Guide to the Papers of Earl Ewers

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MS 9060, MS Acc06.127, MS Acc07.119

National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record

Collection Summary

Creator
Earl Ewers
Title
Papers of Earl Ewers
Date Range
ca. 1880-2007
Collection Number
MS 9060, MS Acc06.127, MS Acc07.119
Extent
3.15 metres (9 ms boxes + 1 carton + 1 map folio)
Language of Materials
English
Repository
Special Collections (Manuscripts)

Introduction

Scope and Contents

The Ewers Papers include correspondence, diaries, notebooks, photographs, family documents and publications relating to several members of Ewers' family. The main focus of the papers is Latvian migration to Australia, but there is also a good deal of general information Australian social life and economic conditions. Much of this is revealed through documents of Ewers' grandfather, J.S. Anderson, who owned several businesses. Also significant are papers of William M. Nixon, Ewers' great-great grandfather, who was an early Australian photographer.

The families mentioned in the papers include Ewers, Anderson, Nixon and Ludlow.

Conditions Governing Access

Please refer to the collection's catalogue record for the access conditions (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn564400).

Conditions Governing Use

Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.

Preferred Citation

Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of Earl Ewers, National Library of Australia, [class number, box number and series and/or file number]'.

Provenance

In 1994 the National Museum of Australia transferred to the Library some material which Earl Ewers had offered first to the Mitchell Library in Sydney and then to the Museum. It consisted of documents, photographs and objects which remained after the two previous institutions had made a selection. The National Library in turn made selections of items for its manuscript and ephemera collections. Earl Ewers made a small addition to the papers in July 2003 (Series 6, Pieces 2-4) and a further addition in July 2006 (Series 6, Folder 5).

Finding Aid Source(s)

Please note: This finding aid may comprise or contain descriptive information provided by donors, researchers and/or volunteers.

Collection Retrieval Advice

Please note: each consignment in this collection has a separate box number sequence (i.e. there may be multiple Box 1s). Please cite the relevant Class number as well as the Box number when requesting retrieval of material from the collection.

Item Descriptions

Class MS 9060. Original consignment

Comprises correspondence, diaries, notebooks, photographs, family documents and publications relating to several members of the Ewers family. The main focus of the papers is Latvian migration to Australia, but there is also a good deal of general information on Australian social life and economic conditions. Much of this is revealed through documents of Ewers' grandfather, Janis Sarin (John) Anderson who owned several businesses. Also significant are papers of William M. Nixon, an early Australian photographer (Earl Ewers' great great grandfather). The families mentioned in the papers include Ewers, Anderson, Nixon and Ludlow.

Contained in 9 boxes, 1 carton and 1 folio package.

Series 1. Correspondence

Letters to Earl Ewers from his mother, 1960s and 1970s (File 1 _ 2) - Box 1
Business letters and family photographs of D.A. Ewers (File 3 _ 4) - Box 1
Letters relating to Nixon and Ewers families (File 5 _ 7) - Box 1
Letters, greeting cards and Anderson papers, including wedding and funeral cards (File 8 _ 11) - Box 2

Series 2. Diaries, notebooks, autograph books etc

Diary of Frank Ewers, 1894 (File 1) - Box 3
Diary of Frank Ewers at Ungary, 1895 (File 2) - Box 3
Diary of Frank Ewers (black covered), 1895 (File 3) - Box 3
Diary of Frank Ewers, 1908-22 (long thin 'ledger' type) (File 4) - Box 3
Autograph book (Earl Ewers' grandmother) (File 5) - Box 3
Buff coloured commonplace book of William M. Nixon 1814-1893 (early Australian photographer) containing writings, poems, cuttings and articles written by Nixon (File 6) - Box 3
Birthday book belonging to Mr and Mrs David Nixon (File 7) - Box 3

Series 3. Photographs, postcards

Leather bound photograph album, 1884. (File 1) - Box 3

Leather bound photograph album, 1884, belonging to Anne Ludlow (nee Nixon) sister of W.M. Nixon and great- great grandmother of Earl Ewers. It contains many Nixon/Ludlow photographs, including an original image of Catherine Helen Spence

Red leather album of Australian postcards which belonged to Mr and Mrs D. Nixon (File 2) - Box 4
Miniature photograph of daughter of E.A. Ewers (Evangelist) (File 3) - Box 4
Small black photograph album with photos, postcards and cuttings (File 4) - Box 4
Loose family photographs (File 5 _ 6) - Box 4

