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Access records and photographs of residents in the orphanages run by our founding congregations.

Dating back to 1857, our collection of records contains details of those who once lived at a home or orphanage established by the Sisters of Mercy, Sisters of St Joseph or Christian Brothers. We also hold client records created from the start of MacKillop Family Services in 1997.

We can also support with engaging other organisations and agencies on your behalf to better help piece together your, or a loved one’s, personal history.

To request a search be made for information about yourself or a family member, please complete the form below. Try to include as much information as possible. This will help us confirm whether we have the records you are looking for.

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If you know the name of the home(s) or orphanage(s) the person lived at, please specify:

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Stories about our

History

David Smiling Standing In Front Of Weatherboard House

Filling in the gaps

For the first 79 years of his life, David Weger knew nothing about his birth family, or why he spent his childhood in care. 80 year-old David knew he had come into care at six months of age, but until his daughter-in-law, Irene, contacted MacKillop’s Heritage and Information Centre to see if they could shed any light on his early years, he did not know why.

Read David's story
Jenny Glare (left) with Former Resident Patricia. Photo courtesy of HESTA.

Catholic Archbishop’s Charitable Fund supports national record keeping service

When Jenny Glare, General Manager of MacKillop’s Heritage and Information Service won an Australia-wide award highlighting her work in the preservation and supported release of the records of those who had spent all, or part of their childhood in care, she highlighted the importance for everyone to know their personal story.

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St Anthonys Building Before Renovation On A Bright Sunny Day

The pioneers of a quiet revolution in child and family care

St Anthony’s Family Service, Footscray, has been through many transformations since it started out almost a hundred years ago, as St Anthony’s Home for Little Children in Kew. Established in 1922 to deal with overcrowding at the Babies Home in Broadmeadows, St Anthony’s began as a home for babies and toddlers up until they were ready to start school.

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