History prof thrilled by N.W.T. trapper journal on Twitter

The writings of a trapper from more than 80 years ago is proving to be a valuable tool for researchers. 

Bud Murphy, or "Trapper Bud," kept a journal that begins in 1929, writing about his life trapping in the Northwest Territories. His grandson Derryl is now publishing the journal day by day on Twitter.

Tina Adcock, an assistant professor of history and Canadian Studies at the University of Maine, says the journal is a rare discovery.

"They're often still in family hands," she says. "They're in family attics, they're in family basements, and so to actually have one come out into the open like that was a pretty cool find." 

Adcock is specifically studying the experience of non-aboriginal societies in the North.

She says the journal has shown her how many trappers were environmental experts who didn't get enough respect and credit for their expertise.   

Adcock hasn't spent much time in the North, but says one day she'd like to work on a northern trapline.