J.S.A. in Latvia and Moscow

Photographs of Latvian family and friends in Latvia

Photo of J.S.A at Czar's barracks, Moscow

Latvian timber cutters at Cangai

Latvian copper miners at Cangai

Latvians clearing forest at Cangai

Louise wearing knitted suit

J.S.A.'s son Titus (killed in action during WW2)

J.S.A. in Lodge uniform

Souvenir postcard featuring Menzies 'Greetings from Canberra'

Photographs (File 7 _ 12) - Box 5

Photos of Nixon/Ewers/Ludlow families including country show exhibition - wheat samples with CSIRO 1908

Photo of interior of Gunbar (property between Hay and Hillston) ca. 1910

Photo of David Nixon with rye grass exhibits

WW1 nurse in uniform

WW1 fundraising auction at Kingaroy

Numerous photographs of the Anderson family, including pictures of New York at night, letters/postcards, snapshot envelopes containing negatives and photos, wedding of J.S.A. and Louise (File 13 _ 16) - Box 6
Postcard albums put together by Earl Ewers (File 17 _ 19)
Postcard albums put together by Earl Ewers (File) - Box 7
Red, 1906-1920s, all of Latvian postcards and translations (File 17) - Box 6
Green, postcards from Australia and USA from early 20C to WW2 (includes cards sent by J.S.A to Louise Grissler in Latvia before her marriage, coastal ships etc (File 18) - Box 7
Green, Propaganda postcards, WW1, Latvian, Independent Latvian, St Petersburg Winter Palace, postcard/photo of J.S.A. wearing cap and one holding cap, many family photo postcards from Grafton and Latvia and postcard of ship on which Louise came to Australia, postcard from J.S.A. to Louise courting her in Latvia, mourning card for Tolstoy, postcards from Bremen and Bremmerhaven (port from which most North Europeans embarked for Australia) (File 19) - Box 7
Enlarged photograph of Ewers family, ca. 1888 (File 20) - Folio-Box [unnumbered]
Large album (File 21) - Box 8

Imperial Russian money; an example of the first Latvian banknote (FUNF RUBLI); various bookmarks and 'name day' (or birthday) cards in Latvian and Russian; calling card belonging to Earl Ewers' grandmother Louise Grissler; ornate menus from the ship on which Louise Grissler emigrated in 1910 and married J.S. Anderson the day after her arrival in Australia; dressmaker's (or tailor's?) business card from Japan where Earl Ewers' grandfather Janis (John) Sarin Anderson bought a suit on his way to Australia after he had fled Russia in 1905, arriving Sydney in May 1906 on Japanese ship KumonoMaru; newspaper cuttings from Cangai (near Grafton) local newspapers 1906-18 relating to Anderson's store; part of Louise Grissler's passport (purple and buff coloured documents) - very rare official travel/identity documents; green cloth badge of the Miners' association, 1900 (reputedly in the possession of J.S Anderson [check date, which is before his arrival in Australia]; 1915-16 calendar from Langton & Co., Grafton, purchased by J.S. Anderson ca. 1915; various receipts from Anderson's businesses; WW1 postcard (related to 'comforts fund' fundraising?); insurance rating cards relating to Anderson's business; advertising flier for Bushell's Tea; auction sale notice (including list of home contents) for sale of Anderson's home 'Strathmore', South Grafton, Ca. 1918; Grafton hospital Report, 1916; Grafton? Autumn Flower Show Catalogue, 1917; Country exchanges phone book (NSW), 1916

