Find Your Family Tree

When a Native Title claim is made, the Kimberley Land Council works with Traditional Owners to gather important information about culture, family connections, and ties to Country. This is called Native Title Claim Research.

This research includes family trees, oral histories, maps, and cultural knowledge that help show a group's connection to land and waters.

Recognised Native Title Holder:  if you're a recognised Native Title holder, contact your Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) first. If your PBC holds the Native Title Claim Materials, it can let you know the process for making an access request. If not, the PBC can request the Native Title Claim Materials from the KLC. PBCs have the authority to approve or deny access to Native Title claim materials. KLC cannot release documentation that belongs to the PBC without their consent.

Native Title claim currently in progress:  If your Native Title claim is still being worked on and has not yet been recognised, you can still speak with a KLC anthropologist about your family connections and view your family tree. While research documentation cannot be released in full until the claim is finalised and Native Title has been formally recognised, KLC will be able to support you by:

• Showing you your draft family tree

• Answering questions about the claim process and research

• Putting you in touch with the claim anthropologist

• Understanding what happens next in the process

Visit the KLC PBC Map and use Find a PBC tool for contact details.

‍ You can contact a PBC directly to get these documents. You can also find a copy of these documents online using the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporation (ORIC) search function and locating the ‘Consolidated Rule Book’ under the ‘Documents’ tab.

‍Contact the relevant group for the most up-to-date information on joining or reviewing their rules. Find a PBC tool for contact details.

If your family isn’t currently listed in KLC’s records, there are still several ways to continue your search.

• If you or your family are part of the Stolen Generations, you can contact Kimberley Stolen Generation in Broome.

• The Aboriginal History Research Unit (Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport – WA Government) may also hold government records that could help.

• You can also reach out to the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS), which has national collections and family history resources.

‍We understand this can be a personal and emotional journey. If you need guidance, someone from the anthropology team can talk through the next steps.

If your Native Title Claim is still being researched, contact us to discuss adding your children.

‍If your Native Title has been recognised, contact your PBC to ask how updates to your genealogy are being managed.

‍ Call us on: (08) 9194 0100 to request a call back from the KLC anthropology team, or email: familytrees@klc.org.au\

‍Contact PBC: Find a PBC

The KLC respects people’s privacy and treats family information with care. Because this information can be sensitive, we only share the names of your direct ancestors — for example, your parents and grandparents. We do not release information about extended family members without their consent.

This is when you’re asked to provide proof or confirmation of Aboriginal heritage when applying for Indigenous-specific jobs, services or programs such as:

• Grants (such as Indigenous housing loans, research and study grants)

• University courses (with specific positions for Indigenous students)

• Centrelink and housing assistance (Indigenous-specific)

• Employment (Indigenous identified positions)

• School programs for Indigenous students.

If you need to obtain a Proof of Aboriginality, the KLC may be able to assist you. Contact us on (08) 9194 0100 for further information.