Memorabilia relating to the life of Frances Miscavage
Date1945 - 1948
Object numberANMS0282
NameArchive series
MediumPaper
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Frances Smith
DescriptionThis collection relates to Frances Miscavage (nee Smith) and her voyage as a widowed war bride on the USS LURLINE to America. It also documents her subsequent voyage home to Australia. The USS LURLINE was a luxury ocean liner, owned by the Matson Line which was converted into a United States Troop Ship during World War II.
Up to 15,000 Australian women married or were engaged to Americans during WWII. When the war ended, women faced delays of up to 20 months to gain passage on a ship to San Francisco. The US War Department sent the Matson liners LURLINE, MONTEREY and MARIPOSA to carry Australian warbrides and their children to a new life in America.
This series consists of 9 documents comprising two domain of neptunus rex cards, one meal card, one itinerary, one alien tax receipt, one ticket and three copies of Matson Line wireless.HistoryDuring World War II between 12,000 and 15,000 Australian women married American servicemen. Some migrated and lived in the USA, while others returned to Australia in the years following the war, with or without their husbands. These women often encountered public scrutiny and disapproval for their decision to marry with many Australians, specifically men resentful of Americans 'taking their wives'. For many women, American servicemen filled the vacuum created by Australian men stationed overseas. During the campaign in the Pacific thousands of American troops were stationed in Australia, at a time when many of Australia’s young men were fighting in Europe and the Middle East.
1950-1980
