In 1889, driven by the Great Depression of British Agriculture and the uncompetitive prices of untaxed grain imports, Ernest and Julia Harnett faced a desperate choice: surrender six of their eleven children or leave their failing Kent farm behind. Unwilling to divide their family, they were inspired by a letter from a friend describing a devout, dry farming community in Southern California. Packing up their lives, they emigrated to the American Colony—a settlement founded by fellow Englishman William Willmore—and established the Pacific Squab and Poultry Farm at Atlantic Avenue and 25th Street.

This book tracks their journey across the Atlantic and their settlement in Burnett, a community near Signal Hill that was later absorbed into Long Beach, California. Narrated through the eyes of Ivy, the first of three American-born Harnett children, the narrative chronicles the lives and legacies of the siblings:

• Jane (Bessie): A pioneering teacher who left an indelible mark on California history.

• Norah & Josie: Sisters who ventured to Alaska and built lives there.

• Anne: The family artist.

• Kathleen: A top-ranking graduate from UC Berkeley.

• Jack: A professional engineer.

• Tom: Founder of a local milling company.

• Edward & Frank: Long Beach civil servants who helped guide the city’s growth.

• Ethel & Helen: Core members of the growing household.

The chronicle also covers the family’s heartbreaks, including the tragic deaths of Geoffrey, Caroline, and patriarch Ernest Harnett, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver just weeks after Jane’s passing.

To expand upon the original drafts left by Ivy and Polly, I augmented their accounts with historical context and archived news reports from the era. Honoring Polly’s original vision, I published the book under Ivy Harnett’s name, crediting both Polly and myself as editors.

It’s priced at $16.99 paperback; $7.99 e-book. Available from Amazon, Barnes and Noble the publisher, Author House and the Historical Society of Long Beach.