I have been preparing Statements of Significance for private clients for the past twenty years. It is always interesting to me to discover the stories behind the buildings. I also assist with heritage projects, giving advice on how to do the work properly.
I have been tracing my family history for several years. It started when my father wanted to know more about his grandfather, and it has become almost an obsession to find out more about the interesting folks I am descended from. I have had three different DNA tests completed and am now actively searching for material.
A few years ago, I began a new career as a researcher for a firm that looks for heirs to estates. I get to visit archives and newspaper archives and get paid to do so. I almost always have something of my own to do at the same time, so I make the best use of my time.
I presented the story of my father-in-law’s service in World War 1 to the Western Front Alliance Spring seminar a couple of years ago. It was well received, and I will be presenting the story to other groups in the next few years. Those journals and photos that accompany them are now published as “Dutchy’s Diaries: Life as a Canadian Naval Officer, in His Own Words, 1916-1929.” For more information, see dutchysdiaries.ca. Dutchy’s Decades: Life as a Canadian Naval Officer, 1930-1950, which covers the second half of his career, was published in July 2022.
I have been writing articles on heritage for 35 years with articles published in diverse publications, including Preserve, the Hallmark Heritage Society’s newsletter; Heritage (the magazine for Heritage Canada), Heritage BC and genealogy newsletters. For eight years, I wrote a regular column in the Moss Rock Review, the neighbourhood magazine for Fairfield. The Heritage Detective investigated a different property each month, bringing the story to a wider audience. I used to write on heritage for the Rockland Neighbourhood Association newsletter with a view to bringing the heritage message to this exclusive area. I am still researching and writing about heritage and am seeking an outlet to get my articles out to the general public. I continue to write about genealogy and hockey history and will get articles published wherever I can. All the articles will be updated and published in The Heritage Detective. Volume One was published in February 2023, and Volume Two will be released in June 2023. Check out the details here.
My book on the history of professional hockey in Victoria was published in 2019. I am going to republish the book this year with a new vibrant cover to celebrate its 4th anniversary. I am currently planning a celebration of the Victoria Cougars’ Stanley Cup victory in 1925 in conjunction with a meeting of the Society for International Hockey Research here in Victoria.
I am the president of the Victoria High School Alumni Association and will be compiling the history of our last 50 years to coincide with our 150th anniversary in 2026.
Four years ago, I became a full-time author. In addition to the two books about my father-in-law, John Crispo Inglis “Dutchy” Edwards, I released Volume One of The Heritage Detective in February 2023. Volume Two will be published in June 2023. Check out my books page for details of all my publications.
Three years ago, I became part of the ownership group of the Victoria HarbourCats. We now also 0wn the Nanaimo NightOwls and the Victoria Golden Tide. I will be writing the history of the first ten years of the franchise, with publication scheduled for 2024.
At some point, I will get around to writing my memoir.