Jim McQuiston of North East has written two books about the Oak Island mystery and was filmed for possible inclusion in the popular cable TV show.

If you’ve been watching the History Channel program “The Curse of Oak Island” every Tuesday night, hoping the Lagina brothers find the Oak Island treasure, stay the course. There’s a possibility that one of its future episodes could include a War Room interview with a resident of the Erie region (the interview segment is where the treasure hunters consult with experts).

“The Curse of Oak Island” TV show is a top show on cable television, with more than 3 million viewers per new episode and close to 6 million viewers overall during replays of each episode. A new show airs each Tuesday at 9 p.m. The previous week's show is shown at 8.

The show documents the world's longest treasure hunt of 222 years, which is still being carried out on a small island off the coast of Nova Scotia called Oak Island. No one knows for sure exactly what they are looking for, although there have been many theories advanced and smaller finds made over the years.

Among those turning up information in an effort to help the search is North East resident Jim McQuiston, a researcher and writer who has met the stars of the show. It was his cousin, Pat Gustafson, secretary of the Irish Cultural Society of Erie County, who alerted us to the interview filmed in June.

“He has done research for them and, with their encouragement, has published his theories predating the 1700s Age of Privateering ones,” Gustafson said.

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During 2017, many important discoveries were made, and historical information was added to the mix by 67-year-old McQuiston, who was born and raised in Corry and who happens to be a fellow with the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, which was established in 1780.

McQuiston has authored many other books and magazine, newspaper and web articles. One of his locally set books, “Patrick's Run,” focuses on a War of 1812 hero whose story had never been told before. It was just at the end of writing that book that an idea struck McQuiston concerning his favorite TV show.

The North East resident approached “The Curse of Oak Island” show officials in January with a small bit of information about a member of his extended family who held the title of premier baronet of Nova Scotia. He wasn't even sure what the significance was at the time.

McQuiston was contacted and asked to provide more information. Within a month or so, after several research-filled emails, it was suggested that he write a book. That book is "Oak Island Missing Links,” and is currently sold at the Oak Island Interpretive Center and online.

In May, McQuiston was asked if he would go up to Nova Scotia to present his theories in the War Room, which is a small building on Oak Island where much of the discussion takes place about where next to focus the search.

In June, Jim and his wife, Beth, arrived in Nova Scotia to find that all their expenses were being paid by the History Channel. He was invited to research at a private library that held many old books and maps. The following day McQuiston presented his theories to Rick Lagina, one of the leaders of the search and stars of the show, and also to Charles Barkhouse, the main Oak Island historian, along with a few other treasure hunters.

McQuiston was filmed for an hour and a half in the War Room but was given no guarantee that he will appear on the show. However, his research was well-received and additional questions were asked over the next few months until it was suggested that Jim write a second book focusing particularly on one theory. That book is “Oak Island 1632” and has just been released. Both books are available on Amazon. And both books reveal many new bits of information and present new theories.

The McQuistons were treated to a couple private tours of Oak Island and were shown things that even now Jim cannot reveal due to a non-disclosure agreement that he signed. He stated: "As I see some of these special places revealed on the show each week, I think, ‘Wow, I was right there, on that spot earlier this year.’”

Regardless of whether McQuiston appears on the show, his research has proven so valuable that he continues to get research requests from Oak Island historians almost weekly and has uncovered many new sources of information and evidence as to who was responsible for activity on the island, and when that activity took place.

McQuiston has his own ideas of what might be buried there but, more importantly, he has historically connected both the Knights Templar and the Freemasons to the island in ways never before written of. He says his books are jampacked with new, historically proven details.

The more recent book, “Oak Island 1632,” gives the most specific theories, including connections to the world's first Freemasons. The book from earlier this year, “Oak Island Missing Links,” discusses a wider range of theories.

McQuiston is available to give a talk and slide show on his Oak Island adventures. You may contact him at jamesamcquiston@gmail.com.

Meg Loncharic can be reached at newsmeg@aol.com.