Large album (File 22) - Box 8

Bus timetable to Port Kembla 1923 (one of Anderson's businesses and the first bus service between Wollongong and Port Kembla); various accounts relating to J.S.A.'s businesses; driver's licence and registration, 1925; tender document (unused); public vehicle licence - Anderson's Bus Service (with handwritten bus timetable on reverse) 1923; temporary licence as above; six Public Vehicle licences for both J.S.A. and his brother Charlie covering 1926 28; Pearson's Australian Road Guide and cover; driver's licence for Charlie Anderson; two small printed bus timetables and scale of fares; photo of first bus and Anderson family; photo of J.S.A.'s Port Kembla store (built by J.S.A. in 1918 and run until 1923) with first two buses and J.S and C.S.A. in front of store; sale notice for the bus service, 1928; Dunlop tyre advertisement; terms of sale - bus service; letter re sale of land associated with bus service; postcards - Anderson's seed warehouse for Anderson's store 1919; photograph of an Orrery (a kind of mini-planetarium) which C.S.A. purchased, displayed and toured schools with; envelope from Latvia associated with Louise Grissler/Anderson; 1922 Department of Education permission to display orrery and details of what could be charged; handwritten astronomy notations to use with orrery (2p.); list of schools at which orrery was displayed; letter from SCEGS inviting C.S.A. to display orrery, 1922; store labels re J.S.A.'s Port Kembla store; invitation to laying of C of E foundation stone at Port Kembla, 1922; bank draft, 1923, in Louise's name; undated contribution cards to Port Kembla Lodge; letter to J.S.A. from Manchester Unity 1926

Large album (File 23) - Box 8

Photo of Mrs Plabbin (Latvian friend of Anderson family); two coupon books, Sydney; assorted loose papers and ephemera; birthday cards; personal letter to J.S.A. from his daughter, 1925; envelope from USA; letter from daughter to J.S.A announcing her forthcoming marriage (did not eventuate); letter-card from daughter, 1949; letter from Elgar Grissler(?), Grafton; greeting card to Wanda Anderson (daughter - schoolteacher) from a pupil: three envelopes (Lodge?); invitation to attend party for Latvian Consul, 1933; farewell to Wanda Anderson from her pupils, ca. 1928; invitation from Latvian Consul 1923 to attend the Latvian Lihgo (festival); newspaper clipping reporting on the Lihgo; Sydney Latvian Club 1937 donation receipt (J.S.A. was Secretary from ca. 1928 when it began until 1939/40 when it finished(?);press clipping 1930s on Latvian music; carillon recital invitation to above; subscription card to Friendly Society of Nations for Regina Anderson (Earl Ewers' mother); invitation to social dance for above society; newspaper article re Latvian Independence Day celebrations; 1929 Pocket calendar from Loco Hotel, Auburn (one of Anderson's businesses); brochure for 'Stae-on' eyeglasses; house whisky and rum labels for the Loco Hotel, Auburn; 'How to Vote' card for J.T. Lang (Lang lived in Auburn in the 1930s and was a real estate agent); Christmas greeting cards 1951-52 and 1957 from Latvian Consul; Latvian card 1948; Andrys Leepa Repatriation(?) fund - Sydney Latvian Club with list of donors and club members; envelope to J.S.A, Port Kembla, from Latvia; labels with Latvian text; envelope addressed to J.S.A.; Mother's Day greeting card; newspaper cover from Latvia; business card for Emily Ceilava (Latvian music teacher and member of Latvian Club; photo of J.S.A. and Louise's grave; Church of England flower show schedule (Earl Ewers' mother was Secretary); newspaper Ashfield Argus 1951 containing article on Louise's 100th birthday and details of her life and family; envelope from Mildura to Sydney Latvian Club; TV Today guide, 1966; letter-card from Regina to family 1960; two calling cards (possibly Latvian Club members); 1958 diary (unused); 1932 calendar with kangaroo on cover; greetings cards; 1932 invitation letter; letter and photo of motor car; transcript of tombstone for Louise Anderson 1851- 1956; Sunday School book 1950s; letter from Francis Anderson in RAAF, Townsville 1945; invitation to dinner; Intermediate Certificate for Max (cousin of Earl Ewers) who committed suicide in 1965; various newspaper clippings; colour postcard of spinning wheel; timber merchant's sheet written in Latvian; mourning cards, Louise 1908-56; stencils for lion and griffin (Latvia's coat of arms) used for 1938 Australian sesquicentennial celebrations; photograph of J.S.A. taken soon after his arrival in Australia (notes on back by Earl Ewers)

Large album (File 24) - Box 8

Pages of letters from Latvia about family matters and information on Latvia - 1906-49 mostly sent by Lisa Krumins (niece of Louise) and Peter Pontag (brother-in-law of J.S.A.). Each letter is accompanied by a translation; letter from J.S.A. to arrange for Louise to come to Australia in 1910

