Shropshire Star

Quest to return Victorian family bible

Years ago Mary Ellis of Clun found an old family bible at the bottom of a chest. And as the names within it mean nothing to her, she now wants to return it to the family concerned.

Published

However, the clues she has are thin, as the bible and the names within it date back to Victorian times.

"When I moved house, which was about 35 years ago, I had a big chest with different things in. This family bible was right at the bottom. I was so surprised. I had not found it before.

"I don't know whose it is and I would like the family to have it, whoever they are. I'm getting old and it could get thrown away. I already have my own family bible.

"In the front, in lovely writing, is written F.W. Scaife. I have never heard the surname before. I haven't got that name in my family that I know of. Underneath it says November 10th, 1878," said Miss Ellis, who says she is just over 80.

Other names appear within the bible. There is Edwin Durose, who was born on October 7, 1854, and his wife Jane Dayson. Then there are the children, Mary Ann Durose, born on August 16, 1874, and Thomas Durose, born on June 25, 1876.

Her house move all those years ago did not take Miss Ellis very far.

"I moved from one side of Clun to the other."