RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Lady Di on Wednesday 25 July 07 11:28 BST (UK)
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OK - I admit to having jet lag and that OH thinks I'm mad ::) but I'm hoping that someone here will understand :-[
Whilst in UK last week I found a lovely old book with the following names inside. I bought it, not because I wanted the book, but I'd love to give it to any descendant of Charles Matthews who may be interested.
I don't know where the place "Cha..............." is but is it possible that we may be able to trace this family or their descendants?
Di
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It looks like Charingdown to me, but I can't find it via Google. Or course, it could be a house name.
Diana
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I'm liking the look of Charles William Matthews b 1829 Wick, Gloucestershire who in 1881 has a 5 yr old son William Northman Matthews - fits nicely with the W.N. Matthews signature you have.
1881: RG11/2464 folio 77 p1.
Anna
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...and that Charles William Matthews seems to have died Dec qtr 1895, which also ties in with the date of W.N. Matthews acquiring it into his library
Death
Charles William Matthews aged 67, Thornbury 6a 138.
Anna
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...and even better, according to the 1851 census he seems to have grown up on a farm which looks a bit like the place name you have.
I think it says Charmey Down Farm on the census (there now seems to be an airfield in the right area called Charmey Down)
1851: HO107/1943 folio 525 p4.
Anna
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Hi
Think the son is William Norman Matthews birth registered Bedminster 1875
vol 5
page 750
peterbennett
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Hi
Think the son is William Norman Matthews birth registered Bedminster 1875
vol 5
page 750
Aha - yes - the "Northman" in 1881 is actually a bit of a scribble.
Sadly William Norman Matthews appears to have died young
Death
William Norman Matthews aged 25: Dec 1900 Christchurch, Hants 2b 421
Anna
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It doesnt look like he married, did he have any siblings?
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William's sister Hilda Martha Matthews was a 21-yr-old unmarried governess in Chew Magna, Somerset in 1901: RG13/2330 folio 26 p5.
Anna
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Possible (late) marriage for Hilda M Matthews to Walter G L James, Dec 1915 Axbridge, Somerset 5c 1177
Anna
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i have answered my own question
1881 census RG11 2464 77 1
Walton Castle Farm
Charles Wm Matthews & wife Martha
children:
Nina May age 7 b. Walton Somerset
William Northman age 5 b. do
Hilda M age 1 b. do.
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Nina May Matthews married Q4 1904 in Wycombe 3a 1445 but to whom?
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There was also a son Charles C. Matthews aged 9 in 1891.
Anna
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Oh WOW!!
I always knew RChatters were good but this is unbelievable 8)
I found the book in Brighton Sussex but have no idea how it ended up there.
I would be thrilled to have something signed by my gg.. grandfather dated in 1863 but maybe it's just another bit of junk to some families.
Looks like it came from one of the siblings somewhere if William Norman died in 1900 (unless he was married of course)
Thanks everyone
Di
Edit - gosh, more info already. I just can't keep up - ohhh this is exciting
:-*
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Nina May Matthews married Q4 1904 in Wycombe 3a 1445 but to whom?
Either Carey Franklin Coombs or George Cooper, by the look of it (other female on page is Emma King).
Anna
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Out of interest, can you tell us what the book is ?
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http://www.archieraf.co.uk/scs/wellingtonl7775.html
So she married Carey COOMBS. I wonder if Herbert Martin was their only son?
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Hi
The evidence of marriage seems to point to Carey Franklin Coombs,
There are two births one dated Dec 1905 Noel Carey Coombs Bristol
and one Sept 1910 for a Nina M Coombs
These would be a very big coincidence if found not to be the children of Nina May Matthews and Carey Franklin Coombs ???
peterbennett
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Noel Carey COOMBS born 16 Dec 1905 died Feb 1992 Northallerton, Yorks.
Anna
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Oh gosh bearkat what a brilliant find. That certainly answers the question of who she married but what a tragic accident.
