BRISBANE-based mining engineer Mike Duggan arrived in Western Australia on November 9 for a week to continue research on his book on John Morrell, father of Frederick Morrell, one of Northam's most influential early citizens.
Mr Duggan is a descendant of John Morrell and this sparked his interest in the family.
His father's mother was Gladys Hilda Eveline Morrell, the daughter of John Richard Morrell whose father Richard Morrell was one of the original John Morrell's three children who were raised and lived in Northam and districts.
Mr Duggan has long been fascinated by the Morrell story since he became aware of Morby Cottage and the grave memorial on Goomalling Road.
"The book is mind-boggling in detail," he said.
"Drafting is 90 per cent complete and I have over 400 pages at the moment - it will likely come in at 24 chapters."
Mr Duggan has been hard at work for over two years.
The book covers four generations of the Morrell family, with the fifth generation also to be mentioned.
Research has been broad with the Morrell family having had a presence in Northam, Grass Valley, Jenapullin, Meckering, Cunderdin, Kellerberrin and further out into Greenough, Chapman Valley, Exmouth and Carnarvon.
"In many ways the history of the Morrell's is the history of Western Australia," he said.
Mr Duggan said he has had assistance from Jan James, Leo Morgan, Eric Chamberlain, Anne Christmas, the Shire of Northam and Leo Morgan.
"Also Ian and Ann Gibbs have helped with information about the restoration of Morby Cottage," he said.
Mr Duggan said the book would definitely be out next year and said a launch in Northam was a good idea.
"The depth of involvement the Morrells had in society was impressive," he said.
"This is a story of tragedy, sacrifice and hardships it is a great yarn."
The book of John Morrell is Mr Duggan's second book.
His first was a 400-page history of Koolyanobbing where he worked for several years.
Last Saturday he visited Koolya nobbing for the townsite's 50th anniversary.
"Having written a book before was an enormous leap forward for me in terms of confidence and experience," he said.
Mr Duggan can be contacted on (07) 3820 8283, 0419 978 940 or on duggancasa@bigpond.com.au.
