Harvard-Adelaide Expedition: 'Mixed Bloods of Cape Barren Island' Tasmania, 1938-1939.

Archive Collections / Board for Anthropological Research / Series AA346/09 / Harvard-Adelaide Expedition: 'Mixed Bloods of Cape Barren Island' Tasmania, 1938-1939.
BAR Expedition Symbol: N

This is the second of twelve film titles documenting the Board for Anthropological Research (BAR) Harvard-Adelaide Universities expedition, during 13 May 1938 - 30 June 1939.

This expedition travelled through South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. For a listing of the locations visited by the expedition party see: JB Birdsell's 'Australian Daily Field Journal 1938-1939' (AA 689/1/1) and NB Tindale's Journal 'Harvard and Adelaide Universities Anthropological Expedition, Australia, 1938-1939' (AA 338/1/15/1-2).

'Tasmanian Mixed-Bloods on Cape Barren Island' is a unfinished film documenting the BAR expedition to Cape Barren Island, Tasmania, however it should be noted that this film also includes footage from Lake Tyers (Victoria), Yarrabah (Queensland), Point Pearce (South Australia), Mount Margaret (Western Australia), Boggabilla and Cumeragunja (Cumeroogunga) (New South Wales), Koonibba (South Australia).

Footage from Cape Barren Island, Tasmania is between Time Codes 01:30-05:31, followed by additional footage from many different missions and stations from throughout Australia. NB Tindale's (AA 338) annotations on the edge of film, which usually records the subject, location and occasionally the date of filming have been used to identify the many different locations found in this film.

The cinematographer was NB Tindale with possible involvement from both DM Tindale and BG Birdsell. See: (AA 346/9/13/1).

The Harvard-Adelaide films were made for the South Australian Museum's (SAM) Children's Museum, however due to the onset of the Second World War and the prohibitive costs of bringing film to a final production stage, these films, remained unfinished. According to NB Tindale's 1974 report on the unfinished BAR films he states that that this film 'ready to print.' See: (AA 346/9/27/8).

The South Australian Museum Archives Master Preservation Tape (AA 346/9/13/2/3) consists of (AA 346/9/13/2/1), duration 8 minutes 56 seconds, with initial title but no intertitles. Intertitles for this film were produced but never added, these are located in (AA 346/9/13/8), Time Codes 01:30-02:08.

This expedition film was previous held in the NB Tindale collection and was transferred into the BAR collection in December 2005.

In this summary intertitles are italicised and within quotation marks. All spelling within intertitles have been left as originally spelt. Language and terms which reflect the author's attitude or that of the period in which the item was produced may be considered inappropriate today.

The method adopted by BAR expeditions to undertake research and record the results involved assigning a unique number to each individual (here called 'individual subject number'). This number was given the expedition symbol as a prefix, and remained consistent throughout the research. This expedition was assigned the symbol 'N.' All individuals recorded during the expedition were assigned an individual subject number, for example [N1611]. Where possible the 'individual subject number' of those who appear in film
have been noted.

The time coded summary is in minutes and seconds. Following the summary of this film is a list of references.

Formats Held: 16mm, SP Betacam, Digital Betacam, Access DVDs.

Summary (Time Coded): Taken from Access DVD 3 (AA 346/9/13/2/7)

00:00 Harvard-Adelaide Expedition Film: 'Tasmanian Mixed Bloods on Cape Barren Island.'

00:00 'Cultural Sensitivity Warning.'

00:00 'The Museum Board of South Australia, © 1938-1939.'

01:30 'Tasmanian Mixed Bloods on Cape Barren Island.' Film title overlaid on a group photograph of [from left to right] Phyllis Amada Thomas [N1611], Gladys Maynard [N1704], Stanley Summers [N1700], Ernest Fred Julian Mansell [N1630] and Erwin Maynard [N1583]. Cape Barren Island, Tasmania. See: NB Tindale photographs (AA 338/5/15/110).

01:35 At Flinders Island showing the plane 'Lepena' ready to depart. Flinders Island, Tasmania.

02:00 Pilots in the cabin of the plane 'Lepena.'

02:08 Aerial views from plane of the fires along the Tasmanian coast. See: NB Tindale Journal (AA 338/1/15/2), pp. 61, 147.

02:46 Police launch Cape Barren Island. Three men and a uniformed policeman in a small boat rowing to shore. Cape Barren Island, Tasmania. See: NB Tindale's film notes (AA 346/9/27/6), Reel 24b.

02:58 Small boat with a mast, Cape Barren Island, Tasmania.

03:20 DM Tindale and BG Birdsell in a boat with two unidentified men. Cape Barren Island, Tasmania.

