Bundjalung / Banjalang language (E12)

FRM F1858 (Petherick Copy) - Lancelot Edward Threlkeld

• An Australian grammar : comprehending the principles and natural rules of the language, as spoken by the Aborigines in the vicinity of Hunter's River, Lake Macquarie & New South Wales.
• Two and-a-half pages word list containing Aboriginal place-names and their meanings, natural features of the landscape (plants, types of trees), animals and parts of the human body. Lists nouns and pronouns. Language stated in text as being from the Manning River district of New South Wales. Note on page states "collected and forwarded by Mr John Thomson from information supplied by Aboriginal Tommy Bulmer".

Dharawal / Tharawal / Dariwal language (S59)

MS 9197 - Papers of Byram Mansell, 1910-1986

• Short stories
• Story titled "the Warratah", in unpublished book titled "Stories of the Dream Time Aboriginal Legends and Folklore". It is unclear as to whether the stories, and associated language, are legitimate recordings of language or were created as part of a narrative.

Dhurga (S53)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 3, item 158
• Contains genealogical information. Name of the Aboriginal group is listed in text as "Bingural".

Galibal (E15)

MS 3973 - Memoirs, [19--] of Mary Prior

• Four single sided pages of notes on the Aboriginal people of the Richmond River. Limited language material, text contains only two words: "Pichnieban" (Water vessel), "Cooradgi" (Native Doctor). One reference to the location of a Bora Ring.

Gamilaraay / Gamilaroi / Kamilaroi language (D23)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Letter Book 3 (unboxed), pp. 345-349, 351-354, 364-479, 518-523, 650-651, 694-697 & 760-761
• Contains notes on kinship and laws of descent.

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 3, items 131 & 160
• Contains notes on kinship for language group described as the "Kamilaroi tribes of the Liverpool Plains, and the Namoi and other tributaries of the Darling".

Gundungurra / Gundungura / Gandangara language (S60)

MS 8102 - Notebook, 1897 of Therese McMahon

• Contains sixty-two Aboriginal words (no specific category) and their meanings, as well as popular names for Aboriginal people of the Burragorang Valley. Informant Therese "Polly" McMahon. Typescript available at MS 9933 - Mary Therese McMahon.

Marawara (D6)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 3, item 140
• Three pages of notes on kinship of Aboriginal peoples "...inhabiting the country at the junction of the River Darling and the River Murray and a considerable distance up the Darling".

Wiradjuri (D10)

MS 9197 - Papers of Byram Mansell, 1910-1986

• Short stories
• Story titled ""the Waterfall", in unpublished book titled "Stories of the Dream Time Aboriginal Legends and Folklore". It is unclear as to whether the Dreamtime stories, and associated language, are legitimate recordings or were created as part of a narrative.

YUIN (S67)

MS 3270 - Papers of George Thornton, 1880-1899

• Twenty-four pages of Yuin place names of New South Wales, some astronomical terms are also included.

Language group unconfirmed - most likely Ngunawal / Ngunnawal language

MS 7627 - Papers of Philip Johnson 1852-1861

• Box 1, Folder 7
• Personal diary. Most likely Ngunawal / Ngunnawal language (D3) (NSW SI55-16) as previous page mentions a journey to Binalong which is Ngunawal / Ngunnawal country. Contains two pages of language notes - predominantly names for native animals.

MS 7627 - Papers of Philip Johnson 1852-1861

• Box 2, Folder 12, Document 30
• Three untranslated words on an envelope. Language is possibly Ngunawal / Ngunnawal language (D3) (NSW SI55-16).

Amurdak / Umorrdak / Amarak language (N47)

MS 407 - Frank Clune

• Adventures in Arnhem Land. The Stenog Shorthand Notebook. Diary No 2 November 1955. Contains scattered words throughout, but particularly pp. 5, 9, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26
• Clune writes a narrative around the traditional language he recorded - which includes notes on ceremonial dances, body painting with ochre, basket making, hunting and people's traditional names. Secret/sacred information.

