Who Am I? Where Do I Belong?

Record keeping is not something that instinctively comes to mind as vital to our lives. Yet, without records, our world would descend into chaos. Records are not just bureaucratic tools; they combine to give us our human identity, history, and connection. They anchor us in the past and guide us toward a meaningful future. Through the stories of three individuals—Saroo Brierley (Linus from Lion), Jonathon Wise, and Kathleen (not her real name)—we explore the transformative power of records in answering the age-old questions: Who am I? and Where do I belong?

Saroo Brierley: A Journey Home

Saroo’s story, immortalized in the film Lion, began in a small village in India. At the age of five, Saroo became separated from his family after he followed his elder brother on a fateful night to a nearby train station. Falling asleep on an empty train, Saroo woke to find himself alone in Mumbai, over a thousand kilometers from home. Lost, he wandered the streets until being placed in an orphanage. Eventually, he was adopted by a loving Australian family. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saroo_Brierley

But the question of his origins haunted him. As he grew older, Saroo began piecing together fragments of his memory. With the help of government adoption records, maps, and—crucially—Google Earth, he traced his way back to his Indian hometown. The reunion with his biological mother was a poignant reminder of the importance of records in reconnecting lives shattered by circumstance. Without adoption documents, government archives, and the digital records on Google, Saroo’s search might have remained an unfulfilled dream.

His journey exemplifies how records, whether physical or digital, preserve the stories and identities of people, bridging the gaps of time and distance.

Jonathon Wise: Reclaiming Identity

Jonathon Wise was sent to Australia as a child after World War II as part of a program to relocate war orphans. Raised in the Christian Brothers Boys Home in Geraldton, he grew up without knowledge of his family or roots. https://www.mackillop.org.au/about-mackillop/our-history/christian-brothers-homes-wa A gentle, kind man, he rarely spoke of his past. His daughters, however, yearned for answers, especially as they began planning families of their own. They wanted to understand their father’s medical history and cultural heritage.

Their search unearthed a surprising truth: Jonathon’s mother had not perished in the war, as he had been led to believe. Both mother and son went to their graves believing the other had died. With persistence, the daughters uncovered records from Australian government archives and England’s wartime files. These documents revealed their father’s Jewish heritage, allowing them to reconnect with a community that had been lost to them for generations.

The impact of these discoveries was profound. For Jonathon’s daughters and their children, the puzzle of identity was completed. They could now say, “I am Jewish,” with confidence, and they found belonging in a shared cultural and spiritual history. Their story underscores the power of records in not only solving mysteries but also fostering a deep sense of identity, belonging, and peace.

Kathleen: Records as a Shield

Kathleen’s story is a modern example of how meticulous record keeping can empower individuals in professional contexts. For 15 years, Kathleen thrived in her role, earning respect and trust from colleagues and managers alike. She was self-driven, highly capable, and supportive of her team. However, when new management arrived, the organization’s culture shifted. Her new manager’s micro-managing style created friction and eroded trust within the team.

Kathleen, unafraid to voice her concerns, clashed with the manager, who was under scrutiny themselves. When tensions escalated, Kathleen chose to resign. Yet her decision to maintain detailed records throughout her career proved vital. Her documentation showed her consistent adherence to policies, her contributions to the organization, and instances where her manager had acted outside organizational values.

Armed with her records, Kathleen filed a Fair Work complaint, exposing systemic issues. Within months, the manager in question had left the organization. Kathleen’s meticulous record keeping not only protected her professional reputation but also highlighted the importance of accountability within institutions. https://www.fairwork.gov.au/

Why Records Matter

These stories illustrate the profound ways in which records shape lives. They help us answer essential questions, reconnect with lost histories, and protect our rights. Every record, no matter how seemingly insignificant, has the potential to transform someone’s life. For Saroo, records were the key to rediscovering his family. For Jonathon’s daughters, they were a bridge to their heritage. For Kathleen, they were a shield in a turbulent workplace.

As employees, we have a responsibility to maintain accurate and comprehensive records. Whether we work in government, healthcare, education, or private enterprise, the records we manage can hold untold significance for someone in the future. They could answer critical questions, resolve uncertainties, or even rewrite the narrative of a person’s life.

One day, it might even be our own story that depends on the integrity of those records. So, let us ensure that every document, every piece of information, is handled with care—because every record matters.

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