Torres Strait Islands collection research guide
Old TI
'Old TI' is a phrase used by Torres Strait Islanders to describe a time on Thursday Island between 1890 to 1980. This period saw many outsiders (notably from Samoa, Niue, Rotuma, Lifou, Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, China, Jamaica and Spain) make the Torres Strait their home.
Old TI is remembered for colonisation and the introduction of Christianity, the pearling industry and the evacuation of Thursday Island during the Second World War. This diversity has had a strong influence on the unique Torres Strait Islander people, their community and cultural identity.
Many of the descendants of these settlers still reside in the Torres Strait region as well as mainland Australia. The Influence of cultures in this time period has contributed to the regions unique contemporary Torres Strait Islander cultural identity.
British Manufacture, Pearling boats, Thursday Island, [ca. 1918], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-148875027
British Manufacture, Pearling boats, Thursday Island, [ca. 1918], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-148875027
In this guide
How to use this guide
To help identify relevant material this guide is sorted into the five major island clusters in the Torres Straits Region. It highlights collection items already on the National Library of Australia's catalogue.
Each entry in this research guide is linked directly to its respective catalogue record, where the items can be requested. Once requested, items can be viewed in the Special Collections Reading Room.
[View of the town and the pearling fleet in the harbour, with Prince of Wales Island on the left and Friday Island on the right], Thursday Island, [ca. 1917-1920], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-148874722
C. M. Yonge, The village seen through the palms, Badu Island, Queensland, ca. 1928, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-145055163
Frank Hurley, (1921), [Man wearing head dress], Darnley Island [Erub], Torres Straits, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-149360186
Frank Hurley, Islander with his model of a lugger, Coconut Island, Torres Strait, ca. 1925, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-140624777
Edward Mabo, (1964), Dauar and Waier Islands?, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-147043992
Frank Hurley, (1921), [Man wearing head dress], Darnley Island [Erub], Torres Straits, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-149360186
Frank Hurley, (1921), [Man wearing head dress], Darnley Island [Erub], Torres Straits, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-149360186
(1899). [Thursday Island pearl shellers, Queensland], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-149656819
(1899). [Thursday Island pearl shellers, Queensland], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-149656819
Frank Hurley, (1910), [Pearl shell sorter, Thursday Island, Queensland], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-157780273
Frank Hurley, (1910), [Pearl shell sorter, Thursday Island, Queensland], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-157780273
Frank Hurley, (1921), Moa Island [woman sitting on mat making lace], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-149361774
Frank Hurley, (1921), Moa Island [woman sitting on mat making lace], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-149361774
Native feast, Torres Straits, [ca. 1917-1920], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-148873929
Native feast, Torres Straits, [ca. 1917-1920], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-148873929
[Five views of Thursday Island, including a group of Indigenous people swimming in] a creek, dogai?, the R.C. [i.e. Roman Catholic] church, East Jetty, the water falls, Prince of Wales Island, [ca. 1917-1920], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-148876022
[Five views of Thursday Island, including a group of Indigenous people swimming in] a creek, dogai?, the R.C. [i.e. Roman Catholic] church, East Jetty, the water falls, Prince of Wales Island, [ca. 1917-1920], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-148876022
If you can't visit the Library
If you are unable to visit the Library you can order a copy of manuscript material through Copies Direct and it will be sent to you by post or email. The information contained in this guide will assist you to complete the Copies Direct order form. Some manuscripts do have restrictions on copying and Library staff will alert you if there is an issue with your order.
Other resources
Have you uncovered unpublished Torres Strait Islander material in the Library which is not listed in this guide?
If so, we'd love to hear from you so we can add your valuable knowledge to these pages.
You can contact us via our Ask a Librarian Service or visit us in person in our Special Collections Reading Room.