Antarctic Explorer lost in Canada - can you help find him

[bobandbryony]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your help and suggestions. No luck yet but will keep trying. Was trawling the web and saw one isolated reference to taxidermy and Alastair Ross. When I tried to open the site it said "not available". The little bit in the google summary suggested this was an auction lot - maybe of a fish or something in a case. A little glimse of success taken away - never mind!

For those that may have seen our other posts we have just found a relative in New Zealand who has a family tree actually written by Alastair's father Andrew. We are waiting for it to be sent to us (relative not on web) and maybe just maybe it will tell us what happened to Alastair. ????

We will let you know.

All the best

Bob and Bryony

[garibaldired]

google summary suggested this was an auction lot - maybe of a fish or something in a case. A little glimse of success taken away - never mind!

I think you'll find it was this:

—- 1903 (July 26), envelope with coloured badge of the expedition on flap, addressed to Scotland
franked Falkland Islands Queen 1d. from the foot of the sheet (oxidised), tied by double ring
c.d.s., traces of staining, fine. Written by Alistair Ross, Taxidermist and member of the summer
party at South Orkneys (Photo-Plate 2)...............................................................................................

It went for auction on 20th December 2005 and had an estimate of £750!

Best wishes,
Meg

[garibaldired]

Have you seen these photos?

http://www.nahste.ac.uk/pers/r/GB_0237_NAHSTE_P0872/


Best wishes,
Meg

[bobandbryony]

Hi Everone

Well we found out what happened to him - sort of!

We were contacted by some relatives of Alastair's uncle who remembered a letter they had read.

It said that around 1915 Alastair found himself in a town called Yreka (yes it is the right spelling) in California and decided that he would find a new way through the Rockies. Sadly that is the last that was heard from him so it is very likely that he perished in his quest.

I did email the museum there but they had no record of him.

It is sad but he appears to have died the way he lived - doing exciting things.

Thanks for all your suggestions and help.

Bob and bryony

[SarahND]

It said that around 1915 Alastair found himself in a town called Yreka (yes it is the right spelling) in California and decided that he would find a new way through the Rockies.

Yes, I know Yreka It's just north and east of Eureka Still a pretty remote town, although right on the major north-south highway up the center of California. If Alastair was traveling alone, any number of things could have happened to him. Just a slip and a broken leg would have been certain death unless he was found in time. Same if he lost his way and was unable to find food or water. But as you say, he was living the adventurous life that he wanted.

Regards,
Sarah