Devoted historian passes | OBITUARY

Ms James, whose life-long study of the region's Aboriginal and European communities produced 14 books and an authorative reference website, died on Friday, May 31 at Northam Hospital after a short illness.

She had been an active force in the local community for more than 40 years.

Born in Northam and raised in Toodyay, Jan James was aware from an early age of her heritage in a large family dating back to European settlement of the Swan River colony.

She also developed an acute awareness of the Aboriginal communities which were threaded through the fabric of the story of the Avon Valley and beyond.

In a long career, she was a local councillor, curator at Northam Cemetery, author, historian, genealogist, social worker and family consultant.

Her work was recognized by local Noongar people with the award of the title Kabarli (grandmother) - only the second white person so honored.

Her eight years at Northam Cemetery included developing extensive records on the many unmarked graves and establishing many memorials.

This led to a lifetime's work in genealogy and a long career as an author, writing 14 books with local and family themes.

She also served on many community, government, historical and genealogical bodies.

She was a Northam Councillor, and was named local Citizen of the Year in 2004.

Jan James established an extensive on-line reference site on local family trees, and was a highly respected consultant for government and community groups as well as individuals.

Her daughter Heather Young said her mother had been working on-line on her database right up to the time she was admitted to hospital.

"Although she retired years ago, she loved her research work and was always available to answer family questions for near and far," she said.

Ms James is survived by two adult children, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Jan James' funeral service will be held at Toodyay Cemetery on Monday, June 10 at 2.00pm.