Lydart - the book itself is not exciting unfortunately. It's The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
(A New Edition with a Memoir and Notes) 1863
I just wish I could find some of my rellies as successfully as everyone here is at finding the Matthew's family members
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Carey Franklin Coombs was a prominent cardiologist:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carey_Coombs
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Obituary of Dr C.F. Coombs, The Times, 12 Dec 1932:
"...His widow survives him with four sons and a daughter."
Anna
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C F Coombs was son of Dr Carey Pearse Coombs, who was in practice in Frome, Somerset ...
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One of the sons of Carey and Nina was Charles John Franklin Coombs "Dr C.J. F." known as "Franklin" whose engagement to Barbara A. Bland was announced in The Times 4 March 1938.
Charles John F. Coombs b 27 Dec 1908 died at Truro, Cornwall Jul 1989.
Barbara Agnes Coombs b 31 May 1907 died at Truro, Cornwall Sep 1986
Anna
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Also from The Times
Marriage
DR C J F COOMBS (son of the late Dr Carey COOMBS) to Barbara BLAND Sept 9 1939 at St Matthews, Kingsdown, Bristol
(Moderator, please delete if you think this info is too recent)
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Noel Carey COOMBS born 16 Dec 1905 died Feb 1992 Northallerton, Yorks.
Anna
There is an entry in the 1939 telephone directory for Dr N.C. Coombs Phys & Surg. Rose Cottage Romaldkirk North Yorkshire.
Its about 15 miles north of Northallerton.
Quote
from avm228
One of the sons of Carey and Nina was Charles John Franklin Coombs "Dr C.J. F." known as "Franklin" whose engagement to Barbara A. Bland was announced in The Times 4 March 1938.
There are two births of possible living children to this couple, one Sept qtr 1940 and another Dec qtr 1943.
It is probably best that we do not mention the names of any possible living relatives born after 1930, I will send the names on to Lady Di by pm.
peterbennett
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Well done chatters! ;D ;D Great work!
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Fantastic news and well done to everyone.
Jetlag finally got to me and I just had to have some zzzzz's ::) but in the usual fashion of RChatters, you have performed miracles again.
I do hope that one of Charles Matthews descendants is interested in their heritage and this poor old book goes to a great home
Thanks everyone
Di
:-*
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I'm completely in awe of the work Rootschatters have done in tracking this family! Brilliantly done, Rootschatters! I can't wait to see whether a family member is eventually located to claim this book!
MarieC
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All,
I've moved this into the Common Room so search engines will find it and any guest visiting who maybe related will see it.
I'm loving your work!
Does anyone have a subscription to GenesReunited? Carey Coombs 1842 appears on a tree. I'm at work so can't search the other names. I can't send messages and subscription has lapsed.
Pam
:)
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Does anyone have a subscription to GenesReunited? Carey Coombs 1842 appears on a tree. I'm at work so can't search the other names. I can't send messages and subscription has lapsed.
Pam
I have sent her a message - fingers crossed!
Diana
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Hi Pam
Yes I have seen that one on genes, obviously related in some way, but doubt a direct line from our Mr Charles Matthews.
Our Carey Coombs died in 1832.
thanks for the tip off
peterbennett
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Our Carey Coombs died in 1832.
peterbennett
or 1932 ;)
If it would help I can pop over the road and find a will for one of the family members - might help find next of kin details.
Anna
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There are two births of possible living children to this couple, one Sept qtr 1940 and another Dec qtr 1943.
According to online sources, one of these daughters (the elder, born 1940) became a distinguished palaeopathologist and significant contributor to rheumatology research - sadly she died in 2001.
Anna
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Wonder if she married and had children ?
They sound an amazingly clever family ... maybe its a case of 'once a doctor, always a doctor' .... just as in my own family (and probably many others on here) its a case of 'once an ag. lab, always an ag.lab' ... me and my passion for growing veg !
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She did marry and had children and grandchildren.
