Essex charity hoping to reunite Guernsey family with 125-year-old book
A charity in Essex is hoping to reunite a Guernsey family with a book that is more than 125 years old, after it recently appeared in its shop.
The Harwich Cultural and Community Project, based in the town of Harwich, received the book about two months ago. It arrived as part of a donation, but it failed to secure interest in the shop, so it is now looking to return it to its rightful owners.
The book is entitled ‘The Mystery of Kittie-Boy’, by Jennie Chappell, and was published by Blackie and Son in 1899.
It contains a label on the inside of its front cover which reads ‘De Jersey Prize, St Martin’s, Guernsey’.
The label also states that the book was presented to a man named Walter Gallienne by William Ozanne around Christmas in 1900.
Mr Ozanne was rector at St Martin’s church between 1894 and 1917.
‘We don’t know who it came from unfortunately as we had so many come in at the same time,’ said charity volunteer Ken Garner.
‘We have no idea why a book as old as this from Guernsey of all places would end up here. It’s strange.’
Since its arrival, Mr Garner said the book had spent its days at the back of the shop with little interest from shoppers, which had prompted the charity’s appeal.
He said he had contacted St Martin’s Church and asked whether it would take the book, but was told by the church’s office that it had no use for it, and it was suggested that he should contact the Priaulx Library.
‘The library did say they were interested in the book, but they suggested contacting the Guernsey Press in order to try and find Mr Gallienne’s family, so here I am,’ said Mr Garner.
Anyone with information on the book or the Gallienne family can contact the Guernsey Press on newsroom@guernseypress.com.
