Please contact the State Records Research Centre:
Postal Address: GPO Box 464, Adelaide SA 5001
Phone: 08 7322 7077
Quote this number to access your records: State Records of South Australia Series ID, GRG29/144
These records are part of Records of the Social Welfare Department and predecessors (1849 - c. 1987).
Minutes (1940s) include references to an Admission Committee Minute Book. Names of children are occasionally mentioned in this committee’s report when seeking Board’s approval for admission or for prospective adoption. Report generally only gives numbers of children admitted. Later minutes also refer to other reports including: Administration committee, Homes Control committee, Inside and outside control committees, matrons’ reports and superintendents’ reports. Summaries of reports provide general and statistical information. Other discussion in minutes relates to running of home, regulations, policies, maintenance, finance and staff matters. Volumes 2 and 3 include some full matron’s and superintendent’s reports from 1950s-1960s which include names and details of children. Quantity: 3 volumes
A Research Centre Members card, obtainable at the Archives, is required to research records held at State Records.
Although some very early records relating to children in care in South Australia are open for access, most records relating to children are subject to a 100 year restriction, particularly those which contain personal information about individuals. Written permission must be obtained from the government agency which created the record in order to access restricted material. To obtain permission a Freedom of Information (FOI) request form must be submitted to the relevant government department. State Records staff will be able to assist you with this.