03:34 Still photograph of [from left to right] Phyllis Amada Thomas [N1611], Gladys Maynard [N1704], Stanley Summers [N1700], Ernest Fred Julian Mansell [N1630] and Erwin Maynard [N1583]. Cape Barren Island, Tasmania. See: NB Tindale photographs (AA 338/5/15/110)

03:42 Lewis John Mansell [N1652] mounts a horse and gallops down the road. Cape Barren Island, Tasmania.

03:58 Distant view of an unidentified man riding a bike and two women walking across a bridge. Cape Barren Island, Tasmania.

04:06 Children in their classroom, then leaving the schoolhouse, Cape Barren Island, Tasmania. See: NB Tindale Journal (AA 338/1/36), p.66.

04:36 Erwin Maynard [N1583] and Stanley Summers [N1700] walk towards the camera. Cape Barren Island, Tasmania.

04:41 Matilda Florence Mansell [N1692], Gladys Maynard, Aileen Maynard [N1702] get ready for a group photograph. Wife, daughter, and granddaughter of William Henry Mansell [N1597]. See: NB Tindale Journal (AA 338/1/36), p.135. JB Birdsell walks over to them and removes a chair from the scene.

04:49 JB Birdsell taking to Andrew Armstrong Maynard [N1669]. Framed photographs of his father, James Maynard and his grandfather rest against the rainwater tank. Cape Barren Island, Tasmania. See: NB Tindale Journal (AA 338/1/36), p.133-135. See photographic print (AA 689/4/3/1/69)

04:56 Close up of the photograph of Andrew Armstrong Maynard's [N1669] grandfather [?]. Cape Barren Island, Tasmania.

05:01 Close up of the photograph of Andrew Armstrong Maynard's [N1669] father [?]. Cape Barren Island, Tasmania.

05:05 Close up of Andrew Armstrong Maynard [N1669]. Cape Barren Island, Tasmania.

05:23 Close up of Lewis John Mansell [N1652]. Cape Barren Island, Tasmania.

05:32 View from the far bank of Lake Tyers Mission Station, Victoria. 1939.

05:44 Mission buildings at Yarrabah. This footage is shot from a distance and is overexposed. In the background can be seen buildings, in the foreground children are performing domestic duties. Yarrabah Mission, Queensland. 1938. See: NB Tindale's film notes (AA 346/9/27/6), Reel 17a.

06:08 View of the expedition trucks near mission buildings, children playing near the expedition vehicles. Point Pearce Mission, South Australia. 1939.

06:18 A group of children playing. A girl pushes another in a toy car. Point Pearce Mission, South Australia. 1939.

06:24 A boy runs towards the camera rolling a tire. Point Pearce Mission, South Australia. 1939.

06:29 Another boy runs, rolling a tire along. Point Pearce Mission, South Australia. 1939.

06:31 A woman and a girl who is pushing a pram, walks away from the camera. Point Pearce Mission, South Australia. 1939.

06:39 A boy [see also: Time Code 06:29] and a girl push prams. Point Pearce Mission, South Australia. 1939.

06:51 A boy stands minding a baby in a pram. Point Pearce Mission, South Australia. 1939.

06:55 A girl stands sucking a lollipop. Point Pearce Mission, South Australia. 1939.

07:05 A woman, man a group of children stand looking at the camera. Point Pearce Mission, South Australia. 1939.

07:09 A boy rolls a car tire. He wears a cloth bag over his head which hangs down to his back. He stops rolling the wheel, sits inside, and sets the wheel in motion by kicking off the ground. Mount Margaret, Western Australia. 1939.

07:31 Young children playing, two boys jump onto the ground. Boggabilla, New South Wales. 1938.

07:32 Boys playing rugby. Mission buildings and the church in the background. Koonibba, South Australia. 1939.

07:40 Girls playing a game, Koonibba Mission. South Australia. 1939. See: NB Tindale Journal (AA 338/1/15), p.1023.

07:45 Four boys play in front of the camera. Two of these boys run up to the camera, followed shortly by another. Boggabilla, NSW, 1938. See also: Time Codes: 07:31-07:32.

08:08 Portrait of a young girl and boy. Boggabilla, NSW, 1938.

08:11 Portrait of young girl. Boggabilla, New South Wales. 1938.

08:15 Portrait of young boy. Boggabilla, New South Wales. 1938.

08:18 Portrait of young boy. Boggabilla, New South Wales. 1938.

08:22 Portrait of John Binge [N302]. Boggabilla, New South Wales. 1938.

08:26 Distributing rations. Lake Tyers Station, Victoria 1939.

08:39 Three men dig up vegetables, Lake Tyers Station, Victoria. 1939.

08:47 A group of people stand near the vegetable gardens, Lake Tyers Station, Victoria. 1939.

08:51 A boy digs up vegetables, Lake Tyers Station, Victoria. 1939.

09:00 A man hands vegetables over the garden fence to two women, Lake Tyers Station, Victoria. 1939.

