Starbuck, Manitoba, is finally getting the history book it has long deserved, and Manitoba historian Gordon Goldsborough is helping make it happen. Goldsborough, who has written five books on Manitoba’s past, is lending his writing skills to a local committee determined to preserve the stories of the community and its people. A family connection to Starbuck Goldsborough’s ties to Starbuck run deep, and he says this project has been years in the making. “Well, you know, my family has farmed near Starbuck for generations, and my dad was interested in history too. I kept saying to him, 'Dad, somebody should put together a history book for Starbuck', because unlike a lot of other communities around Manitoba, Starbuck has never really had a comprehensive history book,” he says. He recalls that the only effort in the past was a small pamphlet in the 1970s called Starbuck Seedlings, written by Floris Olson. While it offered a glimpse into the town’s story, Goldsborough says it lacked the depth the community deserves. After his father passed away, he assumed the idea of a proper book might never happen—until a group from Starbuck reached out to him earlier this year. Collecting stories near and far Goldsborough says the book will only succeed if people with ties to Starbuck, past and present, come forward with their stories. “Exactly right. There are people probably all around the world who have roots in Starbuck, and we want to reach every last one of them,” he explains, adding, “We can, of course, talk to the people that live in Starbuck today, and they can tell us their stories, but we also want to go back and potentially go back 100 years.” The committee is actively encouraging contributions of family histories, anecdotes, and especially photographs. Goldsborough stresses that even seemingly ordinary snapshots can make a big difference. He emphasizes that, “Pictures are wonderful. You know, as they say, they’re worth 1000 words. And you know, so you might have a picture that is nowhere else. It might be absolutely unique." From research to publishing The group hopes to collect as much information as possible by the end of 2025, with the writing and editing process beginning in the new year. Fundraising efforts will follow to cover publishing costs. “My job, of course, will be to help put the book together, to assemble it in a form that is informative, is engaging, you know, hopefully a lot of pictures because everybody loves pictures. And that sometime, potentially in 2026, we’ll see this book come about,” Goldsborough says. Those interested in contributing can email starbuckhistory@gmail.com or join the Facebook group Starbuck History Book to share stories, photos, or memories. ~With files from Ryan Simpson. Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@portageonline.com. PortageOnline encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the PortageOnline app.