Ask retired high school teacher Julia Turner what her favourite subject is and she will undoubtedly say “History.” This history, however, isn’t a high school subject but the recounting of her illustrious Irish family: pioneering surgeons, naval architects, missionaries in far-flung lands, and a few judges and knights.

Her book, The Wallaces of Kerrymount House, published by Spellbinders Publishing, is the account of a remarkable family centred on her grandfather, James Nevin Wallace, and his seven siblings. The contents are both absorbing and fascinating; giving a true glimpse of what life must have been like in a Protestant Irish family in the 19th century.  

Julia taught biology at Alberni District Secondary School (ADSS) after she emigrated from Ireland in 1969. She was also a high school counsellor and later owner/operator of a successful tutoring service.

One wonders how Julia found time to write a book since she has so many other pursuits: golf, bridge, playing in a band and a string orchestra; she is on the board of several local community groups, including the Alberni District Historical Society and the Port Alberni Family Guidance Association. She is also a do-it-yourself landscaper and logger, tackling many overgrown trees in her woodland garden.

“The book was something I had to do,” she says. “I was lucky enough to inherit family diaries when my aunt died in 2002. I just couldn’t ignore the detailed history and family stories that are contained in these diaries.”

Two of the diaries are from a great-aunt, Katherine Anna Wallace, the sister of Julia’s grandfather, born in Ireland in 1861. The transcribing of this meticulous, almost daily account of the family’s activities spanning 30 years forms the essence of the book The Wallaces of Kerrymount House.

Anyone who has ever had the remotest connection with Ireland will want to read this book where Katherine Anna (Katie, as she was known) came to be head of the household in her late teens as her father slowly died of TB and her mother was tied to the care of a delicate younger sibling.

For those with no Irish connection this is still a compelling read, with its many illustrations, photos and extracts from other diaries and from historical parchments, letters and maps. The family can be traced as far back as the 1100s. Julia has woven this tale through the four grandparents of her Kerrymount family: the Jeffcotts, the Dillons, the Greenes and the Wallaces.

Julia grew up in Ireland and followed in her mother’s footsteps, graduating from Trinity College Dublin in 1968. Julia’s mother, Daphne Wallace, was born in Alberta from Irish parents who had emigrated from Dublin around the turn of the century. Always curious about her parents’ homeland, Daphne left Canada as a young woman to explore her family roots. She never returned to live in Canada, finishing her education and marrying a Trinity College Dublin professor. She became a leading force for women ministering in the Church of Ireland, which also turned into a book written by Julia.

“I did the reverse of what my mother did,” says Julia. “I was born in Ireland, but went to Canada as a young woman to see the Prairies, the Rockies and Vancouver Island, where my mother’s relations had settled. I never returned to Ireland to live. I am content to return only to visit and to research.” 

Julia now finds being Irish is a bonus. “It is an accepted explanation for spiritual moments and mad moments too. It feels good when someone, on hearing my voice, says, ‘I thought you sounded different – you’re Irish, eh?’”
She admits to taking full advantage of their interest and even answers to names like “Spud” and doesn’t mind anyone taking “the Mickey out of her” about shamrocks, Wee Folk or of the Wearing of the Green.

Julia played the piano from an early age. She found it to be a solid background for other instruments - she plays tenor saxophone in the Community Band and viola in Phil’s Harmonics String Orchestra. She married fellow teacher, Ralph Turner, who shared her love of music and who played the clarinet. Sadly, Ralph died suddenly eight years ago.

Two sons, one a computer engineer in Germany, and the other a geologist in B.C., and three grandchildren are a source of joy for this busy senior who doesn’t consider herself “retired” - just retired from teaching.

Another string to Julia’s bow is as a presenter of travelogues. She gave a highly praised lecture to the Alberni District Historical Society about her African odyssey where she retraced the footsteps of her famous great-great-uncle, William Edward Dillon. This uncle, a ship’s surgeon, met his demise in Africa whilst trying to find the missionary and explorer Dr. Livingstone in 1873. Julia has also given similar lectures in San Francisco, London and New Zealand. Dr. William Edward Dillon will be the subject of Julia’s next book.

For more information visit: www.juliaturner.ca or call 250-723-8972.

OCTOBER 2011 SENIOR LIVING MAGAZINE VANCOUVER ISLAND