Historical information

The Haeusler Collection consisting of manuscripts, personal artefacts used by the Haeusler family and a set of glass negatives was bequeathed to the Wodonga & District Historical Society. It offers a unique visual snapshot of the domestic and social lives of the Haeusler family and local Wodonga community in the early 20th century.

The Haeusler family migrated from Prussia (Germany) to South Australia in the 1840s and 1850s, before purchasing 100 acres of Crown Land made available under the Victorian Lands Act 1862 (also known as ‘Duffy’s Land Act’) in 1866 in what is now Wodonga West. The Haeusler family were one of several German families to migrate from South Australia to Wodonga in the 1860s.

John Alfred Lyell "Alf" Haeusler was born on 3rd February 1922 in Wodonga, and was the only child of Louis and Ilma Haeusler. Ilma Haeusler passed away in child birth when Alf was only six years old and he was raised by his father Louis with support from extended family. Alf never married and bequeathed the items in the Haeusler Collection to Wodonga & District Historical Society.

Significance

This suitcase is part of the Haeusler Collection which documents the life of a German migrant family in Wodonga from the mid 1860s.

Physical description

A small brown suitcase with metal reinforcement on the corners. It has metal clasps and a barrel key lock in the centre of front.

Inscriptions & markings

Everwear Brand REGD on one side