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General => The Common Room => The Lighter Side => Topic started by: AngelFish on Friday 31 May 13 16:08 BST (UK)

Title: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Friday 31 May 13 16:08 BST (UK)
Bristol Airport Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner

"Bristol Airport is trying to find the owner of an antique teddy bear left in a carrier bag in the departure lounge more than a year ago.

Staff said the bear, who they believe is called Glyn, was found with an old photograph dated 1918, and other items.

On the reverse of the photograph - sent to "our darling daddy" - it names two children, Dora and Sonia, and Glyn."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-22717020

Does anyone think they could help?  Are there any clues in the photo as to location?  Is there a post mark?  Is it possible to find two sisters named Dora and Sonia?  It would be fabulous if the experience of the  scavenger hunt can can help discover who Glyns family was...

Moderator Comment: Image of the post card that came with teddy has been added (sent from Bristol Airport)

If you can please also share/like this on social media (if you're on it) by using the share buttons below the image then that would be brilliant.

Updated - Family Found:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=648863.msg5163704#msg5163704

Updated - Bear found to belong to Robert Glyn Baker, now in Cyprus:
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=648863.msg5205510#msg5205510
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Friday 31 May 13 17:39 BST (UK)
What does the writing that is upside down say?
Something about Baby's birthday and a 1918 date?


Also, I am not convinced that is says 'Sonia' . . .
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: rosie99 on Friday 31 May 13 17:58 BST (UK)
What does the writing that is upside down say?
Something about Baby's birthday and a 1918 date?


Also, I am not convinced that is says 'Sonia' . . .

Taken on babys birthday March 4th 1918
One year & 5 months old
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Friday 31 May 13 18:01 BST (UK)
! So who is aged 1 year and 5 mths?


Maybe it is tne photograph that is 1 yr 5 mths old

So wasnt sent to Daddy till August 1919
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Friday 31 May 13 18:13 BST (UK)
I wonder if it says

'With dearest love & x's to our darling Daddie from your loving little daughter & sonnie
Dora and Glyn'


Thus the younger child is Glyn (looks like a girl, but all babies wore dresses )and not the bear!!

Glyn is very much a Welsh name (looking at births in 1917ish)
So we need one with a corresponding Dora as sister . . . .
But I may be wrong, though the more I look at it te more convinced I am - esp the ie at the end of Daddie and Sonnie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: sami on Friday 31 May 13 18:24 BST (UK)
I've probably been looking at too many old photographs lately, but wasn't there a photo of a child very similar to one of these children on the photo restoration section of rootschat?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Friday 31 May 13 19:11 BST (UK)
Some good points so far

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Friday 31 May 13 19:16 BST (UK)
Sorry, I could really have added these pictures earlier.

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Friday 31 May 13 19:28 BST (UK)
I see down the side it says " from the studios of Dura Ltd"

Wonder if that will lead us to a part of the country
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Friday 31 May 13 19:33 BST (UK)
I see down the side it says " from the studios of Dura Ltd"

Wonder if that will lead us to a part of the country

This website seems to show that Dura Ltd had a number of addresses in different towns - there is a Wales link!
http://www.victorianphotographers.co.uk/index.php?searchStr=Dura+Ltd&_a=viewCat&Submit=
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Friday 31 May 13 19:35 BST (UK)
DURA;;14;St John's Sq;Cardiff;1908-11;1908;;(also as Dura Ltd. and
Dura¹s Photos Ltd.); ;SB
DURA;; ;Northampton Place;Swansea;;1910;Kelly;St. Helen¹s Rd;;S&R
DURA;;53;Queen St;Cardiff;1912-20;1912;;Park Chambers ; ;SB
DURA;;30;Dunraven Place;Bridgend;1918-21;1918;;;;SB
DURA;; ;Station Rd;Merthyr;1918-21;1918;;;;SB
DURA;; ;Chapel St;Bargoed;;1920;Kelly;;;S&R
DURA;;30;Dunraven Place;Bridgend; ;1920;Kelly;;;S&R
DURA;;1;Northampton Place;Swansea;;1920;Kelly;St. Helen¹s Rd;;S&R
DURA;; ;Post Office Chambers;Merthyr;;1920;Kelly;;;S&R
DURA;;53;Queen St;Cardiff; ;1920;Kelly;Park Chambers ; ;S&R
DURA;;60;Taff St;Pontypridd;;1920;Kelly;60 or 90 ???;;S&R
DURA;;9a;Duke St;Cardiff;;1926;;;;SB
DURAS;Portrait Specialist;; ;Penarth/Cardiff;;1911;Own collection;Dad
age 2;;PM

Source:  http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/CARMARTHENSHIRE-FHS/2006-08/1154601751

Do you think these are the address of the photographers, or the details of someones photo collection with the address they were taken?   ???
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Friday 31 May 13 20:48 BST (UK)
My partner suggested maybe Baby was a third child? with the photo being taken on the day the baby was born. The photo being taken and sent to the father from the two older children - Dora and Glyn - with the youngest of the two, Glyn being aged 1 year and 5 months at the time?

I think it's improbable.  ::)


Does the child on the left have a tankard on the arm of the chair? Would that just be used as a prop or might it have been a first birthday present?
Is he wearing a bracelet on his left wrist or is it just a shadow?
He has lace at the bottom of his 'dress', did boys clothes have decoration like that? 
He's stood on the chair (maybe leaning against the back), my child wasn't steady enough on her feet at age one to stand still on a chair for a picture, but I'm guessing others can? Does he look like a one year old?

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Friday 31 May 13 21:39 BST (UK)
My partner suggested maybe Baby was a third child? with the photo being taken on the day the baby was born. The photo being taken and sent to the father from the two older children - Dora and Glyn - with the youngest of the two, Glyn being aged 1 year and 5 months at the time?



I wondered that, but then thought if Mum was in labour giving birth to 'baby', then they were hardly likely to have booked a photgrapher for the other children. Unless Nanny or someone took them to  the studio leaving Mum with some other staff or rellie to care for her as she gave birth.

I'm going for it being taken on the birthday of one of the children, but now the photo is a year and 5 months old.
But who knows? !!

Seems like it is quite likely Wales though.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Monday 03 June 13 23:06 BST (UK)
I've been through the Birth index on FreeBMD and compared records for

Glyn/Glyndwr Q1 and Q2 1918 in Wales,
against the Doras from Q1 1913 to Q4 1918 in Wales,

and cannot find records that match all the surname, mothers name and district.

I don't have any other ideas...???
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: hepburn on Monday 03 June 13 23:47 BST (UK)
I thought the bear was named Glyn ???
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Monday 03 June 13 23:57 BST (UK)
I thought the bear was named Glyn ???

They guessed that Glyn was the bear. Reading the postcard it seems to be one of the children.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: sami on Tuesday 04 June 13 01:09 BST (UK)
I wonder if it says

'With dearest love & x's to our darling Daddie from your loving little daughter & sonnie
Dora and Glyn'


Thus the younger child is Glyn (looks like a girl, but all babies wore dresses )and not the bear!!

Glyn is very much a Welsh name (looking at births in 1917ish)
So we need one with a corresponding Dora as sister . . . .
But I may be wrong, though the more I look at it te more convinced I am - esp the ie at the end of Daddie and Sonnie

Agree with lizdb here. Two children - daughter is Dora, son is Glyn. Perhaps Baby is the bear. I've been working through familysearch but haven't been able to get any appropriate matches between children's surnames etc.

sami
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Tuesday 04 June 13 08:25 BST (UK)
So let me get this right then.

In the picture are two children, with a teddy. It's the same teddy as the one found at Bristol Airport.

The term 'daughter & sonnie' refers to "daughter and son", called "Dora" and "Glyn".

I wonder who 'baby' was, who was 1 year 5 months old in 1918? These two children are both older than that - can we guess their ages?

Could Dora be short for Dorothy or Theodora?

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Tuesday 04 June 13 08:37 BST (UK)
I've been through the Birth index on FreeBMD and compared records for

Glyn/Glyndwr Q1 and Q2 1918 in Wales,
against the Doras from Q1 1913 to Q4 1918 in Wales,

and cannot find records that match all the surname, mothers name and district.

I think we need to look earlier than 1918 for Glyn. The photo was taken March 1918 and IF the younger child is Glyn in the picture, then he looks at least a year old.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: hepburn on Tuesday 04 June 13 09:14 BST (UK)
It's a strange birthday....1 year and 5 months.Could baby have died and that's why he/she isn't on it?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Finley 1 on Tuesday 04 June 13 09:16 BST (UK)
I think I agree with daughter and son = Dora and Glynn


(I got that far  ;))

xin

they could be referring to the bear as baby ??? and bears ages differ to ours  ;D
cos a birthday of 1 yr and some months is strange.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Tuesday 04 June 13 09:19 BST (UK)
Yes, I was wondering if the baby had died. I hadn't even thought that "1 year 5 months" was a strange birthday, but yes, it obviously is.

Now, I'm thinking that "Baby" is another pet name of one of these two children on their birthday.

I'm also now thinking that "1 year 5 months" is the time that they've not seen their Daddy, and in fact, that's why they've sent him the card because he's not at home.

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Finley 1 on Tuesday 04 June 13 09:24 BST (UK)
for a minute there I thought I had it..

1 yr and 5 months showing the age of two seperate children.  But No... thats wrong..... ::)

So Daddy has gone off to war maybe - and it is 1 yr 5 mnths since he went?

This pic was taken on the babys birthday to send to him.----

thats all I can fathom, just now.

xin
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: edalmun on Tuesday 04 June 13 09:35 BST (UK)
It says 1 year & 5 months old, so I think it must be referring to an age rather than a timespan since they last saw their Daddie.

Maybe we should ask the experts on the photograph board if there are any clues in the photograph i.e. the cup that was mentioned earlier, Glyn's dress?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Tuesday 04 June 13 09:55 BST (UK)
The lady dealing with this at Bristol Airport is sending us a copy of the photograph itself, so I'll post that up once we receive it.

That should hopefully give us a few more clues. :)

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Tuesday 04 June 13 11:04 BST (UK)
The lady dealing with this at Bristol Airport is sending us a copy of the photograph itself, so I'll post that up once we receive it.

That should hopefully give us a few more clues. :)

Trystan

Hehe  She's heard from me also   ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: hepburn on Tuesday 04 June 13 12:01 BST (UK)
Come on lady from Bristol.......we're on tenterhooks here  ;)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Tuesday 04 June 13 12:04 BST (UK)
Come on lady from Bristol.......we're on tenterhooks here  ;)

Well this is the photo as shown on the BBC news website:
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Tuesday 04 June 13 13:12 BST (UK)
I still think the best theory about the 1 yr 5 mths, is that the photo is  1yr 5mts old.

So, it was taken on baby's birthday, and is 1 yr 5 mths old.

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Tuesday 04 June 13 13:20 BST (UK)
Yeah! We have the photo hot off the printing press (email inbox), the lady from Bristol very kindly sent it to us.

Quote
Hi Trystan

Thanks of the email and also the telephone call.  Really appreciate any help you can give to this.

As promised the photo of the postcard/photo as attached.

Many thanks once again,

Kindest regards

Jacqui
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Tuesday 04 June 13 13:22 BST (UK)
The pads on the bear's feet have been replaced at one time (I don't think that helps us though!)

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Tuesday 04 June 13 13:59 BST (UK)
Bristol Airport Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner

"Bristol Airport is trying to find the owner of an antique teddy bear left in a carrier bag in the departure lounge more than a year ago.

Staff said the bear, who they believe is called Glyn, was found with an old photograph dated 1918, and other items.

I would be interested in knowing what the other items in the bag might be?maybe they would hold a clue or two in this mystery,
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:03 BST (UK)
I love this challenge!

What adorable little children.

I also think the bear's pads on it's 'arms' are different from in the photo - longer, maybe mended, and extended to cover damage?

As I am coming to this late in the piece, I think the older child is Dora, and the younger child is Glyn, and Glyn is 1 year and 5 months old. Phrasing is a bit odd on the back of the postcard but that is my understanding of the wording. Might the tankard be a first birthday present for Glyn, though it could be a christening present I suppose?

There appears to be a picture in the locket around Dora's neck. I thought it may be a picture of Glyn - but am likely to be mistaken.

Lovely image.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:06 BST (UK)
Would a little (engraved?) silver(?) tankard be given as a present to a boy on his first birthday perhaps too?

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:07 BST (UK)
Snap Trystan - I just modified my post to include that idea.  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: hepburn on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:08 BST (UK)
I'm wondering whether the photo was taken on Glyn's  first birthday ......and he is now 1 year and 5 months old......Could the Daddy have written that little bit on the post card about him being 1 year and 5 months old?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: rutti tutti on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:10 BST (UK)
Also coming in late... My aunt was a Dora but her name was Doris. Just to add more confusion:)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: goldy on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:11 BST (UK)
Could the Bear have been on Antiques road show it looks familiar?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:13 BST (UK)
Well at least we know that Glyn was born on March 4th 1918.  :-\

I'm wondering whether the photo was taken on Glyn's  first birthday ......and he is now 1 year and 5 months old......
I think this might be the case.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:15 BST (UK)
Could the Bear have been on Antiques road show it looks familiar?

They all look like that Goldy. (only joking, but that was, in it's heyday, a pretty common looking, though very lovely, bear - it looks quite distinctive now though). You'd expect someone to recognize it!
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:23 BST (UK)
I have found 69 births for Glyn* born Wales in March 1918.  If he was born on the 4th of March his birth is likely to have been registered in the first quarter rather than the second... or so you would expect.  :-\

Reading Liz's thoughts earlier, I think I need to go recap ...
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: goldy on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:29 BST (UK)
Re the Antiques road show comment why would the bear be at an airport with it's photo ? Were the owners travelling back from a filming venue?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:35 BST (UK)
Im just wondering, as the picture was taken in a studio, could the bear be a prop? just as someone mentioned the tankard being maybe a prop?Im getting more confused by the minute from all your brilliant suggestions,but keep them coming as I would really love to see a happy ending to this beautiful wee story,
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:37 BST (UK)
Re the Antiques road show comment why would the bear be at an airport with it's photo ? Were the owners travelling back from a filming venue?
hey goldy wonder if the wee bear had a passport? ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: toffeebear on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:47 BST (UK)
I have found 69 births for Glyn* born Wales in March 1918.  If he was born on the 4th of March his birth is likely to have been registered in the first quarter rather than the second... or so you would expect.  :-\

Reading Liz's thoughts earlier, I think I need to go recap ...

If that date is a first birthday wouldn't you need to look in 1917? Or am I missing something? Had a quick look on FreeBMD - there are a lot of possibilities!
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: MargP on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:50 BST (UK)
Hi

I have found these BC'S it may, or may not be them, different area's, and the common names, but I thought I would post it anyway

Glyn Brooks
Oct Qtr 1914 Swansea

Dora B Brooks
Oct Qtr 1916 Rhayader

Mothers maiden name Evans

Margp
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:52 BST (UK)
Tofeelightcap
You are quite right, and we got to that point before ( reply #18 ish)  !! !!




Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: toffeebear on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:57 BST (UK)
Hi

I have found these BC'S it may, or may not be them, different area's, and the common names, but I thought I would post it anyway

Glyn Brooks
Oct Qtr 1914 Swansea

Dora B Brooks
Oct Qtr 1916 Rhayader

Mothers maiden name Evans

Margp

I would definitely say Dora is the girl, so older than Glyn. :-)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:58 BST (UK)
I'm really baffled by the wording on the back of the photo, it just doesn't make sense, ' With dearest love 9 x's to OUR darling daddie from your loving little daughter 7 Sonnie'Signed Dora & Glyn

Okay, I take 9 x's to mean 9 kisses...strange number!  It states, to OUR darling Daddie, implying two children are sending this.  It then goes on to say it's from YOUR loving little daughter, implying one daughter is sending it.  And what's '7 Sonnie?'  Is that really Sonnie?  It's then signed, Dora & Glyn.  I had thought that Glyn was a male name unless it's short for Glynis  :-\

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: jim1 on Tuesday 04 June 13 14:58 BST (UK)
I don't know if this has been mentioned but the bears aren't the same.The ears are different & one has a mouth while the other doesn't.
They could be props as with young children who tend to fidget it's a common trick to give them something to hold to keep them still.Any movement would cause blurring.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Deb D on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:00 BST (UK)
Suspect the bear might be a Steiff ... elongated feet, long arms and "pointy" nose, ... and I've just noticed one, online, in similar condition ... valuation; $4,312.50  :o

The repairs to the feet will probably have reduced the value, though (see, I watch Antiques Roadshow, too!  ;D ).
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: rosie99 on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:02 BST (UK)
I'm really baffled by the wording on the back of the photo, it just doesn't make sense, ' With dearest love 9 x's to OUR darling daddie from your loving little daughter 7 Sonnie'Signed Dora & Glyn

Okay, I take 9 x's to mean 9 kisses...strange number!  It states, to OUR darling Daddie, implying two children are sending this.  It then goes on to say it's from YOUR loving little daughter, implying one daughter is sending it.  And what's '7 Sonnie?'  Is that really Sonnie?  It's then signed, Dora & Glyn.  I had thought that Glyn was a male name unless it's short for Glynis  :-\

Jane

( 9 & 7 - I think they are a form of & - not numbers.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:02 BST (UK)
Okay, I take 9 x's to mean 9 kisses...strange number!

