iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

I meant that between 1861 and 1885 not much had changed. But today, yes unfortunately a lot has changed.

James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

In 1861, John Barrow made the 113th successful ascent of Mont Blanc. This photo is from 1885, but I doubt much had changed. Before his ascent, he had walked on the glacier below. [My collection]

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Isn't it? I instantly fell in love with this photo, just gorgeous.

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Not the Arctic, but the Mer de Glace (sea of ice) in Chamonix, France. John Barrow went on holiday there for years & climbed this glacier. I acquired this c.1900 colour photo (photochrom process), it's so beautiful.😍 Climbing gear was simpler back then. [My collection] #Alpine #Mountaineering

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Boo!! But if you need anything from Jstor I'm happy to download it for you.

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

On 30 August 1856, Arctic veteran & all-around badass Sir John Ross died peacefully in London aged 80. The year before, he wrote a very affectionate letter to a young lady, which I'm very happy to have acquired! Including the envelope, pretty rare. See alt text for transcription. #NavalHistory

43 Gillingham Street Sunday night

My very dear Bessie
Why will you desire impossibilities for how is it possible I can tell you how delighted I am? — I have just returned from dinner at Sir Henry Dillon and found your amiable epistle — need I add that I would fly to Nr 46 —?— But tomorrow Effie dear the {Bombay Bride who arrived this night, is to call for me tomorrow I expect between 2 & 3 and I must wait to take leave of her should pop in about that time it would — would not

be an agreeable surprise, come to see you and hear all the wonders you have escaped I shall but not to stay this month, for I am involved in the business of publications, my love I give between you and Clara but in the name of goodness don’t quarrel about it and believe me
Yours for ever and a day
John Ross

Miss Jekyll [Elizabeth Jekyll, born 1835. Granddaughter of Captain John Jekyll, d. 1839]
46 York Terrace
Regents Park

The letter paper is embossed with the motto and heraldry used by both John Ross and James Clark Ross. 'Spes Aspera Levat' (Hope Lightens Difficulties). The Union Jack planted at the North Magnetic Pole and a dip circle. Next to that, a fox.

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Thank you! I couldn't do it any other way. 😄

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

Where I am with my Fitzjames biography? Spring 1827. I'm still finding a lot of new info and writing goes slowly when you actually cite your sources for everything. But very satisfying to be writing the book after all those years of research! [My book] #NavalHistory

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Exactly! And if you have no money just make your own poster with real historical image in PowerPoint as I would do because I'm not a designer but can copy+paste. 😌

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Yeah, I'm so disappointed that they thought this was ok.

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Historical research conferences using AI generated images now... Sad state of affairs. Would they be alright with people submitting an AI generated paper, too? 🥲

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

When I looked again I saw there was no r, and then realised he wrote 'public'. But at first glance it could've been purple. 😅

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Had my Arctic Council article printed as a booklet, with the collage I made for my MA research project on the cover. If you've read my article I would love to hear your thoughts/comments! [See pinned post for the link.] #Arctic #arthistory #NavalHistory #19thC

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Ah, good! I tried to test AI once by uploading a difficult to read letter (which I could read) and AI just gave me a bunch of nonsense.

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

I never use AI for transcribing. If I can't read something I just keep reading it until I can. I don't use AI for my research in general.

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Yeah, it looks like he wrote 'puplie'. 😅

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

The b looks just like the p so that's what misled me. But public papers definitely makes sense!

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Yes, I didn't read it correctly, it definitely doesn't say purple. Was already surprised because I never heard of the purple papers.

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

I just read the letter again and I think it says PUBLIC papers. 😅

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Question for #NavalHistory people: what do the "purple papers" mean? See this mention of it in an 1826 letter from a Captain to the Admiralty:

Sir,
In compliance with the directions of my Lords Commissioners to report to you for their information whether it is true that I went to Washington from New York as mentioned in the purple papers, and to account to you for having left my ship for so distant a place and so long a period;

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

In October I'll be speaking about my research at two polar history conferences. Really looking forward to it! Great line-up of speakers at both. Shackleton Autumn School in Athy, Ireland and 'Into The Ice' at Plymouth University. #polar #NavalHistory

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

My first academic publication has been published today: the exhibition and reception history of the painting 'The Arctic Council' (1851). This took 3 years to research and write, and I'm so happy that all can read about my findings now! doi.org/10.1017/S003... #navalhistory #polar

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

William O'Byrne's huge naval biographical dictionary (1849). John Barrow helped O'Byrne gain access to Admiralty papers and before publication asked to see only one biography in advance... that of his "esteemed & gallant friend" James Fitzjames. #NavalHistory

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

My favourite archive! Everything runs so smoothly there and also important: has a very good café. One day I'll explore the outside and actually see the Botanic Gardens. 😅

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Fitzjames lecture in Abbots Langley, 11 July! My second lecture this year is in Fitzjames' home village, where I'll talk more about his childhood and family. It's in person only this time. Would be great to see you all there! Tickets can be ordered here: www.ticketsource.com/abbots-langl...

ticketsource.com

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

On 21 May 1836, Fitzjames' uncle Robert Coningham died & on that same day, Fitzjames almost died in a storm that wrecked one of the Steamers of the Euphrates Expedition. A poem about this sad event was published in 1840, of which I'm happy to have a copy. #NavalHistory #19thC

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

I'm researching the Franklin Search Expeditions & Sophia Cracroft's journals contain interesting anecdotes. Such as Horatio Austin doing the equivalent of drunk texting in 1851. [My transcription] #NavalHistory

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

I'm truly so happy that me deciding to look for a DNA match for Fitzjames and his identification inspired you to do genealogical research and find more DNA matches for the crew! So incredible that modern research allows us to identify these men after all this time.

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

You absolutely deserved to have been the one to break the news! Someone sent me the Daily Mail article & I thought why do I find out like this? Your hard work & dedication has paid of big time, such an important contribution, these guys have their names back. ❤️

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

KATIE!! Someone sent the news to me, why aren't people going crazy about this everywhere. I knew that this must have happened because of your hard work, aaaaah huge congrats!!

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

This book came out 4 years ago! 😅 The best Franklin Expedition book because it's their own words.

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 03/05/2026

Printed books.❤️ (E-books are great for word searching, though.) #research

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

New FitzNewsletter, about my Royal Geographical Society talk and some recent archival exploration stories: #NavalHistory #19thC jamesfitzjames.substack.com/p/fitznewsle...

jamesfitzjames.substack.com

FitzNewsletter

Recording of my RGS talk and more archival exploring.

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Thank you very much! 😄 Really cool to speak at such a prestigious society.

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

On 27 April, I gave a talk about my research at the Royal Geographical Society. The room was sold out and so lovely to meet/talk to people! You can watch a recording of my talk. #NavalHistory #Arctic www.rgs.org/events/talks...

rgs.org

The life of Captain James Fitzjames | Lecture

This talk explores the roles of Captain James Fitzjames and sources that reveal a more accurate, underexplored portrait of this remarkable officer.

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James Fitzjames @captjamesfitzjames.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

Fitzjames' father Sir James Gambier, Consul General: "Everything in Brazil is sooo expensive, I can barely survive here!! 😭" Other people: "Sir James Gambier's house & style of living surpasses that of any other person in Rio de Janeiro." 🤡

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