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Sigalas Family Collection
Image: Movie Camera & Case - Bell & Howell
Source: Museum Victoria
The Sigalas family's immigration story is a rich narrative, told by over 80 objects, which relates to a number of themes in the social and immigration history of Melbourne. The curtain and collar represent the precious items brought by immigrants to Australia - in this case symbolising Lili's connections to Istanbul and the family left behind. The wedding dress is an evocative symbol of a key immigration motivation for many young European women - being brought out to Australia to marry men from similar cultural backgrounds, islands and villages. The 'flapper' dress represents the more affluent social life of some people in Melbourne during the 1920s, the kinds of functions people attended as well as a taste for French couture which could be obtained in select Melbourne stores. The documents represent both Lili's life before immigrating and after settlement.
The Sigalas family story explores migration as a continuous experience for some people: of shifting from country to country until finding the right place to settle; of the strong ties to homelands which draw some people back again and again; of chain migration whereby one family member (usually male) established himself before sending for the rest of the family; and of finding brides in home countries in order to establish families in the new.
Related StoriesIakovos (James) Sigalas, Greek Migrant, circa 1890s
Lili Sigalas, Greek Migrant, 1922
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 1 - 50) 77 items
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Painting - Lili Sigalas, by Rollo Thompson, Oil, Melbourne, 1955-56
Portrait of Lili Sigalas by Rollo Thompson, painted 1955 to 1956 in Melbourne. Lili Sigalas migrated to Australia in 1922 to marry Letho Sigalas. She was active in the Melbourne Greek c ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 1 -
Ticket - Baggage Insurance, Marine & General Mutual Life Assurance, 9 Oct 1930
Marine and General Mutual Life Assurance Society baggage insurance ticket for Letho Sigalas, dated 9 October 1930. Used by the Sigalas family during their European trip in 1930. This tr ...
Images: 1 -
Receipt - Baggage Check, Issued by Orient Line, 9 Sep 1930
Orient Line Baggage receipt for Letho Sigalas issued 9 September 1930. Used by the Sigalas family during their European trip in 1930. This trip included a return visit to Greece for the ...
Images: 1 -
Postcard - Mariposa Liner, Matson Line, 1939
Postcard of the Mariposa Liner, the ship on which the Sigalas' travelled during their trip to North America 1939. Lili and Letho Sigalas travelled to America in 1939. Lili Sigalas (nee ...
Images: 2 -
Diary - Lili Sigalas, North America Tour, 1939
Diary written in small yellow notepad, eight pages, by Lili Sigalas during a trip to North America in 1939. Written in English. Lili Sigalas (nee Vrahamis), born in 1904, migrated to Au ...
Images: 1 -
Letter - Lili Sigalas, Banff, 9 Jul 1939
Letter written by Lili Sigalas from Banff on the 9th of July 1939. It was written while Lili and her husband Letho were on an international holiday where they travelled to Europe and No ...
Images: 2 -
Letter - Helen Sigalas to Miss Ross, 5 Mar 1951
Draft of a letter from Helen (Lili) Sigalas to Miss Ross, dated 5 March 1951. The letter is about the upcoming production of Antigone, to be held at the Union Theatre, University of Mel ...
Images: 4 -
Newspaper cutting - Untitled, 9 Nov 1939
Newspaper cutting from 9 November 1939 which relates to James and Lili Sigalas' North American tour in 1939. Letho was the son of James Sigalas, a Greek migrant who settled in Australia ...
Images: 1 -
Newspaper cutting - Odds and Ends Round Melbourne, circa 1940s-1950s
Newspaper clipping titled 'Odds and Ends Round Melbourne', which shows an image of James Sigalas' first home in George Place, Melbourne. Iakovos (James) Sigalas was a Greek migrant born ...
Images: 1 -
Letter - Introduction for Letho Sigalas, Prince Alfred Lodge, 22 May 1939
Letter of Introduction for Letho Sigalas from the Freemasons of Victoria, dated 22nd May 1939. It was written for him to take on his 1939 tour, which he went on with wife Lili. Letho wa ...