Jane,

Nine kisses, that would be three kisses from each of them.  :-*  :-*  :-*

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:15 BST (UK)
I started to make a list of all Doras bn 1913-1915 (thus age 3-5 in photo) born in Wales - with a view to then looking for Glyns with the same surname and mothers maiden name, bn 1917 ish ....

BUT it is going to be an impossible task, as I have only done surnames beginnig "A" and half of "B" and already have a list of 13 - so if I work through to "z" it will be mammoth.
And then there is the possibility she was Theodora or Dorothy or something .....

So I'm not sure we will find who Dora and Glyn were ..........
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Meezer on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:16 BST (UK)
I would be happy to offer the bear a good home..... ;) ;) ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: jim1 on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:19 BST (UK)
Quote
Okay, I take 9 x's to mean 9 kisses...strange number!

It looks like an & to me.Love & X's.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:20 BST (UK)
I'm really baffled by the wording on the back of the photo, it just doesn't make sense, ' With dearest love 9 x's to OUR darling daddie from your loving little daughter 7 Sonnie'Signed Dora & Glyn

Okay, I take 9 x's to mean 9 kisses...strange number!  It states, to OUR darling Daddie, implying two children are sending this.  It then goes on to say it's from YOUR loving little daughter, implying one daughter is sending it.  And what's '7 Sonnie?'  Is that really Sonnie?  It's then signed, Dora & Glyn.  I had thought that Glyn was a male name unless it's short for Glynis  :-\

Jane

I read it as

"With dearest love & X's to our
darling Daddie from your loving
little daughter & sonnie

Dora & Glyn

Taken on Baby's birthday, March 4th 1918.
one year & 5 months old."


...meaning with dearest love and kisses...


I hadn't noticed it was a different bear!
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:29 BST (UK)
Totally agree with that wording Angelfish

Doesnt Anyone else think (like me) that it simply means that the photo is 1 yr 5 mths old?
I've made this suggestion several times and no one has commented either way - just continued to come up with other ideas about the 1 yr 5 mts comment

And I think it is the same bear (my daughters bear lost mouth in a matter of a few years, so not surprising this ones has gone over 100 years!)  Wear and tear and repairs will alter the look of a bear.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:34 BST (UK)
Doesnt Anyone else think (like me) that it simply means that the photo is 1 yr 5 mths old?

Yes, I think that is the most likely.

But wouldn't it be easier if they had written one year & 5 months ago instead of old     ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:36 BST (UK)
I'm not sure that a person would write how old a picture is as an age. If you were trying to record a date that you sent a card or a letter, you'd think that they would put the current date down.

The children, could one be 1 year old, and the other 1 year 5 months old? I know it seems like a biological impossibility but they could have been from two marriages, or adopted.

Ignoring what's already been written, how old do both the children look?

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: hepburn on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:42 BST (UK)
I think it means the photo was taken on Glyns first birthday and  Daddy's  received it 5 months on...  It was a very slow postal service  ::)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:44 BST (UK)
Taken on Baby's birthday, March 4th 1918.

I thought this meant that Glyn was the baby.
His birthday was March 4th 1918.
The photo was taken on his first birthday ....

I cannot work out what the 1 year 5 months refers to, but I don't think it makes sense for it to be the age of the photograph - I agree with Trystan on that.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:48 BST (UK)
I'm not good with ages. I wondered if the older child (who I think is Doris) could be up to five years old?  My best guess would be about 4.  I don't know about the younger child.

Most children were baptised much younger than 1 year and 5 months, so I don't think it's that.

I've had another look at the bear pictures, and I really do think it is the same bear. (I remember having similar toys with that squashed nose look!)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:50 BST (UK)
I thought this meant that Glyn was the baby.
His birthday was March 4th 1918.
The photo was taken on his first birthday ....

I agree.

Could Doris be 1 year 5 months older than Glyn? She could be two and a half?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:54 BST (UK)
This will sound dumb, but I think the picture in the pendant looks like a boxer!!  ;D

Could it have been a photo of the Daddie  ;)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: sami on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:57 BST (UK)
Ignoring what's already been written, how old do both the children look?
Trystan

I think the youngest is around 1 1/2 years old and the girl is not yet 3 years old. So I'd guess 18 months and perhaps 30 months.

sami
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 04 June 13 15:59 BST (UK)
Could it have been a photo of the Daddie  ;)

I thought that too, except that all I can make out is a white blob.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 04 June 13 16:03 BST (UK)
"With dearest love & X's to our
darling Daddie from your loving
little daughter & sonnie

Dora & Glyn

Taken on Baby's birthday, March 4th 1918.
one year & 5 months old."

I have an idea. I think this would make more sense if the on was a for:

Taken for Baby's birthday, March 4th 1918.
one year & 5 months old


That would then tie in with sami's estimated age of about 18 months for youngest. However that may mean that the photo was taken on March 4th, rather than the first birthday being on March 4th.

Just a thought ... :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Tuesday 04 June 13 16:04 BST (UK)
Close-up of the pendant:
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 04 June 13 16:05 BST (UK)
I see a baby on that pendant.  :) (nice closeup  ;))
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Tuesday 04 June 13 16:08 BST (UK)
I see a baby on that pendant.  :) (nice closeup  ;))

So do I now
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Tuesday 04 June 13 16:08 BST (UK)
Close-up of the tankard:
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: jim1 on Tuesday 04 June 13 16:19 BST (UK)
I still think the bears are different,however the youngest in this looks about 2 yo to me & it's Glyn aka Sonnie & it's taken on his 2nd. birthday & the picture is now 1 year & 5 months old.So the picture was sent Aug.1919 & Glyn was born March 1916.That's how I'm reading it.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Tuesday 04 June 13 16:31 BST (UK)
Could "Taken on Baby's 1st Birthday" be referring to the baby in the locket... year and 5 months ago.
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: hepburn on Tuesday 04 June 13 16:33 BST (UK)
Has the baby died,is that why she's wearing a locket with a photo of /him/her?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Tuesday 04 June 13 16:36 BST (UK)
Yes that's my thinking...rather unusual to see a child so young wearing that type of locket so I feel it is significant to the message.
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Tuesday 04 June 13 17:12 BST (UK)
After looking at family photos I agree the youngest child is much more like two years than one!

I haven't forgotten that someone said Dora may be short for Doris either.  ???
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Tuesday 04 June 13 17:43 BST (UK)
Yes, I think maybe 'baby' has died, and photo was taken on what would have been 'baby's birthday.

Thus youngest child (Glyn) must be at least 21 months old in the picture, probably more, depending on the gap between Glyn and baby, which makes more sense.

 I think the words were written ( and presumably the picture sent) in August 1919. Someone (presumably Mummie) wanted to enclose a message from the children when writing to Daddie, and instead of using any old bit of paper, she found this old photo and used that.
After writing the message she added . :

(Photo) taken on Baby's birthday  March 4th 1918
(Photo) one year and 5 months old
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Tuesday 04 June 13 18:04 BST (UK)
My thoughts have turned away from the teddy & the photo & is now focusing in on time & place of its finding.  The article says it was found at Bristol airport in the departure lounge about 14 months ago which is about January/February 2012.  Someone was either returning home after a visit to Bristol or heading somewhere from Bristol (I know I'm stating the obvious but I'm thinking out loud here  :)) To have the bear AND an early photo of it suggests to me that this person was probably a family member.  Were they taking it to show another family member?  Were they taking it to something like 'Antiques Roadshow' or a dealer?  Why hasn't the owner contacted Bristol airport?  I know if it was me I would be frantic!

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Finley 1 on Tuesday 04 June 13 18:07 BST (UK)
I had seen the baby in the locket, and thought oh dear ... that could be a deceased baby. 
But why hang it around the poor little girls neck,  it must have been her sibling.  So we have two Children in my estimation 15/16months and 2 and half maybe. 

Dora / Doris and Glyn - The photograph and teddy were being taken on a Plane Journey.

So does the Airport not have more information  -  What date were they found, what flights were running in or out that day - etc.....  they must have computers with passenger lists. And surely someone is missing that poor old Bear.

xin
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Finley 1 on Tuesday 04 June 13 18:08 BST (UK)
Wish this darn checking thing would NOT replace  Oh my G when written in letter form to Blimey


To me I was brought up Never to use the term Blimey.... and now Ive done it twice


So try again   hello   Jane -  looks like we were thinking the same thing there???? spooky

xin
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: hepburn on Tuesday 04 June 13 18:15 BST (UK)
It may usually hang around her Mothers neck but, for the photo she hung it around Dora's neck for Daddy to see..
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Finley 1 on Tuesday 04 June 13 18:19 BST (UK)
I see, so sad...

xin
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Tuesday 04 June 13 18:21 BST (UK)
Bristol airport has destinations to Europe, Ireland, Scotland as well as domestic  ::)
Bristol has a place dealing with old Steiff bears.  Found this one of 1940 which looks like 'our' Teddy
http://www.oldteddybearshop.co.uk/page3.htm  If he was an old Steiff bear he would have some value although not much as he's well loved  ;)

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Tuesday 04 June 13 18:32 BST (UK)
Going back to Liz's posting #4, is the spelling, daddie & Sonnie a Welsh thing?

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Tuesday 04 June 13 18:50 BST (UK)
I wondered if someone had died and a family member had either been to a funeral or clearing a house and was taking the bear/photo back home with them?

Jane you mentioned a place in Bristol that deals with Steiff bears?  I wonder if anyone there would be able to help by seeing if they remember or have record of a valuation, or can tell us if it is a Steiff bear.  If he was not worth much (sadly) the owner might not have been bothered about trying to get him back?

I wonder if the airport keep a log of people calling to looking for something? What if the owner rang the airport before the bear was found or taken to lost property? (Although I'd expect a left bag at an airport to be noticed quickly!)

It would be really useful to know what kind of bag and other things the bear was traveling with  ;D  but I think the airport may have to keep that to themselves so that if the owner claims the bear they can be sure it's genuine?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Marmalady on Tuesday 04 June 13 18:52 BST (UK)
So are we looking for 3 children -- Dora Glyn and "Baby" ?

The photo was taken on what would have been the now-deceased Baby's birthday and the mug & locket are momentoes of him/her?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Tuesday 04 June 13 18:54 BST (UK)
Going back to Liz's posting #4, is the spelling, daddie & Sonnie a Welsh thing?

Jane

I thought the writer just couldn't spell. I haven't heard of it (but I'm not Welsh)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Tuesday 04 June 13 18:58 BST (UK)
So are we looking for 3 children -- Dora Glyn and "Baby" ?

The photo was taken on what would have been the now-deceased Baby's birthday and the mug & locket are momentoes of him/her?

Or the locket is the mothers momentoe, and the bear and mug belong to the children?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sprutorch9 on Tuesday 04 June 13 19:03 BST (UK)
Ok - putting my two cents worth in here!  ;D
My aunt was always called 'Baby' (even though her name was 'Elsie Barbara') until she died in her 60s.
It seems to me that the oldest child in the photo may have been nicknamed 'Baby' which may mean the date shown was her birthday not the younger child's.
The locket photo does look like a baby and looks as if Mother would have put it around the child's neck which would imply that the baby had died and would still be remembered in that fashion.

Can anyone tell if the younger child has some sort of bow or something on it's head?

Is that writing really on the back of the photo? The photo looks like a 'cabinet card' not a postcard. If it is a real postcard can we get a pic of the front?

Could 'one year & 5 months old' actually been a mistake on the part of the person who wrote it - probably Mother - and should have been 'one year and 5 months ago?



 
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Tuesday 04 June 13 19:25 BST (UK)
the little girl holding the bear seems to have little silver buckles on her shoes,Im just wondering if there could be a scottish connection?maybe the little girl wore those shoes with a little kilt? or did little girls of that era throughout Britain wear shoes with little silver buckles?any ideas?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Tuesday 04 June 13 19:30 BST (UK)
Sprutorch9....Yes that was my take on the 1 year 5 months date in my earlier post and I think it is to remember a deceased child to be included in the photo to the Father of his 3 children....I think the silver tankard could also be a memento of to the child in the locket photo.

I'm not convinced it's a Steiff Teddy as the neck isn't jointed and the snout looks too long...I can't see anyone being that careless with such a collectable bear...but I could be wrong.

Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sprutorch9 on Tuesday 04 June 13 19:46 BST (UK)
Treetotal - sorry missed that post!  :-[
Hard to tell if bear is Steiff or not - maybe it does have a jointed neck but hard to tell.
I don't see the 'button' in the ear but that could have been taken out.
Didn't Steiff bears have a 'humpback' like a grizzly bear?
Again - can't tell from photo.
Also - I just put the photo on my PictureIt and did a negative view of it - that younger child either has a bow of some sort or lots of curls on it's head!
I just changed the contrast on it and the younger child has a mass of curls!!!!
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Tuesday 04 June 13 20:16 BST (UK)
Yes...you're right...that was a distinct feature of the Steiff bear.

I'm inclined to think the child with the bows is a boy...buckle shoes and long socks...the younger child has shorter socks and girlie shoes and not boots and is wearing white socks not dark ones often seen in photos of this era on boys...also..the phrase..."Little Daughter" suggests the girl is the younger child...all speculation I know...but we are all brainstorming in the absence of any other clues.

Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jool on Tuesday 04 June 13 20:17 BST (UK)
the little girl holding the bear seems to have little silver buckles on her shoes,Im just wondering if there could be a scottish connection?maybe the little girl wore those shoes with a little kilt? or did little girls of that era throughout Britain wear shoes with little silver buckles?any ideas?

Just before I read Bugle Boy's post re the Scottish connection I was thinking that sonnie sounds like a Scottish term for son.  As others have mentioned there could be clues in the "other items" that were found with the bear/photo.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sprutorch9 on Tuesday 04 June 13 20:33 BST (UK)
Now I am trying to clean up that postcard back and the more I look at it I am not sure what that first name is. The other 'r's and 'a's are very clear and crisp yet that name isn't. I am trying to remove the scribble but am having trouble.
Comparing it to other letters in other words: it looks like 'D', 'o', 'something', 'something'??!!  ::)
Treetotal - would a boy that age wear bows?
That little one sure looks like a little girl but so hard to tell at that age back then!
I am getting confused!  :-\
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Marmalady on Tuesday 04 June 13 20:49 BST (UK)

...the younger child has shorter socks and girlie shoes and not boots and is wearing white socks not dark ones often seen in photos of this era on boys..
Carol

Boys did wear white socks too.
I have a picture of my father aged about 3 taken mid 1920's wearing white socks that come about halfway up his calves. His shoes are like those the younger child is wearing

I don't think a boy of that age would have ribbons in his hair, even if he was still wearing a dress ( tho isnt 1919 a bit late for that to still happen?)

Plus ssaying from "your daughter & son Dora & Glyn" implies the girl is the elder child -- otherwise surely the son would be mentioned first?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sprutorch9 on Tuesday 04 June 13 20:57 BST (UK)
Just looked at a pic of my father at age 2 in 1918 and he does have white socks and white shoes. However, photo was taken in the US.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Tuesday 04 June 13 21:03 BST (UK)
Plus ssaying from "your daughter & son Dora & Glyn" implies the girl is the elder child -- otherwise surely the son would be mentioned first?

I agree.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: sami on Tuesday 04 June 13 21:18 BST (UK)
Hi AngelFish:

I've been following along with interest but am now quite confused. Is it possible to put together a synopsis of the most likely time frame, ages, names etc. ?

sami
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Tuesday 04 June 13 22:02 BST (UK)
It says "Your Little Daughter & Sonnie" I took this to mean that the younger child was the girl....we are all just guessing though!
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sprutorch9 on Tuesday 04 June 13 22:07 BST (UK)
I agree. I think we are all giving our best guesses or as my father would say: "Throw it all out there and see what sticks to the wall!" ::) ;D

I also think Sami is right - we need one (or more) synopsis to check what people agree (or disagree) on.



Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: loobylooayr on Tuesday 04 June 13 22:17 BST (UK)
Hi,
Reading everyone's comments with great interest. What a lovely picture. Let's hope the bear and photo are reunited with their owner.
Anyway my tuppence worth regarding the phrase "Your Little Daughter and Sonnie " is that I think the word "Little" is being used to describe both children. And the word "Sonnie" does, to me, imply a small boy. So I think the younger Child is Glyn  :D. He looks about 2 and the little girl perhaps about 3 and a half to 4?
Looby
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sprutorch9 on Tuesday 04 June 13 22:28 BST (UK)
I sent off the photo and card to my cousin and she just sent this info back to me:

I recently went to an art exhibit at the american folk art museum in NYC. they had paintings of children - ALL wearing what we call dresses. For the record, the way to tell if a child was a boy or girl in the old paintings was that girls had their hair parted in the center & had necklaces on. The boys had their hair parted on the side and had either whips or what might be considered fishing poles. and so the child on the left in your picture is probably the boy - with lots of curls.

