Cormier Family Papers, 1824–1997

Copies may be supplied for research and study. No publication without written permission from the State Library of SA.

Papers of the Cormier family documenting family links with Jersey and reflecting the careers of Francois Joseph (Frank) Cormier, 1888-1980, master mariner, his wife Alice O'Donohoe, 1888-1971, a nursing sister, and their daughter Kathleen, 1917-1997, including papers relating to her school years, war service, travels and service as a teacher of Aboriginal and other children, together with items relating to her husband, Brian Baldwin and uncle Henry Knowlman, 1877-1920 and Albert Beldane, b.1893. The Cormier family, of the island of Jersey, was of French origin. Captain F.J. Cormier, 1888-1980, a 'Cape Horner' whose grandfather was also a master mariner, migrated to South Australia, serving with the Adelaide Steamship Company 1912-1928 and subsequently with the South Australian Harbours Board. He married Adelaide Hospital nurse Alice O'Donohoe in 1912. Their daughter Kathleen, 1917-1997, served with the Voluntary Aid Detachment in World War II and was a dedicated primary school teacher concerned for Aboriginal and other disadvantaged communities. In 1959 she married Brian Baldwin who became a well known archivist.