Images: 1 -
Magazine Cutting - 'The Performer', 22 Nov 1956
Pages 9-10 from 'The Performer', dated 22 November 1956. Page 10 refers to the renovation of the Anglo-American Café in an article by Jerry Waight, a friend of Letho Sigalas. Letho was ...
Images: 2 -
Certificate - Introduction for Letho Sigalas, Premier of Victoria, 19 May 1939
Certificate of Introduction for Letho Sigalas from the Premier of Victoria, dated 19 May 1939. It was written for him to take on his 1939 tour, which he went on with wife Lili. Letho wa ...
Images: 1 -
Magazine - Extract, Melbourne Social Notes, circa 1930s
Extract from a Magazine which contains gossip about the Melbourne social scene and personalities. There is a short paragraph which has been outlined in blue ink, it reads: 'Last conscio ...
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Letter - Education Department to Lili Sigalas, Acknowledgement of Resignation, 9 May 1966
Letter from the Education Department of Victoria to Lili Sigalas, 9 May 1966. The letter was written to acknowledge the Department's receipt of Lili's resignation. Lili Sigalas (nee Vr ...
Images: 1 -
Letter - Education Department to Lili Sigalas, Acknowledgement of Resignation, 24 Oct 1972
Letter from the Education Department of Victoria to Lili Sigalas, 24th October 1972. It relates to Lili's resignation from her position as a correspondence teacher of English from 21 No ...
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Letter - Teachers Tribunal to Department of Education, 9 Apr 1965
Carbon Copy of a letter sent from the Teachers Tribunal to the Education Department, discussing the reclassification of Helen Sigalas. The copy has been addressed to Mrs H Sigalas and ...
Images: 1 -
Letter - Nikos Demetracopoulos to Des Connor, Performance of Antigone, 1950
Letter from Nikos Demetracopoulos to Des Connor, director Union Theatre Melbourne, dated 1950. The letter is in regards to his offer to perform Antigone. In 1951 Nikos Demetrakopoulos ...
Images: 2 -
Newspaper cutting - Centenary Babies, circa 1934
Newspaper clipping titled 'Centenary Babies', which mentions the opening of James Sigalas' Centenary Cafe in Bourke St Melbourne. Iakovos (James) Sigalas was a Greek migrant born on the ...
Images: 1 -
Newspaper cutting - Greek's Estate Aids Charity, circa 1950
Newspaper clipping titled 'Greek's Estate Aids Charity', which relates to the gifting of part of James Sigalas' estate to various Greek and Australian charities. Iakovos (James) Sigalas ...
Images: 1 -
Letter - Lili Sigalas to Desmond Connor, Draft, 14 Oct 1950
Draft letter of translation by Lili Sigalas to Desmond Connor, Director of the Union Theatre, Melbourne University, it is dated 14 October 1950. Lili was completing the translation on b ...
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Letter - Education Department to Lili Sigalas, Offer of Employment, 18 Nov 1955
Letter from the Education Department of Victoria to Lili Sigalas, dated 18th November 1955. It relates to Lili's employment as a correspondence teacher of English between 1955 and 1970, ...
Images: 1 -
Certificate - First Aid, St John's Ambulance, awarded to Lili Sigalas, 24 Jun 1942
St John's Ambulance, First Aid Certificate awarded to Lili Sigalas on 24 June 1942. Lili Sigalas (nee Vrahamis), born in 1904, migrated to Australia in 1922 to marry Letho Sigalas. The ...
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Conferment Record - Issued to Lili Sigalas, The University of Melbourne, 24 Mar 1952
Conferment Record for the University of Melbourne, dated 24 March 1952. It contains a list of subjects completed by Lili Sigalas between 1937 and 1947 - French, English, Greek, Zoology, ...
