For some people finding records from their time in an institution or out-of-home care can be meaningful.
They may hope to:
- gain an understanding of their family circumstances
- fill in gaps in their history
- seek redress
- make more sense of their personal experience and identity.
Family members may also want to seek information on behalf of a relative or family member that has passed away. The Finding Records website can be an important resource for these searches.
There are more than 200 guides, each one explains what records might exist from a government or non-government institution. This includes:
- an orphanage, foster care, family group home or children’s home
- a remand, reception or youth training centre
- a mental health service such as a psychiatric facility or hospital
- a disability institution.
Once a person has found the relevant guides, they can make a freedom of information request to the relevant Victorian department.
We understand that searching for personal records and revisiting past experiences can be challenging. We have identified key supports that are available.
Visit the Finding records website for more information.