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
The Notices of Reception, Discharge, Death or Admission to Hospital of a Child is an archival series with records related to St Joseph’s Orphanage, Goulburn, and to St John’s Home, Auburn St, Goulburn. It is one volume of handwritten completion of forms created to comply with the provisions of the Child Welfare Act 1939–Regulations 47A(w) and 47b(g), at the time of the closure of the Orphanage in 1975. The information includes: Name and Address of Children’s Home; Details of Child: Surname, Christian names, Date of birth, Sex; Details of Reception: Previous address, Date admitted; Details of Discharge/Transfer: Date of discharge/transfer, to whom discharged/transferred, Address of person to whom discharged/transferred, Relationship to child, Whether child was discharged/transferred with a view to adoption; Death: Date of death, Place of death, Cause of death, Duration of last illness, Attending medical practitioner, Officer-in-charge, Police Station location, Date of notification to Police Officer-in-charge; Admission to Hospital: Nature of illness, Name of hospital, Date of admission. Entries are for girls only. The Notices of Reception, Discharge, Death or Admission to Hospital of a Child are managed by the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea (ISMAPNG).
Application for access must be made, in writing, to the Archivist, providing personal identification documents to establish the right to access information. 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.