A search for his Aboriginal family history took Paul Wilson on a long journey, not only in miles but also through time and social customs.
Wilson, ward mission leader in the West Lakes Ward, Adelaide Australia Stake, became intrigued by the idea of searching for information about his ancestors soon after he and his mother and nine brothers and sisters joined the Church in 1970.A young man who has pride in his Aboriginal heritage and Australian citizenship, Wilson began his family history search in earnest in 1971, after he received his patriarchal blessing. He soon encountered some obstacles, however. Because Aboriginal tribes did not keep written records, he had to do much of his early search through verbal communication.
He began by talking with all relatives in close proximity, but found many unwilling to impart much information because of cultural leanings for secrecy. However, he gleaned enough information from his mother and family papers that he was able to have temple ordinances performed for four generations.
By 1980, his eagerness to seek out his forebears had reached a point where he planned a trip to Koonibba on the west coast of South Australia to visit his great uncle. He was filled with anxiety about how his request for information would be received, but his anxiety was replaced by distress when he learned the elderly man had died just as Wilson was leaving Adelaide.
Among certain tribes, is is disrespectful to speak of the dead, so Wilson gained no information on that visit. However, he did not give up.
In Koonibba, Wilson felt "a beautiful, sweet spirit" - a spirit of family loyalty - come over him. He said he knew that his ancestors, and even now members of his family, called Koonibba their home.
Not long after his trip to Koonibba, Wilson became aware of a collection of records, known as the Tindale Anthropological Expedition, 1938-39, which contains written data about many of his ancestors. Since discovering the records at Adelaide University, Wilson has spent many hours there compiling his family's history.
His interest in family history has continued to grow, and he said he is thrilled at having been able to submit many family names to the temple.
