Learn the history – past and present – that connects our community.

In conversation with Stuart Sivertson


Introduced and recorded by Carla Anderson on November 8, 2025, this oral history captures Chris Gale in conversation with Stuart Sivertson. Stuart recounts his family’s history on Isle Royale, beginning with his grandfather’s arrival from Norway in the early 1890s and his eventual work in commercial herring fishing. Sivertson also shares personal memories of growing up on the island, including early fishing experiences and wintering over. This oral history offers a firsthand look at the lives, struggles, and history of early fishing families on Isle Royale.

Audio conversation with Mary Anderson Stepanek of Johnson Island Fishery

Mary Anderson Stepanek and her daughter, Kathy Stepanek Dahl, discussing Mary’s memories of growing up on the Johnson Island Fishery on Isle Royale – Recorded 3/21/26 in Duluth Minnesota by Carla Anderson.

Audio conversation with Sally McPherren Orsborn

Carla Anderson and Nancy Ousley talk with Sally McPherren Orsborn while visiting in 2025. Sally recalls memories and stories of her and her familys’ history on Captain Kidd Island, a place on Isle Royale for the McPherren family since 1934.

Snell Family writings

About Lake Superior’s Isle Royale, by Joan Snell

Joan’s BookDownload

My Early Life on Isle Royale, by Laurie Snell, including story “Three Thousand Miles in a Rowboat” by Roy J. Snell

Snell My Early Life on Isle Royale by Laurie SnellDownload

Can you make JELL-O on Isle Royale?

Join the Gale family as they make JELL-O off of the back dock in Tobins Harbor! A little ingenuity (and generations of dessert-loving family members) goes a long way on Isle Royale. Summer 2022.

Grant Merritt shares his family’s island story

An accomplished storyteller, Grant Merritt shares a bit of family history on the 100th Anniversary of the Merritt family’s connection to Isle Royale. Joined by island friends and family around a Merritt campfire, a warm and welcoming gathering place for the island community.
Grant Merritt beaming at Merritt Camp in Tobin’s Harbor
Grant Merritt details the influence Isle Royale had on his career as an environmental attorney and activist. Interview by Carolyn Klein (daughter).

Jean Rockwell Anderson tells her family’s island story

Jean Rockwell Anderson


(From left) Jean’s grandmother Bertha Morse, Jean’s Aunt Alice Warren, with Jean (age 2) on her lap, across from them is Jean’s mother, Mildred Morse Rockwell, Jean’s older sister Cornelia (Connie) Rockwell and next to her, not pictured, Jean’s sister Rowena Rockwell. 
Photo likely taken by Frank Warren (Jean’s uncle) in Uncle Frank and Aunt Alice’s boat. 1929.
Jean Rockwell Anderson reads excerpts from her book Summertime at Isle Royale.

Memoirs from the Snell family

(From left) Lucile, Laurie, John, Joan and Roy at Merritt camp, across from Snell camp in Tobin’s Harbor.
Molly Richter, daughter of John Snell and Janet Flory and granddaughter of Joan and Laurie Snell, reads an except on Isle Royale from Joan Snell’s memoir.