Now, I know she is talking about paintings but looking at it that way, then the youngest looks to have a slight side-part and is holding a mug which might be more 'boyish' than a stuffed toy.
And the oldest does have a necklace on and a center part.

Whatcha think?  ???
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Paul Caswell on Tuesday 04 June 13 22:45 BST (UK)
Glad to finally get to the end of the thread. Awesome work as always from RootsChatters.

Mostly bookmarking but a couple of thoughts :-

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Paul Caswell on Tuesday 04 June 13 23:05 BST (UK)
I read it as

"With dearest love & X's to our
darling Daddie from your loving
little daughter & sonnie

Dora & Glyn

Taken on Baby's birthday, March 4th 1918.
one year & 5 months old."


Do we all agree with this wording?

It has been suggested from this that Dora is older than Glyn because Dora is listed first. We speculate therefore that the older child (nearest the bear) is Dora and the other child is Glyn.

If so then it is fair to assume (from the word Taken) that the photo was taken on March 4th 1918 on "baby"s birthday.

Outstanding questions:

Who is "Baby"?
Who is "one year & 5 months old", baby or the photo or the teddy?
Some good suggestions on the children's ages have been made. How close can we get our estimate?
When, therefore, do we believe Dora and Glyn were born?

Remember this was probably written by Mummy Mummie.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Tuesday 04 June 13 23:17 BST (UK)
This is great  :) Teddy is starting to get a little twinkle in his eye.

One thing to clarify, do we agree that it's all written by the same person?

If it is, are both parts written at the same time? (is it significant?)

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Paul Caswell on Tuesday 04 June 13 23:22 BST (UK)
I'd say the main section (right side up) was written by Mummie with the kids present. The upside-down part was probably added by Mummie afterwards (perhaps the kids are in bed) before posting.

Probably not significant but an interesting thought.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Tuesday 04 June 13 23:23 BST (UK)

  • Trystan (or someone) - could you get back to the Bristol people and get a hi-res scan of the mug (is there an engraving on it?) and the locket (is it really a baby or just a cameo).

Yes, I'll get back to the wonderful lady at Bristol Airport to try and get the photo better scanned (the close-ups that I provided earlier were a 100% crop of the photo, but I believe they were taken with an IPhone).

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sprutorch9 on Tuesday 04 June 13 23:26 BST (UK)
I agree.
My questions would be:
Are we sure that name is Dora?
And that 'One year & 5 months old' should not be 'One year & 5 months ago'?  and is just a misprinted word by the writer?
Baby is capitalized so seems to be a nickname so I am assuming it is not the infant that is possibly in the locket.
Also - are we sure that the writing is on the back of the photo or is it on a separate postcard?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Tuesday 04 June 13 23:27 BST (UK)
I'd say the main section (right side up) was written by Mummie with the kids present. The upside-down part was probably added by Mummie afterwards (perhaps the kids are in bed) before posting.

Probably not significant but an interesting thought.

Neither children could read at that age though, so do you think that (possibly) the upside down part may have been added a lot later to document the card possibly?

Quote
As promised the photo of the postcard/photo as attached.

Yes, the writing is on the back of the photograph which is printed as a postcard at the back. The photo is a postcard, in other words, with that writing on the back of it. It is not two items.

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Finley 1 on Tuesday 04 June 13 23:37 BST (UK)
Taken on babys first birthday March 4th 1918.

One year and 5 months old.


I think that is just a notation for the Mother or whoever 'held' the card to remember the date of the card.  I have lots of silly scribble on the back of photos that are just notations  or memory joggers.

I have inverted the card and removed the blue so as to see the words a little clearer
or not
xin
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sprutorch9 on Tuesday 04 June 13 23:46 BST (UK)
Excellent!
I could not get the blue out and just sent a copy to my 'computer guru' to see what she could do with it.
Sure looks like 'Dora' to me!
(I had thought the scribbles were from a child playing with it.)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Erato on Wednesday 05 June 13 00:57 BST (UK)
My two cents worth:

The photo was taken on 4 March 1918.  This was the anniversary of Baby's birth.  Baby was an older child, probably the first born, and deceased.  The photo was taken to commemorate his/her birthday and the younger children, Dora and Glyn, were posed with reminders of Baby - the locket, the silver mug, and possibly the bear.  It was sent to Daddie who was away from home, presumably in the army.  Later, a note was made on the photo to indicate that, at the time it was taken, Glyn was 1 year 5 months old.  This would mean he was born in about October 1916.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Bobi.com on Wednesday 05 June 13 01:06 BST (UK)
I may be totally off the track but here is my theory .....  "Daddie" has been away, possibly at war. "Baby" is Dora and was born before he went away. The picture is taken on Dora's birthday to be sent to him. Mummy was pregnant with "Glyn" prior to Daddies departure, and was 17 months old at the time of the photo being taken. Daddy would have called Dora "Baby" as she was born before he left.
I truly hope there is a happy ending to this story.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Wednesday 05 June 13 01:47 BST (UK)
Taken on babys first birthday March 4th 1918.


Hi all - just catching up on the mystery ;D

To save any confusion.... it just says taken on baby's birthday - no mention of it being "first" birthday.

I agree with theories so far - Dora (daughter) and Glyn (son - youngest).
Baby could be either of the two children - or indeed another baby either living or deceased). 
The more I look at it I can see that the 1 yr 5 months comment COULD be saying it was taken in march and that it was now 1 yr 5 months old. (although that is quite specific to date a photo - rather than saying 1 and a half years old or whatever

Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: sami on Wednesday 05 June 13 01:54 BST (UK)
First of all, I don't think there was an earlier child. Who co-ordinates a photo session with living children to commemorate a dead child's birthday? But that's just my way of thinking.

So here's my kick at the can:

The photo was taken on 4 March 1918 and probably sent to Daddie who is in the war. There are only 2 children, the daughter Dora and the son Glyn. The photo was taken on Dora's birthday and at that time Glyn was 1 year 5 months old - so he was born Fall, 1916. Dora is celebrating her 3rd birthday - so she was born 4 March 1915.

sami
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Erato on Wednesday 05 June 13 02:26 BST (UK)
"Who co-ordinates a photo session with living children to commemorate a dead child's birthday? But that's just my way of thinking."

It strikes me as pretty grim and creepy, too, but I figured maybe Baby had died while Daddie was away at war.  Why would the mother have referred to both Dora and Baby if they were, in fact, the same kid?

Is it more common to give a first child the nickname 'Baby' or a later one?  I've only known one child with this nickname.  He was the third of four and the only boy.  The poor kid was still being called 'El Bebé' when he was about five.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: loobylooayr on Wednesday 05 June 13 02:36 BST (UK)
I wonder, although we'll probably never know, if the note " Taken on Baby's birthday..............."
was written at a much later date than the message to Daddie.
Why would someone even back then have a photograph taken of their children in March 1918 but wait 1 year and 5 months before sending it to the father? I appreciate Daddie may have been in the War but surely he could have received mail before August 1919??
Or is it too late at night and now I'm talking nonsense ???

Looby
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: mare on Wednesday 05 June 13 03:18 BST (UK)
There are a lot of posts and I'm repeating opinions of others already expressed.

My viewpoint is that loving little daughter is Dora aka Baby and the photo was taken on her birthday 4 March 1918 at which point Sonnie aka Glyn was one year and 5months old ... which to me looks about right and Dora perhaps 3 yrs ... and extra information added for Daddie.

Plus I do think the patched and well loved bear appears to be a worn version of the one in the group photo. Sad to think it was mislaid in transit and not sought out already!!
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sprutorch9 on Wednesday 05 June 13 04:52 BST (UK)
Has anyone noticed that the date at the bottom of card is written as "March 4th, 1918" as opposed to 4 March 1918?
Here in the US, the first is correct but isn't the correct way in the UK the second version?
Wonder if the writer was American...?

My 'computer guru', who instructs CAD/CAM (computer assisted design & machining) is a wiz at Photoshop. She was able to clean up the postcard wonderfully. Unfortunately, I am not a computer wizard and cannot correct the size to add to the thread!  >:( ::)
Her version looks as if the writer started to write 'Dora' but slipped making the 'r' and then added a loop to make it legible.
I will try to get it into the thread but am losing hope!  :-[

(My husband speculates that the writer might have been left-handed. He is a 'lefty', of course!)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: rosie99 on Wednesday 05 June 13 05:47 BST (UK)
Has anyone noticed that the date at the bottom of card is written as "March 4th, 1918" as opposed to 4 March 1918?
Here in the US, the first is correct but isn't the correct way in the UK the second version?
Wonder if the writer was American...?


When writing the date in full here in the UK I don't think we have a hard & fast rule as to whether it is written 4th March 1918 or March 4th 1918  it is only when written as 4/3/1918 that we would write it as day/month/year
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 05 June 13 06:30 BST (UK)
Has anyone noticed that the date at the bottom of card is written as "March 4th, 1918" as opposed to 4 March 1918?
Here in the US, the first is correct but isn't the correct way in the UK the second version?
Wonder if the writer was American...?

I thought Americans never use the "th", and would write that date as March 4, 1918?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sprutorch9 on Wednesday 05 June 13 06:51 BST (UK)
Rosie99: Thanks for that info - I have gotten confused before with the UK day/month/year and US month/day/year.
KGarrad: Actually, I have always used the 'th' ('old school' education, probably) but have noticed that it seems to be falling away here in the US and is not seen as much as it once was.
Thanks for clearing that up.  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Wednesday 05 June 13 07:41 BST (UK)
I have just read all 13 pages of this thread.

I only have one thing to add while I digest what everyone has said.

My Aunt was the eldest and known by the family as "Our Babe" and my dad was the youngest (there were only the two children) and he was known as "Son". The family was English but not far from Wales.

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Wednesday 05 June 13 07:55 BST (UK)
I thought people might like to compare the bear photos.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Wednesday 05 June 13 08:01 BST (UK)
Trystan, Is it possible to ask for a photo of the bear as it is now without the photo on his lap.

I am 90% sure it is the same bear, but would like to see his tummy compared to the photo before I committ myself
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 05 June 13 08:05 BST (UK)
It's not the same bear!

The ears are positioned differently, and the Bristol Airport bear has stripes on his feet?

The bear is on BBC Breakfast this morning. ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Pels. on Wednesday 05 June 13 08:13 BST (UK)


I don't know if this has been mentioned but the bears aren't the same.The ears are different & one has a mouth while the other doesn't.
They could be props as with young children who tend to fidget it's a common trick to give them something to hold to keep them still.Any movement would cause blurring.

I still think the bears are different

I was the one who was paying attention, Jim !  8)   ;D ;D

In full agreement, they aren't even related !  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Wednesday 05 June 13 08:22 BST (UK)
I did wonder about the ears - but the profile is different and the ears could have been re sewn. It is over 100 years old. I have bears that the ears have been lost after only 20 years of love.

The stripes on his feet are replacements - problably a younger fabric sewn on later (if you look closely you can see hand stitching that is not original) because the original fabric on the feet wore out. - Can someone identify the fabric please?

If it was Dora's bear and she hugged it often in the way she is in the photo. The same arm has the same wear you would expect to see.

When a bear is made and stuffed, the stitching and stuffing are like a signature.

If one paw is stuffed more than another it will always be bigger. If one leg turns in - it will always turn in. If it has a lobsided neck it will always be that way.

Ohh and Im not called Ted for no reason  ;)

If this bear doesn't find a home he can come and live with me.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Finley 1 on Wednesday 05 June 13 09:00 BST (UK)
OK

So lets get down to it:

We need a synopsis... of sorts, cos my head is in a whirl, and I cannot concentrate on what we are looking for.   ;)  We wont find the bear in the BMD records however we may hope  ;D

So we need to search for Dora and Glynn (I know lots of you are -  this is really for me to NOTE what I am looking for.)
Well during the burning of the midnight oil, I went through as many records as I could... I have a vague feeling, we must take in Scotland to peruse.  But then that is spreading the search so wide.

So someone who can - please ( ;) ) collate what we actually have deduced so far... cos I'm shot!

 ;) ;) ;) ;)
our twenty pages will be up soon... :-\
xin
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: dawnsh on Wednesday 05 June 13 09:40 BST (UK)
This story was on BBC Breakfast this morning but it's not available on iplayer.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Wednesday 05 June 13 09:41 BST (UK)
This story was on BBC Breakfast this morning but it's not available on iplayer.

 :'(

Even if it was we don't get iplayer in Australia.

If someone taped it - please let me know how I can see it.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Wednesday 05 June 13 10:14 BST (UK)
Surely someone out there is going to see all this hype & claim the bear & photo ??? Then & only then will we get the full story  ;D  At the moment it really is Mission Impossible but an interesting one  ;D
My thoughts turn to Daddie.  He was probably in the army somewhere on the battlefields of Europe.  Did he make it back?
Looking at the photo again I couldn't help but notice that there was a window, which looks genuine, to the right of the picture.  Could this have been taken in their house?  I also get the impression that family are maybe middle class as the children are well dressed & look fit & healthy.  Was Daddie an officer?

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Emjaybee on Wednesday 05 June 13 10:16 BST (UK)
Does anybody know the main flight destinations from Bristol at that time?
If flying from Bristol Wales is close.

MJB
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Wednesday 05 June 13 10:25 BST (UK)
Trystan, Is it possible to ask for a photo of the bear as it is now without the photo on his lap.

I am 90% sure it is the same bear, but would like to see his tummy compared to the photo before I committ myself

Yes, no problem. I've now asked for a picture of the bear without the photo on his lap. Also, we're going to be sent a scan of the photograph so that hopefully we can see a bit more detail (especially of the tankard and the locket).

Great stuff!

Trystan

PS Here is a shot of the bear on BBC Breakfast this morning: http://ow.ly/i/2hx1z
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Wednesday 05 June 13 10:32 BST (UK)
Some better images of Teddy. 
MJB.  In a previous post of mine I found that Bristol airport has departures to many parts of Europe but none that I could see to North America, so that's one continent we can rule out  :D
One of the reports mentions that airport staff have been going through passenger lists for that day looking for two passengers with the same name.....not sure why as it could have been someone travelling on their own  ???

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/04/100-year-old-teddy-bear-abandoned-bristol-airport-pictures_n_3382584.html?utm_hp_ref=uk?ncid=GEP

http://english.cri.cn/11354/2013/06/04/2941s768479.htm

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bevj on Wednesday 05 June 13 11:50 BST (UK)
I've read this with great interest.
Perhaps someone else has already suggested the following, in which case, my apologies!

"Taken on baby's birthday, 4th March 1918
One year & 5 months old."

Perhaps Daddy was away at war somewhere and asked his wife to send him a photo of the family.
Communications may have been erratic and it is quite possible that his letter took a long time to arrive.
Then Mum  sorted out this photo.
The photo was taken on 4th March 1918 (baby's birthday) but by the time she sent it, baby was already 17 months old - therefore the photo was sent to Daddy on or around 4th August 1918.
So baby was born on 4th March 1917.

Bev
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 05 June 13 12:08 BST (UK)
I think the title of the post should be changed to include Dora's name as the original owner of the bear.

Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 05 June 13 13:16 BST (UK)
This is probably the clearest image I have seen online and I have to say that I don't think it's the same bear:

http://www.inquisitr.com/686684/world-war-i-teddy-bear-abandoned-at-bristol-airport-photo/

I wonder if "Sonnie" is the bear's name and phrased as if it was written by the Daughter?

That could suggest that Glyn could also be a girl.

So many theories and suggestions ::)

Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Wednesday 05 June 13 13:27 BST (UK)
A couple of thoughts:
For starters they shouldn't be letting those little girls play with the bear in the airport. He is in a delicate state.
His fur looks pristine.
This has already been asked but I haven't seen an answer: What else was in the bag with the bear and the photo?
Person who lost the bear may have been a visitor to the airport rather than a traveller.
Person may have dumped the bear and photo and not want to be reunited with them - (perhaps it was given to a youngster by an elderly relative as a keepsake/parting gift, child thought 'yuk', 'I don't want this junk' and binned it)
Agree with Jane - I have no idea why airport staff would be looking for two passengers who travelled that day. And what names would you search for? Sadly, both children are likely to be dead by now. Bear and photo could have gone to anyone, or been sold in a house clearance decades ago ... there are numerous possibilities.
It probably doesn't matter if it is the same bear as in the photo or not - it belongs (or belonged) to someone, as did the photo.
Unfortuantely I think the only way the owner will be found is if they come forward to claim them.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lyn22 on Wednesday 05 June 13 13:36 BST (UK)
I have been reading with interest and I think the bears are different bears they have a few  obvious differences ( ears feet paws ) but I think the bear not in the photo has a different material for its fur. I have a lot of bears and one very old one and when they are old the fur goes very patchy and flat. I think I was trying to see how many times I could write bear. I wonder if the person was taking the photo and the bear to ask someone if they were the same bear.  Take Care Lynette
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Wednesday 05 June 13 14:16 BST (UK)
Thanks for the summary.

