Pacific Manuscripts Bureau

This International Archives Week we share with you some new resources recently added to our website. We are proud to host an English translation of a set of registers of Melanesian and Micronesian indentured labourers employed by the German Trading and Plantation Company (Deutsche Handels- und Plantagengesellschaft or DHPG) on plantations in Samoa from 1887 to 1913. These registers were originally microfilmed by the Bureau in 2002 in collaboration with the Nelson Memorial Library in Apia. This important translation was funded by the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Canberra. For all involved it has been a work of great dedication and care. You can read more about this collaboration in the introductory text to the translation and researchers are encouraged to read the cultural sensitivity warning.https://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/2026-06/260610-DHPG-Translated-Registers-sm.pdf

We have also added some new finding aids to our website on labour, Banaba and Bougainville, and an index compiled by one of interns to PNG patrol reports in the PMB collection. The link to the finding aids is in the comments.

The latest AAPS newsletter is out and features a story by Lisa Hilli about work in progress to translate and transcribe registers of people taken from islands of Melanesia and Kiribati to work on DHPG plantations in Samoa, 1887-1913. Work is almost complete and will be released on the PMB website soon.

pacificstudies.org.au

Pitcairn and Norfolk Islands book of origins returns to Norfolk. Thanks Pauline Seton Reynolds for bringing this story to our attention.

An old register forges new relations on Norfolk Island - ABC listen After the infamous mutiny on the Bounty the mutineers settled on remote Pitcairn Island. The Pitcairn Island Register is the original record of births, deaths, and marriages from the Bounty and it also records their fate. It dates back to 1790 and has, until now, been kept in the National Maritime M...

Followers in Samoa 🇼🇸 may be interested in this upcoming presentation by Ruby Satele.

FOA SEMINAR SERIES 2026

We are excited to host PhD candidate Ruby Satele, presenting on her research on Samoan ancestors in Museums.

For more information, see the flyer below.
ALL are invited.

Coming up later this morning, PMB Chair Dr Nayahamui Rooney, will be presenting a seminar on the important work she is doing with her parents' archive. You can attend in person at ANU or join via Zoom. Details below 👇

Relationality, Movement and Transnationality in Biographies across PNG and Australia: Stories through Nahau and Wesley Rooney Choosing the right university is a defining decision. Discover why an arts, social sciences or humanities degree at ANU is the right choice for you.

We're so proud of long-term friend of PAMBU, Annie Kwai, for her role in the excellent children's book about the Solomon Islands Coastwatchers - Aaron Kumana and Biuku Gasa - who rescued JFK and the crew of PT-109 during the Second World War. The book was launched in Honiara last week and will be distributed to all schools in Solomon Islands. The book can be ordered from most online bookstores.

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Murray Launches “Rescuing JFK” Book Donation Campaign at Betikama Adventist College - Tavuli News (Solomon Islands) U.S. Embassy launches campaign delivering Rescuing JFK book to all Solomon Islands schools, honoring WWII history

Pambu gets a mention in the latest ANU Pacific Institute news.

Anthropologist Ton Otto’s visit to ANU: Material and archival collections, film, and research engagement at the ANU | ANU Pacific Institute Ton Otto, Professor Emeritus of anthropology at Aarhus University, Denmark, visited the ANU.

Mark your calendars for this one! Join in-person or watch online. Details below 👇

Panel talk — Disruption, trends and transformation: Libraries and archives leading change The National Library and Alexander Turnbull Library are here to help you access and use the collective knowledge of New Zealand.