Anangu - Western Desert Language (A80)

MS 9580 - Papers of Cecil Hackett 1850-1997

• Box 8, Folder 1
• Description and drawing of a stone tjurunga - includes some minor language material as it relates to the object and places. Reference to Paiurultja as an "old corroborree place near Helen Station". Secret/sacred information.

Anindilyakwa language (N151)

Acc 09.040 – Papers of Raymond Specht, 1948-2009

• Box 2
• Contains words of the Yirrkala Trade Song (Sung by young boys, with associated stamping). Quasi-phonetic recording by Brian Billington (July-August 1948).

Acc 09.040 – Papers of Raymond Specht, 1948-2009

• Box 1
• Contains ethnobotanical notes on plants including their traditional and names and uses.

Arrernte / Aranda language (C8)

MS 9868 - Papers of Dudley Fegan, 1926-1988

• Box 1
• Fictional story of Ilbalaraka, his wife Tjimbalail and their son.

MS 1941 – Papers of Robert Bruce Plowman, 1911-1956, 2012

• Folder 2
• Reference to Mt Undoolya Gap in journal and its meaning (Undoolya meaning "in the shade")

Batjamal / Wogait language (N6)

MS 3912 – Papers of Joseph A. Murphy, circa 1929-1973

• Diary, pp. 11 & 12
• Diary record of an overland journey from Sydney to Darwin in search of Mica 1930. Scattered language - "Wien" (tobacco) "Coye" (long "ye" - possibly cooee). Some references to Aboriginal practices, including burning and protocols for visiting another country.

MS 8540 - Papers, 1936-1963 (bulk 1942-1963) of Bill Harney

• Unpublished fictional stories written by Harney. Also includes cultural information pertaining to rituals (including Yirrkalla death ritual and the Oobar ritual of the Gunbalanya tribe), Aboriginal myths, notes on sport, food & cooking. Secret/sacred information.

Gumatj (N1410)

Acc 09.040 – Papers of Raymond Specht, 1948-2009

• Box 1
• Ethnobotanical notes on plants including their traditional names and uses.

Gunwinggu / Gunwinygu / Kunwinjku language (N65)

MS 8540 - Papers, 1936-1963 (bulk 1942-1963) of Bill Harney

• Unpublished fictional stories written by Harney. Also includes cultural information pertaining to rituals (including Yirrkalla death ritual and the Oobar ritual of the Gunbalanya tribe), Aboriginal myths, notes on sport, food & cooking. Secret/sacred information.

Jingulu (C22)

MS 8540 - Papers, 1936-1963 (bulk 1942-1963) of Bill Harney

• Unpublished fictional stories written by Harney. Also includes cultural information pertaining to rituals (including Yirrkalla death ritual and the Oobar ritual of the Gunbalanya tribe), Aboriginal myths, notes on sport, food & cooking. Secret/sacred information.

Luritja / Loritja language (C7.1)

MS 8540 - Papers, 1936-1963 (bulk 1942-1963) of Bill Harney

• Unpublished fictional stories written by Harney. Also includes cultural information pertaining to rituals (including Yirrakalli death ritual and the Oobar ritual of the Gunbalanya tribe), Aboriginal myths, notes on sport, food & cooking. Secret/sacred information.

Ngaduk / Ngarduk language (N40)

MS 1329 - Andrew Hunter Lennox

• Single page titled "catalogue of Native curios of Kaparlgoo Mission" with notes on pronunciation on rear. Lennox states that words as they are written are to be pronounced phonetically.

MS 407 - Frank Clune

• The Stenog Shorthand Notebook - Adventures in Arnhem Land. Diary No 2 November 1955 - scattered words throughout, but particularly pp. 5, 9, 11, 12, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26.
• Clune writes a narrative around the traditional language he recorded - which includes notes on ceremonial dances, body painting with ochre, hunting and people's traditional names. Secret/sacred information.

Tiwi (N20)

MS 8540 - Papers, 1936-1963 (bulk 1942-1963) of Bill Harney

• Unpublished fictional stories written by Harney. Also includes cultural information pertaining to rituals (including Yirrkalla death ritual and the Oobar ritual of the Gunbalanya tribe), Aboriginal myths, notes on sport, food & cooking. Secret/sacred information.

