Basics on NSW adoptions
From the earliest years of colonial settlement, children have been brought up by people other than their natural birth parents due to separation or the death of one or both parents. These children are often referred to as having been fostered out or adopted, however, formal adoption did not become possible in New South Wales until 1923.
Initially the only means of care was to institutionalise children who had no one to look after them and a number of orphan schools and institutes for destitute children were established to cater for their needs. It should be remembered that in colonial times the term 'orphan' had a wider meaning than a child who had lost both parents, and that in many cases children admitted to institutions and orphanages in fact had one or both parents still living, but unable or unwilling to care for them. 'Substitute care' could therefore sometimes be only short term, after which a child might be returned to one or both parents.
In 1881 the State Children's Relief Act introduced 'boarding out' or foster care as the official means of caring for children without parents or whose parents were unable or unwilling to support them. The Act was introduced in response to community concern about the living conditions in many of the institutions and the fact that these children were otherwise deprived of a normal family life. The resultant Dependent children registers (1883-1923) are available on microfiche at State Records. It also has an online index to the Randwick Asylum for Destitute Children 1852-1915.
The New South Wales Child Welfare Department was created in 1923 and legislation formalising the adoption process was introduced on 15 December of that year. In response to recent community pressure, greater access to official records has been granted to those affected by adoption; however, the researcher must be aware that in many instances little identifying information about the birth mother and father may have survived, and access to the records is restricted.
Further information on official adoption, fostering and those placed in state care can be obtained by contacting the Family Information Service, Adoption Services Branch, Department of Community Services (DOCS), (02) 8855 4900 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
State Records hold many records relating to child welfare and its leaflet, Orphans and Child Welfare gives a good summary of its holdings. SAG holds a number of the microforms referred to, relating to Sydney's early male and female orphan schools.
Many private arrangements to 'adopt' children out were also made by solicitors, church groups and charitable institutions. DOCS has produced Connecting Kin, A Guide to help people separated from their families search for their records [SAG ref: B2/10/30]. It contains excellent coverage for all of NSW and should be the starting point for persons who believe that they or a member of their family has spent time in substitute care after 1900.