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This book is an account of the lives of the people of Rathtrevor Beach, gained from documented research, done both in Canada and in Ireland, from Lynn Starter's personal relationship with some of the Rath family, and includes the author's memoir of happy childhood summers spent with the Rath family.
"Tales of Rathtrevor
Beach
Lynn Starter
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"Too many of our pioneers have gone to their graves unsung. Lynn Starter has ensured that this will not happen to Elizabeth (Rath) Roberts, George Edward
Lawrence Rath or Ede Robinson with her memoir. For years Lynn, sparked by a ranger's lack of answers on the park's personal history, has researched family and
legal records to compile this book. Tales of Rathtrevor Beach fills this omission admirably. It's thanks to the Raths of Rathtrevor Beach, lifetime friends
of Lynn and her family, that all British Columbians can continue to enjoy this seaside and forest treasure that otherwise would have been despoiled by
development."
- Tom Paterson, author and historian |
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About the Author/Artist The natural child of a family of talented artists and writers, Lynn Starter was encouraged by her beloved adoptive parents, to follow the art talents they knew to be inherent. A Vancouver Islander, she finds worthy subjects for her art in events and personalities close to her. Lynn has always been a storyteller, seeing what is unique in everyday events, and enthusiastically communicating to others the stories that touch her life. Now she brings these two facets of her personality together, to express her feelings for a time, a place and people that together made an indelible impression on her childhood. Lynn earned her living as a commercial artist before marrying, and continued to develop as an artist, painting and drawing, while raising two daughters. In the early 1980's she studied Fine Art at Malaspina College, with a special focus on printmaking. Lynn chose to use the drypoint printmaking technique during the creation of this book. The illustrations were rendered in this intaglio process which is similar to etching but involves working an image with various tools (instead of acid) onto a copper plate. The resulting metal burr on the plate, when inked and printed, produces the softness characteristic of drypoint. The front cover image entitled 'George and Ede' is an original hand coloured etching. Lynn is a founding member of Printmakers Only Group (POG) and participates in solo and group exhibitions throughout B.C. She and her husband Robert share their home and garden in the Cowichan Valley with two short sturdy dogs, and enjoy a close relationship with their daughters' families. |
From "Tales of Rathtrevor Beach - Legacy of a Family" by Lynn Starter
Synopsis:
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Part One: is a detailed family history of the Raths, pioneers on Vancouver Island. William Rath left Ireland to adventure for years in North America with younger brother George. The Rath brothers did well prospecting for gold in British Columbia, but after George's death, William returned to Ireland, and at the age of 52, chose a 20 year old bride, Elizabeth Talbot. William, Elizabeth and a new baby arrived in December of 1886 by canoe on the beach near Parksville, where they created a homestead, had four more children and became an integral part of the community. Inevitably, Elizabeth Rath was left a widow at age 39. She survived with the help of her children, by farming and running a campsite on their spectacular waterfront homestead, which would eventually become the famous Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park. |
| Part Two: is a childhood memoir, the reminiscences of the author's summers living with the Rath family on Rathtrevor Beach, when the campsite was a family operation, and time moved more slowly. A child's love and admiration for 'Uncle George' and 'Aunt Ede' come through clearly as she tells of childish innocence and mischief. Besides appealing to anyone with a curiosity about the past these simple tales will resonate with thousands of older British Columbians who also spent idyllic days of their own youthful summers at Rathtrevor Beach. |
Letters From Readers
| Dear Lynn,
A few years ago when I was visiting the Rathtrevor Visitor Center and chatting with a lady there, asking all sorts of questions, she mentioned that someone was writing about the history of Rathtrevor. I was intrigued. A few weeks ago I saw the ad for your book in the Nanaimo newspaper, and was delighted. I've just finished the book, and want to say a big THANK YOU for all the effort and devotion that you put into gathering the facts, and writing this captivating story. I feel now like I too knew your uncle George and aunt Ede. How fortunate you are to have such rich memories! How grateful we all should be to the family for being excellent stewards, and preserving the natural beauty and wonders of their property. I showed your book to a friend who reminisced about family gatherings at the beach every July 1st, come rain or shine. She stated that it will make a great gift. I agree. Thanks again Lynn, for your labour of love. Many of us truly appreciate it. Sincerely,
Sept 28,2008 Dear Lynn, Thank you so much for coming to talk to us. Everybody at the Parksville Senior's Group enjoyed it very much and I'm sure, until your talk on Wednesday, there were few of us who knew a great deal about how Rathtrevor Park came into being. We found the slides most interesting, and the fact that you have such a variety of pictures of the Rath family and legal documents that concerned them is amazing. Unless one has tried to do any amount of research it is hard to imagine just how much effort goes into such a project and it is very evident that a great deal of research has gone into this one. I believe that a relaxed speaker means an equally relaxed audience and your natural talent for presenting the facts is impressive. So thanks again for taking the time to come and talk to us. It was good to meet you. You made it a special day for us. Sincerely, Parksville Senior's Group
Dear Lynn Wanted you to know I finished reading your book and I so enjoyed it that I didn't want it to end. I liked the history and found your childhood adventures entertaining. I love the drypoints as they really add to the book. It's a wonderful tribute to the Raths and they would be proud of you. I can hardly wait for your next book. Fil Wiltse
Hello Lynn, I recently received your book as a baby shower gift for my son William Campbell May. I wanted to say thank you for all the hard work and nice memories of my paternal family history. My name is Jason William May and William Rath May was my grandfather. I just wanted you to know that the May/Rath family history is carrying on strong. Thank you again
January 11, 2009 'THREE FINE BOOKS ADD TO LOCAL HISTORY RECORD' by Dave Obee, Editorial page editor of Times Colonist "...Lynn Starter's contribution is 'Tales of Rathtrevor Beach; Legacy of a Family'. Quick now, where did the name of Rathtrevor Beach come from? Well, the Rath family of course - William Sinnott Rath and his wife Elizabeth Talbot. They farmed the land south of Parksville and gave a lyrical name by adding "trevor" to their family name. The theory is that it was a play on the word "retriever," the kind of dog the Raths raised for hunting. Now, how is the name pronounced? That's a tough one, because it's evolved over the years. But the Rath-TREE-vor is the pronunciation used by those in the know. Starter's history of the Rath family shows how the property came to be a provincial park, and the family's love of the property shines through. This book should be welcome reading for anyone who enjoys the beach."
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www.rathtrevorbeach.ca © H. Lynn Starter 2008
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"Tales of Rathtrevor
Beach