09:05 A woman walks towards a group of houses, carrying a large bunch of vegetable. Lake Tyers Station, Victoria. 1939.

09:11 Cattle walking in to be feed. Cumeragunja (Cumeroogunga), New South Wales, 1938.
See: NB Tindale's film notes (AA 346/9/27/6), Reel 2d.

09:23 A man drives a horse and cart to the gathering cattle, where he distributes hay. Cumeragunja (Cumeroogunga), New South Wales, 1938.

09:40 Harrowing or planting a field with the aid of a diesel tractor. Point Pearce Mission Station, South Australia, 1939. See: NB Tindale's film notes (AA 346/9/27/6), Reel 26b.

10:09 Close up shots of the man riding on the harrow/planter. Point Pearce Mission Station, South Australia, 1939.

10:14 Close up shot of the tractor driver. Point Pearce Mission Station, South Australia, 1939.

10:28 End of footage.

  1. HARVARD-ADELAIDE: 'TASMANIAN MIXED BLOODS ON CAPE BARREN ISLAND.' 1938-1939. MASTER NEGATIVE
    Characteristics: 16mm, B&W, silent, 300ft
    Notes: This item was previously held in the NB Tindale Collection (AA 338) Acc. No. 1022. [Master Negative 4A]

  2. HARVARD-ADELAIDE: 'TASMANIAN MIXED BLOODS ON CAPE BARREN ISLAND.' 1938-1939. DUPLICATE POSITIVE
    Characteristics: 16mm, B&W, silent, 300 ft.
    Notes: This item was previously held in the NB Tindale Collection (AA 338) Acc. No. 1022. [Duplicate Positive 4A]

  3. HARVARD-ADELAIDE: 'TASMANIAN MIXED BLOODS ON CAPE BARREN ISLAND.' 1938-1939. MASTER PRESERVATION COPY
    Format: SP Betacam
    Duration: 8 min 56 sec
    Transfer Date: 1/07/2006
    Generation: Copy of AA 346/9/13/2/1

  4. HARVARD-ADELAIDE: 'TASMANIAN MIXED BLOODS ON CAPE BARREN ISLAND.' 1938-1939. DUBBING / LOAN COPY
    Format: Digital Betacam
    Duration: 8 min 56 sec
    Transfer Date: 1/07/2006
    Generation: Copy of AA346/9/13/2/3

  5. HARVARD-ADELAIDE: 'TASMANIAN MIXED BLOODS ON CAPE BARREN ISLAND.' 1938-1939. PRESERVATION DVD 1 [TIME CODED]
    Format: DVD
    Duration: 8 min 56 sec
    Transfer Date: 1/07/2006
    Generation: Copy of AA346/9/13/2/4

  6. HARVARD-ADELAIDE: 'TASMANIAN MIXED BLOODS ON CAPE BARREN ISLAND.' 1938-1939. PRESERVATION DVD 2
    Format: DVD
    Duration: 8 min 56 sec
    Transfer Date: 1/07/2006
    Generation: Copy of AA346/9/13/2/4

  7. HARVARD-ADELAIDE: 'TASMANIAN MIXED BLOODS ON CAPE BARREN ISLAND.' 1938-1939. ACCESS DVD 3 [TIME CODED]
    Format: DVD
    Duration: 8 min 56 sec
    Transfer Date: 1/07/2006
    Generation: Copy of AA346/9/13/2/5

  8. HARVARD-ADELAIDE: 'TASMANIAN MIXED BLOODS ON CAPE BARREN ISLAND.' 1938-1939. ACCESS DVD 4
    Format: DVD
    Duration: 8 min 56 sec
    Transfer Date: 1/07/2006
    Generation: Copy of AA346/9/13/2/6

  • NB Tindale Journal 'Harvard and Adelaide Universities Anthropological Expedition, Australia, 1938-1939.' (AA 338/1/15/1-2)

  • NB Tindale Journal 'Tasmanian and the Part Aborigines of the Bass Straight Islands, and Kangaroo Island, and some field notes on stone implements and general field observations on Lepidoptera. 1936-1965+' (AA 338/1/36), pp.54-155

  • NB Tindale notes for the editing of the Harvard Adelaide films (AA 346/9/27/6).

  • NB Tindale 'Notes on Partly Processed 16mm film, examined by NB Tindale, July 1974.' (pp.4) (AA 346/9/27/8)

  • NB Tindale annotations on the edge of the 16mm film regarding subjects, dates and locations.

  • JB Birdsell Harvard-Adelaide Anthropological Data Cards (AA 689/689/16/33-34)

  • BAR Sociological photographs (AA 346/4/20/1)

CreatorBoard for Anthropological Research
ControlAA 346/9/13/2
Date Range01 May, 1938  -  01 June, 1939
Quantity 19cm,   8   film items. Formats: 16mm, Betacams, DVDs
Series AA346/09