be provided with information and/or copies of records relevant to their time in care. Physical access to the historical records of the children’s Homes or the church’s Social Welfare Bureau is not permitted due to the fragility of the material and the need to protect the privacy of third parties.

Records

Record keeping practices varied significantly from one Home to another and from one time period to another, with respect to the quantity and types of records that were created and preserved. Many of the following records are fragmentary or incomplete, or were created only for specific time periods during the overall duration of the Homes.

Records in this collection includes minutes and associated working papers, registers, admission forms, house logs and diaries, visitors’ books, annual reports, architectural records, correspondence, financial records, and a wide variety of other working documents created by staff of the Homes and by members of the committee. The collection also includes some records created by Anglican Child Care Services, which replaced the Kennion House committee as the body charged with administering the running of the home.

Records directly related to children in the Homes include admissions and discharges information; social worker reports; superintendents’ reports; school reports; child endowment claims records; medical and immunisation information; photographs; and miscellaneous correspondence. Some records relate specifically to Aboriginal boys from the Northern Territory placed at Kennion House between 1967-1969, these records include reports on the boys.

Records in this collection were listed and indexed as part of the Records Access Documentation Grants in 2017.

The collection includes the following records:

• Admissions and Discharges records, 1886-1981 – These records include:
  • Register of admissions and discharges, 1886-1902
  • Discharge books, 1927-1969 – entries include name, date and place of birth, father’s name, mother’s name, admission date, baptism information and other information about the child
  • Admission forms, various, 1944-1979 – can include name, date of birth, family background information, schooling information, current address, baptismal information, character and circumstances of the child, medical certificate and a recommendation
  • Committee working papers
  • Social worker’s notes, 1972-1973
  • Admissions files arranged by surname of child, 1968-1972.

  (These records were previously described on the Find & Connect web resource as Admission forms (1948 – 1969), Admission forms (1967 – 1970), Discharges A to J & Discharges K to Z [Discharge register] (1920s – 1960s), Admission register – Children’s Home, Walkerville Admissions and Discharges 9 Oct 1887-11 Dec 1902 (1887 – 1902) and Admissions duplicates (1971 – 1981).)

• Visitors’ Books, 1927-1979 – Reports of the committee members’ monthly visits commented on matters such as the condition of the Home and need for new materials; state of management of the Home; staffing issues; health of the children; special events taking place; children’s interests and achievements. The reports are varied, with different visitors focusing on different things.
• Children’s personal records and memorabilia, 1905-1974 – These are varied, but include school reports, trade certificates, Sunday School records, baptism or confirmation records; YMCA membership and health records including immunisation cards. There is also a list of names from the Kennion House Honour Board, recording boys from the Home who served in World War 2.
  (These records were previously described on the Find & Connect web resource as Boys’ personal papers (1931 – 1960s).)
• Superintendent’s correspondence files, 1954-1970 – The superintendent during this time period corresponded with a wide range of people, including parents, holiday placement families, the boys themselves, teachers and employers.
  (These records were previously described on the Find & Connect web resource as Correspondence (1950s – 1980).)
• Social Work reports, 1964-1984 – Contain general information on admissions, discharges, sponsorship and fostering of boys.
  (These records were previously described on the Find & Connect web resource as Social worker’s reports (1978 – 1980).)
• Superintendent’s reports, 1969-1980 – Contain information about children in the Home including medical, dental information, activities at the Home, discussion of maintenance of the building and grounds, and financial matters. Some later reports include lists of boys in the home in a certain year.
  (These records were previously described on the Find & Connect web resource as Superintendent’s maintenance reports (1960s – 1970s).)
• Kennion House logs and diaries, 1972-1980 – These record daily events and appointments, as well as staff members’ records and impressions of life in the house. Children are often mentioned, mostly by first name only.
  (These records were previously described on the Find & Connect web resource as Diaries (1972 – 1979).)
• Photographs, 1860-1982 – mostly undated – These include photographs of buildings, children, pets and staff. They may also show volunteers, visitors or members of the committee.
  (These records were previously described on the Find & Connect web resource as Photographs (1860? – 1982?).)
• KH Review Board, 1975-1977 – Contains review reports on boys under the headings of behaviour and progress, education, current situation, readiness to return to community and future program for child.
  (These records were previously described on the Find & Connect web resource as Individual boys’ files (1970s).)
• Minutes, draft minutes and AGM minutes of the Management Committee, 1890-1980 – Contain information about the finance and administration of the children’s Homes and any staffing issues. Children’s names are rarely mentioned in the committee minutes.
• Minutes of the House Committee, 1950-1980 – The House Committee was concerned with the running of the Homes and the records contain information about the practical needs of the children and Homes, including furniture, kitchen supplies, food, clothing and garden matters.
• Minutes and papers of the Kennion House Advisory Committee (Anglican Child Care Services), 1980-1982.
• Miscellaneous correspondence and working papers of the Management Committee and sub-committees, 1912-1980.
  (These records were previously described on the Find & Connect web resource as Miscellaneous administrative records (1920s).)
• Annual reports of Kennion House, 1924-1979 – These usually mention key staff such as the matron or superintendent and give an overall picture of life in the Home during the year immediately past. The reports refer to financial matters, building maintenance and the general running of the Homes and may include names of visiting medical specialists. Sometimes the reports include photographs of buildings or children.
• Financial records, 1910-1982
• Building and architectural records, 1926-1984
• Child endowment claim records, 1941 & 1962-1985
• Child Welfare Department correspondence, 1979-1982
• Child maintenance records, 1964-1986