A RUTHIN charity shop worker unearthed a historic family tale with twists and turns that has taken her on a great journey when she opened a donation bag.
Jan Goodman launched a vintage and collectables book section in the Sue Ryder Care shop on Well Street and after a week she received a very heavy bag drop that had been picked up on the monthly collection.
Jan opened the bag of donated items to find a huge brass-edged leather-bound 19th century family bible with finely tooled heavy brass buckle locks and anchors.
An inscription on the inside front cover of the bible read 'Francis Yarwood's Book Wincham Lane July 17th 1873.'
Jan said she thought the bag drop was heavier than normal and was astonished to see the book inside.
"I thought it looked fantastic, so I put it to one side to do a bit more research," said Jan.
The manageress researched the book with her husband Roger at home.
The couple googled Francis Yarwood and discovered that he was the great-great-grandfather of Stephen Yarwood, who lived in Bedfordshire and had set up a website devoted to Francis and the family tree.
Stephen's email address was on the website and so the couple contacted him to tell them about the find.
After an excitable exchange of emails, Stephen discovered the family bible contained fresh additions for his family tree.
Roger and Jan arranged to meet Stephen at a halfway point in Newport to hand over the book.
Roger said reuniting the bible with the family for which it had been missing for five generations was quite an emotional experience and Stephen was overwhelmed.
To express his thanks Stephen donated to Sue Ryder Care a sum equivalent to the open-market value of the bible, £120!
If you have any information on the book contact adele.forrest@nwn.co.uk