Yolngu languages (NT SD53)

MS 407 - Frank Clune

• 13 Nov. 1955 - Franks Clune. All Aboard for Arnhem Land. Tudor Senior Shorthand Notebook. Words scattered throughout text, but particularly p.86
• Includes secret/sacred information on funerary rites. Secret/sacred information.

MS 8540 - Papers, 1936-1963 (bulk 1942-1963) of Bill Harney

• Unpublished fictional stories written by Harney. Also includes cultural information pertaining to rituals (including Yirrkalla death ritual and the Oobar ritual of the Gunbalanya tribe), Aboriginal myths, notes on sport, food & cooking. Secret/sacred information.

Other resources

Living Archive of Aboriginal Languages

• A digital archive of endangered literature in Australian Indigenous languages of the Northern Territory.

Andooyomo (Y192)

MS 9447 - M.W. Shanahan Papers 1897

• Contains cultural notes on the Aboriginal language groups of Cape York.

Biri (E56)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 1, Letters 4, pp. 169-170
• Includes two single sided pages of familial terms used by the Aboriginal groups near Port Mackay.

Butchulla / Batjala / Badtjala (E30)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Unboxed, Letter Book 3, pp. 768-774
• Seven single sided pages listing kinship terms of the Aboriginal people of Fraser Island.

Gudang (Y191)

MS 9447 - M.W. Shanahan Papers 1897

• Notes on the Aboriginal groups of Cape York including social customs, initiation & funerary rites.

Guugu Yimidhirr / Gugu Yimithirr / Kuku Yimidhirr language (Y82)

MS 1 - Cook, James, 1728-1779

• Digitised collection - online access only. Language recording begins on inserted page "293".
• Contains a two-and-a-half page word list, mostly parts of the body, natural features of the landscape and some fauna.

Kungkari / Gunggari language (L38)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 3, Item 162
• One single sided page of kinship terms. Aboriginal group is listed as Curingerra, no further record for this tribe could be found. Based on georgraphic location language group is most likely Kungkari / Gunggari. Informant Father G. McLeod.

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 3, Item 163
• One single sided page of kinship terms. Listed as Mokuburra which is an alternate name for Kungkari / Gunggari.

Mayi-Kulan (G25)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 3, Item 164
• One single sided page of kinship terms from the Saxby River area. Informant listed as Gerard Walsh.

Mayi-Thakurti (G16)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 3, Item 165
• One single sided page of kinship terms recorded at Canobie Station. Informant listed as Palmer.

Narangga / Narrunga (L1)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 3, Item 145
• Two single sided pages which refer to the "Turra Tribe" of the York Peninsula. Narangga / Narrunga is the language of the Turra Tribe.

Wik (Qld SD54)

MS 7172 - William Frederick MacKenzie Papers, 1935-1969

• Folder 1, Letter to Susan 1936
• Reference to "WANK" (long "a" sound), a basket made from the bark of a tree. Letter dated 17th August 1936 also has some notes on an intiatiation ceremony, and a ceremony to draw alligators out of the water (at what appears to be an island near the Kendall River). A five page letter dated 30th November 1936 refers to dancing at Kendall.

Yadhaykenu (Y8)

MS 9447 - M.W. Shanahan Papers 1897

• Notes on the Aboriginal groups of Cape York, include social customs, initiation, funerary rites.

Language group unconfirmed

MS 9447 - M.W. Shanahan Papers 1897

• Shanahan references the Kockierugo and Goomukadyinia tribes of Cape York. No further detailed references to these groups can be found.

Arabana / Arabunna language (L13) (SA SH53-03)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 2, Items 81-84
• Contains notes on the Aboriginal groups surrounding Lake Eyre.

Bungandidj / Buandig language (S13)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 1, Letters 4, pp. 163-166
• Contains some language material on the Buandig language group, specifically the totems of the Kumite and Kroke moeities. Informant Mr D. Stewart.

