Seeking family for bible aged 106
A STANLEY Crook historian is looking for descendants of a 19th Century schoolgirl whose bible was discovered in a bookshop.
Gillian Gibson-Stephenson came across the bible while browsing in Barnard Castle and was astonished to find the name Margaret Thurlby inside.
She was even more astounded to find that Margaret – who was seven at the time she was given the bible in 1893 – was a pupil at Roddymoor Methodist Chapel Sunday School.
Gillian said: “It was a very nice looking book so I had a closer look and when I saw it was from Roddymoor I had to get it.
“I would love to reunite with any descendants of Margaret.”
According to the 1891 census, Margaret lived with her father Joseph, mother and one-year-old sister, both called Elizabeth, at 13 High Row in Roddymoor.
Joseph was a coalminer who moved to the area from Boston in Lincolnshire.
The next census in 1901 no longer has the family registered at the address and Gillian believes they may have moved away from the area.
Anyone who knows anything about the Thurlbys should contact the Mercury on 01388 768758 or alternatively email duncanleatherdale@
wearvalleymercury.co.uk or visit our office at 43 Hope Street, Crook.