I don't think we can state exactly what/who we need to look for as there are so many possibilities and different suggestions.

Here is a picture from The Huffington Post, of Bear showing his tummy. Their report says an expert looked at the bear and thought he might be German or French. He didn't say he thought it might not be the bear in the photo. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/04/100-year-old-teddy-bear-abandoned-bristol-airport-pictures_n_3382584.html?utm_hp_ref=uk?ncid=GEP

This photo made me wonder if the bear is a fake, but I don't think an expert would give his name to an interview if there was a chance that was the case.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Wednesday 05 June 13 14:28 BST (UK)
Person who lost the bear may have been a visitor to the airport rather than a traveller.

Reports mention he was found in the departure lounge.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Wednesday 05 June 13 14:30 BST (UK)
I think it is the same bear - he has just led a very active and long life which has knocked the stuffing out of him a bit!

Also - I think the cameo necklace may be a religious one...Jesus with arms out - or Mary, or possibly a saint (Crhistoper perhaps?)


Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Wednesday 05 June 13 14:35 BST (UK)
CCTV footage!  Or perhaps they don't keep it that long  :(
Ruskie, I think that if you're in the departure lounge of an airport there wouldn't be any visitors or non-travellers as you've gone through security & passport control.  Speaking of which, Teddy would have gone through one of those detector machines, wouldn't someone on duty remember such an unusual traveller?  Then there's the bag.  Can't remember if it was shown on any of the pics but did it have any sort of logo on it?  If it had any of the universal logo's that would not be of much help but it might have been something unusual.
The owner must have thought it too important to put in a suitcase in the hold (if they had any luggage) so intended to carry it with them into the cabin.
Oh, come on you MUST be out there somewhere, this is driving us nuts  ;D

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Wednesday 05 June 13 14:51 BST (UK)
CCTV of security is a great idea, look for the bag (if it was distinctive enough). It would be time consuming and as they've said, they thought someone would claim the bear. Must be too late now.

Mmm... too late now, but I wonder if they could have lifted any finger prints from the bag and photo   ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: ..claire.. on Wednesday 05 June 13 15:03 BST (UK)
How uncanny that in the last two weeks BRISTOL Hippodrome have been advertising their new show

"DORA the Explorer" ~ Dora has lost her TEDDY BEAR Osito, and the search is on to find him!

claire

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Murphester on Wednesday 05 June 13 15:20 BST (UK)
For what it's worth, I think its the same bear.  He's just been well-loved - the feet have been resoled, the arms reinforced, potentially tried to be restuffed due to his big tummy scar.  I think I'd look a bit bedraggled after all that too.  I can still see a mouth on this bear, his faced has just changed shape slightly over the years. 

I also think the significance of finding the photograph with the bear can't be ignored.

I hope he is claimed and all our questions can be answered!   ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Wednesday 05 June 13 15:39 BST (UK)
How uncanny that in the last two weeks BRISTOL Hippodrome have been advertising their new show

"DORA the Explorer" ~ Dora has lost her TEDDY BEAR Osito, and the search is on to find him!

claire

Maybe that's what gave them the idea to go public on the search now after having him all this time.

Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: sami on Wednesday 05 June 13 15:55 BST (UK)
How uncanny that in the last two weeks BRISTOL Hippodrome have been advertising their new show
"DORA the Explorer" ~ Dora has lost her TEDDY BEAR Osito, and the search is on to find him!
claire

Hmmmmm.......anybody else out there starting to wonder if its just part of a well crafted advertising campaign?

sami
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Wednesday 05 June 13 15:58 BST (UK)
How about this family........

Nicholas GLYN Baker, died Newport Sept 1986, vol 28, page 395........date of birth 4th Oct 1916 (This date of birth ties in with the birthday of the baby, being 1 year and 5 months old at the time the photo was taken on 4th March 1918)

Nicholas GLYN Baker, born OND qtr 1916, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, vol 11a, page 82. Mothers name Willey.

Dora E Baker, born June qtr 1914, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Vol 11a, Page 108.           Mothers maiden name Willey.
 :)

Having said that I'm not at all sure it's the same bear  ::)  So it probably is an advertising campaign but on the other hand the photo's genuine and these are possibly the children.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 05 June 13 16:12 BST (UK)
Wow...Nice work H.L. 8)...there is a possible marriage to Elsie E. Norman in Newport in 1941.
Carol

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Wednesday 05 June 13 16:13 BST (UK)
Sorry all - didn't know he had been found in departure (that will teach me for not reading the links carefully enough  :-[).

That Dora the explorer show, plus bear, at Bristol, is an astounding co-incidence.  ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 05 June 13 16:16 BST (UK)
There is a marriage for Dora E. Baker to Sidney J. Holland in 1937 Caerleon, Monmouthshire....Not sure about this one though  ::)
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Finley 1 on Wednesday 05 June 13 16:23 BST (UK)
uhm,  Did Dora the Explorer have a baby brother called Glyn  ;D ;D ;D


xin
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: hepburn on Wednesday 05 June 13 16:27 BST (UK)
Good work...Are we going to get somewhere with it now?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: toffeebear on Wednesday 05 June 13 16:31 BST (UK)
There is a marriage for Dora E. Baker to Sidney J. Holland in 1937 Caerleon, Monmouthshire....Not sure about this one though  ::)
Carol

Just been looking and was going to suggest that one too, Carol!
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sam Swift on Wednesday 05 June 13 16:38 BST (UK)
Nicholas James Baker of Blaenavon died on 15 Aug 1918 in Mesapotamia. He served in 6th battalion South Lancs Regiment Service no. 50013
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Wednesday 05 June 13 16:38 BST (UK)
 and I've found a marriage for Nicholas also.......... and children from both marriages but just thought, we shouldn't be posting details of such recent births etc......so how are we going to progress?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 05 June 13 16:43 BST (UK)
Look for a matching tree on A*****y just looking now....The one for Dora that I posted isn't correct...her birth date in the tree I found gives 1909 and doesn't have a Nicholas Glyn as a Brother ::)
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Wednesday 05 June 13 17:01 BST (UK)
You're right there, it must be the wrong one.

However there is a possible marriage on BMD for Nicholas and then a possible son born in Newport.(and most likely still alive)

How can we post any details though ?   and if someone has access to 192 we could find an address and phone number for this possible son, of a possible marriage......but who's going to do what?

or should someone just take the bear back to the Hippodrome   ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 05 June 13 17:10 BST (UK)
Well I've had no luck finding a matching tree but found possible Parents Nicholas James & Florence Edith Baker in 1911 with 10 month old son Kenneth George.

Nicholas James Baker...as earlier mentioned by Sam Swift he died on 15th August 1918....Did he ever get the photo?  :-\

Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 05 June 13 17:24 BST (UK)
Just found a death for Kenneth George Baker 1913 aged 2 yrs in Abergavenny...same place they were living in 1911....is this the baby in the locket?
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Wednesday 05 June 13 17:28 BST (UK)
How about this family........

Nicholas GLYN Baker, died Newport Sept 1986, vol 28, page 395........date of birth 4th Oct 1916 (This date of birth ties in with the birthday of the baby, being 1 year and 5 months old at the time the photo was taken on 4th March 1918)

Nicholas GLYN Baker, born OND qtr 1916, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, vol 11a, page 82. Mothers name Willey.

Dora E Baker, born June qtr 1914, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Vol 11a, Page 108.           Mothers maiden name Willey.
 :)

Having said that I'm not at all sure it's the same bear  ::)  So it probably is an advertising campaign but on the other hand the photo's genuine and these are possibly the children.

The names and years are a good match but in my opinion reading the inscription I think one of the children needs to have been born march 4th (with the 1yr 5 months relating to something else)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sprutorch9 on Wednesday 05 June 13 18:10 BST (UK)
Quote from: claire.t on Today at 08:03:13
Quote
How uncanny that in the last two weeks BRISTOL Hippodrome have been advertising their new show

"DORA the Explorer" ~ Dora has lost her TEDDY BEAR Osito, and the search is on to find him!

Quote from: Sami on Today at 08:55:20
Quote
Hmmmmm.......anybody else out there starting to wonder if its just part of a well crafted advertising campaign?

I was wondering the same thing late last night as I finally decided to turn off the computer.
To see this new information today it seems too much of a coincidence.
If true, it would certainly be a bitter disappointment to all who have worked so hard and would now think twice about offering to spend valuable time to research in the future.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Emjaybee on Wednesday 05 June 13 18:28 BST (UK)
Why would they leave a photo?

MJB
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Wednesday 05 June 13 18:28 BST (UK)
has any one checked any of the other genealogy sites to see if they are carrying anything similar to our wee  mystery?now that someone has mentioned that it may be a publicity stunt by B/A?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Wednesday 05 June 13 18:31 BST (UK)
Just recapping here;
Nicholas James Baker died 15/8/1918 at Baghdad.  Married Florence Edith Baker Q2 1908, Pontypridd.  This ties in with the probate calendar entry.
Children;
Kenneth George Q1 1910 Abergavenny Died 1913.
Dora E Q2 1914 Abergavenny
Nicholas Glyn Q4 1916 Abergavenny

The ages of the two children in the photo seem to fit with this family, 4 for the little girl & about 2 for, what now might be a boy...Nicholas Glyn.  Probably called him Glyn to differentiate between father & son.
In this context the writing on the postcard makes a little more sense, 'With dearest love & kisses to our darling Daddie from your loving daughter & Sonnie.  Signed Dora & Glyn'.
Dora being the 4 year old daughter & Sonnie the bear????

Speculation I know  :)

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Wednesday 05 June 13 18:35 BST (UK)
No, I don't think this is a publicity stunt, Trystan has been in touch with the lady dealing with it at Bristol airport.  They would lose a lot of credability if it was & I can think of better ways of publicising the airport  :)

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Erato on Wednesday 05 June 13 18:42 BST (UK)
"DORA the Explorer" ~ Dora has lost her TEDDY BEAR Osito, and the search is on to find him!"

It's just a bit too coincidental, I think.  So, is the airport part of the scam or has it been taken advantage of?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Wednesday 05 June 13 18:48 BST (UK)
Just recapping here;
Nicholas James Baker died 15/8/1918 at Baghdad.  Married Florence Edith Baker Q2 1908, Pontypridd.  This ties in with the probate calendar entry.
Children;
Kenneth George Q1 1910 Abergavenny Died 1913.
Dora E Q2 1914 Abergavenny
Nicholas Glyn Q4 1916 Abergavenny

The ages of the two children in the photo seem to fit with this family, 4 for the little girl & about 2 for, what now might be a boy...Nicholas Glyn.  Probably called him Glyn to differentiate between father & son.
In this context the writing on the postcard makes a little more sense, 'With dearest love & kisses to our darling Daddie from your loving daughter & Sonnie.  Signed Dora & Glyn'.
Dora being the 4 year old daughter & Sonnie the bear????

Speculation I know  :)

Jane

and there is a likely son for Nicholas, so what do we do from here  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Gadget on Wednesday 05 June 13 18:53 BST (UK)
"DORA the Explorer" ~ Dora has lost her TEDDY BEAR Osito, and the search is on to find him!"

It's just a bit too coincidental, I think.  So, is the airport part of the scam or has it been taken advantage of?

Agree with you, Erato  :)

I've been keeping my distance on this one. I don't think the Teddys are the same and I wonder why it's only now that they've raised it - a year later!

Gadget the sceptic

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Wednesday 05 June 13 18:57 BST (UK)
I don't think it is a PR stunt, or even a coincidence. They could be raising it now just because they saw the theatre show advertised and it reminded them about their lost bear and photo

Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Pinetree on Wednesday 05 June 13 19:01 BST (UK)
Could it be daughter and sonnie (pet form of son) Dora and Glyn with no name for teddy?

Pinetree
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Gadget on Wednesday 05 June 13 19:06 BST (UK)
I don't think it is a PR stunt, or even a coincidence. They could be raising it now just because they saw the theatre show advertised and it reminded them about their lost bear and phot

Milly

Milly, for a media person you  are a bit too believing  ;D

I think it's more likely to be a PR stunt than anything else  :-X
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sprutorch9 on Wednesday 05 June 13 19:07 BST (UK)
Do you folks have Dora the Explorer in the UK? It is a well-known animated TV series here in the US.
Also the Teddy's name listed for the show in Bristol is Osito, which seems to be the name of an animated teddy bear in Japan.
One of the North American tours for the Dora the Explorer show was called 'The City of Lost Toys'. :o

(My last post on this since it wastes space for real research if event of lost bear is true.)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: gaffy on Wednesday 05 June 13 19:21 BST (UK)

Just come across this thread and I've a couple of innocent questions:

1. The circumstances surrounding this bear being found - no-one seems to have questioned this, I know that if it was a bear of that vintage in my family, my leaving it accidentally in an airport would only have ensued from my sudden death, nothing short of that - for someone not to have claimed it in hours is odd.

2.  The state of the fur - nothing short of remarkable, ignore the dramatic cross-stitched belly, the pads on arms and feet, and the one eye (a la pudsey bear, always guaranteed to elicit sympathy), the fur seems otherwise... luxuriant - my favourite childhood teddy had the fur worn / licked bare of his pelt.

I hope this is genuine. But only asking.   
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rena on Wednesday 05 June 13 19:25 BST (UK)
That bear and photo get around a bit.  The bear is on "Lost Bears" on facebook and the story is also in a few newspapers.

I've had a look on the Bristol Airport web page and found there are destinations to more places than I imagined.

My initial thoughts were that somebody was migrating or taking the family heirlooms to a younger family member who had already migrated.    I presumed to Australia, but that country isn't served by Bristol Airport.  I've had a look in the Spanish, Austrian and German telephone white pages thinking a surname like "Baker" would stick out like a sore thumb - unfortunately there's scores of "sore thumbs"  :-\
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Gadget on Wednesday 05 June 13 19:30 BST (UK)
I spent quite a lot of time in Bristol airport departure lounge  (Bristol to Inverness and back) when M in Law was  ill 6-7 years ago. I really don't understand how the bag/bear wasn't found/made public sooner. It's not all that big  :-X
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: firefly74 on Wednesday 05 June 13 19:34 BST (UK)
Whether this story is a set up or not, I just wanted to give Hampshire Lass some kudos for finding the likely candidates for Dora and Glyn - some excellent sleuthing!

Is there any way to find out if Kenneth George's birthdate was 14 4 March? It makes the most sense to me that Glyn is "Sonnie" (just a cute way to of saying son) and "Baby" is Kenneth George who was also in the locket.

Cheers
Helen
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Gadget on Wednesday 05 June 13 19:42 BST (UK)
Sadly, it looks as if Kenneth George died Mar q, 1913, Abergavenny. Aged 2  :-\

(PS -question for Trystan - it seems we're getting posting credits for the Lighter side these days  ??? )
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Wednesday 05 June 13 19:44 BST (UK)
Whether this story is a set up or not, I just wanted to give Hampshire Lass some kudos for finding the likely candidates for Dora and Glyn - some excellent sleuthing!

Is there any way to find out if Kenneth George's birthdate was 14 March? It makes the most sense to me that Glyn is "Sonnie" (just a cute way to of saying son) and "Baby" is Kenneth George who was also in the locket.

Cheers
Helen

Thank you Helen   :)

If 1 year 5 months applies to the date March 14th, don't forget that takes us back to October 14th, which is the birth date of Nicholas Glyn Baker. I think if I was writing the date Mar 14th, knowing my son was born on Oct 14th I would write exactly those words.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: gaffy on Wednesday 05 June 13 19:48 BST (UK)
Thanks for the summary.

I don't think we can state exactly what/who we need to look for as there are so many possibilities and different suggestions.

Here is a picture from The Huffington Post, of Bear showing his tummy. Their report says an expert looked at the bear and thought he might be German or French. He didn't say he thought it might not be the bear in the photo. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/06/04/100-year-old-teddy-bear-abandoned-bristol-airport-pictures_n_3382584.html?utm_hp_ref=uk?ncid=GEP

This photo made me wonder if the bear is a fake, but I don't think an expert would give his name to an interview if there was a chance that was the case.

Does the fur look like that you licked and wore away as children, or does it look synthetic, you need to consider. I really hope this is genuine!  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: BettyofKent on Wednesday 05 June 13 19:55 BST (UK)
familytreeforum.com are also looking, but their thread is only 4 pages ;D

I am so enjoying following this thread, I do hope it isn't just a publicity stunt :(

Betty
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Wednesday 05 June 13 20:04 BST (UK)
This is a genuine attempt to reunite this teddy by Bristol Airport. Naturally as it has a strong human interest story, it has captivated the media which is gathering pace. Airports are not known for humerous slapstick stunts,  or PR 'stunts' especially here where the security staff and the local police have also been involved.

If other organisations want to jump on and weave in their own publicity into this then that is up to them, but I can assure you that the information the images and communication I have had is from Bristol Airport (both by phone & email).