Dhirari / Dirari language (L14)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 3, item 159
• Contains kinship terms.

Kalkatungu / Kalkadoon language (G13)

MS 1941 - Papers of Robert Bruce Plowman, 1911-1956, 2012

• Correspondence from R.B. Ploughman to his mother which describes Aboriginal place name "Pireca" as being 35 miles (direction unknown) from Pandie Pandie Station.

Meru people (SA SI54)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 1, Letters 4
• Contains kinship terms of the Meru people from along the Murray River. Informant Reverend George Taplin.

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 1, Items 10-11
• Includes notes on the kinship of the Meru people from along the Murray River. Informant Reverend George Taplin.

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 3, Items 137-139
• Contains notes on the kinship of the Meru people from along the Murray River. Informant Reverend George Taplin.

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Letter Book 3 (unboxed), pp. 865-872
• Contains notes on kinship. Informant Reverend George Taplin. Fison states that this correspondence includes corrections to previous information given by Taplin.

Narangga / Narrunga language (L1) (SA SI53-12)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 3, Items 147, 148, 149, 150 & 151
• Contains notes on kinship terms. Titled as relating to the Turra people of the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. Also includes some minor genealogical information. Item 151 includes explanatory notes of genealogical table of Worru W. Bulka. Informant King Tom.

Ngarrindjeri / Narrinjeri language (S69)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 1, Letters 4, pp. 282-286
• Contains kinship terms. Informant Mr. Brugier.

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Folio Box, Item 132-133
• Contains genealogical table titled "Aborigines belonging to the Yurararn Clan of the Narrinyeri Aboriginal group inhabitating the Southern shores of Lake Alexandrina".

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Folio Box, Item 134-136
• Contains genealogical table titled "Aborigines belonging to the Rangulinyeri Clan of the Narrinyeri Tribe of Lake Alexandrina South Australia".

Ngawait / Ngawad language (S10)

MS 1941 – Papers of Robert Bruce Plowman, 1911-1956, 2012

• Folder 1
• Correspondence from R.B. Ploughman to his mother - refers to Noodlawandracooracooratarraninna (Place name for New Well in South Australia).

Parnkalla / Barngarla / Bungala language (L6)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 3, Item 143
• Contains notes on kinship of the Aboriginal people of Port Lincoln.

Language group unconfirmed

MS 2296 - John Matthews

• The origin of the Tasmanian Aborigines
• Notes on Tasmanian Aboriginal peoples. Includes very brief paragraph on language characteristics on the second and third pages of the manuscript (N.B. This manuscript does not contain any Tasmanian Aboriginal words).

Other resources

Fanny Cochrane Smith's Tasmanian Aboriginal Songs (1903)

• These recordings, held by the National Film & Sound Archive, are the only audio recordings of Tasmanian Aboriginal songs and languages.

Language group unconfirmed

MS 1761 - Wolfgang Laade

• Specimens of the langauge of Saibai Island, Torres Strait
• Pages 1-38 includes notes on pronunciation of vowels, sentence structure and case (nominative, plural), directional (pointing towards something), movement, verbs, questions, imperatives, time. Pages 39-52 comprises word lists titled "special subjects" includes geographical terms, names of birds, insects, fish, shells, turtles, crustaceans, reptiles and parts of the human body. Pages 53-64 contain transcripts of texts from tape recordings from Biogu, Saibai and Dauan. Pages 62-64 are transcripts from a recording of a "Modern teenager secret langauge" which originated on Thursday Island. It is stated that all of the girls on Dauan know this secret langauge, but only a few girls on Saibai know it.

Boonwurrung / Boonerwrung / Bunurong language (S35)

MS 204 - Samuel Rawson Diary & Papers 1831-1857

• Pp. 10 & 11
• Contains one word in Boonwurrung / Boonerwrung / Bunurong language, Yalluck Kernong (now known as Yallock Creek). Describes ceremonial burial of dogs by the Boonwurrung/Boonerwrung/Bunerong. This manuscript also gives Rawson's personal account of intertribal confict between the Boonwurring/Boonerwrung/Bunurong and the Gunai/Kurnai peoples.

