No amount of time can silence the buried tales of lives lived when Lorraine Irving is around.
Standing over Seraphim “Joe” Fortes’ grave marked with a simple plaque, Irving bridges the present to a Vancouver set in early 1900s when the beloved West Indies-born beach keeper channelled his famed generosity into teaching children how to swim and patrolling the beach to save more than 100 lives. He was so loved that hundreds lined the streets at his funeral. As she describes the scene from a clipping showing her extensive research, it’s easy to imagine the festive mood celebrating his life.
People pulled the lifeboat he used for rescues and covered it with flowers while a band played the funeral march for a procession which drew school trustees, police, park commissioners and many more.
Like an archaeologist who mines earth for artifacts, Irving uses the few words inscribed on a tombstone at Mountain View Cemetery as clues to an individual’s story. She follows up the names and dates with a death certificate, which leads to searches in the microfilm collections at the Vancouver Public Library, city hall or the B.C. archival website for newspaper clippings.
“If you’re really into it, it’s a never-ending search,” says the historian who started researching tombs at age 13 after she was inspired by a small church grave near her family’s Mayne Island cabin. “Every grave has a story. Every person has a story. But some stories you can’t find, other stories you can find family members who will give you information and share pictures with you.”
She gestures to a nearby pointed monument with a broken top to signify a life cut short by tragedy. It belonged to Janet Smith, a 22-year-old Scottish nanny who was shot at the Point Grey home of pharmaceutical magnate Frederick Baker. Her body was discovered by servant Wong Foon Sing. Having given free tours for a decade, Irving’s voice still quivers as she describes the ensuing plot to kidnap, torture and wrongfully convict an innocent Wong.
Together with long-time colleague Diane Rogers at the B.C. Genealogical Society where Irving served as president, they’ve amassed an extensive collection of names and dates buried at the cemetery published in books and CDs.
Rogers, who has a penchant for women’s history, helped compile brochures on influential female figures at Mountain View, acknowledged Irving’s insatiable curiosity for research. It’s accumulated “unparalleled” knowledge and interest, according to the City of Vancouver.
Over time, Irving has developed a sixth sense for interesting stories from the inscriptions, but sometimes it’s the shape and style that piques her interest. She points to a rugged headstone, which from the side looks handmade and triangular — too peculiar to escape her notice. Upon further research, she identified the buried as one of two victims of a logging train derailment on Vancouver Island. The other was buried a few feet away.
“She likes the unusual stories. She’s interested in crimes and accidents,” says Rogers, referring to the retired ICBC injury claims processor who also contributes to the Vancouver Historical Society and the B.C. Historical Federation. Come Sept. 6 and Oct. 11, Irving wants participants on the free tour to walk away immersed in the history of Vancouver.
“When you walk through a cemetery, you’re really walking through the people that lived in the area. They’re the ones that are responsible for the city that you see around you now.”
