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 005
Record Cards is a series of records created by St Joseph’s Orphanage, Bathurst (Girls’ Home). The series is made up of photocopies of forty record cards. The records only relate to girls admitted between May 1962 and July 1968. The information includes: Name; Date of Birth; Date of Admission; Details of Parents; Details of other children in the family; Name(s) of Referee(s); Date of leaving the orphanage and with whom; Where educated. The Record Cards 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.