Register of Wards of State (1897 - 1989)

Access Conditions

Closed D75 years
D75 means these records are closed to the general public for 75 years from the date of the last entry in them. People wishing to access these records should contact Children and Youth Services, which is run by the Department of Health and Human Services. How access is provided once permission is granted will depend on the file. Usually Children and Youth Services request it back and then provide access or copies. Staff at the Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office may be able to assist you in finding other relevant records.

Records

The Register includes the name, the age or date of birth, the cause of committal, the town or locality of origin, the date of admission, the level of education, the amount of maintenance the parents were expected to pay, and where the Department placed the child. Between 1897 and 1955, each child received a case number which is also given in the Register.