Patricia Carlson interviewed by Susan Marsden in the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project [sound recording]
- Bib ID:
- 4977985
- Format:
- Audio
- Author:
- Carlson, Patricia, 1933-, interviewee
- Online Access:
- National Library of Australia digitised item
- Access Conditions:
- Access open for research, personal copies and public use.
- Description:
-
- 2010
- 3 sound files (ca. 270 min.)
- Series:
- Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project.
- Technical Details:
- Mode of access: Internet via World Wide Web.
- Summary:
-
Patricia Carlson born in England, speaks about her family background and circumstances; being fostered out then taken to an orphanage; Sisters of Nazareth, Plymouth; Finchley Babies Home; memories of her childhood; the kindness of the nuns; chores at the orphanage; activities; religious practice, Irish influence; children brought in during the WWII, child evacuees; the Home's vulnerable situation in Plymouth, air raids, barrage balloons and troop carriers; history and situation of Nazareth House; personal possessions; German prisoners of war; being asked to go to Australia; preparations for departure; postwar changes at the orphanage; embarkation (1948) on the SS Ormonde; life on board ship; shipboard conditions and incidents.
Carlson discusses her first impressions of Australia; arrival at Goodwood Orphanage, the beginnings of harsh treatment; child labour, deprivation of education, punishments and abuse; leaving the orphanage; working as a nurse in a hospital run by nuns; resuming her education at night school, studies including dressmaking; reconnecting as adults with fellow child migrants; achieving recognition for child migrants; post-institutional life and various employments; meeting Vic Carlson, marrying (1958), the birth of their children; searching for her mother, Red Cross, assistance; finding her sisters, learning of the death of her parents; a visit to England (1988); setting up a support group, becoming an activist; Michael Stacey; British Inquiry into Orphans of Empire (1998); Australian Senate Inquiry; Loss and Grief Centre, therapeutic techniques; resistance from the Catholic Church; International Association of Child Migrants; the Mullighan Inquiry; official apologies; the value of Internet searches; finding her brother, his story; finding other siblings; reads her poem 'Mother Dear'; her naturalization (1975); the National Apology; being interviewed by BBC TV.
- Notes:
- Recorded on 29 September 2010 in Ridgehaven, S.A.
- Index/Finding Aid Note:
- Timed summary (5 p.) and corrected transcript available (typescript, 148 leaves)
- Subject:
-
- Carlson, Patricia, 1933- -- Interviews
- Goodwood Orphanage (S.A.)
- Sisters of Mercy (S.A.) -- History
- Immigrant children, British -- Institutional care -- South Australia
- Children -- Institutional care -- South Australia -- History -- 20th century
- Children -- Institutional care -- Australia -- Psychological aspects
- Other authors/contributors:
- Marsden, Susan, 1952-, interviewer
- Related Records:
-
This belongs to the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project.
This collection contains 208 records. - Copyright:
-
In Copyright
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- Reason for copyright status:
- Until 2080 [Created/Published Date + 70 Years]
Copyright status was determined using the following information:
- Material type:
- Sound Recording
- Published status:
- Unpublished
- Creation date:
- 2010
Copyright status may not be correct if data in the record is incomplete or inaccurate. Other access conditions may also apply. For more information please see: Copyright in library collections.
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