Templeton Collection

Author and historian Jacqueline Templeton devoted much of her working life to the study of migrants from the Valtellina in the province of Sondrio. This unique collection of papers, documents and ephemera represents 10 years of research which culminated in Templeton's book, From the Mountains to the Bush: Italian migrants write home from Australia, 1860-1962. The publication focuses on the lives of seasonal labourers who left their homes in the Valtellina (Lombardy) to find work in Australia.

The collection includes originals and copies of documents pertaining to these individuals: letters; photographs; personal travel documents; shipping records; and newspaper cuttings. Also included in the collection is the agent's register of Valtellinese migrants who sailed to Australia with Lloyd Triestino. The document, covering the period January 1948 to February 1978, lists each passenger's name, town of residence, age, date and place of issue of passport, ship and date of departure.

Access to this collection has been made possible through the generosity of John Lack, editor of From the Mountains to the Bush and a colleague of Jacqueline Templeton.

Access by appointment. 

Search the Italian Historical Society catalogue here.