Norman Tindale Collection Name Index for Western Australia An index for Aboriginal family history researchers to the genealogies and photographs collected by Norman Tindale, Joseph Birdsell and Phillip Epling in Western Australia 1935–1966. NORMAN TINDALE COLLECTION | NAME INDEX FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA Cultural Acknowledgement The Western Australian Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Western Australia. We pay tribute and respect to the Aboriginal Elders of the past and to those who are with us today as the descendants of the many families represented in this collection. Warning and sensitivities Aboriginal people are advised that the Norman Tindale Collection contains the names and images of deceased people and elements Researched and prepared by Aboriginal History WA, of secret, sacred tradition. The inclusion of words, terms or a division of the Department of Local Government, descriptions used throughout the records reflects the social Sport and Cultural Industries. attitudes of the time. Users should also be aware that some of the records include A special thank you to Mark Chambers, Senior Researcher, personal information that may contradict what is known about whose dedication to serving the community and tireless their ancestry. research has made this project possible. While the Tindale Collection is a rich resource for researching Published 2020 by the Western Australian Museum. Aboriginal family history, it contains a small number of inaccuracies. 49 Kew Street, Welshpool, Western Australia 6106 The entries in the index have been recorded as closely as possible to museum.wa.gov.au the original writing of Tindale and his associates. In some instances, surnames have been added to entries to assist with identification. Copyright © Department of Local Government, These inclusions have been established using Departmental records. Sport and Cultural Industries. Aboriginal History WA, 2020. [cover] Harvard–Adelaide University Anthropology Expedition at work one mile east of Laverton, Western Australia. (AA338/5/15/137, 13 May 1939, NB Tindale Collection, South Australian Museum.) 2 NORMAN TINDALE COLLECTION | NAME INDEX FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA Preface Table of Contents This index has been created to assist Aboriginal people with Background ........................................................................................ 5 links to Western Australia (WA) to find information about What is the Norman Tindale Collection? ..................................... 5 their family and heritage. It has been designed and compiled by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural What type of information do the genealogies contain? ............ 5 Industries (DLGSC) Aboriginal History WA (AHWA) division as What photographs are included in the Collection? .................... 5 part of an ongoing commitment to connect people to their history and family. Accessing the Tindale Collection ............................................... 5 The index is a guide to the genealogical recordings of Norman Who can view the Tindale Collection? ......................................... 5 Tindale who, with the assistance of colleagues, collected Process for accessing Tindale records ...................................... 6 vast amounts of genealogical information about Aboriginal communities in WA between 1935 and 1966. During this time, Contact Aboriginal History WA ................................................... 6 they visited various locations throughout the state, including Searching the Index ....................................................................... 6 a number of towns, missions and remote stations. Now known as the Norman Tindale Collection, the WA component contains over Accuracy ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 6 14,000 Aboriginal names from across the regions, together with Aboriginal names and spelling ������������������������������������������������������ 8 hundreds of photographic portraits and sociological data cards. Location ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8 The DLGSC recognises how important it is for the wellbeing of Symbols, abbreviations and phonetic conventions ................... 8 individuals impacted by removal and relocation to have access to records about themselves, their families and their origins. Locations of places where research occurred ...................... 10 Through the continuous review and development of resources such as this index, the DLGSC will continue to assist Aboriginal Name Index ...................................................................................... 12 people and communities to easily access their histories and re-establish important links to family, culture and country. 3 [above] Tindale with informants, Warupuyu soak near Warburton, Western Australia, 1935. (Mountford Sherd Collection, State Library of South Australia.) NORMAN TINDALE COLLECTION | NAME INDEX FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA Background What photographs are included in the Collection? Portrait photographs were taken of the principle interviewees. The existence of these photos is acknowledged directly above the What is the Norman Tindale Collection? relevant person’s name within the genealogies, using a reference The Norman Tindale Collection is a body of work compiled over number that begins with the letter ‘R’ or ‘N’ (e.g. ‘N129’). In some a number of years by individuals associated with the South instances, ‘data cards’ were recorded instead of a photograph, Australian Museum, under the leadership of anthropologist which contain physical descriptions, personal statements and family details about the individuals. An ‘N’ followed by a number Norman Tindale. It includes vast amounts of genealogical which includes a forward slash indicates the existence of a data information about Aboriginal communities throughout Australia, card rather than a photo. as well as journals, maps, artefacts and much more. Tindale, with the assistance of Joseph Birdsell, their respective wives and Phillip Epling, made four major expeditions to WA between 1935 and 1966. During this period, they conducted Accessing the research in 52 locations, where they recorded thousands of ‘family trees’ (or genealogies) which include the names of over Tindale Collection 14,000 individuals. They also collected hundreds of named photographic portraits and sociological data cards along the way. For a full list of the WA locations visited by Tindale, please refer to Who can view the Tindale Collection? the Location Map section of this document. The South Australian Museum is the custodian of the Tindale Collection, with the AHWA division at the DLGSC holding What type of information do the genealogies contain? copies of the Western Australian component under a Custodial Agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, The genealogies were compiled from one-to-one interviews and only direct descendants or those with written approval from feature not only the ‘family tree’ of the interviewee, but often communities or families can view the genealogies. their extended family. In most instances, the ‘trees’ extend up To access Tindale records, applicants will need to complete to three generations. They also contain a range of individual a Family History Application Form available from the DLGSC particulars, from personal information such as birth dates and website, identifying the record(s) that they wish to access. place of birth, through to tribal affiliations. The form should be submitted to [email protected], 5 NORMAN TINDALE COLLECTION | NAME INDEX FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA along with a photocopy of identification. Alternatively, you Contact Aboriginal History WA may wish to make an appointment to see one of the AHWA team members who are available to assist with requests. Telephone: +61 8 9427 3148 Email: [email protected] Native Title researchers can request to view the records Website: www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/aboriginal-history for purposes related to the resolution of native title claims Address: Level 2, State Library of Western Australia, pursuant to the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) only. Please see 25 Francis Street, Perth the Native Title Access Policy on the DLGSC website for Post: PO Box 8349, Perth Business Centre information on how to apply. Western Australia 6849 Family History Application Process 1 Search the index to find your family members. Searching the Index Tips: Browse the index by name and/or location. Be aware of spelling variations in names. The task of identifying ancestors within historical records poses a unique set of challenges. Names were often misspelt from 2 Complete a Family History Application Form noting the one recording to the next or changed throughout a person’s record(s) that you wish to access. lifetime. Added to this are problems associated with attempting Note: You must be a direct descendant of the family whose information you are seeking to access. If you are to read cursive handwriting and, in some instances, phonetics not the oldest living generation in your family on the or shorthand. The following information identifies some of the parental side that you are requesting access to, get your key challenges to be aware of when searching this index and parent(s) or grandparent(s) to sign the Consent Form, deciphering the records. also available from the DLGSC website. 3 Submit the form by email, post or in person along with