Summary

Service Report issued to J Stegelman by the German Levante Line. It notes that he served on the steamer 'Thasos' from Hamburg from 26 February 1906 to 18 October 1906 with efficiency, sobriety and good behaviour.

Description of Content

Service Report issued by the German Levante Line for J Stegelmann who served on the steamer 'Thasos' from Hamburg from 26/2/06 to 18/10/06. Efficiency, sobriety and behaviour good.

Physical Description

Yellowing paper with black printed text. Image of flag in red. Personal details written in pen. All in German. Dog eared at bottom right hand corner.

Significance

Johannes Stegelman's story is a great example of more unorthodox migration. Jumping ship was a common way to start a new life in Australia, especially for sailors on merchant ships, and dates back to the 1850s gold rush with sailors jumping ship to head for the goldfields (John Simpson Kirkpatrick of 'Simpson and his donkey' fame arrived in Australia by jumping ship). Stegelman's objects all relate to his career in both the German Navy and the merchant navy including the hire document that brought him to Australia. The story is also interesting for its cross-cultural marriage and the bringing together of two very different migrant stories from different periods in time.

Gladys Leichti's objects and story represents the push to attract young British girls for domestic service in the 1920s and the role of philanthropic organizations such as the Salvation Army in meeting this demand.

More Information