Cape Breton Post July 17, 2008 Life before the fortress Beyond the Fog explores stories of families whose homes became national historic site BY LAURA JEAN GRANT CAPE BRETON POST LOUISBOURG - Looking through a copy of her self-published book, Elaine Sawlor can't help but beam. "I call it my bouncing baby book. It feels like a birth," said the first-time author during an interview at her home in Sydney. "It's been the only thing on my mind for two years." Beyond the Fog explores the stories of the 81 families whose expropriated properties were developed into the Fortress of Louisbourg. Through hundreds of photographs and dozens of family stories, the book tells the stories of founding families in Fort Louisbourg, West Louisbourg, Kennington Cove and Deep Cove from 1758 to the mid-1960s. A book launch for Beyond the Fog will take place Friday at 5 p.m. at the Joseph Trimm Community Centre in Louisbourg. All are welcome. Sawlor's grandparents were among the 81 families relocated to make way for reconstruction of the fortress and her mother, Marie (Kennedy) Mullins was born and raised in Louisbourg. Growing up, Sawlor spent many summers in Louisbourg and developed an interest in the history of the coastal community. So, after retiring from teaching 11 years ago, Sawlor began researching her family and learned more about the former community and its residents. About two years ago, organizers of an 'Old Town' reunion approached Sawlor with the idea of compiling a history forthe reunion which is set to take place this weekend in Louisbourg. She agreed. "I had no idea what I was doing. I thought it would just take a couple of months," she recalled. "It was a massive job and an all-consuming job." >From archives at the Fortress of Louisbourg to countless hours tracking down descendants of the families, Sawlor immersed herself in research, information and photos of all 81 families. "My own family was the hardest to trace," said Sawlor, noting it took years to follow her roots back as far as her great, great grandfather. Beyond the Fog contains two pages of text and photos on each of the 81 families. "It's a very personal kind of book where it looks at every family," she said. "There are over 300 photographs in the book and probably 300 I couldn't put in because the book was already 236 pages. I think the photography makes the book." Copies of Beyond the Fog will be available at the book launch, or by calling Sawlor at 539-6121. For more information visit the website at www.beyondthefog.ca. ljgrant@cbpost.com