Presumably I'm allowed to post the link to her obituary since no living person is mentioned? Someone will tell me if not:
http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/41/6/716
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just as in my own family (and probably many others on here) its a case of 'once an ag. lab, always an ag.lab' ... me and my passion for growing veg !
LOL ;D
Fortunately for me, in the light of some nefarious forebears, it doesn't always go like that "once a fraudster, always a fraudster" ;)
Anna
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Glad about that Anna !
I think (after reading the obit) that I met her once, when about 12-15 years ago we were digging a site in Hereford for the new Treasury building ... we certainly had an emminent lady on site once or twice who could look at a bone and immediately tell you whether the past owner had died of syphillis, or TB, or rheumatism ...
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I think (after reading the obit) that I met her once, when about 12-15 years ago we were digging a site in Hereford for the new Treasury building ... we certainly had an emminent lady on site once or twice who could look at a bone and immediately tell you whether the past owner had died of syphillis, or TB, or rheumatism ...
Wow - that's amazing that you met her :)
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Hi Anna
1832 :-[ a slip of the tongue.
Hi Pam
Yes I have seen that one on genes, obviously related in some way, but doubt a direct line from our Mr Charles Matthews.
What I was trying to get over was that the Carey Franklin Coombs who married Nina May Matthews doesn't come into the reckoning until they married in 1904, so any Coombs before that date are not related to Charles Matthews the first owner of the book.
According to online sources, one of these daughters (the elder, born 1940) became a distinguished palaeopathologist and significant contributor to rheumatology research - sadly she died in 2001.
Anna
I will find her marriage and see if I can spot the births of her children, then its over to BT to find an address.
Quite an illustrious family, makes a change from chasing ag/labs.
peterbennett
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Not helping in any way, but letting you know I'm on the sidelines cheering you on.
The fact that the book is the Pilgrim's Progress makes this all the more interesting for me. I have a copy from the family collection, given as a Sunday School prize in 1912 which I cherish. You'd have to smack that out of my hands!
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What a brilliant story, hope that it has a happy ending.
Wish I could crack my brick walls like that!
Well done folks marvelous job all round, I do hope that you get a happy ending. :)
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Well done everyone. Pity we can't all knock our brick walls down like this.
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Good Heavens!
Leave you all alone for a short time and brilliance shines through - again!
What an impressive amout of work everyone has done - thank you all so very much.
I can't believe that this poor little book was actually owned by such an impressive family as well. I wouldn't have found any of this info in a million years as I was also expecting to search for ag labs etc.
The interesting thing about this book is that although the cover is dusty and worn, it still has the original tissue paper interleaved between the first couple of drawings - don't think the book has been handled or read much over the last almost 150years - not cherished like yours Paula.
Thank you everyone
Di
Edit - I agree about the brick wall demolition team - I'd pay RChatters to breakdown any of my brick walls at any time - you're the best :-*
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Hi All
Quote
According to online sources, one of these daughters (the elder, born 1940) became a distinguished palaeopathologist and significant contributor to rheumatology research - sadly she died in 2001.
Anna
I have found the marriage of our palaeopathologist and birth and marriage of her eldest son, he still lives in Bristol, unfortunatly he seems to be exdirectory so no phone/address.
I have found him in the www.192.co.uk index for the 2007 electrol roll but do not have credits.
Anybody got any credits and would like to help ???
peterbennett
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Hi All
Quote
According to online sources, one of these daughters (the elder, born 1940) became a distinguished palaeopathologist and significant contributor to rheumatology research - sadly she died in 2001.
Anna
I have found the marriage of our palaeopathologist and birth and marriage of her eldest son, he still lives in Bristol, unfortunatly he seems to be exdirectory so no phone/address.
I have found him in the www.192.co.uk index for the 2007 electrol roll but do not have credits.
Anybody got any credits and would like to help ???
peterbennett
I have now got the details (didn't even need to pay!) of the probate in 2001 - grantee was a Bristol-based man whose name(s) suggest that he must be a son. I have a 2001 address for him but for some reason can't find him on 192.com. Wonder whether we're talking about the same person?