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Salary Statement - Issued to Lili Sigalas, Education Department, 3 Sep 1970
Salary Statement issued to Lili Sigalas by the Education Department's Migrant Education Centre on 3 September 1970. Lili was employed as a correspondence teacher of English between 1955 ...
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Appointment Notice - Issued to Lili Sigalas, Education Department, 7 Dec 1970
Appointment Notice for Lili Sigalas issued by the Education Department's Migrant Education Centre on 7 December 1970. Lili was employed by the Migrant Education Centre as a corresponden ...
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Appointment Notice - Issued to Lili Sigalas, Education Department, circa Jul 1970
Appointment Notice issued to Lili Sigalas by the Education Department's Migrant Education Centre circa July 1970. Lili was employed by the Migrant Education Centre as a correspondence t ...
Images: 1 -
Letter - Education Department to Lili Sigalas, Notice of Appointment, 30 Aug 1961
Letter from the Education Department of Victoria to Lili Sigalas, 30th August 1961. It states that Lili has been appointed as a correspondence teacher of English. Lili Sigalas (nee Vra ...
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Letter - Education Department to Lili Sigalas, Appreciation of Work for the Department, 7 ...
Letter from the Education Department of Victoria to Lili Sigalas, dated 7 April 1966. It relates to Lili resigning from her work as a correspondence teacher of English with the Educatio ...
Images: 1 -
Letter - Education Department to Lili Sigalas, Request for Salary Review, 26 Oct 1970
Letter from the Education Department of Victoria to Lili Sigalas, 26th October 1970. It was written in response to Lili's request for a review of her salary. Lili Sigalas (nee Vrahamis ...
Images: 1 -
Postcard - Lili Vrahamis to Letho Sigalas, Greece, 1921
Postcard from Lili Vrahamis to her fiancé Letho Sigalas, written in French, while he returned to Australia from Greece. Lili Sigalas (nee Vrahamis), born in 1904, migrated to Australia ...
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Postcard - Letho Sigalas to Lili Vrahamis, Cairo, 29 Aug 1921
Postcard from Letho Sigalas to his fiancé Lili Vrahamis. It was written on the 29th August, 1921, while Letho was travelling from Greece to Cairo, as he returned to Melbourne. Letho w ...
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Passport - Issued to Mrs L. Sigalas, Commonwealth of Australia, 8 Aug 1977
Australian passport, issued by the Commonwealth of Australia, to Lili Sigalas in 1977 in Athens. Lili Sigalas (nee Vrahamis), born in 1904, migrated to Australia in 1922 to marry Letho ...
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Newspaper - Farrago, 29 Mar 1951
Copy of the newspaper Farrago for the 29th of March 1951, pages 1 to 8. It has an article about Nicos Dimitracopoulos and his production of 'Antigone'. In 1951 Nicos Dimitracopoulos dir ...
From: Carlton, Australia Images: 8 -
Newspaper - Farrago, 4 Apr 1951
Copy of the newspaper Farrago for the 4th of April 1951, pages 1 to 2 and 7 to 8. It has an review of 'Antigone'. In 1951 Nicos Dimitracopoulos directed a production of Sophocles' 'Anti ...
From: Carlton, Australia Images: 4 -
Score boards - Bezique, mid 19th Century
Two score boards for Bezique, circa mid 19th century. They were brought to Australia by Lili Sigalas (nee Vrahamis), when she migrated in 1922 to marry Letho Sigalas. They were original ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 1 -
Train Ticket - Athens to Stampoul, 28 May 1930
Ticket for the Athens-Stampoul line, issued on the 28th May 1930. Used by the Sigalas family during their European trip in 1930. This trip included a return visit to Greece for the fami ...
From: Athens, Greece Images: 2 -
Passenger Ticket - SS Orama, Orient Line, 1930
Passenger Ticket for the SS 'Orama'. It was used by the Sigalas family during their European trip in 1930. This trip included a return visit to Greece for the family to see Lili's paren ...
