Varney Bay - Quatsino Sound

Ethel (1869-1957) and (Thomas) Henry (1869-1952) Varney took up a pre-emption in Varney Bay in 1897 and had nine children. They lived on their homestead for about 50 years.
Varney, who was rumoured to come from a titled English family, was well known in the community and sometimes referred to as "Lord Varney." He held various government jobs and led some projects such as a road-building crew in the community.
A number of their children died tragic deaths. Philip and James died in a boating accident at the mouth of Quatsino Sound, and Fred passed away in a plane crash in Port Hardy.

Ethel and Henry are buried in the Royal Oak Burial Park Cemetery in Victoria BC. 

Their daughter, Dinah Varney, born on the North Island in 1907, never married. She helped care for the homestead and even into her old age was still taking care of a large garden. A strong and self-reliant pioneer woman, when she was 57 she was still running a 12 mile trap line, and was known for bringing down 19 cougars.

Dinah Varney's house in Varney Bay by the mouth of the Marble River - undated.

BC Archives F-05834

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