I have 192.com credits - if you send me a PM I'll try to take it further.
Anna
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OK, team - peterbennett and I were talking about the same person, and I now have an address for him from the 2007 electoral roll. I'm pretty sure it's him, (right name for wife, right area) though unfortunately it only lists the first of his middle initials and not the second!
Will PM Lady Di with it
Anna
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Magnificent work! I can't wait to hear the denouement of this!! ;D ;D
MarieC
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Yes MarieC, I agree - marvellous work by everyone.
Here's hoping that we find a kindred soul who will give the book a good home.
Hopefully a letter will be in the mail tomorrow.
Fingers crossed
Di
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I am in awe at the speed and expertise that has gone into tracing the descendants. Watching on the sidelines in excited anticipation of a happy outcome to this search.
Amazing place Rootschat, with talented, and generous members.
Cathy ;D
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Once again an amazing piece of teamwork has been done by Rootschatters. Just imagine how any of us would feel if someone suddenly appeared to present us with an item once held by our ancestors.
Well done.
Kathleen
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Does anyone have a subscription to GenesReunited? Carey Coombs 1842 appears on a tree. I'm at work so can't search the other names. I can't send messages and subscription has lapsed.
Pam
I have sent her a message - fingers crossed!
Diana
I have heard from the person confirmed, and the palaeopathologist was her cousin. She knows of two childre,, is not in touch herself, but has a relative who may be able to contact them.
To quote her,
"Many thanks for all your and others hard work. Isn't it wonderful when a jigsaw falls into place.
Incidentally my middle name is Carey."
I will suggest that she registers with Rootschat and sends a PM to Lady Di.
Diana
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This is getting to be like the best of detective stories.
Really enjoying it. All the more so because it's a TRUE story.
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Hopefully this is going to have a happy ending! How very nice!! Brilliant work chaps!
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Excellent work ! Lets hope we can return the Bible and the other documents to the family ... see other thread like this one !
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,247086.0.html
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Wow what a result. Just shows the 'power' of this excellent site and it's contributors.
Give yourselves pats on backs all round.
Jean
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Another snippet from my GR contact:
Astonishing detective work by all concerned
The whole family were very religious. Dissenters was the name given to their cult.The Pilgrims Progress must have meant a lot to them as Nina May sent me a copy when I was only 5 years.
She has joined Rootschat and I'm working on getting her in contact with Lady Di!
Diana
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Well done ! That's the way to push up the membership numbers ! I wonder if we'll be able to guess who she is from her chosen name ?
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WOW - it's like Christmas, Easter and Birthdays all on the same day ;D
AND I was just going to post the letter!!
I received the PM from DianaM's contact and she is a direct descendant of Charles W Matthews 8)
I have offerred to send the book to her and she can then work out who in the family actually gets to keep it.
This has just been so astonishing. RootsChatters have again performed miracles and done themselves proud.
Thank You everyone
(Think I'm gonna cry :'()
Di
:-*
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Don't cry Di, ;)
It is a wonderful thing that you have managed to do with the help of all the others! What a great bunch of people! Fantastic ending to an intriguing story
You must all be so thrilled! Hope that you at least get a drink out of it!
Rabbit B ;D
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I hope this photo of Charles Matthews himself will compensate you for all your hard work. I cannot believe you pulled it off in just 5 days. What a fantastic team. My thanks to you all
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what a lovely picture jayay, they are a wonderful bunch on here as you have found out!
So welcome!
Rabbit B ;D
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Well, the photo just about rounds off a fantastic story. thank you for letting us see it.
I'm afraid I've gone all soppy too.
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Hi jayay and welcome to RootsChat,
What a great photo - many thanks for letting us actually see Charles Matthews. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I'd actually see what he looked like. 8)
RootsChatters are THE BEST
Di
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Hi jayay,
As soon as I saw this picture it rang a bell have a look at
http://www.atrifleofthis.com/images/Charles_Dickens.jpg there is a likeness there so it must be the same era!