Large album (File 25) - Box 8

Two Latvian children's books, 1932 and n.d.; various Latvian clippings 1920s and 1930s; Latvian concert festival programs and tourist information, 1920s and 1930s; documents associated with Sydney Latvian Club; funeral notice in Latvian, 1959; 1934 Christmas greetings from Latvian Consul; 1939 newspaper clipping re death notice; Lhigo sonnet in Latvian; card from Port Kembla Latvians; recital sheets - carillon 1937 and 1938; letter from NSW Premier's Department acknowledging Latvian community's loyalty, 1939; newspaper cuttings re above; booklet on Latvia and Latvians with notes by Wanda Anderson; letter from Government House, Sydney, from Governor-General, acknowledging Latvian community's loyalty, October 1939; many newspaper cuttings re Louise's long life (died aged 104); letter from Government re death of Earl Ewers' uncle on active service in WW2; 'New Australians' Cultural Association' 8th meeting 1951 at Sydney to honour Louise's 100th birthday; translation of article on Tobago(?); 1956 and 1957 Latvian calendars autographed by Louise G.Z. Anderson; newspaper cutting of Latvian wedding, TV Times 1969 with article on one of Earl Ewers' cousins winning $9,000 on Coles Quiz

Series 4. Family Documents

Will of Alice Taylor (Earl Ewers' grandmother); Invoice relating to store owned by A. Ewers, 189? (File 1) - Box 9
Personal papers of Anderson Family, including clippings, letters, school photos, brochures, greeting cards, stamps and a letter from Latvia in 1910 on British Empire Exhibition (File 2 _ 3) - Box 9
Ornate Lodge certificate for T.C. Anderson (File 4) - Folio-Box [unnumbered]
Poems by D.A. Ewers; Autobiography of J.S.A. typed by Earl Ewers (File 5) - Box 9

Series 5. Printed Material

Red covered worship book - Ray S. Ewers (File 1) - Box 9
Miniature New Testament (File 2) - Box 9
Newspaper Church Scene, 8 March 1979 (File 3) - Box 9
Two sports guides, 1928 and 1929, 'With Compliments From J.S. Anderson Locomotive Hotel' (File 4 _ 5) - Box 9
Red-covered bound Zeltina 1933 (Young Lady's magazine) published in Latvia and containing article on Australian youth and photos of Anderson sisters (File 6) - Box 9
The Story of Latvia: a historical survey by Professor Dr Arveds Schwabe, Stockholm, 1950 (File 7) - Box 9
A little book of toasts and maxims, London, George G. Harrap, reprinted by Choice Books, n.d (File 8) - Box 9

Series 6. Miscellaneous

Box of price tags in £ (from one of Anderson's stores?) (File 1) - Box 9
Turkey and Russia, their races, history and wars. Embracing an account of the Great Crimean War and of the Russo-Turkish War by Robert Gossip, 1879, together with handwritten notes and newspaper cuttings (added July 2003) (File 2) - Box 10
Small album of postcards showing scenes from trans-Siberia and Vladivostok (added July 2003) (File 3) - Box 10
Papers, 1906-1990, including handwritten and typed notes, postcards, funeral notices and programs, newspaper cuttings and other documents (added July 2003) (File 4) - Box 10
Photographs of 'Hazelwood' (c. 1914), CD of images on 'Hazelwood' and family members (c. 1880-1912) together with descriptions of each image, and two sketches by Kathie Gorman (1968?) (added July 2006) (File 5) - Box 10
Images of 'Hazelwood' and family members (Item NLA.MS-DM001825) - Digital-Carriers-Box 38
1 item, Data CD (any content on recordable CD-R)

Class Acc06.127. Consignment added 2006 - Box 10

Comprises nine postcard-sized photographs of "Hazelwood", the property of Ewers' great-grandparents, c. 1914; two sketches by Ewers' aunt, Kathie Gorman (former Personal Assistant to National Library of Australia Directors-General, 1956-1982); and, CD-ROM of 18 images of above photographs and other family photographs, c. 1880-1912.

Contained in 1 folder.

Class Acc07.119. Consignment added 2007 - Box 10

Comprises a copy of an article "Quong Tart" and a two-page annotation on Ewer's family history prompted by the article. Ewer's grandparents lived in "Menmuir", a house originally built by Quong Tart.

Contained in 1 folder.


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