Images: 1 -
Certificate - Constantinople Central Greek High School, Lili Vrahamis, 1918-19
School certificate received by Lili Sigalas (nee Vrahamis) for her schooling at Constantinople Central Greek High School from 1918-1919. The Subjects listed are Greek, French, Mathemati ...
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Certificate - Chourmouze High School, Lili Vrahamis, Athens, 1919-1920
School certificate received by Lili Sigalas (nee Vrahamis) for her schooling at Chourmouze High School in Athens from 1919-20. The Subjects listed are Civics, French, Cosmology, Health, ...
From: Athens, Greece Images: 1 -
Movie Camera & Case - Bell & Howell, Chicago, circa 1939
Bell & Howell Movie Camera and case, purchased by Letho Sigalas in America in 1939. In 1939 Letho and his wife Lili went on a tour which included America. Letho was the son of James Sig ...
From: Chicago, United States Images: 2 -
Veil - Netted, Cream, 1923
Veil worn by Lili Vrahamis at her wedding to Letho Sigalas at the Greek Orthodox church in Victoria Parade, Melbourne on 18 July 1923. It was made by a Greek dressmaker in Melbourne. Af ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 1 -
Radio Transcript - Associated Press & Mackay Radio, Outbreak of WWII, 4 Sep 1939
Radio transcript dated Monday, 4th of September, 1939. It was received on the ship which was returning Lili and Letho Sigalas from North America to Australia in 1939. It has been issue ...
From: New York, United States Images: 2 -
Radio Transcript - Associated Press & Mackay Radio, Outbreak of WWII, 5 Sep 1939
Radio transcript dated Tuesday, 5th of September, 1939. It was received on the ship which was returning Lili and Letho Sigalas from North America to Australia in 1939. It has been issu ...
From: New York, United States Images: 2 -
Radio Transcript - Associated Press & Mackay Radio, Outbreak of WWII, 8 Sep 1939
Radio transcript dated Friday, 8th of September, 1939. It was received on the ship which was returning Lili and Letho Sigalas from North America to Australia in 1939. It has been issue ...
From: New York, United States Images: 2 -
Radio Transcript - Associated Press & Mackay Radio, Outbreak of WWII, 14 Sep 1939
Radio transcript dated Thursday, 14th of September, 1939. It was received on the ship which was returning Lili and Letho Sigalas from North America to Australia in 1939. It has been is ...
From: New York, United States Images: 2 -
Passport - Issued to Mrs H. Sigalas, Commonwealth of Australia, 1939
British passport, Commonwealth of Australia, issued to Lili Sigalas in 1939. The passport refers to Lili's status as British subject by marriage, as the wife of a British subject by bir ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2 -
Passport - Issued to Mrs L. Sigalas, Commonwealth of Australia, 1952
British passport, Commonwealth of Australia, issued to Lili Sigalas in 1952. It was renewed in 1957, with an expiry date of 1962. Lili Sigalas (nee Vrahamis), born in 1904, migrated ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 8 -
Passport - Issued to Mrs L. Sigalas, Commonwealth of Australia, 1972
Australian passport, Commonwealth of Australia, issued to Lili Sigalas in 1972. Lili Sigalas (nee Vrahamis), born in 1904, migrated to Australia in 1922 to marry Letho Sigalas. The coup ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 1 -
Letterhead - Jas. Sigalas & Co. Pty Ltd, Melbourne, 1940s
Letterhead for Jas. Sigalas & Co. Pty Ltd. Iakovos (James) Sigalas was a Greek migrant born on the Island of Sikinos. He migrated to Adelaide with his family in 1901, after living in Eg ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2 -
Wedding Outfit - Cream, Velvet & Lace, Melbourne, 1923
Wedding dress, veil and gloves worn by Lili Vrahamis at her wedding to Letho Sigalas at the Greek Orthodox church in Victoria Parade, Melbourne on 18 July 1923. It was made by a Greek d ...
From: East Melbourne, Australia Images: 9
