Susan Allison: researching a writer and her family history

In 1972, Jacqueline started researching Susan Allison while assisting Dr Margaret Ormsby in her preparation of the publication of Susan Allison’s recollections (A Pioneer Gentlewoman in British Columbia, UBC Press 1976). She did talks on Susan Allison for her Douglas College students and historical societies. Over the years, descendants shared interesting stories. Anthropology, history and literary scholars discussion of Allison was intriguing too. Then the Dictionary of Canadian Biography project asked Jacqueline to write an entry on Susan Allison (published online May 1, 2024). In preparing that she went back to researching museums, archives, historical societies as well as digitized books and academic journals. And found additional stories and articles by Susan Allison.  Also publications from the Princeton Museum and UBC Okanagan professors show there is more to explore on Susan Allison‘s family history and on  her writing.