Everett, Wash.
Published: Monday, September 24, 2007

Keeping the memory of Everett's fishing fleet alive

With one book on the city's once-vibrant fleet in the works, backers are looking for more information on the history of the city's fishing families.

By Mike Benbow
Herald Writer

 EVERETT — Backers of a book on the history of Everett's fishing fleet have already collected some 250 family photos, but they want more.

"We may want to do a second book and work on the history of the families," said Cheryl Healey, one of several community volunteers working on the project.

Healey called the effort "quite a process."

She and Katy Brekke have been gathering the photos and logging them into a written record before having them scanned so they can be saved digitally for posterity. More importantly, they've been talking with the owners of the photos to find out information about the photos and the people in them.

Everett's fleet, which has declined dramatically in recent years, was once a significant economic force. Its members, mostly from Croatia and Norway, helped shape the community's character and culture.

The book is the idea of Kay Zuanich and Barbara Piercey, both members of early fishing families.

Zuanich noticed a historical book last Christmas published by Arcadia and contacted the company.

"The library and the (historical) museum have so little information, so we contacted the company's editor in Seattle," Zuanich said.

The company agreed to publish the book and the group has hired writer RaeJean Hasenoehrl to tackle the writing of the project. Healey and Brekke were enlisted to gather the photos.

The book is expected to be about 248 pages and consist primarily of the photos — 180 to 240 of them.

Plans are for the book to be ready next spring so it can be unveiled before the remaining fishers head to Alaska in late May or June. "It would be nice if we can get it before summer," Zuanich said.

In the meantime, the group is still seeking photos and family stories. People interested in participating are asked to call Healey at 425-252-1470 or Brekke at 425-353-7836.

Mike Benbow: 425-339-3459; benbow@heraldnet.com.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA