Agassiz-Harrison Museum

The Hazeley Letters

Follow along as we learn about the Wright siblings who travelled from Liverpool, England to Agassiz, British Columbia in 1896. This collection of letters, photographs, and stories from May, Cecil, Jack, and Harold Wright let us see into their daily lives in Canada. From being chased by chickens to a connection to the Titanic, their stories are being told here for the first time, and you won’t want to miss a moment.

From above of stack of letters with sealing wax spread out near bouquet of pink roses on wooden desk

The Beginning

1. Letters from British Settlers: Their Journey to Canada – 1896

  • Cecil Wright to Mother- February 25, 1896
    The Wright siblings take off from England on their way to North America
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2. Setting Sail on the RMS Majestic – 1896

  • May Wright’s Letter to Mother – February 26, 1896
    May informs her mother about the cabins and passengers on the steamship.
  • May Wright’s Letter to Mother – February 27, 1896
    The R.M.S. Majestic makes its first stop in Queenstown, Ireland.
  • Harold Wright’s Letter to Father- February 27, 1896
    Harold’s pocketbook is stolen and he asks his father for advice.
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3. From England to New York: Grand Union Hotel -1896

  • Jack’s Letter to Father Wednesday, March 5th, 1896
    Jack discusses how their trans-Atlantic voyage went as well as their arrival at Ellis Island in New York.
  •  May’s Letter to Mother: Thursday, March 6th, 1896
    May compares her journey to previous ones, and gives her mother an update on how she fared being seasick.
  • Jack’s Letter to Father: Tuesday, March 10th, 1896
    The Wrights arrive in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.
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4.Victorian Siblings Journey from England to Canada – 1896

  • Cecil’s Letter to Father: Wednesday, March 11, 1896
    Cecil shares a detailed list of expenses with his father.
  • Letter from May to Mother: Saturday, March 12, 1896
    The Wrights were greeted at station by old friends and settle in for a break in travel.
  • May’s Letter to Mother: Friday, March 14, 1896
    May gives out gifts to her friends and discusses a visit to an upcoming visit to the neighbouring town.
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5. The Victorian Siblings Travel Across Canada By Train

  • Cecil’s Letter to Mother- March 18, 1896
    Cecil gives out presents and learns a new card trick
  • May’s Letter to Mother- March 20, 1896
    The Wrights leave Manitoba and continue their train journey across Canada.
  • Letter from May to Mother-March 24, 1896
    The Wrights arrive in Agassiz, British Columbia and are amazed by their new surroundings.
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6. A Victorian Girl’s First Days in Agassiz, British Columbia

  • May’s Letter to Mother- March 29, 1896
    Time to meet their neighbours and go furniture shopping.
  • May’s Letter to Mother- April 6, 1896
    May and her brothers start unpacking and organizing their new home in Agassiz, British Columbia.
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7. Settling Into Life in Agassiz 1896

  • May’s Letter to Mother- March 29, 1896
    The Wrights go to a concert and visit Vancouver, British Columbia.
  • May’s Letter to Mother- April 6, 1896
    May hires help to clean their new home and she finishes setting everything up.
  • May’s Letter to Mother- April 12, 1896
    The Wrights plant their spring gardens and keep track of the trains going by their home.
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8. 2nd Lieutenant Harold Purton Wright

  • Learn more about Harold before, during, and after his life in Agassiz, British Columbia, Canada.
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9. Victorian Tea Time in the Canada in 1896

  • May’s Letter to Mother- April 19, 1896
    The Reverend visits the Wrights and they go for lunch at the Bella Vista Hotel.
  • Jack’s Letter to Father – April 20, 1896
    Jack is injured and tells his father how he really hurt himself. The weather starts to take it’s toll on the family.
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10. The First Planting Season in Canada 1896

  • May’s Letter to Mother – April 26, 1896
    More planting and socializing with the Jemmetts and Mr. Hamerseley.
  • May’s Letter to Mother – May 3, 1896
    Nellie heads up to Lytton to work at the hospital and Jack is taken care of at the Agassiz’s for a few days.
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11. Gold Fever, Church Building, and Pioneer Life in Agassiz, BC 1896

  • Jack’s Letter to Father – May 9, 1896
    The gold rush begins around Harrison Lake and the boys buy chickens and Jack recounts his time at the Agassiz’s
  • May’s Letter to Mother – May 30, 1896
    A trip to Harrison Lake and the lumber for the Church arrives. A mountain slide happens nearby which stops the trains.
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12. Life in 1896 Agassiz: Mining Hopes, Farming Plans, and the Mysterious Sister Francis

  • Harold’s Letter to Mother – May 1, 1896
    Friends leave for England and more gold mining in Harrison Lake
  • Cecil’s Letter to Father- May 9th, 1896
    The mining craze sweeps everyone up and a shortage of hay upcountry could be profitable for the Wrights.