Western Australian Interest Group

CONVENOR: Terri Usher

COMMITTEE: Pauline Basso, Liana Fitzpatrick

MEETINGS: The first Saturday of February, May, August and November at 2pm.
Book here

The Western Australian Interest Group aims to bring together family historians with a shared interest in exploring aspects of Western Australian family history that are not covered by other FamilyHistoryWA groups. Open to both members and non-members, the group organises meetings and provides a platform for individuals to share insights, research findings, and resources, helping to expand knowledge on often-overlooked facets of Western Australian history.

The group explores the diverse experiences of immigrants to Western Australia, including early free settlers, "Ten Pound Poms," group settlers, and child migrants. It also examines those who arrived during key historical periods, such as the gold rush
and the aftermath of World War I and II.

Beyond immigration, the group delves into specialised aspects of Western Australian history, including the lives of Aboriginal people, individuals of Chinese or European descent, and those who spent time in orphanages, asylums, or hospitals.
Research also extends to records of Navy, Army, and Air Force personnel, as well as police officers, nurses, and teachers.

Demonstrating its dedication to uncovering overlooked histories, the group launched a database to identify the women who travelled to Western Australia aboard the Palestine between 1853 and 1868, known as the Bride Ship Girls.