Aussies!! A WWII Marine Veteran needs your help!!!

World War II General WWII Discussion
#1

Hi Everyone.

As many of you know, I assist in returning WWII dog tags to veterans. Lately, I have been getting requests to help “war babies” find thier fathers. I been asked to assist an 88 year old WWII Marine veteran find a woman from Melbourne he met during the war. She may have had his child. If anyone can help me find her, please private message me. If anyone has suggestions for how to find her, I would appreciate the help. Her name is Rose Pulford. She was 18 in 1943. She lived in a boarding house, not with her family. I have no idea how to do tracing work in Australia, so suggestions are very much appreciated!

#2

Francesca,

If she had his child there is a good chance in that era that it was put up for adoption. Your Marine might be able to find that out from

Adoption and Family Records Services (AFRS)
Department of Human Services
20/570 Bourke Street
Melbourne 3000 Australia
Telephone: (03) 8608 5700
http://www.cyf.vic.gov.au/placement-support/family-records/birth_parents

I think the international dial for that local phone number is 613 8608 5700.

I don’t know if that source would lead him to Rose’s present whereabouts.

He could also try the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry: https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/CA2574F700805DE7/HomePage?ReadForm&1=Home~&2=~&3=~

He might have problems in getting information because of privacy and fraud considerations which restrict access to certificates: https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/CA2574F700805DE7/page/About+Us-Registry+policies-Access+policy?OpenDocument&1=70-About+Us~&2=40-Registry+policies~&3=10-Access+policy~

Probate records may be more readily accessible, although he might need to employ a professional searcher to search the records. This will help only if she died without marrying (if she married the record will be in her married name) and left a will and left assets in Victoria, or if she died without a will and letters of administration were granted to someone to administer her estate. http://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/Supreme+Court/Home/Practice+and+Procedure/Probate+Office/SUPREME+-+Probate+Office+FAQs

The offices I’ve mentioned are for the State of Victoria, of which Melbourne is the capital. There are corresponding offices for births, deaths, marriages, and probate in the other states and territories, which would be the ones holding the record if she was born, married or died there, but I don’t know about their adoption information records.

Your Marine might be a lot better off using a professional tracing service which can do the work for him and which has better resources than just the public offices I’ve mentioned, such as the Salvation Army service http://salvos.org.au/familytracing/about-us/family-tracing-service/ or the Red Cross http://www.redcross.org.au/ourservices_aroundtheworld_tracingrefugeeservices_nmpw.htm

#3

Hi from Melbourne, Aussie.
I may be able to help on the 88 yr old Marine search item but cannot send you a private message yet… A ‘newbie’.
Can you email me on my profile’s private email address. ??
Laurie.