Everyone has interesting family history stories to tell. Many even think about writing a book about their relatives some day. That day arrived for journalist Brian Martin.

He heard about his charismatic great-uncle for many years, and he has recently published a book about the gold prospector who was a friend of Sir Harry Oakes.

The author, who is a reporter at the London Free Press, said he had always wanted to tell Ernie's story and in the process discovered more about his family's history.

Martin's book, Ernie's Gold, a prospector's tale, is published by General Store Publishing House. Sudbury Living Magazine and the Greater Sudbury Public Library are hosting a meet-the-author event Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 2 and 7 pm. The events are free.

Ernie Martin met Oakes in June of 1911. By December 1912 he had 12 gold claims staked in the Kirkland Lake area. In February 1914 when Lake Shore Mines was incorporated, Oakes gave Ernie 100,000 shares.

It has been written Martin was one of the few men the Oakes ever trusted, says his nephew.

Ernie was a rich man but he lived large, loved women, and died poor. During his lifetime, his assets were estimated to be $13 million. When he died, his mining shares were trading at $13 but he had long since sold them.

Brian Martin has written two previous books: Buxbaum, A Murderous Affair (1986) and Never Enough: The Remarkable Frauds of Julius Melnitzer.

Vicki Gilhula is the editor of Sudbury Living Magazine.