New book tells stories of Vernon pioneers

A new book has been penned that tells the tale of Vernon’s pioneer history.

The Vernon and District Family History Society partnered with local authors to write and self-publish a new book, Echoes Beneath the Earth: The Forgotten Souls of Vernon’s Pioneers.

“When we started our investigation, we found records pertaining to the Pioneer Cemetery burials were incomplete, it required further research which included extensive research of the old Vernon newspapers; the Vernon Church records; death records; Canada census; as well as oral history and folklore that we were able to obtain from Vernon’s living pioneers,” Linda Badke, a member of the Vernon and District Family History Society, said in presenting the book to Vernon City Council Monday, June 8.

“This book covers a period commencing from 1885, which is when the first individual was interned [at the Pioneer Cemetery], and ending in 1902, the date of the last burial. The book captures the lives of 106 pioneer residents of the City of Vernon and outlying areas. It also captures glimpses of the life in Vernon and area during this period and honours the pioneers and their struggles.”