Dear Listers
I expect you all know about this site but thought I would mention it just in
case one person has missed it -
www.a2a.pro.gov.uk and search the
catalogues - put in Chant for all archives and perhaps there is something of
interest to someone.
Below is an example of what can be found:
"" SAINT THOMAS' HOSPITAL: NIGHTINGALE COLLECTION
Papers of Henry Bonham Carter
PACKET 8 GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE 1867 INCLUDING ENQUIRIES RE TRAINING AND
REQUESTS FOR NURSES FOR PARISHES AND FOR HOSPITALS IN LEEDS, YORK, AND
SYDNEY
Resignations etc (Sample Letters)
FILE-Mrs Bea CHANT, The Infirmary, Derby, to Mrs Wardroper. Asks to be sent
abroad if there is opportunity. 1 sheet endorsed "Application for Sydney". -
ref.H01/ST/NC/18/008/156? - date: 2 Aug 1867
PACKET 9 GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE 1868
General Correspondence
FILE-Lucy Osburn, Camden Park, to H.B.C. She and Sister Bessie (CHANT) were
poisoned by the hospital drains. She was very ill and was invited to Camden
Park. It is beautiful and the Onslows are refined and intelligent, unlike
many she has to deal with in Sydney. She goes out daily collecting shells
and beetles. It is a drawback that hospitals cannot be in the country.
Sister Eliza Blundell goes on better than expected. The uniform is a
blessing - it makes them circumspect in behaviour. Sister Eliza and Barker
have accommodated themselves well to difficulties. The colony is not very
prosperous, so men are not looking out for wives and there is no trouble of
that nature. Sister Annie Miller has turned strict Presbyterian. Sister
Bessie CHANT is housekeeping. She herself is longing to see the new hospital
built. - ref. H01/ST/NC/18/009/001? - date: 2 June 1868
PACKET 10 GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE 1869
Sydney Infirmary
FILE-Lucy Osburn, Sydney Hospital, N.S.W. to H.B.C. Thanks him for her
expenses and gratuity. She would like to return to St Thomas's for a few
weeks every year. She is glad he likes the Kaiserswerth people - they are
more humble than any English sisterhood. At Sydney they are getting into
smoother waters. She gets on well with the Committee and has more
applications than vacancies. The 27 probationers are very satisfactory and
two more are coming. The Sisters from England are in a false position. They
would make excellent nurses, but many of the nurses under them are far
better educated. Mary Barker is the best; Bessie CHANT is quiet enough now.
Little good can be said of the other three. However, Australia is now
supplying the best material and the work will be advanced by sisters of
their own supplying. - ref.H01/ST/NC/18/010/033- date: 7 Sept 1869
PACKET 19 GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE 1871 AND PAPERS ON MORTALITY RATE AT QUEEN
CHARLOTTE'S HOSPITAL 1872-1873
General Correspondence
FILE-L. Osburn to H.B.C. from Sydney Hospital. She regrets falling under his
and Miss Nightingale's displeasure. She never thought the English Sisters
would stay. There was local feeling against them and she was asked to train
Australians. The English women made the Australian sisters, who were ladies,
uncomfortable, but she thought they would all leave after 3 years. The Board
are to decide if they shall train for Melbourne Hospital; they wished her to
train the old matron. Blundell has a good position as Matron at ?100 a year.
CHANT 's husband - Simpson - is doing well on the railway. -
ref.H01/ST/NC/18/019/020- date: 6 Sep 1871 ""
Good hunting
Christine (nee Chant)
Sydney
_________________________________________________________________
Hotmail now available on Australian mobile phones. Go to
http://ninemsn.com.au/mobilecentral/hotmail_mobile.asp