DATE: 1877
CREATOR: Kerslake, Thomas T.
EXTENT: 27 pages
SCOPE AND CONTENT: In this 27-page journal, Thomas T. Kerslake writes of his travels from Ontario, Canada to New Zealand in 1877. He leaves Plattsville, Ontario, Canada on September 29, 1877. Traveling across the United States by rail, he gives accounts of large and small cities (Chicago, Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Omaha, Promontory Point, San Francisco) and of the landscape and wild life on the plains and the Mississippi River. At San Francisco he boards the boat "City of Sydney" sailing across the Pacific Ocean, stopping in the Sandwich (Hawaiian) Islands before landing in Wellington, New Zealand in early November 1877.
The author does not note which year his travels were, however in some entries he provides the month, date, and the day of the week. By determining which year(s) that day of the week fell on that specific day a year could be narrowed down. New Zealand newspaper sources from the late 1800s were then referenced, searching for the day and year of the "City of Sydney" boat, Commanded by Captain Dearborn, arrived in New Zealand. The boat docked several times in this port throughout the 1870s and 1880s. It was then determined that Kerslake's travels took place in 1877.
ACCESS: This is collection M-355. This collection is available for on-site use only in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the collection may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, depending on condition. Researchers are advised to call ahead concerning changes in hours due to University intersessions and holidays. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building. More information about conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page.
RESTRICTIONS: None
Preferred Citation note: The preferred citation for this collection is “From the Special Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri – St. Louis.”
