Isla Stuart Blomfield - papers, 1812, 1865-ca. 1940s

MLMSS 6958

series

1812 (transcribed 19__), 1865-ca.1950s

Textual Records, Clippings

404144

1 box - 0.13 Meters
Textual Records
Textual Records - (typescript)
Clippings

Isla Stuart Blomfield was born in 1865 in Mudgee, NSW, the first child of Margaret (nee Cox) and Henry Blomfield. The family lived at various times in Tasmania (at Clarendon, the Cox family home), Sydney, Carcoar (NSW) and Warwick (QLD). In the 1890s Isla trained as a nurse at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital; after completing her training she worked as a private nurse and was engaged to accompany a patient on a voyage to England. She undertook further training in London at Queen Charlotte's Hospital, gaining a midwifery certificate in 1902. She travelled to the United States to attend a nurses' conference and toured hospitals there and in Canada. After a further period working in England and travelling in Europe she returned to Sydney and worked in a private hospital. Her next journey was to Japan with her mother; from there she proceeded alone to Shanghai where she worked as a nurse among the European community and travelled around China. She then went to Russia on the Trans-Siberian Railway and thence to Europe. Back in Sydney she studied various public health courses at Sydney Technical College. In 1912 she was appointed a sanitary inspector for the Sydney Health Dept and in this role was successful in reducing the infant mortality rate. She held this position until retirement in 1930, after which she travelled extensively, and in her eighties, took up sculpture.

'Copy of a letter from Thomas Valentine Blomfield Lieut. 48th Foot near Rueda [Portugal] 11 June 1812 to J. Edwards Esq. Framlingham Suffolk England' [T. V. Blomfield was Isla's grandfather; this typescript transcription most probably made by her 19__?]

Letter, 28 July 1865, received by Eliza Cox from her daughter Margaret Blomfield; about the birth of Isla, her first child

'Extracts from Isla's letters written in China', 1909

Isla Stuart Blomfield's memoirs: from early childhood (1860s) to China (ca.1909)

Stories/articles by Isla Blomfield mainly about her experiences and travels, undated [written 1930s-1950s]

Miscellaneous papers, including: midwifery certificate, 1902; passport, 1909; Sydney Technical College certificates, 1910; letter from the Chief Secretary's Office to Town Clerk, Sydney, concerning Isla Blomfield's appointment as sanitary inspector, 1912; copy of speech made on the occasion of her retirement from the City Health Dept, 1930; newscuttings collected by Isla Blomfield, mainly re health issues; photograph of Isla Blomfield, 1870; photograph of Margaret Blomfield, ca.1900