With all good intentions......

[DianaM]

What a fabulous photo, and welcome Jayay!

I've really enjoyed the thrill of the chase ...
Diana

[jayay]

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.

[bearkat]

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.

[jayay]

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

[Lady Di]

Hi All,

Today the Pilgrims have started their journey home 

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

[Lydart]

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. 

[liverpool lass]

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. 

[JAP]

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

[Vickyk]

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