Merval Hoare

Merval Hoare (17 June 1914 – 8 December 2001)

Biography Merval Hoare was born Merval Connelly in Wellington, New Zealand on 17 June 1914, and after marrying Percy Raymond Hoare (Ray) in 1949, moved to Norfolk Island with him. Her early schooling developed interests in music, prose, poetry and politics. Merval was a correspondent for the Pacific Islands Monthly (PIM) magazine for many years and researched Norfolk Island's history in Australian and New Zealand institutions and libraries. In 1963 while researching the Bishop Selwyn Papers in the Auckland Institute and Museum, she found the 'Freemantle Document' which clarifies the terms on which the Pitcairn Islanders were settled on Norfolk Island. She was awarded the MBE in 1983 for services to Norfolk Island historical literature. She wrote her book, Norfolk Island An Outline of Its History, 1774 - 1968, which was published by the University of Queensland Press in 1969. The book has 5 editions, most recent being published in 1998. Her book provided a lot of information about Norfolk Island in the 20th century. The Norfolk Island Museum described the book as authoritative account and definite work, a result of her deep interest in the Island and its history.

Death Merval Hoare died Lismore, New South Wales, Australia. She is survived by her daughter Ann, son-in-law Ken Burke, 3 granddaughters and 4 great granddaughters. Ramblers' Guide to Norfolk Island (1982) Norfolk Island: An outline of its history 1774-1977 (1978) Nelson Bear and the Yellow Umbrella (1955)