Generations before.
Generations ahead.
Misima’s story reaches across gardens, kinship, voyages, faith and encounters with the wider world.
This is a starting collection, bringing published research and dated archive records together with personal accounts. It will grow through the knowledge of Misiman families.
An island connected by gardens and sea routes
Historical accounts describe cultivation, canoe travel and exchange with neighbouring islands.
Explore this chapterLapita and island encounters
Research on Brooker and neighbouring islands places the Louisiades within a deeper history of movement and settlement.
Explore this chapterGold rush and outside arrivals
Prospecting brought a new wave of activity to an island with an established society and economy.
Explore this chapterMisima and the Battle of the Coral Sea
The naval action off Misima, historical photographs and an island account of the wartime year.
Explore this chapterAn unsettled wartime year
A museum archive preserves a named account of evacuation, administration and events remembered on the island.
Explore this chapterBwagoia in the photographic record
Bill Gammage’s harbour photograph survives in the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau catalogue.
Explore this chapterWomen’s voices and village life on film
The independent Misima documentary project shares a mother’s story and moments of community celebration.
Explore this chapterA new chapter in development
Ok Tedi’s acquisition and the proposed redevelopment form part of Misima’s changing present.
Explore this chapterThe names behind the record.
Archives preserve photographs and documents, but families often hold the names, relationships and meaning. Help connect these records with the people and places they belong to.