Jane Smith wrote the non-fiction book Ship of Death to explore the historical circumstances and people who were onboard the ship in 1850.

The Port Macquarie-Hastings Library is running a series of online events called stories behind the storytellers.

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Ms Smith will speak about her book Ship of Death via Zoom on Friday, September 4 from 10am till 11am.

Emigrant sailed into Moreton Bay in 1850 and passengers were quarantined at Stradbroke Island in terrible conditions for more than three months.

Ms Smith said she developed a love for history after leaving school.

She said the opportunities are endless when it comes to finding fascinating accounts throughout time.

Ms Smith writes historical fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. Three of Ms Smith's children's books have been short or long-listed for literary awards.

Ms Smith said the nineteenth-century experience of disease and quarantine is particularly poignant in a time where COVID-19 is so prominent in the world.

"It was during a time when the situation was pretty grim in the United Kingdom, as there was high unemployment and poverty," she said.

"People were desperate but also adventurous to take the voyage on."

There were about 276 passengers onboard the Emigrant and of those about 48 died from typhus.

Ms Smith said there were limited documents containing first hand accounts directly from passengers and staff in relation to the voyage.

She had to rely on primary documents to piece their stories together.

Ms Smith travelled to the United Kingdom to research the event.

Anyone interested in participating in the event can register at mnclibrary.org.au/event/jane-smith-live-online-stories-behind-the-storyteller

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