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 001
Notifications of Reception is an archival series created by St John’s Home, Goulburn. The Series is made up of ten volumes (registers) containing copies of Notification of Reception forms completed to comply with provisions of the Infant Protection Act, 1904 and the Child Welfare Act, 1923 and 1939. The registers contain information including: full name of child; date and place of birth; religion of child; name, marital status, address and occupation of parents; name and address of person from whom child was received into the home; date child was received; particulars of arrangements made by parent for clothing and medical attendance; and amount of monies paid and by whom. Note that records do not cover the period April 1939 to June 1943, or 1944.The records 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.