My grandfather, Irving William Melbourne, born August 31,1876 in Tolland Springs,Ct. went to Alaska in May1898. I have found records on Ancestry.com stating this including a 1900 alaskan census. He was partner to Charles Lambert from San Francisco who'd been there since May,1896..They were in Tyoonok, Alaska...I was raised on Irvings farm in Hope Valley R.I. in the 50's. He died in Dec.1960....I remember a diary he wrote in Alaska. I was little and only remember him saying that either he or his partner had a broken leg and the other had to hike out for help. I know they almost starved one winter! Story is he came back with $50,000 to Ct., married Caroline Middleton. They bought a wheat farm in Mcleod,Canada...Census has him living there with her and children. Somewhere around W.W.1, the wheat prices dropped and they left, moved back to Ct. Bought the Farm in Hope Valley, R.I. in 1923. I have no pictures really-except one of him. I was hoping to find some. Linda Melbourne- Van Dyke. email:littlegirlie2006 at yahoo.com