Retired clergyman Eric Doré began researching the Crown Brewery of brothers Edgar and Gilbert Morse after being told about the old brewery building by a fellow drinker while enjoying a pint in the nearby Triangle Tavern.

His investigations led him to make contact with Canadian Cathy Lange, whose great grandfather was Edgar Morse.

Last month, Ms Lange travelled from her home near Vancouver to visit Lowestoft and enjoy a tour around the former brewery in Crown Street, which is now Crown Artist Brush Ltd.

During the guided tour, conducted by Crown Artist Brush managing director Richard Llewellyn, Ms Lange was able to see the remaining features of the brewery, including the internal twin chimneys of the old coal furnaces for boiling water and heating the malt floors, the high louvre roof vents in some of the larger rooms, a large well, the cellars and the renovated hoist for bringing brewing materials into the brewery.

Ms Lange, who stayed with Mr Doré and his wife at their home in Wrentham, said: 'It feels quite emotional to be able to walk in their shoes and see somewhere that has played a big part in our family history. Some of the things that Eric has uncovered gave us an insight in to the type of people that they were.'

Mr Doré, who has an interest in the history of beers and brewing, said: 'It is lovely to meet Cathy.

'There are records of ancestors but one of the most difficult things is to contact descendants.'

Brothers Edgar and Gilbert were both in their 30s when they started to run the brewery in 1895. Mr Doré said they both seemed committed to building the business up for the future but then suddenly Edgar left.

He said he had been puzzled by Edgar's actions until he received a telephone call from a lady in Yoxford, who had been personal friends of two of Edgar's children – Frederick, who lived in Yoxford, and Francis, who emigrated to British Columbia in Canada.

She put Mr Doré in touch with the family of Francis in Canada and he eventually received and email from Francis' granddaughter Ms Lange.

Ms Lange had interviewed her grandfather in 1997 about his family and his life and wrote up notes of that interview.

It emerged that Edgar had fallen in love with a woman named Constance and they wanted a place to live where they could raise a family. As a result, Edgar sold his share in the brewery to Gilbert some time between 1902 and 1904 – enabling him to buy Haddiscoe Hall, where Freddy, Francis and another daughter Barbara were born.

On his marriage certificate, Edgar described his occupation as 'gentleman' in an attempt to disassociate himself from his brewing background.

Mr Doré said: 'There is a very significant social aspect to this because it seems that communities became almost ashamed about the existence of a brewery in their area.

'That could clearly have been the case in Lowestoft, where in the late 19th century the police had lost control of certain areas where excessive drinking and drunkenness was prevalent. Prohibition in late Victorian England was very much on the cards, with the possibility of the First World War looming and the concern that people were more interested in getting drunk than fighting the enemy.'

Gilbert continued running the brewery in Lowestoft until 1936, when Morgans of Norwich bought the brewery and the pubs.

Mr Doré has also made contact with two people in their 80s, whose father's worked for Gilbert. They said Gilbert had given presents to the children of his employees on their birthdays and they described him as a 'very good man to work for' and 'very fair'.

Mr Doré is now trying to trace any of the paper labels E&G Morse used on their beer bottles in the 1920s and 1930s.

He said they were worth between £50 and £100 each depending on age and condition and urged anyone who would like to sell one to get in touch with him.

If you know more about Edgar and Gilbert Morse, ring Mr Doré on 01502 675777 or email eric@ericdore.plus.com

Are you researching the local history of your community? Email kathryn.bradley@archant.co.uk