Letters

Descendant of Admiral Morseby

Dear Mac,

I've been told the story of my Great x3 grandfather Fairfax Moresby on many occasions, but only just decided to research him myself, and came across your site. We live in Vancouver, Canada, and as I understand it Moresby discovered a lot of the north west coast of our province British Columbia.

I want to put some info together for a colourful family tree  for my mother and wonder where I should start?  Also family legend has it that there are artifacts of  his at my uncle's farm here in BC (but he is crazy and wont let us take a look). 

Any advice?
Selena


Hello Selena,

Nice to hear from you, I have had about 9 communications concerning Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby from his various relatives around the world. His son John who was also an Admiral wrote a book, I believe in 1909:
 
Two Admirals.
Sir Fairfax Moresby and John Moresby.

I found a copy offered for sale from this bookshop in UK, but they are wanting 65 Pounds.

Amazon Books do not have a copy available.

A copy of it would I think be a good start for any family tree.

Lovely part of the world Vancouver, I could easily live there.

Before you splash out on this copy, I suggest you might try your main library in Vancouver, just in case they carry a copy, it will be too old for that great bookshop you have in Vancouver, where I have spent some happy hours.

From http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=1132265196&searchurl=an%3DAdmiral%2BJohn%2BMoresby%26ph%3D2%26sortby%3D3%26tn%3DTwo%2BAdmirals

Two Admirals Sir Fairfax Moresby & John Moresby
Moresby, Admiral John
Bookseller: Anchor Books
(Grantham, ., United Kingdom)
Bookseller Rating:
 Price: £ 65.00
[Convert Currency]
Quantity: 1  Shipping within United Kingdom:
£ 3.85
[Rates & Speeds]  

Book Description: Methuen, 1913. Hard Cover. Book Condition: Very Good. Revised Edition. 343pp, index, a hundred years of family service in the Royal Navy, scarce naval biography, front end-paper removed, stain on rear board, pages a little yellowed otherwise VG. Bookseller Inventory # AB006274

[Bookseller & Payment Information] [More Books from this Seller] [Ask Bookseller a Question]

If you think I can help further please Yell.

But go to my Ahoy home page, click on" try this search", then type in Admiral Sir Fairfax Moresby, and look at all the entries, you may get some help there. There is a copy of a painting of Sir Fairfax there, that would be a good start for your research.

Sir Fairfax goes back a long way, he was a Midshipman in Nelson's time.

Very best wishes, and please let me know how you get on, but have another go at that crazy Uncle!!

Mac.


Hi Mac,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful e-mail. I will get "Two Admirals" and anything else I can find at the Library. I told my Mum what I was working on and she has added fire to my interest in this side of the family. My Mum's great aunt, who was John Moresby's daughter was Canada's first prolific fantasy writer Lily Adams Beck! She edited his book. And she wrote "Napoleon & Josephine" so I will read that next!

I feel like a trip to England to investigate is in the cards...

Thanks so much, and I'll keep you posted.

Best

Selena


back to letters index


   

This site was created as a resource for educational use and the promotion of historical awareness. All rights of publicity of the individuals named herein are expressly reserved, and, should be respected consistent with the reverence in which this memorial site was established.

Copyright© 1984/2014 Mackenzie J. Gregory All rights reserved