Mandates committing children to the custody of the Department - Destitute Persons Department and successors (GRG29/121)
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About this series
Access Determination
Whole of series: Records unrestricted after 100 years. D06/08263. Signed 21/12/2006.;;;;Access to files during the restriction period is through the Adoption and Family Information Service, Families SA"
Retention status
Permanent. SRC pre-1901 motion 12/02/2008.;;;;[Supersedes 5% random sample for files transferred after 1973. LB 19/2/1973].
Description
These mandates consist of the legal document which committed neglected, destitute or delinquent children to the care of an Industrial or Reformatory School, and was the first step in becoming a ward of the State. Files usually gives details of child's circumstances and parentage etc., and release forms.
Arranged alphabetically by surname, but for alphabetical list of children see GRG 29/162.
These files are in four alphabetical sequences:
Mandates c1875 - c1920 (Units 1-61)
Mandates c1917 - c1948 (Units 62-78)
Mandates c1940 - c1970 (Units 79-84)
Mandates c1960 - c1970 (Unit 85)
Files for c1940-1970 are a 5% sample only.
This series ended in 1972 when the mandates ceased to be maintained in a separate sequence, and were instead placed on the children's files [GRG29/108].
Some mandates contain a 'CSO' file number reference. This frequently refers to a petition from a parent or relative requesting the release of a child from the custody of the State Children's Council etc. Such letters are to be found in GRG24/6, Correspondence files of the Chief Secretary's Office.
Early mandates carry the seal of the Police Magistrate, Adelaide.
Arranged alphabetically.
See Archivist on duty for assistance with establishing if a mandate is held in this series.
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