Djargurd Wurrong (S73)

MS 9167 - Letter, 1877 of James Dawson

• Contains Djargurd Wurrong words and their english translations, chiefly words which were used for animals.

Gunditjmara / Gurndidy / Dhaurwurd-Wurrung language (S20)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 3, item 161
• Contains a list of kinship terms.

Gunai/Kurnai (S68)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 1, Letters 4, pp. 36-43, 56-71, 75-76 & 283-286
• Contains lists of kinship terms between a family of four brothers and one sister, as well as genealogical information about their descendants. Includes correspondence with A.W. Howitt.

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, items 153-156, 157
• Contains genealogical information (a family tree). Item number 157 has genealogical information relating to a man named "Toolabar", an Aboriginal leader and one of A.W. Howitt's principle informants on genealogy. Read more about Toolabar (also known as Tulabar) on his Australian Dictionary of Biography entry.

MS 3343 - Letterbooks of F. A. Hagenauer, 1865-1885

• Letter book (brown hardback, red leather binding), p. 321
• Nineteen short questions and answers concerning the Gunai/Kurnai titled "queries about Aborigines of Gippsland".

MS 2296 - John Matthews

• The Origins of Tasmanian Aborigines
• Three pages of notes on Tasmanian Aboriginal people and Gunai/Kurnai of Victoria. Speculative and superficial comparisons between Tasmanian people and Victorian Aboriginal people - very brief paragraph on language characteristics on 2nd and 3rd pages. Language material consists of one word, Tullana - meaning tongue, which is stated as being from a Victorian Aboriginal language.

Jaitmathang / Yadymadhang language (S43)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 1, Letters 4, pp. 173-175, 259-264 & 283-286
• Contains kinship terms of the "Omeo Tribe, whose southern boundary coincides with the northern boundary of the Brabrolong." Informants M. Brugier and Mr. A.W. Howitt.

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 3, Folder 3, item 152
• Single page listing kinship terms. Informant Cullungumba (AKA Sally).

Taungurong (S37)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 1, Letters 4, p. 168
• Contents as titled "Familial terms used by the Goulburn Tribe". Contains a short langauge list at bottom of page.

Wathi Wathi (D4)

MS 24 - Robert Gow Diary and Journal 1860-1871

• P. 23
• Reference to Mindi the snake "Snakes are common though I saw none - the blacks have a mythical yarn of one of gigantic size which they name "mindi" but the whites have never seen any larger than 14 or 15 feet".

Wemba Wemba Languages (N/A)

MS 3343 - Letterbooks of F. A. Hagenauer, 1865-1885

• Pp. 180-183
• Langauge list described by author as the "language of the Western District". Understood in the North, the North west and Swan Hill but "especially at Pine Plains" (which suggests the dialect is Wergaia(S17)). Also includes a list of Aboriginal groups at Ramahyuck Mission on page 183.

Language group unconfirmed

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Letter Book 3 (unboxed), pp. 887-895
• List of Aboriginal weapons and implements of Victoria.

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 2, Letter book VII, pp. 294-300
• Notes on matrilineal descent and "class inheritance" (moeity). Aboriginal language group is unstated in text but is most likely Gunai/Kurnai as this letter is addressed to Mr Howitt, who Fison corresponded with regarding the Gunai/Kurnai language.

Mirning (A9)

MS 8392 - Ernestine Hill Typescripts and photographs [ca. 1947]

• Folder 1
• Contains a brief vocabulary list with approximately 15 words. Words concern environment and fauna.

Ngajumaya (A3)

MS 8392 - Ernestine Hill Typescripts and photographs [ca. 1947]

• Folder 1
• Contains a brief vocabulary list with approximately 15 words. Words concern environment and fauna.

Western Australia (General)

MS 7080 - Papers of Lorimer Fison, 1869-1907

• Box 1, Letters 4
• Contents include a list of clan names of Western Australian tribes.

Other resources

Bates Collection

• Contains substantial records relating to the Aboriginal people of Western Australia. Detailed finding aids have been created for these manuscript collections.