The Estonian Archives in Australia has a collection of newsletters from Displaced Persons (DP) ships sailing to Australia. Many of these newsletters are rare and fragile — small pieces of the migrant journey to Australia — a program to digitise and preserve them is underway. The archive is appealing for donations to help finance the project.
Since the newsletters are delicate and often not produced on standard A4 paper sizes, they require professional care and handling during digitisation. Would you consider supporting this project with a donation?
A glimpse into the migrant journey
Displaced Persons (DPs) sailing to Australia from war-torn Europe arrived in a series of ships. Some carried a dozen or so Estonians. Others carried hundreds.
Newsletters produced by ships’ crews and passengers reflected the long voyage from Europe to Australia via the Suez Canal, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Some publications were simple collections of news and updates for travellers. Others included cartoons, commentary and pieces written by passengers themselves.
Most newsletters were produced in English or German, although some included Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian sections. They were printed on board using Gestetner ink duplicators — something many older readers may remember from the days before photocopiers and computer printers.
When the General Stewart arrived in Fremantle on 12 February 1948, there were over 30 Estonians aboard. Sydney received the General Ballou on 29 April 1949, carrying over 60 Estonians. Many other ships followed. Perhaps your own family arrived on one of these migrant ships.
Support the project
The archive aims to raise $1,000 to support the digitisation project.
Donations of $2 and over are tax deductible.
If you would like to support the project, please use the following bank details to make your donation:
Bank details
BSB 062-016
Account 11651110
Account name: Kris Kaldma Fund
Reference: Your name
Thank you!
About the Estonian Archives in Australia
The Estonian Archives in Australia (EAA) was established by the Council of Estonian Societies in Australia in 1952. It is one of several Estonian Archives operating outside Estonia and holds an important collection documenting the lives and achievements of Estonians abroad.
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Estonian Archives in Australia