I please ask that we do not derail this really interesting challenge - because we've already gleaned a great deal from what little we have been given, which is absolutely brilliant! :)

Trystan

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Wednesday 05 June 13 20:06 BST (UK)
Wow, well done Hampshire lass

That looks as if it all fits to me

Baby Kenneth born Q1, I guess his dob was 14 March.


So , we've found them - Now what?





Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Wednesday 05 June 13 20:09 BST (UK)
"Well now what?" - well I've just phoned up (mobile) a chap at Bristol Airport to let him know that it looks like RootsChatters have found the teddy's owners. :) They will look at this in the morning when they are back in the office.

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Wednesday 05 June 13 20:14 BST (UK)
I for one would love to see the following news headline."Airport Teddy Bear Mystery.Solved By Roots Chat Members" :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Wednesday 05 June 13 20:27 BST (UK)
Supposing the possible son of Nicholas Glyn, who is probably still alive, is the owner of the bear, I've looked on 192.com and he doesn't seem to be on the site. I don't have a subscription though so cannot be sure.

If the bear was found in the departure lounge maybe the descendant of Nicholas was emigrating and on finding the bear was missing had no idea how to trace him and is now unaware of all the attention the bear is attracting. Hence why he hasn't come forward.

I know all of that is pure speculation but there has to be an explanation. So, if Bristol Airport are going to contact in the morning how are they then going to find the person who is descended from Nicholas because a year is a long time in terms of someone's address.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 05 June 13 20:40 BST (UK)
I ...Like Hampshire Lass...have given nearly all our day looking for a match for this Family and I hate the idea that people would think it was as scam...A lot of well meaning people have given their time here to help reunited a Family with a lost treasure....Have a heart  ::)
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Finley 1 on Wednesday 05 June 13 20:53 BST (UK)
I have gone cross eyed looking ... but am happy to look, cos its good for the brain cells to search and discover, I was on the same path as Carol, then just had to go and stick them darn plants in whilst the weather was right..  So good on ya ... Carol Hampshire Lass   and ALL of you who have tried so hard to find these people. AND ACHIEVED SO MUCH   ;)
Let it be noted ... when we set off on a search on Roots, we up ROOT every possiblity we can, So Cheers to the chatters  I say.   ;D

me ingonito ( dont wanna be famus  ???  ;))
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tidybooks on Wednesday 05 June 13 20:55 BST (UK)
Hi All,

Well done, Hampshire Lass for coming up with names and dates of birth. I hope you and your team of helpers are able to pin down present day owners who lost it.  Great job done.
I don't think this is a publicity stunt for Dora the Explorer.

Tom
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Paul Caswell on Wednesday 05 June 13 20:59 BST (UK)
Well done Hampshire Lass!!  :o  :o

I think we've cracked it now. I expect the journalists will do the rest.

One outstanding question - if the letter was posted to daddie and daddie died, how did the letter get back to the bear?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Wednesday 05 June 13 21:00 BST (UK)
I ...Like Hampshire Lass...have given nearly all our day looking for a match for this Family and I hate the idea that people would think it was as scam...A lot of well meaning people have given their time here to help reunited a Family with a lost treasure....Have a heart  ::)
Carol

Hi Carol, if you're reverring to my last post, I think you misunderstand me  :)
I am Hampshire Lass and yes, like you, have enjoyed researching this today. What I was meaning was.......how is anyone going to find the current owner, when people move around etc. It was "easy"  ::) for us to trace a family tree but much more difficult to actually find a living person.  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: loobylooayr on Wednesday 05 June 13 21:03 BST (UK)
Well done to Hampshire Lass for her excellent detective work and finding Baby Kenneth, Dora and Nicholas Glyn and to everyone one else who investigated. This has been a interesting thread! ;D I hope it's proved to be the Baker family's bear.
Would doubt that anyone would dream up such an elaborate PR stunt just to publicize a children's theatre show. I think the Dora the Explorer show is just an uncanny co-incidence.

Looby
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sprutorch9 on Wednesday 05 June 13 21:05 BST (UK)
I do not believe the people who are questioning the authenticity of this are against all the people who have been doing such a tremendous job. And I do not feel they are trying to 'derail' it.
However, I believe anyone doing genealogical research must use a degree of skepticism.
I would hate to think of what would be said about this great site if we all blindly believed everything only to find out later that it wasn't true.
Isn't part of research like this to question and find the truth?
I'm sure everyone applauds all the hard work.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Wednesday 05 June 13 21:35 BST (UK)
No, I don't think this is a publicity stunt, Trystan has been in touch with the lady dealing with it at Bristol airport.  They would lose a lot of credability if it was & I can think of better ways of publicising the airport  :)

Jane

I was also in touch with the lady at Bristol airport.  The bear was left over 14 months ago.  It would be bad publicity for the airport if it turned out to be a scam?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Wednesday 05 June 13 21:36 BST (UK)
Why would they leave a photo?

MJB

Same reason they left the bear?   :D 
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Wednesday 05 June 13 21:36 BST (UK)
Hampshire Lass's Nichola Glyn and Dora are good suggestions but I think we should be careful about saying we have actually found the children in the photo at this stage... They can be offered as a suggestion but we'd need confirmation from a descendant to be sure.

There could be other Glyn and Dora children combinations we just have not found yet (There are A LOT of Glyns born in S.Wales around that time)

Milly the Cautious  ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Wednesday 05 June 13 21:47 BST (UK)
Yes of course I agree with you there Milly. :)  All we can do is come up with possibilities and exclude them one by one. That was all my info was meant to be.  I assumed that Trystan would pick up on it and contact a descendant to exlude that possibilty and then we can move on.

If it was our own research we'd send for certificates, not just add people to the tree because "oh, that person will do"

As far as the bear goes, I still don't think it looks like the same bear but I guess time will tell.....if we're lucky   :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Wednesday 05 June 13 22:08 BST (UK)
I was just about to say (but Milly the Cautious has beaten me to it) that I'd be very surprised if there was only one family that the names and dates relate to.  But WELL DONE! Hampshire Lass for what you've found!  I'm amazed how many replies have been made to this thread, just as I was starting to think it was a lost cause.  A glimmer of hope, and it's lovely to see the enthusiasm and skill of fellow Rootschatters in action :-*

I didn't know how we could take it from here, I hadn't thought that far ahead! - but thank you Tristan for coming up with the answer and passing on the details to Bristol Airport for them to follow up.

There is a point that I *think* no one has mentioned yet - sorry if it already has...
Even if living relations of Dora and Glyn are contacted, there is still the possibility that they are not the rightful owners of Bear.  We will have to wait and see  ::)

In the meantime, if anyone comes across other candidates for Dora and Glyn please share  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: mare on Wednesday 05 June 13 23:52 BST (UK)
Well done to Hampshire Lass for her excellent detective work and finding Baby Kenneth, Dora and Nicholas Glyn and to everyone one else who investigated. This has been a interesting thread! ;D I hope it's proved to be the Baker family's bear.
Would doubt that anyone would dream up such an elaborate PR stunt just to publicize a children's theatre show. I think the Dora the Explorer show is just an uncanny co-incidence.

Looby
I agree, thumbs up to Hampshire Lass and thumbs down if Dora the Explorer is a big spanner! ( D the E even makes it to NZ Sprutorch9  :D )

If the family is the correct one I'll modify my p12 view just slightly from the clearer vantage point   ;) ...with birthday of baby being locket baby ... rest still same thoughts, photo taken 1918, 4 March birthday of baby,  Sonnie/Glyn the age mentioned and older sister/loving daughter Dora.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rena on Thursday 06 June 13 00:08 BST (UK)

In the meantime, if anyone comes across other candidates for Dora and Glyn please share  :)

I'll hazard a guess that quite a few of us where searching freebmd in an effort to find if siblings Dora and Glyn had the same mother and additionally were searching the medal cards & CWGC for their father.  I found the former site extremely slow in giving the results.

Congratulations to Hampshire Lass for her persistence.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: firefly74 on Thursday 06 June 13 00:21 BST (UK)
Yup, she's a star :) So is everyone else that added a piece to the puzzle.

I was also searching for a Dora and Glyn with a mother with the same maiden name on Ancestry and came up blank.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Erato on Thursday 06 June 13 00:26 BST (UK)
Even if it is the right family [and it does look like a good possibility], it doesn't mean that the bag containing the bear and the card was lost by a descendant.  They could be things that some unrelated person purchased in a junk shop or found abandoned in the attic of an old house.  If they were lost by an actual descendant then they would have been of sentimental value and you'd think that the person would have contacted the airport to report the loss.  That makes me think that the bag dropper was not a family member.

I admit, I'm still suspicious of D the E, though how a scam could have been worked without some collusion at the airport is hard to figure.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rena on Thursday 06 June 13 00:47 BST (UK)
I've just watched the Bristol Airport's video and learnt that the "Departures Lounge" isn't a simple room with a row of seats, it transpires that the cafe and all the shops on the Departures Lounge Floor are classed as the "Departures Lounge".

Knowing this fact, I can see how somebody using the facilities could mislay some hand luggage and might even have made enquiries about the loss at the time.   If the response to the enquiry was negative it might have been assumed that some light fingered person had thought the antique bear had value and had walked off with it. 
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lyn22 on Thursday 06 June 13 03:19 BST (UK)
Well done Hampshire lass I dont know if this has already been said 1911 Wales Census Nicholas James  27 Grocers Manager Florence Edith 34 Kenneth George 10 months and a sister in law Bessie Willey. Would this be Florence Ediths sister. Take Care Lynette
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Thursday 06 June 13 04:24 BST (UK)
Has anyone thought that the bear and the photo were not claimed or reported lost because the person who lost them was elderly and either forgot about them or got ill and couldn't claim them.  :'(
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Thursday 06 June 13 06:48 BST (UK)
Before I forget, a big pat on the back to Hampshire Lass for finding this family  :)  If Rootschat gave out medals yours would be GOLD!
It would seem that Dora who might have married Sidney J. Holland in 1937 only had one son in 1950.  Nicholas Glyn who might have married Elsie E. Norman in 1941 only had one son in 1945.  Both of these children are very likely living so I think we should leave this in the capable hands of Trystan who can pass on the information to the nice lady at Bristol airport  :)  Even if it was neither of these men or their children that left Teddy at the airport, at least Teddy gets to go back where he belongs, which is the purpose of the exercise  :)
So I suppose it's Heir Hunters (they always seem to find their man  :D) Electoral registers or 192.com.  Whichever way I'm BEGGING Trystan & Bristol Airport to keep us updated so that all these Rootschatters can finally go to bed without thinking about poor Teddy  ;D

Jane

PS.  If all this fails I've already filed adoption papers for Teddy  ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Thursday 06 June 13 07:14 BST (UK)
Great progress seems to have been made in the search for the owners of teddy and photo. It is looking very promising for a positive result thanks to Hampshire Lass and others.

I mentioned earlier that whoever lost these items may have obtained them via any number of routes rather than inheriting them. It could be difficult if the person who lost the items comes forward at the same time that an ancestor is located.  :)

One thing I am curious about is why the airport kept this lost property for 14 months. I would have thought they find thousands of items each year - aren't they generally disposed of after a short period of time?

Great story, and even if it is a hoax (which I doubt due to time frames), that is a genuine photo showing real people, so they must be someone's ancestors.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Murphester on Thursday 06 June 13 07:18 BST (UK)
I'm not surprised that the items were lost over 12 months ago.  "Lost and Found" departments aren't usually pro-active in reuniting people with their items.
And something like this would have been too precious to just dispose of.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jean McGurn on Thursday 06 June 13 07:27 BST (UK)
Has anyone thought that the bear and the photo were not claimed or reported lost because the person who lost them was elderly and either forgot about them or got ill and couldn't claim them.  :'(

Could also be someone younger who maybe had been given teddy and the photo as they were saying goodbye to a relative. If the bag was just a carrier bag which also had other bits and pieces in it, maybe the owner couldn't remember where they lost their bag so haven't actually been trying to trace what happened to it.

Not sure if teddy is the same as in the photo but perhaps he was bother to Dora's teddy. I assume both children would have had their own teddies.  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 06 June 13 07:40 BST (UK)
Thank you for your congratulations folks but....
a) they're unnecessary because it's Rootschat team work, certainly not all my work.
b) it's premature because this is far from solved......the bear still lives at the airport, instead of his home.....or Jane's home, since she wants to adopt him!  :)

It worries me that we may be thinking we have the family because my suggestion, was just a suggestion. The thing is that it all hinges on the meaning of the date March 14th. I was thinking "simply". I just looked at the 2 children in the picture and ignored any other children. The younger child would be the baby of the family and so I thought maybe the date referred to him. Assuming he is now dead I searched the death records for a Glyn who was born Oct 14th 1916.

HOWEVER, there could be other possibilities, as we all know and we must remember that.

If we had access, which we never will have, to the list of names of people who flew from Bristol on that date it would help. We could have the right family but it may not be a member of the family who still has the surname Baker who flew...or it could be a family friend transporting the bear. The possibilities are endless.

I say again.....I really don't see how we can find the right living person.

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Thursday 06 June 13 08:03 BST (UK)
Hampshire Lass, agree whole heartidly with what you've just said  :)  But your find of the Baker family is the best & only lead we have to link Teddy with any family!  Best to explore this avenue of inquiry to prove or disprove the connection.  Personally I think we can find the right living person through the information we have.  If it leads us to descendants of Nicholas & Florence they will surely be able to confirm or otherwise that we have the right names for those children & the history of Teddy.
Waiting for words of wisdom from Trystan but perhaps he's still asleep...shhhhhhh  :)

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Thursday 06 June 13 08:17 BST (UK)
Ooops, just checked Public Member Trees on Ancestry & OUR Dora didn't marry Sidney J. Holland.  It was a Dora Elizabeth Baker d/o John Charles & Lucy Hannah Walker born 1909, Mon, died 1989 mon.  So back to the drawing board for Dora  :(

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 06 June 13 08:21 BST (UK)
Yes, forgot to say that to you Jane. This is where it's going to get too complicated, with name changes through the female line and not knowing who the passengers were on that day.

I have the same son as you......born 1945......but if you look at 192.com he's not there.

Probably flew to an unknown address in Australia from Bristol Airport about a year ago  ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 06 June 13 08:29 BST (UK)
Haven't got time to look now but wonder if this son born in 1945.....and I did find a Newport marriage for him, I think.......had children. If so, perhaps it was one of them who flew on that day. Then perhaps we could arm Trysan with an additional surname.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Thursday 06 June 13 08:34 BST (UK)
I don't think Bristol airport has flights to Oz so rules out that continent & north & south America...just the rest of the world to search  ;D

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Thursday 06 June 13 08:39 BST (UK)
Probably flew to an unknown address in Australia from Bristol Airport about a year ago  ;D

In that case send Teddy to me and I will look after him until this person is found  ;)

Red Post Oh well wishful thinking then. Doesn't look like Teddy will be travelling to Australia anytime soon.  :'(
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 06 June 13 08:42 BST (UK)
I don't think Bristol airport has flights to Oz so rules out that continent & north & south America...just the rest of the world to search  ;D

Jane


 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

and No Ted, I think Jane got in first  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Thursday 06 June 13 08:51 BST (UK)
Thats ok Hampshire Lass

Scout Bear is on a plane on his way to keep "our" Teddy company
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Thursday 06 June 13 08:51 BST (UK)
There is a possible marriage of that son of Nicholas Glyn born 1945.  The marriage was Q3 1968 in Newport RD.  Newport being the only connection as that's where the son (1945) was born  :-\  Walking a thin red line here  :)

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Thursday 06 June 13 08:53 BST (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D  I see he has the necessities of life...Toblerone....

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Thursday 06 June 13 08:57 BST (UK)
He's on a Qantas flight that just left Tullamarine. 27 hours he will land in Manchester and then will be on a domestic flight to Bristol.

Should meet "our" Teddy in about 30 hours.

And yes the Qantas staff are looking after him very well. I have instructed them he is not allowed to watch the movie called Ted.

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 06 June 13 08:59 BST (UK)
Ooh yes....bagsie the Tobblerone   :)

Thin red line about sums it all up Jane  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Thursday 06 June 13 09:06 BST (UK)
Waiting for words of wisdom from Trystan but perhaps he's still asleep...shhhhhhh  :)
Jane

Well you might wait a long time to get words of wisdom from me...  ::) but I am now awake, and slurping a strong cup of tea anyhow.  :)

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: loobylooayr on Thursday 06 June 13 09:21 BST (UK)
Toblerone!!!
Beary Delicious  ;D  ;D

Seriously though lets hope this line of enquiry leads to a bear reunion. Although as others have pointed out even if the Baker family do turn out to be the children in the photograph it could be that the photo and the bear were purchased by someone in an antiques shop/fair and have another legal owner.
It amazes me how often I see other people's family portraits and old snapshots on sale at these places  :(
 I couldn't part with all mine ( and I don't know who some of the people are now - just know they were special to my granny as she kept them all her life).

