Marcia and her grandsons became interested in their famous privateer ancestor, Captain Joseph Barss, after exploring the replica of the privateer ship Liverpool Packet at the museum in Liverpool, Nova Scotia. Marcia's research on privateering and life in Liverpool, NS, during the war of 1812 led to her writing this children's novel about a privateer's daughter who longs to go to sea.
Inspired by reading of her ancestors in the Barss genealogy, she imagined the daily activities and emotions of the women and children while their privateer husbands and fathers dealt with the dangers of being at sea for months.
Marcia lives in Dartmouth, NS, where she enjoys a view of the harbour and sees ships of all sizes sailing by. Her favourite activity is kayaking on the ocean, especially among the islands and along the rocky shores where her ancestors may have been.
More information may be found on her website: marciabarss.com.
Marcia's book, Far From Home (FriesenPress, 2021) gives a glimpse of her childhood in India.
