Family connection to Museum Family History Unit, South Australian Museum, May 2026

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that the following content contains images and names of people who are deceased.

Ali Abdullah-Highfold knows only too well how important connection can be for Aboriginal people.

Particularly for the children who are nowadays so cut off from family, community and Country.

A key driver of the South Australian Museum’s Aboriginal Family History Project, he’s helped thousands of people re-connect, often with very little to go on.

Sometimes it’s the name of an aunty here, or a grand father there. Sometimes, amazingly, he can just place a face.

“I’d probably get 300-400 individual requests a year,” Ali (picture above in the South Australian Museum Archive) said. “I would also share historical information through a repatriation process back to communities to support connection, identity and history.

“This information has helped families and communities understand their history, while reviving language and traditions. It assists Native Title claims and services provided by other agencies as well, like Child Protection, Human Services and Education.

“All those agencies are supporting the Aboriginal community, especially Stolen Generations and children.”

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