Looby
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 06 June 13 09:38 BST (UK)
Jane ...I discounted that marriage for Dora on page 17...she was born in 1909....Pass the Toblerone round before Trystan gets his grubby hands on it ;D
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: KGarrad on Thursday 06 June 13 09:43 BST (UK)
I don't think Bristol airport has flights to Oz so rules out that continent & north & south America...just the rest of the world to search  ;D

Jane

Hmmm!
As well as being an easyJet hub, Bristol airport is also a holiday flight centre.

So direct flights to Orlando, Cancun, Tunisa, Sharm el-Sheikh as well as all over Europe.
There are even flights to the Isle of Man!
So, maybe I could claim him?!?! ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lyn22 on Thursday 06 June 13 09:50 BST (UK)
I hope Scoutbear  does not go missing at the airport and in a few years we will be looking for his owner I hope we remember who it is Bonvoyage
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Thursday 06 June 13 09:55 BST (UK)
We can't go 'younger' with this descendants of this family due to privacy issues of living people, but there is no reason at all why it can't be done privately and the information then passed on to the security staff at Bristol Airport.

If we have the likely identity of Dora and Glyn then that is as far as we can go on our site - but then allow the media to go along the lines of "Do you have a Grandad Glyn xxx and a Granny Dora xxx originally from zzz?" and work it from there.

It looks like we have quite strong candidates for their identities, but if there are other options then these can be explored too I suppose!

It continues to amaze me how resourceful you all are, it's brilliant!

Trystan
RootsChat Dogsbody
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tidybooks on Thursday 06 June 13 10:01 BST (UK)
Hi Trystan,

Dogsbody indeed.... was this a unanimous selection by the Rootschat Promotion Board. I never saw the vacancy advertised. A bit of nepotism here, I think.

Tom
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Thursday 06 June 13 10:04 BST (UK)
Are you kidding tedscout  :o ?  Really, this bear is on its way to Bristol?  Tell us the story if you're not pulling our collective legs  ???
Carol, sorry missed that over on page 17.  Couldn't find another likely marriage or death for her but they only go up to 2007 so question mark on Dora.
Okay Trystan, shake a leg, what do we do next?  Just a thought but could we contact a local newspaper in Wales (maybe Newport or Abergavenney) to see if they would run the story on the Baker family etc?

Jane

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 06 June 13 10:12 BST (UK)
Maybe Genes Reunited could throw up some interesting leads Jane?

I know we should err on the side of caution but Hampshire Lass's great detective work is hard to ignore...I trawled through trees for hours and didn't find a matching tree with suitable names, dates and places of birth ::)

What does concern me is if Dora was Theodora..Dorothy etc. or like Nicholas Glyn...went by a middle name....we could be barking up the wrong Family tree  ::)


Carol

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Thursday 06 June 13 10:29 BST (UK)
Carol & Jane

Good thinking.

We can look to see if we can find online trees that match, and yes, we can look at contacting the local newspapers (and perhaps the Western Mail - the national paper in Wales @walesonline ). Also, for those of you on facebook and twitter then try and circulate the details to see if we can find the descendants.

We could also continue to see if there are other identity possibilities too to open up other avenues (as Hampshire Lasse said).

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Thursday 06 June 13 10:30 BST (UK)
Nothing shows on Genes Carol so this family doesn't have any family history researchers  :(
Their birth registrations show as Dora E & Nicholas G. Baker with MMN as Willey.  Both registered in Abergavenny,

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 06 June 13 10:42 BST (UK)
That's probably why there is no matching trees Jane...maybe Dora & Glyn didn't have any issue or Dora may have emigrated hence the travelling bear owner.
 I did see a researcher for Nicholas J Baker on GR and the birth place and date were correct but he didn't have Dora Or Nicholas Glyn in his research interests  ::)

Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Thursday 06 June 13 10:44 BST (UK)
I think it pays to look on our own doorstep  ;D  I've just found two members on SIT with an interest for the Baker family in Newport, Monmouthshire.  Just going to contact them with a link to this thread...fingers crossed  ;)

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 06 June 13 10:53 BST (UK)
Oooo! Nice one Jane...waiting with baited breath...I was thinking whether we should put an appeal out on the Welsh board seeking rellies of Dora and Nicholas Glyn Baker with a link to this thread?
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Thursday 06 June 13 11:00 BST (UK)
Both members are not very active Carol so I'm crossing other body parts as well as my fingers  ;D

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 06 June 13 11:08 BST (UK)
I've been studying the photo again looking for any clues we may have missed...I wonder if there is any significance to the striped material on the bear's paws...I think someone mentioned this in an earlier post...it seems an unusual choice of material....could the stripes be significant if Daddie was in the army...a kind of remembrance...or am I clutching at straws?
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: mare on Thursday 06 June 13 11:20 BST (UK)
 :-\ feet decked out in deck chair fabric I thought, or similar... to keep him on deck  :D ... probably just available scraps, as are the other patches more than likely ...


... added, though army colourings aren't they ... and match the bear colours.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 06 June 13 11:34 BST (UK)
Mmmm..I wonder could it represent a clan or regiment...the colours could be significant...where are the Army boffs when you need them  :P ;D ;D ;D ;D
I can hear you all laughing at me  ::) ;D ;D ;D
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tidybooks on Thursday 06 June 13 11:35 BST (UK)
Hi Treetotal,

I think we need someone on Military Board to advise if the pads on the feet are Regimental Colours!


Tom
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: dawnsh on Thursday 06 June 13 11:36 BST (UK)
where's scrimnet when you need him?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Thursday 06 June 13 11:42 BST (UK)
I've added it to the WW1 Military board:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,649506.0.html

Hope they will bear with us and paws for thought.

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Thursday 06 June 13 11:45 BST (UK)
Are you kidding tedscout  :o ?  Really, this bear is on its way to Bristol?  Tell us the story if you're not pulling our collective legs  ???  Jane

Yes Jane I am pulling your legs. Scout Bear was on a plane to England 4 years ago but with hubby and I. That is one of the photos that we put on our blog so that our Cubs and Scouts could see what Scout Bear was up to when he went half way around the world.

All the talk of "our" Ted and airports reminded me about the photos we took and the wonderful time we had in England.

But Scout Bear is willing to go if he's needed.

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Finley 1 on Thursday 06 June 13 11:52 BST (UK)
UUUHm.. I have spoken to someone who lived in Gwent by the name of Baker and they know nothing about a Glynn Baker so not that one. 

xin
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rena on Thursday 06 June 13 12:04 BST (UK)
I don't think the material on the bear's feet is anything to do with the army.  It seemed so familiar that I surfed looking for samples of early 20th century or late 19th century striped curtaining or dress material, maybe even the once popular chenile.

I've found a shawl with a very similar striped pattern on this web page - the site is a family history precis and the shawl could be either from the German mainland or America.  As fashion tends to travel across the world (as shown in the same picture of the Scottish Paisley pattern) I think it's quite feasible for the same pattern and colouring to have been manufactured in the UK.

http://library.ndsu.edu/grhc/history_culture/photo/kempf_photos.html

here's the full blown picture:-

http://library.ndsu.edu/grhc/history_culture/photo/images/kempf/GRHC_Textiles_Jewell_ND_Kempf_17.jpg
.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Thursday 06 June 13 12:18 BST (UK)
I see down the side it says " from the studios of Dura Ltd"

Wonder if that will lead us to a part of the country

This website seems to show that Dura Ltd had a number of addresses in different towns - there is a Wales link!
http://www.victorianphotographers.co.uk/index.php?searchStr=Dura+Ltd&_a=viewCat&Submit=

I'm digging about to see if there are more avenues potentially just in case we don't have the right family and they are not the Baker family, or to reinforce things if we do. (Who knows, I'm reminded that I'm not right a lot of the time).

Do the Dora and Glyn we have live anywhere near the photographers studios that are given in the list above at all?

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: dawnsh on Thursday 06 June 13 12:30 BST (UK)
Do the colours match up with potential 'Daddie's' entry on the CWGC?

http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/632422/BAKER,%20N%20J

South Lancashire Regiment
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Thursday 06 June 13 12:30 BST (UK)
This link

http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/wal/VicPhoto1.html

Gives actual addresses for the photographers

Clock on Monmouthshire, then scroll down to 'D' for Dura


Seems there were 3 branches in Newport.  Also in
Pontypool


Just off to find a map to see how far away Blaenavon is




Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: dawnsh on Thursday 06 June 13 12:32 BST (UK)
The last known address on CWGC is Blaenavon, Mon

Does this tie up with a branch of the photographers?

(Edited: sorry posts crossed)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Thursday 06 June 13 12:44 BST (UK)
Scrimnet doubts very much that it is regimental colours...

He has sent this link of references though
http://www.frontiernet.net/~ericbush/MiSh/Regt.html

Also - don't forget that the material is old and the colours tend to change over the years so reds become orange and blues become green etc

Personally I doubt the regimental colour theory and I think it is just nice striped material

Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Thursday 06 June 13 12:54 BST (UK)
LOTS of pictures of Blaenavon on here!

http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ug1/

I wonder if Nicholas senior or Florence feature in any of the old ones? (Eg brass band 1913)

Moderator Comment: Massive link shrunk using RootsChat Shrink Link (http://www.rootschat.com/links)  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 06 June 13 13:08 BST (UK)
I thought it said August  ???

Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Thursday 06 June 13 13:12 BST (UK)
15th August 1918
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Thursday 06 June 13 13:15 BST (UK)
I thought it said August  ???

Carol

Oops - was updating my post and accidentally deleted it! Yes it did say August - I was getting confused with another one ::) ::)
 
Commonwealth War Grave Info for this potential father...
Private Baker N J  50013
Date of Death: 15/08/1918  Age:35
Private, South Lancashire Regiment (6th Bn.)
Parents Edwin and Grace Baker;
Wife Florence Edith Baker, of "Thornbank," Ton Mawr Avenue, Blaenavon 
Born at Blaenavon, Monmouthshire

(No sign of a Dora or Glyn in the family history there though - perhaps they didn't follow naming patterns)

Milly




Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 06 June 13 13:15 BST (UK)
Nice work H.L....I wonder if he or his wife are on F.B?

Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 06 June 13 13:31 BST (UK)
I wonder if Florence E. Baker remarried:

1937 Caerleon

Baker Florence E. to Edward G. Baker vol. 11a page 315

Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 06 June 13 13:34 BST (UK)
Nice work H.L....I wonder if he or his wife are on F.B?

Carol

Don't know Carol, not on FB....are you?   You know the name we're speaking of don't you?

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Thursday 06 June 13 14:44 BST (UK)
I've tried Face Book but because the name is so common it's not easy  :(

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Thursday 06 June 13 14:50 BST (UK)
Hot off the press from Bristol Airport:

Quote
Thanks for the further information, it does seem to be leading the same way.  Brilliant work.

As promised please find attached a scanned copy of the photo.

Thanks so much and please pass on my thanks to all concerned.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: LizzieW on Thursday 06 June 13 14:51 BST (UK)
Just read the thread, I'm always amazed at all the detective work Rootschatters are capable of.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Thursday 06 June 13 14:59 BST (UK)
Bit of a long shot but...

Does anyone have access or knowledge of burials in the area? 

If Kenneth G as seen in 1911 and born 1910 and most likely died in 1913 is the older brother (prob born 4 Oct 1910 as per death ref)
- then there may be a burial record or MI for him which may have more info.  It won't have Nicholas G and Dora E on as they were not born until after he died though.

But - if it was a family plot there may be some leads there from later burials?

Death
Nicholas Glyn Baker
Birth Date:   4 Oct 1916
Death Reg: Newport Sep 1986 vol 28 p 395
Age at Death:   69

Last known address for Nicholas J Baker (father) from CWGC "Thornbank," Ton Mawr Avenue, Blaenavon, Monmouthshire. This matches earlier census records so that address covers the 1913 period in question.

Also - did we find a death for the mother Florence Edith, I can't remember? Or even the grandparents Edwin and Grace Baker.  There may be something in their burial info?


Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Thursday 06 June 13 15:06 BST (UK)
Good thoughts Milly.  In the meanwhile I've revisited the Dura photographers.  From the site there only seem to be 5 studios that were operating in the time frame we want (1918) Newport, Mon, Swansea, Bridgend, Glam, Merthyr Tydfil & Pontypridd.
I'm no expert on Wales but the Baker's address in 1911 & 1918 was in Blaenavon, Mon & looking at a map the Merthyr Tydfil studio appears to be the nearest.  Having said that I don't know how that helps us  :-\

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Thursday 06 June 13 15:28 BST (UK)
Jane,

I think it helps us as it possibly reinforces to some extent that we are looking at a family in South Wales (not the North) so that ties in well with Abergaverry and Blaenavon that we already have.  :)

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Thursday 06 June 13 15:29 BST (UK)
Some possible deaths:

Edwin Baker (poss grandfather)
Born about 1840
Apr-Jun Q 1904 Abergavenny 11a 39
Age at Death:   64
County:   Monmouthshire

Grace Baker (poss grandmother)
Born about 1851
Oct-Dec Q1933 Abergavenny 11a 61
Age at Death:   82
County:   Monmouthshire

Grand-child
Kenneth G Baker
Born about 1911
Jan-Mar Q 1913 Abergavenny 11a 82
Age at Death:   2
County:   Monmouthshire
Volume:   11a
Page:   82

Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: anne_p on Thursday 06 June 13 15:30 BST (UK)
Been following this thread with interest and you are all doing a great job.

The postcard says the pic was taken on 4 Aug 1918
How long does the studio take to develop the photo as a postcard?
Nicholas James Baker died  in Mesapotania ( Greece) 11 days  after the photo was taken.

I would guess that the card was never sent to Daddie.
Was it written after his death and kept with the teddy?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Thursday 06 June 13 15:37 BST (UK)
.  From the site there only seem to be 5 studios that were operating in the time frame we want (1918) Newport, Mon, Swansea, Bridgend, Glam, Merthyr Tydfil & Pontypridd.
I'm no expert on Wales but the Baker's address in 1911 & 1918 was in Blaenavon, Mon & looking at a map the Merthyr Tydfil studio appears to be the nearest.

Newport is about same distance but down towards cardiff, pontypridd is not too far either - and All the others are still reachable... Definitely supporting evidence for the Blaenavon family theory.

Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Erato on Thursday 06 June 13 15:41 BST (UK)
"The postcard says the pic was taken on 4 Aug 1918 in Mesapotania"

No, the photo was taken on 4 March 1918 which was 'Baby's' birthday and it was presumably taken in Wales, if this is the correct family.  Baby was presumably Kenneth G.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Thursday 06 June 13 15:42 BST (UK)

 
Nicholas James Baker died  in Mesapotania ( Greece) 11 days  after the photo was taken.

I would guess that the card was never sent to Daddie.
Was it written after his death and kept with the teddy?

That seems like quite a good theory. Or written before they knew he was dead and not posted?

Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: anne_p on Thursday 06 June 13 15:44 BST (UK)
Apologies Erato.
I spotted my error and amended it whilst you were posting.

Milly,
That was my train of thought too

Anne
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Thursday 06 June 13 15:45 BST (UK)
I wonder if it is worthwhile contacting the people of this web site? 
http://www.deckchairs.co.uk/woven-cotton-swatch

I dont have the expertise to send them a picture of "our bears feet" but I like the idea that maybe it is deck chair material,Im sure they might be able to help us identify the material,Im sure that who ever repaired the feet would taken the time to look for a heavy material.ie deck chair.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Thursday 06 June 13 15:49 BST (UK)
Well, we've gone over our allotted 20 odd pages, do we all turn into pumpkins Trystan  ;D ;D ;D

Just to cheer everyone up there is a possible lead with a possible family member which is being looked into but don't hold your breath  ;)

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 06 June 13 16:04 BST (UK)
There is a possible death in Newport for Florence E. Baker b. 1877 d. 1947...which matches her DOB in 1911..can't be sure it's the right one though.
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Thursday 06 June 13 16:16 BST (UK)
Well, we've gone over our allotted 20 odd pages, do we all turn into pumpkins Trystan  ;D ;D ;D

Hiya Pumpkin,
We're letting this one run as long as it needs to be as there are so many incoming links to this story. :)
Fellow Pumpkin
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: dawnsh on Thursday 06 June 13 16:20 BST (UK)
I need glass slippers  ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Pels. on Thursday 06 June 13 16:22 BST (UK)


In reply to Milly's query (reply #266)  :)

Burial's in Parish of Blaenavon - 1913
Kenneth George Baker, Thornbank, Tonmawr
Burial date : February 24th, Age : 2 years

Pels.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: dawnsh on Thursday 06 June 13 16:23 BST (UK)
matches the family address on the CWGC citation  ;)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: loobylooayr on Thursday 06 June 13 16:30 BST (UK)

 
Nicholas James Baker died  in Mesapotania ( Greece) 11 days  after the photo was taken.

I would guess that the card was never sent to Daddie.
Was it written after his death and kept with the teddy?

That seems like quite a good theory. Or written before they knew he was dead and not posted?

