Stories from the archives

I married an alien

London, September 1913. A young society lady from a stately country mansion falls in love with a handsome diplomat from the Turkish embassy. It sounds like a plot line from the hit British drama Downton Abbey … but it’s the real-life story of Victorian socialite Florence Winter-Irving.

Teddy with his wife and 4 children. NAA: B13, 1933/22224, p. 5

Crowdsourcing the past

Thanks to a dedicated group of family historians and volunteers, you can now access information about Victoria’s non-European residents during the White Australia policy – without leaving home.

A postman riding a horse being followed by a dog

Postman vs dog

It's a struggle as old as time.

Lee Pao Sung’s identification card. NAA: D1976, SB1944/868

Dead in the water

In October 1945, a body washed up on the shores of the Port River in Adelaide. It was wrapped in blankets and weighted with ships spanners.

Opening of the extended Canberra Golf Course by the Right Honourable Stanley Melbourne Bruce, 1927. NAA: A3560, 7545

Australia's golf champion prime minister

Prime Minister Stanley Melbourne Bruce is not generally remembered for being a man of the people. Yet if there was one thing that he shared with ordinary Australians, it was a great love of sport.

A photograph of a sea eagle on the arm of its handler. NAA: A1200, L58173.

Harry Frauca: snapshots of the bush

In over 20 years as a wildlife photographer, Harry Frauca contributed to what we know about native Australian wildlife and the habitats they call home.

Prince Charles at the wheel of a white Commonwealth Ford LTD, Richmond RAAF Base

Driving the royals

The royal tours of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in the 1950s and early 1960s are still fondly remembered for their grace and scale. Making sure they arrived on time at every destination was a fleet of Commonwealth cars and their drivers.

Serventy with a penguin, circa. NAA: K1346, 24

Ships ahoy! Surveying Australian waters for science

Hurried sketches of whales and notes on flying fish. Marine expeditions in the 1930s and 40s contributed to today's knowledge of marine biology and oceanography.

Images from the service record of Lieutenant James Mann. NAA: B883, VX14000

The Battles for Greece and Crete – a personal tragedy

‘Reported missing’. For the Mann family, these dreaded words were the beginning of an agonizing wait to know the fate of their sons.

Card from Audrey Hepburn to Bob Hawke. NAA: M3826, 23, pp 128.

Gratefully, Audrey

In 1989 two stars aligned - the first from the silver screen, and the second a 'Silver Bodgie'.

Edwin Clarendon Cox's reference letter from Don's Garage, 21 April 1941. NAA: A9301, 37094

To whom it may concern: WWII letters of reference

Letters of reference in World War II service records offer a glimpse into enlistees' pre-war lives.

Prince Philip is greeted by the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, 1956.

Prince Philip in Australia

A treasure trove of records from the National Archival collection document Prince Philip's many visits to Australia.