October is Women’s History Month. Who are the women behind the records in the BC Archives? I’m pleased to be discussing some stories of strong, resilient women, who walked these streets long before they were paved. Sunday, October 29th, 1 pm. With archivist Genevieve Weber and genealogist Diane Rogers. https://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/visit/events/calendar/event/105512/womens-history-month-talk-women-bc-archives
UVic Library Acquisition
While The Chief Factor’s Daughter has been available at libraries across the continent (and in Zurich!) since its release, it has recently been acquired by the University of Victoria’s McPherson Library. http://voyager.library.uvic.ca/vwebv/holdingsInfo?bibId=3739211
Public History Discussion
In the new year, I’m pleased to be speaking to a Public History seminar at the University of Victoria, about the process of writing historical “fiction”. This graduate course explores how people gain a sense of history outside of the classroom, including by reading novels.
Goward House Book Club
The Chief Factor’s Daughter was October’s read for the book club at Goward House. A former home, this beautiful 1908 heritage site was converted to an activity centre and arts venue. I welcome invitations to attend book club meetings and discuss this historical novel with readers. Gazette newsletter, p. 2. http://www.gowardhouse.com/GazetteFile/Gazette.pdf
“Called Away”: Death & Mourning in Colonial Victoria
In keeping with the fall season, I’ll be sharing local stories of departing life and Victorian-era traditions, from widow’s weeds to Postmortem portraits. October 15th, at Ross Bay Villa — currently decorated in mourning for its own departed. http://rossbayvilla.org/
Women on the Edge of Gold
How were women impacted by the discoveries of gold in British Columbia? The Royal BC Museum’s Live@lunch talk, October 7th, will reveal some remarkable women of fur-trade families in Victoria, and their resilience in facing the dramatic changes of the Gold Rush. http://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/events/live-lunch-women-on-the-edge-of-gold/
RBC Museum Golden Reads Book Club
In partnership with the Greater Victoria Public Library, the Royal BC Museum is hosting a Golden Reads Book Club to further explore their Gold Rush exhibit this summer. The Chief Factor’s Daughter is August’s Book of the Month. Readers from around the world are welcome to join in through GoodReads “RBCM Golden Reads” group. A …
Newcomers meeting at Point Ellice House
This month the Victoria Newcomers’ Heritage Club meets at Point Ellice House, to discuss the connections of this National Heritage Site with characters of The Chief Factor’s Daughter. I look forward to meeting the club after they tour the house and gardens, a rare example of local Victorian history. This is an ongoing opportunity for …
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Where Fact and Fiction Overlap
Review of The Private Journal of Captain G.H. Richards: The Vancouver Island Survey (1860-1862), mentions an overlap with The Chief Factor’s Daughter, in the character of Lieutenant R.C. Mayne. http://canlit.ca/reviews/evangelizing_and_exploring Captain Richards’ journal offers additional historical insights through supplemented journal excerpts from another junior officer, John Gowlland.
The Chief Factor’s Daughter a course text at SFU
Very happy to have The Chief Factor’s Daughter chosen again as a course text for Simon Fraser University’s History 436: British Columbia. It is recommended for the students’ book review. I will be speaking to the class in Spring 2014. https://www.vancouver.sfu.ca/content/dam/sfu/history/Course%20Outlines/2014/Spring2014/H%20436.pdf