Rabbit B ;)
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This is a story that a local newspaper would love to print. Anyone got a contact in the right area? Great publicity for RootsChat!
Well done, everyone. I've been following the story and can't believe how quickly this was solved.
Monica
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I have just read all 5 pages. Great work everyone. Very exciting. And welcome to Rootschat Jayay.
Now all of you, check my names below and start hunting for family artifacts. ;D ;D ;D
Kath
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I'm so pleased that we've found a living descendant especially one that is interested in family history. I was worried that living relatives may not care about the book - after all, someone must have discarded it.
It's amazing when you think this was achieved without buying a single certificate.
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I have been following this amazing story from the beginning, and am looking forward to showing it to the local genealogy group where I lead research sessions on the computer.
Well done to all concerned, and what a great ending.
Welcome to Rootschat, Jayay -there are some wonderful people here. :D
.....dee
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Lady Di,
Do you have any spare tissues - I need them!
Just an amazing story and outcome. I feel very privileged to be a member of such a great group of people!
And welcome from me too, jayay. Don't know how your experiences on Rootschat will top this one, but I'm sure you will enjoy being here!
Dee, I think I'll print it out and take it to my genealogy group to show them what can be done!
MarieC
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I just sat and read this wonderful story. Well done everyone ;D
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This is Rootschat at it's best ;D Well done to everyone concerned and welcome to Rootschat Jayay :)
Elaine
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What a fabulous photo, and welcome Jayay!
I've really enjoyed the thrill of the chase ...
Diana
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What a fabulous story. When I receive the book I may just go to my local paper. I know a reporter who will think it is Christmas if I hand her this.
Just so happens I have another book belonging to a relative dated the early 18th cent. I have got back my tree to witin 3o years of her , but just cannot bridge the gap.
There is always some puzzle or other to solve, thats what makes genealogy so fascinating. So far nothing has topped the Pilgrims Progress for excitement.
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Just so happens I have another book belonging to a relative dated the early 18th cent. I have got back my tree to witin 3o years of her , but just cannot bridge the gap.
Why not post what you know on the appropriate Rootschat board? There are always plenty of willing and very knowledgable helpers on here. :)
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Thanks . This site is new to me . I think I will just familiarize myself with the site before I start something new. Pilgrims Progress was so exciting I feel exhausted
jayay
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Hi All,
Today the Pilgrims have started their journey home ;D
It was with the greatest of pleasure that I have posted the book to a descentant of the original owner, Charles W Matthews. Jayay should receive it in a week or so.
Many thanks to everyone who has taken part in this challenge.
A fantastic ending thanks to RootsChatters
Regards
Di
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RootsChat at its very best !
And how far the book has travelled in just a few weeks ! The original Charles would be truly staggered, I'm sure !
Welcome to RootsChat, Jayay ... I hope you get as much use and as much fun out of it as we all do.
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Well done once again everybody! I have only just caught up on this thread. What a great job you all did and in such a short time. ;D ;D ;D
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To Lady Di,
Congratulations to you for putting this puzzle up on RootsChat. And for your graciousness in returning it to the original owner's descendants.
To RootsChatters,
Congratulations for brilliant deduction.
To jayay,
I'm sure we all share your excitement - and we think how excited we'd all be if we were in similar circumstances.
Re Pilgrim and the Progress,
I recall being loaned, by an elderly spinster lady (well, at my age back then she seemed elderly!!), a copy of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress in my childhood - bound in green and with gold writing. And it was illustrated! I think I was about 6 (well, in those days we read - no television or such diversions!). I still remember how excited I was by Pilgrim's tale - I'm afraid that the Christian allegory passed me by as I was just enthralled by Pilgrim's adventures!! I guess these days the equivalent would be Harry Potter!! Try this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pilgrim's_Progress
I still have a similarly bound book which the lady actually gave to me (inscribed as a gift in 1905 which was the year of its publication) - 'A White Roof-Tree' by Ethel Turner; some may remember Ethel Turner as the author of 'Seven Little Australians' and 'The Family at Misrule' - a TV series here in Oz.
