Australian story jigsaw:

Someone at the National Archives has been busy. A Destination Australia website invites post-war migrants and their families to discover or share their family history by contributing to the site. But to get things started, the National Archives has 20,000 photographs featured of the migrant experience from 1945 onwards.

The National Archives is encouraging migrants and their families to identify family and friends, or simply add stories of their own migration experiences. The aim is to feature the stories in an exhibition next year entitled A Ticket to Paradise? lives and experiences of Australia's post-World War II migrants.

The Director-General of National Archives, David Fricker, says the migration records and photographs are amongst the most popular in the collection. 

“We believe they are there to be used and are trying to make it as easy as possible for migrants and their families to explore the collection and share their stories.”

Destination Australia contains 19 different themes with popular ones include Sports, Arts and Entertainment, Employment, Prominent Events, Citizenship and Naturalisation and Migrant Hostels. 

“The stories will add a rich layer of knowledge to our nation's recorded history and help every Australian understand and value the many strands of our heritage that, woven together, have created this nation of ours,” Mr Fricker said.

Next year's exhibition will explore the experiences of the individuals, couples and families who migrated after World War II, as well as examine the Australian Government's post-war immigration policies and promotional campaigns, through documents, photographs and footage recorded by the Department of Immigration.

The National Archives’ annual family history day tomorrow, Shake Your Family Tree, will feature a panel discussion on the contribution of migrants to Australia chaired by SBS political reporter Karen Middleton. The panel also includes SBS football commentator, Les Murray, as well as academic and author Kim Huynh, artist and playwright Noone Doronila and filmmaker Malik Osman.

The National Archives Privacy Policy puts the onus on individuals who 'tag' others or share stories to ensure that third persons are aware of, and approve, being identified and having their story shared.

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For further information visit Destination Australia.