Milly

The card may have reached Daddie and could have been returned to his family with his personal effects after his death. :(

Looby
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Thursday 06 June 13 16:35 BST (UK)
Or that of course Looby..
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 06 June 13 16:38 BST (UK)
Well, we've gone over our allotted 20 odd pages, do we all turn into pumpkins Trystan  ;D ;D ;D

Hiya Pumpkin,
We're letting this one run as long as it needs to be as there are so many incoming links to this story. :)
Fellow Pumpkin

Just a thought Trystan but if we think we're now researching the right lead might it be an idea to sumarise the facts we have and start a new thread......perhaps not.....just a thought   :-X
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: janan on Thursday 06 June 13 16:45 BST (UK)
The photo was taken on 4 March 1918 which was 'Baby's' birthday and it was presumably taken in Wales, if this is the correct family.  Baby was presumably Kenneth G.

Except Kenneth George is recorded as only 10 months old on the 1911 census which was taken on 2nd April  ???

Jan  ;)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Berlin-Bob on Thursday 06 June 13 16:47 BST (UK)
Quote
Just a thought Trystan but if we think we're now researching the right lead might it be an idea to sumarise the facts we have and start a new thread.
Probably better not to start a new topic - it gets confusing for newcomers and guests.

But a summary every so often is always good :)

And because people forget, I'll just add a reminder here:
to read long topics, just click on the "Print" button - it wont actually be printed, but the whole topic will be displayed on one page (without any images), which is also handy for searching ....
http://www.rootschat.com/help/faqs.php#long_topics


Bob
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Thursday 06 June 13 16:59 BST (UK)
Does anyone live in the area that would be willing to use their local library to look up newspaper obituaries?  Might link some people or give a bit of family history?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Thursday 06 June 13 17:00 BST (UK)


In reply to Milly's query (reply #266)  :)

Burial's in Parish of Blaenavon - 1913
Kenneth George Baker, Thornbank, Tonmawr
Burial date : February 24th, Age : 2 years

Pels.

Excellent....

So - we DEFINITELY know that Kenneth George was the son of Nicholas J Baker the soldier who died August 1918.

Just to recap what I think we KNOW or can reasonably assume: to help us keep it straight!


Census info confirms Kenneth George Baker's parents as Nicholas James Baker and Florence Edith who married about 1908.

There is a marriage 1908 for these 4 names: (2 x Florence but middle names Edith and James suggest it is the right one with maiden name WILLEY )

Marriages Jun 1908  Pontypridd    11a   1047   
BAKER    Nicholas James        
Baxter    Florence             
PRICE    William        
Willey    Florence Edith        

ALSO
We know that Nicholas G Baker born 4 Oct 1916 - was Nicholas Glyn Baker (from death reg)
And we know that his mother's maiden name was Willey.
And we know that Dora E Baker's mother's maiden name was also Willey.

If we assume Kenneth's mother was Florence Edith Willey too - that links all three children and those parents at that address in Blaenavon.

(What we don't have is any baptiism or birth cert info to confirm that Florence was mother to Kenneth AND ALSO to Nicholas Glyn and Dora - but it looks likely)

LOCATION
Blaenavon is in South Wales and not too far from where the photo was probably taken (various offices around Monmouthshire and Glamorgan)

THEORY:
We think that the photo was taken on what would have been the late Kenneth George Baker's birthday 4th March 1910 (and that he is probably "Baby")
At this time Nicholas Glyn was about 1 yr 5 months old having been born 4 October 1916
Dora is slightly older and photo fits her age of about 5 - born 1913

PHOTO
We don't know what is on the Tankard as we still don't have a high res photo of it
We think it is the same bear who has had most bits repaired over the years.


Is that right so far? Do we KNOW or assume anything else?

Milly



 



Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Thursday 06 June 13 17:10 BST (UK)
Tracing Dora forward there are two marriages in Monmouthshire which look possible: (she may have married out of area or not married at all of course)

Sep 1937 Caerleon    11a   705      (UPDATE: THIS MARRIAGE DISCOUNTED)
Baker, Dora E   and  Holland, Sidney J      

Mar 1948 Newport    8c   555   
Baker, Dora E   and  Steele, George W    

Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 06 June 13 17:18 BST (UK)
Nicholas G. Baker was born on Dec 16, 1916 Abergaveny...Mother Willey
Dora E. April 1914 , same place and Mother.

Dora Elizabeth Baker who married Sidney Holland was born 1909 with different Parents according to a tree on A******y.
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: KarenM on Thursday 06 June 13 17:21 BST (UK)

Sep 1937 Caerleon    11a   705      
Baker, Dora E   and  Holland, Sidney J      


There is a death for Dora Elizabeth Holland March 1989, with a birth date of November 12, 1909.

Karen
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: ann255 on Thursday 06 June 13 17:28 BST (UK)
[And because people forget, I'll just add a reminder here:
to read long topics, just click on the "Print" button - it wont actually be printed, but the whole topic will be displayed on one page (without any images), which is also handy for searching ....
http://www.rootschat.com/help/faqs.php#long_topicsBob

Thanks for the tip Bob, a really useful tool especially for such a long topic as this one. Have been following it avidly.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Thursday 06 June 13 17:32 BST (UK)


The postcard says the pic was taken on 4 Aug 1918
How long does the studio take to develop the photo as a postcard?
Nicholas James Baker died  in Mesapotania ( Greece) 11 days  after the photo was taken.


No, photo was taken 4th March
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 06 June 13 17:32 BST (UK)
I think one or two things may be wrong here..... I think from the death record we know Nicholas Glyn Baker was born 4 Oct 1916 and that ties in with his birth record Dec Qtr 1916 (and one year and five months before the photo was taken on 4 Mar 1918)

Then Kenneth George Baker was registered June Qtr 1910
        Dora E baker was registered June Qtr 1914

On the 1911 census for the family Kenneth George is 10 months old   (so he was NOT born 4 March)

Also at the address is a Bessie(?) Willey, sister in law

Also the marriage for Dora Baker and Sidney Holland has been discounted. I think someone found them on a public tree and there is no connection with our Dora.

 :) :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 06 June 13 17:35 BST (UK)
Yes H.L....We discounted that Dora marriage on page 17.
Yes my mistake...left out the Qtr.  ::)
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: dawnsh on Thursday 06 June 13 17:39 BST (UK)
I've looked at the marriage for Dora to Mr Steele.

There are no births in the England & Wales index for this marriage, neither are there any deaths for her as Dora Steele so you can imply

The couple didn't have children and went abroad and died

The couple went abroad and had children and died abroad

or she is still alive and would be extremely aged, not impossible

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Thursday 06 June 13 17:43 BST (UK)
Have a look at

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/GLAMORGAN/2008-12/1228398871

And scroll down to the entry for Waters - March 29th

Bessie Waters has died, she loved in Blaenavon and is dtr of late George Willey of Thornbank, Caerphilly.
 
Now, we know that Florence was nee Willey, was born Caerphily, and had a sister Bessie ..

(Added marriage OND 1911 Elizabeth Willey to William J Waters. She was Elizabeth in 1871 too)

Not only that but Florence and Nicholas lived in a house called Thornbank too - did they name it after her family home?

None of this proves anything really, just fills in a bit more about tbe family. And seeing as we have tbe burial of Kenneth with tbe Thornbank address, I think it does all fit in, despite some small discrepancies.

My conclusion is ........ I think the Bear should be called Thornbank!!
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Erato on Thursday 06 June 13 17:45 BST (UK)
So, who was 'Baby' on whose birthday the photo was taken?  Did 'Baby' = Glyn and by birthday his mother just meant it was the same day of the month [the 4th] as his birth? 
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Thursday 06 June 13 17:46 BST (UK)
UPDATED RECAP:

Just to recap what I think we KNOW or can reasonably assume: to help us keep it straight!

Census info confirms Kenneth George Baker's parents as Nicholas James Baker and Florence Edith, We know they married about 1908. 

There is a marriage 1908 for these 4 names: (2 x Florence but middle names Edith and James suggest it is the right one with maiden name WILLEY )

Marriages Jun 1908  Pontypridd    11a   1047   
BAKER    Nicholas James         
Baxter    Florence             
PRICE    William         
Willey    Florence Edith         

UPDATE: Bessie Waters sister in law in census dies in 1924, had lived in Blaenavon and was daughter of late George Willey of Thornbank, Caerphilly. (NB: Thornbank is also name of house the bakers lived in in Blaenavon and Florence's sister's maiden name was Willey which almost confirms that marriage is right)

ALSO
We know that Nicholas G Baker born 4 Oct 1916 - was Nicholas Glyn Baker (from death reg) fits with birh reg Dec Qtr 1916
And we know that his mother's maiden name was Willey.
And we know that Dora E Baker's mother's maiden name was also Willey.

If we assume Kenneth's mother was Florence Edith Willey too - that links all three children and those parents at that address in Blaenavon.

(What we don't have is any baptiism or birth cert info to confirm that Florence was mother to Kenneth AND ALSO to Nicholas Glyn and Dora - but it looks likely)

LOCATION
Blaenavon is in South Wales and not too far from where the photo was probably taken (various offices around Monmouthshire and Glamorgan)

THEORY:
We THOUGHT that the photo was taken on what would have been the late Kenneth George Baker's birthday 4th March (and that he is probably "Baby") but ........he was apparently 10 months old on April 2 1911 - so that does not fit with a march birthday. The birth reg for him is June Quarter 1910


At this time Nicholas Glyn was about 1 yr 5 months old having been born 4 October 1916 (fits with inscription on photo)
Dora E is slightly older and photo fits her age of about 4  - birth reg June Q 1914

PHOTO
We don't know what is on the Tankard as we still don't have a high res photo of it
We think it is the same bear who has had most bits repaired over the years.


Is that right so far? Do we KNOW or assume anything else?

Milly



 
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 06 June 13 17:50 BST (UK)
So, who was 'Baby' on whose birthday the photo was taken?  Did 'Baby' = Glyn and by birthday his mother just meant it was the same day of the month [the 4th] as his birth?

Thats how I see it Erato  :)

Well done Milly, I think that sums up the facts  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Thursday 06 June 13 17:55 BST (UK)
Not happy that Kenneth's birthday is not 4th March though as it spoils the theory somewhat ::)

Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: janan on Thursday 06 June 13 17:55 BST (UK)
So, who was 'Baby' on whose birthday the photo was taken?  Did 'Baby' = Glyn and by birthday his mother just meant it was the same day of the month [the 4th] as his birth?

Thats how I see it Erato  :)


I think that is most likely, it fits well with the way it is written.

Jan ;)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 06 June 13 17:56 BST (UK)
Yes that brings us nicely up to date with what we have discovered so far and helps to keep us on track :D
What we need to learn is the connection...if there is one...to Bristol...and was there an emigration as was earlier suggested...as the bear belonged to Dora...is it reasonable to assume it would go to one of her Children if in fact she had any?
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: hepburn on Thursday 06 June 13 17:56 BST (UK)
Do we have them in the  1911?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 06 June 13 17:59 BST (UK)
Yes...I found it around page 17...That's how I discovered Kenneth age 10 months....and his subsequent death aged 2 years.
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jean McGurn on Thursday 06 June 13 18:15 BST (UK)
UPDATED RECAP:
PHOTO
We don't know what is on the Tankard as we still don't have a high res photo of it
We think it is the same bear who has had most bits repaired over the years.
 

I wonder why Glyn has the tankard. I would have thought a toy unless the tankard had some meaning to their father?

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Erato on Thursday 06 June 13 18:18 BST (UK)
Did Florence Baker remarry?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Thursday 06 June 13 18:19 BST (UK)
Do we have them in the  1911?

I think we have all looked at 1911, but are reticent to post the details because of the 1911 ban!
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: hepburn on Thursday 06 June 13 18:21 BST (UK)
Sorry I can't find the 1911 posting  :(
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rena on Thursday 06 June 13 18:23 BST (UK)
I'm wondering if the staff made a note of the time and full date when the bag holding the bear was handed in.

I'm looking at the departure list on the Bristol Airport website and it's a busy schedule.
 
For instance at 07.00 a.m. today (Thursday) - planes depart for:
(1) Hamburg; (2) Aberdeen; (3) Belfast; (4) Nice.

If by chance the bear was booked into Lost Property during the morning, it would rule out the internal flights and foreign country destinations of the afternoon and evening flights.



Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 06 June 13 18:37 BST (UK)
Not sure if I've missed it, but do we know anything about the bag that the bear and photo were in - was anything else there, etc., etc.  Type/make might give a hint to origin.

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 06 June 13 18:53 BST (UK)
We were wanting to establish that the mother of Kenneth George was Willey, which would tie in with the other 2 children .......and I don't think anyone could find a baptism for any of them.

Well, I just realised the implications of my previous posting, where I mentioned the "you know what census" (forgot I shouldn't have    :'(  sorry )   and the fact that there was a sister in law at the address with the surname Willey.   Sorted  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Thursday 06 June 13 18:54 BST (UK)
AND A RECAP OF THE INSCRIPTION ON THE BACK

"With dearest love & X's to our
darling Daddie from your loving
little daughter & sonnie

Dora & Glyn

Taken on Baby's birthday, March 4th 1918.
one year & 5 months old."
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Thursday 06 June 13 18:56 BST (UK)
Not sure if I've missed it, but do we know anything about the bag that the bear and photo were in - was anything else there, etc., etc.  Type/make might give a hint to origin.

Apparently it was a carrier bag with the bear and photo in it. We don't know what kind of carrier bag.

Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: hepburn on Thursday 06 June 13 18:59 BST (UK)
Do we have them in the  1911?

I think we have all looked at 1911, but are reticent to post the details because of the 1911 ban!


Thanks Liz...
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 06 June 13 19:01 BST (UK)
Would be interesting to find out type of bag, Milly - can anyone ask Trystan nicely  :-\

Got a cold so don't want to ask directly and pass on me germs  ;D

(Hepburn - indexed as Bake - if it's allowed)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Thursday 06 June 13 19:03 BST (UK)
Have asked him for more info (if he thinks they wont think us completely bonkers!)

Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: hepburn on Thursday 06 June 13 19:04 BST (UK)
Births Jun 1910 
BAKER    Kenneth George         Abergavenny    11a   85


Do we have this????


Thanks Gadget Apple basket :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Thursday 06 June 13 19:07 BST (UK)
Hi - yes we do have that birth.  It's the right one (we think) but is a little late to fit with the birthday of 4th March inscription which is disappointing

Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: hepburn on Thursday 06 June 13 19:12 BST (UK)
Even though Ive followed the thread from the start I still keep getting lost  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Deirdre784 on Thursday 06 June 13 19:14 BST (UK)
Don't know if it helps but from the Blaenavon church website  http://www.visitblaenavon.co.uk/en/PlanYourVisit/PlanYourVisit/ThingsToDo/SaintPetersChurch.aspx website it appears that the Blaenavon parish records are available to view ....

.... including local parish records, are available at the World Heritage Centre and at the Cordell and Community Heritage Museum in Lion Street

There's a contact phone number 01495 742333 and email address: blaenavon.tic*AT*torfaen.gov.uk; maybe someone there would be happy to look through the baptism registers if you explained the situation.

Deirdre 
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: DudleyWinchurch on Thursday 06 June 13 19:14 BST (UK)
Hi - yes we do have that birth.  It's the right one (we think) but is a little late to fit with the birthday of 4th March inscription which is disappointing

Milly

but surely if the registration took place on 1st April say, it would be well within the time limits but fall into the June quarter?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: janan on Thursday 06 June 13 19:23 BST (UK)
Hi - yes we do have that birth.  It's the right one (we think) but is a little late to fit with the birthday of 4th March inscription which is disappointing

Milly

but surely if the registration took place on 1st April say, it would be well within the time limits but fall into the June quarter?

If Kenneth George was only 10 months old on April 2nd 1911, however much we'd like it to fit the theory, he cannot have been born on  4 March 1910 :D

I think, as has been mentioned above, Florence was most likely to be referring to Glyn's 1yr 5month 'birthday'

Jan ;)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: hepburn on Thursday 06 June 13 19:41 BST (UK)
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ugc/


Some one with our man in his tree.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: DudleyWinchurch on Thursday 06 June 13 19:43 BST (UK)
sorry, lost track of the other constraints!  ???
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: janan on Thursday 06 June 13 19:44 BST (UK)
sorry, lost track of the other constraints!  ???

Not surprised, there is an awful of info on this thread ;D

Jan ;)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Thursday 06 June 13 19:51 BST (UK)
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ugc/


Some one with our man in his tree.

The owner of the tree is in Canada!  :)  But their page was last updated November 11, 2008   :(

Has anyone tried to contacting him yet?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Thursday 06 June 13 19:53 BST (UK)
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ugc/


Some one with our man in his tree.


Hmmm - but little info.
I guess many of us have already looked at the censuses.