A fascinating thread, Lady Di, and many memories - thank you.
JAP
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Barbara Bland and Franklin Coombs were my grandparents. Nina Matthews was my great great grandmother I think. Please tell me more about the book? Best wishes Vicky
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Hello Vicky ... welcome to RootsChat ... you enjoy finding your ancestors, I'm sure.
This thread was such an exciting one to follow ... and I do hope you'll get the info you want. Fancy you finding us ! Its great ...
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Jayay where do you fit in the family? I can fill in many details of the family tree for the last 200 years as there is a book which has been passed down
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What a really wonderful story - and it looks like getting better!
I wish I could get something like that from someone, or even that I was as good at researching as some of the people on here - I just don't have that 'flair' or imagination that solves mysteries. That'll be my ag lab ancestry for you. ;)
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Rachel,
I am with you on that! I cannot get into the imaginative side sometimes, but thanks to the marvelous help I have had from rootschatters, I am making progress at last.
I think that the imagination comes with experience. Then together with the help you get on rootschat, it starts to get exciting to flesh out the bones, and everything comes together.
Rabbit B :D
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I wish I could get something like that from someone, or even that I was as good at researching as some of the people on here - I just don't have that 'flair' or imagination that solves mysteries. That'll be my ag lab ancestry for you. ;)
It's not so much about being good at researching (altho' I do a type of research for my job so that helps!) as finding something that catches your imagination and maybe coming at something from an angle that someone else hasn't thought of.
Diana
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Oh Gosh, I neally missed all the excitement ::)
Welcome to Rootschat Vickyk. If I can help in any way, please send me a PM (Personal Message) and I'll see if I still have Jayay details. Or alternatively try sending Jayay a PM.
Thanks everyone for your comments as well. Don't know how I dropped from the contact list - probably something I did (or didn't ::) ).
I'm still out "junk" hunting - maybe one day I'll find another little treasure ;D
Di
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Vickyk found me thanks to Roots Chat. Now perhaps I can deliver the book to the Totally Direct descendant of Charles Matthews. A lot of summer visitors have kept me away from any ancestor hunting for a while, but I am back on the case again now.
Jayay
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Hi Jayay,
I'm pleased to hear that you and VickyK have been in contact and it is great to know that the old book will find a new home (again!!)
All the best
Di
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I enjoyed the possession albeit short lived
Jayay
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This has been the most wonderful thread to follow. It is one of the threads that I showed to the local genealogy computer group here......all senior citizens.....and they were amazed at what had happened. Many of them want to become members of Rootschat now. :D
......dee
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This has been the most wonderful thread to follow. It is one of the threads that I showed to the local genealogy computer group here......all senior citizens.....and they were amazed at what had happened. Many of them want to become members of Rootschat now. :D
They won't find a nicer place to be on the internet! I look forward to welcoming the new members and perhaps more threads like this - it's been a great story to follow.
Monica
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Monica,
Next meeting I have been asked to go through the process of membership, logging in and out, profiles and posting with them. Hopefully after that some will have the confidence to join. :D
And I have to agree that this thread was a perfect example to demonstrate to them the friendliness, thoughtfulness and cooperation of Rootschat members all over the world.
......dee
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I'm with you on all points there, dee. This is the best run site there is, with some really smashing people. I would recommend it to anyone just starting out.
Later when they have confidence they might try less well run sites, but this is the place to be.
I used to say start with Genes, but that's changed....and you have to pay...Roots is efficient, friendly and FREE.
In a recient survey done by another site, I was asked how good I thought they were, I said fairly good, how much I trusted them...not much.
I trust Roots and the RootsChatters.
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I absolutely agree! It's been a fantastic thread, really showed what Rootschat is all about. I look forward to welcoming dee's new members when they join!
MarieC