Features

A recently published book by writer John Quirk confirms the theory that Manx people, do indeed, get everywhere.

“The Manx Connection” is the culmination of 4 years hard work, heaps of research and extensive travel to Chicago, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Northern California, San Diego, Cleveland, Washington DC, Dubai, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

John Quirk onboard the Star of India

John is hoping his work will serve as a tribute to the early Manx pioneers who left home on an often perilous journey to start a new life in distant lands.

But did he get a warm welcome from the Manx folk around the globe?

“Yes I certainly did!  It was amazing really.  I was informed by one of my hosts that most of the Manx I would meet abroad would all be quite well off because they were all parsimonious and frugal.  It seems it’s a Manx trait and always had been!

Everyone was very good to me.  I was met at the airport, given accommodation and invited for meals. It really could not have been any warmer.

One thing I discovered was that the Manx communities around the world are all so different. 

Tynwald sign in New Norfolk, Tasmania

The vast majority of Manx people who emigrated to America went to Cleveland and they spread out from there.

Interestingly the Cleveland Manx are the oldest ethnic group in America, dating back to 1851.

Each community has its own character I suppose because of the different skills our ancestors had to offer.

For example Manx miners and farmers migrated to Illinois and Manx carpenters spotted an opportunity after the Great Fire of Chicago in 1871. They formed part of the work force needed to rebuild the city.

The Dubai Manx Society only started seven years ago and it was set up as a social group for those people in finance sector who relocated to the Middle East.

South Africa has strong historical links to the Isle of Man because a lot of miners went out there and Australia back in the 1870s.

When I finished each leg of the trip I was always sad but when I left Auckland I was really sorry it was all at an end.

I love travelling and the end of New Zealand meant the end of an era.

The Manx Connection by John Quirk

I was also dreading actually having to write the bloody book!

It was an extremely difficult process to go through.  I had covered a lot of ground and I had mountains of research to get through.

Initially I hoped to get the book out in December 2005 but it has taken an extra 2 years because of the amount of family history involved.

Seeing the book sitting there on the shelves today feels kind of strange.

When I saw the first copy I felt a bit detached from it.  I had a flick through and I could not remember writing some of it!

It took over my life so much, to see it finally in print is a good feeling."

John will be attending book signing sessions at Waterstones this Saturday from 2.30pm until 3.30pm and at the Lexicon on Sunday, between 2pm and 3pm.