And for the marriage he just says "England"   

Whereas I would have thought given the whereabouts in the censuses that it was Wales - and may even be this one :

Oct/Nov/Dec 1871 Bedwelty Monmouth
Edwin Baker / one of brides Grace Baskerville

(Need to check out 1881 plus ages again to see if this is probable)

(Added: - yes , in 1881 they are married with Thomas 8, Mary Elizabeth 4 and Arthur 1.  So it didnt take much to find the marriage)


I wonder what his link to them is?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Thursday 06 June 13 19:54 BST (UK)
UPDATED RECAP:
PHOTO
We don't know what is on the Tankard as we still don't have a high res photo of it
We think it is the same bear who has had most bits repaired over the years.
 

I wonder why Glyn has the tankard. I would have thought a toy unless the tankard had some meaning to their father?

Could also have also just been a prop to balance the photo?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Thursday 06 June 13 19:56 BST (UK)
Even though Ive followed the thread from the start I still keep getting lost  :)

Me also!   ???
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Thursday 06 June 13 20:02 BST (UK)
Ah - the Canadian guy with the tree is descended from Edwin's brother  John.  (See his homeage)

So John is Nicholas James's uncle.

Connection to Dora, and Nicholas Glyn' possible descendents therefore quite remote.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: dawnsh on Thursday 06 June 13 20:14 BST (UK)
might be remote but worth following through. A lot of families know about an uncle who died in WW1.

Other uncles include Edwin Baskerville Baker. Edwin married Annie Protheroe in 1906 and had a son Ivor who acted as an executor when Edwin died Plymouth 1952. Ivor appears to die in Plymouth 1975. Might be worth looking for a marriage and children for Ivor but the surname Baker is so frequently occurring.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: ..claire.. on Thursday 06 June 13 20:46 BST (UK)
Has anyone followed through Bessie Willey's marriage and family etc.

She married William John Waters Dec. Qtr. 1911

a son THOMAS H Waters bn March Qtr 1914 Abergavenny

and an obit in the Western Mail Tuesday April 1st 1924,

March.29th, at Ingledene, Tonmawr-Avenue, Blaenavon, Bessie the beloved wife of William John WATERS, and elder daughter of the late George WILLEY, Thornbank, Caerphilly. Funeral Thursday April.3rd, at 4.p.m.

claire
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: KarenM on Thursday 06 June 13 22:12 BST (UK)
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ugc/


Some one with our man in his tree.

The owner of the tree is in Canada!  :)  But their page was last updated November 11, 2008   :(

Has anyone tried to contacting him yet?

The email address is sympatico.ca which is no longer used (Bell Canada switched it over to bell.net).  King City where they live is not far from me and there doesn't seem to be any Westwell listed in the phone book, it could be an unlisted number.

Karen
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jool on Thursday 06 June 13 22:41 BST (UK)
Has anyone followed through Bessie Willey's marriage and family etc.

She married William John Waters Dec. Qtr. 1911

a son THOMAS H Waters bn March Qtr 1914 Abergavenny

and an obit in the Western Mail Tuesday April 1st 1924,

March.29th, at Ingledene, Tonmawr-Avenue, Blaenavon, Bessie the beloved wife of William John WATERS, and elder daughter of the late George WILLEY, Thornbank, Caerphilly. Funeral Thursday April.3rd, at 4.p.m.

claire

It appears William and Elizabeth Waters' son Thomas died in WW2....

Waters, Thomas John, 25, 6th March 1945, 1st Bn. Welsh Guards, 4076795, Serjeant.
Son of William John and Elizabeth Waters; husband of Eileen Waters, of Newport, Monmouthshire.  REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY, 43. D. 5.
http://newportsdead.shaunmcguire.co.uk/W.htm

If you scroll down to Waters, Thomas John there are 3 newspaper clippings of obits with lots of family names

Jool
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Thursday 06 June 13 22:46 BST (UK)
Has anyone followed through Bessie Willey's marriage and family etc.

She married William John Waters Dec. Qtr. 1911

a son THOMAS H Waters bn March Qtr 1914 Abergavenny

and an obit in the Western Mail Tuesday April 1st 1924,

March.29th, at Ingledene, Tonmawr-Avenue, Blaenavon, Bessie the beloved wife of William John WATERS, and elder daughter of the late George WILLEY, Thornbank, Caerphilly. Funeral Thursday April.3rd, at 4.p.m.

claire

Its been found before, see repy #297, but dont think it was ever followed up.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jool on Thursday 06 June 13 23:03 BST (UK)
The newspaper clippings show Eileen Waters' maiden name was Lewis.
FreeBMD marriage marriage June Q 1941 Newport
Eileen Lewis m. Thomas J Waters.

There is also mention in the newspaper of a baby daughter, she is named but don't want to list it as she may still be living.

Jool
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: NettieS on Thursday 06 June 13 23:25 BST (UK)
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0ugc/


Some one with our man in his tree.

Someone on GRU has the same gentleman in a tree, so I have been a bit cheeky and sent a message to them.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Paul Caswell on Thursday 06 June 13 23:28 BST (UK)
I think we can give up on the tankard. Even the not-so-high resolution scan shows that what looked like engraving is actually reflection of the intricate sofa arm pattern.

Still - there may be something, but we'll need a high-res scan of just the tankard - do we think this is do-able by an airport staff?  ;D

Awesome work people!  :o
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: dawnsh on Thursday 06 June 13 23:32 BST (UK)
Tracing Dora forward there are two marriages in Monmouthshire which look possible: (she may have married out of area or not married at all of course)

Sep 1937 Caerleon    11a   705      (UPDATE: THIS MARRIAGE DISCOUNTED)
Baker, Dora E   and  Holland, Sidney J      

Mar 1948 Newport    8c   555   
Baker, Dora E   and  Steele, George W    

Milly

I added a reply #296

Quote
I've looked at the marriage for Dora to Mr Steele.

There are no births in the England & Wales index for this marriage, neither are there any deaths for her as Dora Steele so you can imply

The couple didn't have children and went abroad and died

The couple went abroad and had children and died abroad

or she is still alive and would be extremely aged, not impossible

If the night shift could have a look to see if they can turn up Dora & George W outside of England & Wales, that might give us another lead to follow up.

The bear might have been making his way to or from a family reunion
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sam Swift on Thursday 06 June 13 23:40 BST (UK)
Dear Karen M

There is a tree on ancestry owned by a janWestwell with one person (Albert Edward Leigh born 29 Oct 1876 Islington and died 13 Mar 1950 in Ottawa) who is also in the tree you found containing Edwin Baker. Maybe you could try contacting them via a message from that.
Sam
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: NettieS on Thursday 06 June 13 23:50 BST (UK)
Dear Karen M

There is a tree on ancestry owned by a janWestwell with one person (Albert Edward Leigh born 29 Oct 1876 Islington and died 13 Mar 1950 in Ottawa) who is also in the tree you found containing Edwin Baker. Maybe you could try contacting them via a message from that.
Sam
The tree on GRU is owned by a westwell so hopefully it is the same person and I have sent a message to them.
Also going to PM KarenM as I have found a name that may help her.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: KarenM on Friday 07 June 13 00:03 BST (UK)
Found the number and just waiting on her to call me back hopefully within the 1/2 hour, will keep you posted  :)

Karen
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: KarenM on Friday 07 June 13 01:15 BST (UK)
I've just spoken with her and she is very excited!  I've sent her a link to this thread so that she can read all about the wonderful work rootschatter's have done.

Karen
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: NettieS on Friday 07 June 13 01:19 BST (UK)

Brilliant Karen well done.
Regards
Lyne
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jool on Friday 07 June 13 01:24 BST (UK)
Great news Karen, well done!  It will probably be some time before we hear more from her - so much to read and take in  ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Friday 07 June 13 02:20 BST (UK)
Where is Miss Marples or Hercule Poirot when you need them? ;D just joking.

congratulations Karen on making a contact.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Friday 07 June 13 06:11 BST (UK)
Where is Miss Marples or Hercule Poirot when you need them? ;D just joking.

congratulations Karen on making a contact.

I wasn't joking when I sent the link to an Author I know and love. She wrote the Phryne Fisher mysteries and also the Corinna Chapman books. I thought it would make a wonderful plot for a book.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: dawnsh on Friday 07 June 13 07:13 BST (UK)
Yes, huge well done Karen.

However, the airport should hold out for a closer relative of which there are some but we have been unable to contact due to privacy issues.

As long as we can show the airport that we are on the right track and this type of research can't always be done in a few hours, the rightful owners of the bear are sure to be found.

Dawn
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jean McGurn on Friday 07 June 13 07:46 BST (UK)
AND A RECAP OF THE INSCRIPTION ON THE BACK
"
Taken on Baby's birthday, March 4th 1918.
one year & 5 months old."

I have been a bit curious as to the last line. I wonder if it actually means that it was added to the back of the  photograph one year & 5 months after the message to Daddie.  Maybe that's why the words are upside down to the rest of the writing.

Perhaps the photo was  sent to Daddie and when his personal effects came back - with the photo - the rest was written down.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Polldoll on Friday 07 June 13 11:11 BST (UK)
Following this story with great interest ....
Poll :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: jess5athome on Friday 07 June 13 11:37 BST (UK)
A great result!! I've been following this and had a tiny bit of input regarding the colours on the bears feet, well done, I think it's great, well done Karen.
Frank.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Maggie. on Friday 07 June 13 11:42 BST (UK)
I'm also following but coming in too late to add much.  Well done to all - it's absorbingly fascinating.

I would support the theory that Bear's feet have been renovated with deck chair material - it stuck me immediately I saw his coloured photo.

Keep up the good work.

Maggie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: myluck! on Friday 07 June 13 11:48 BST (UK)
I went to bed on page 29 and woke up with 20 minutes of reading to catch up!
All the research has been wonderful here and hopefully it is the correct family you're following

It is difficult to understand how some one could leave a bear and a photo
and not have worked out by now where they may have left it
unless this poor bear was not wanted?? :(
I wonder was it a gift to a visiting relative after a funeral perhaps?
that was graciously taken but then abandoned?
If this is the case he/she may never come forward as they would have to admit to this!!! ;D

Or could it have been a gift that was never officially exchanged at the airport?
Then person giving the bear away may think the new owner has it
and the intended new owner is oblivious to not having it??

Anyway I am in agreement with a comment earlier there is a novel in this
a modern Paddington Bear shall emerge, or maybe another Importance of being Ernest?!

Great work everyone - waiting for next chapter!
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Chrissie4 on Friday 07 June 13 11:56 BST (UK)
I haven't had time to read the whole thread but, in case this hasn't already been mentioned, I think I can explain why people can't understand what appears to be a discrepancy with the boys birth.
I have been working on this teddy bear question on another site and the message on the photo stumped people because of the way it was written too. It was my husband who set me off looking for a Dora - born March or June quarter of 1914 (in the 5 or 6 areas where the studio was based). Unfortunately there were so many that I only cross checked with Glyn (and variants).

His understanding of the writing was that it was Dora's birthday and as she was the first born was nicknamed baby. We guessed that she looked as though it would be her 4th birthday and that the younger child would be Glyn - aged 1 year and 5 months when the photo was taken.

p.s. So sorry - I meant to say well done on a brilliant piece of detection :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Friday 07 June 13 12:25 BST (UK)
After many hours of research on this Family line...and the lack of people researching this Baker Family I feel that the line has died out.
If this was a treasured family heirloom I feel the person who left it at the airport would have moved heaven and earth to trace it's whereabouts...equally...I don't think it would have been transported so casually in a carrier bag.
A more likely scenario could be that the person had time to kill in Bristol before their flight and bought it in a junk shop or charity shop out of interest in old things or as a collector of bears. This being the case...it probably wouldn't be worth the time, money and effort to claim ownership.

Just sharing my thoughts on the matter.

Carol

 
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Murphester on Friday 07 June 13 12:49 BST (UK)
If the last person to have the bear is not interested in having it back (left it at the airport on purpose, lost it but couldn't be bothered looking for it), it will be lovely to reunite him with a family member.  Otherwise, what will become of him?   :(

Well done to all the researchers - a great team effort!
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Friday 07 June 13 13:18 BST (UK)
I do doubt that the bear was just from  a junk shop or similar, as if so it is highly unlikly the family photo would still be with it.
If someone had been turning out a house, maybe after the family were deceased, and had no sentimental attachment to the bear so as to send it to a second hand shop, they would hardly have linked it up ith a family photo and kept them together.
I think the fact they are together might suggest it was still in the possesion of someone to whom that had some meaning.
I may be wrong - it is just a feeling, no evidence!
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: MaureeninNY on Friday 07 June 13 14:15 BST (UK)
What a fascinating thread with (as usual) great detective work by Rootschatters.

Did we ever find out just what sort of carrier bag the bear and photo were left in? Probably doesn't matter...but you never know.

I'm totally stumped with Dora. ??? If that IS she marrying George STEELE then where the heck did they go? Looked at ship's lists,etc.,but nothing is standing out unless they left after 1960.

Thanks to Berlin Bob for that handy tip on seeing the entire thread by using the Print button. Very useful indeed!

Maureen
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: hepburn on Friday 07 June 13 14:19 BST (UK)
The request for someone having access to 192 directory yield anything....Maybe they are closer  relatives than the Canadian lady?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Friday 07 June 13 14:26 BST (UK)
I am not saying this is what has happened - but if I was clearing a house or found something like the photo and teddy i would definitely put it together to sell it as it would add value to both.

Milly

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Friday 07 June 13 14:45 BST (UK)
Sorry, I could really have added these pictures earlier.


Hi all,

I haven’t read every post but my initial thoughts on reading the “to OUR darling Daddie” & “from your loving daughter” & Son___ (Sonnie or whatever), doesn’t read in the plural (as in more than just 1 child). 

It seams to be “from your loving daughter & soninl”? – Son-in-Law in short, Doris & Glyn (talking about their children (the grandchildren) referring to the photo being taken on the baby’s birthday???

Just my perception.

Regards,

Anne Marie

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: sami on Friday 07 June 13 14:57 BST (UK)
I am not saying this is what has happened - but if I was clearing a house or found something like the photo and teddy i would definitely put it together to sell it as it would add value to both.
Milly

There's all kinds of scenarios - for a while I was thinking that the combined bear and photo would have made a great prop in a play or film.

sami
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Gadget on Friday 07 June 13 15:00 BST (UK)
I'm still thinking of that carrier bag - may be mad but the type might well give some info on the person who left it or where it came from  :-\

I've been looking for events in the Bristol Airport area 14 mths ago and got as far as Antique Fairs/Flea markets:

http://www.artlyst.com/resource-articles/antiques-fairs-england-uk-march-2012

Months can be changed by clicking on the relevant month
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Friday 07 June 13 15:34 BST (UK)
I wonder if Dora went to Scotland?
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Friday 07 June 13 18:24 BST (UK)
I think there are to many maybe's and although I am really sorry to say it, but it is possible that our teddy bear mystery may never get solved,I really would like a miracle to take place and for all our members to find some sort of closure on it.we all can make speculations on what happened but will we ever know?,please do not say that I am taking a defeatist attitude,but I am just trying to say that we have to look at it realistically.   
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: toffeebear on Friday 07 June 13 19:31 BST (UK)
I have been following this thread from the start too - it has been fascinating! As quite a new member I am amazed by the skill and generosity of the Rootschatters!!  :)  I really hope for a happy ending for this well-loved teddy! (We have a lot of well-loved teddies in our house!)  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Sharon01 on Friday 07 June 13 19:31 BST (UK)
Great thread, have been following from first post,

Really hope this gets sorted out, and the bear & photo get back with their rightfull owners after so much hard work and dedication.

Sharon
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Paul Caswell on Friday 07 June 13 21:51 BST (UK)
...
I have been a bit curious as to the last line. I wonder if it actually means that it was added to the back of the  photograph one year & 5 months after the message to Daddie.  Maybe that's why the words are upside down to the rest of the writing.

Perhaps the photo was  sent to Daddie and when his personal effects came back - with the photo - the rest was written down.

I like that idea. I was wondering too how the two had got back together.

Paul
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Friday 07 June 13 22:12 BST (UK)
Well done Hampshire Lass!!  :o  :o

I think we've cracked it now. I expect the journalists will do the rest.

One outstanding question - if the letter was posted to daddie and daddie died, how did the letter get back to the bear?

If Daddie was a soldier, I believe the army would have taken care of all his belongings being returned to his wife/next of kin?

Annie.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: dawnsh on Friday 07 June 13 23:41 BST (UK)
Sorry I haven't been here all day but I am away from home visiting my parents.

I would just like to let those following the topic know that potential living relatives have been identified and efforts are underway behind the scenes to contact them. I would also like to make the comment that this research has been done without verification of birth, marriage and death
certs and with Baker being a frequently occurring name, it is not impossible for the wrong person to be followed.

The moderating and management team are working within the 'no living people' policy we have here which is why the names and locations have not been published openly. Once a name appears here, it is a brief moment in time before google gets hold of it and it remains out in the ether forever.

We must also observe and protect peoples right to privacy and acknowledge the reasons people chose to have ex-directory telephone numbers and 'opt out' of the electoral registers, the edited versions being made available online at 192.com and other sites.

Whilst we are all excited by the unfolding story, it may not be appropriate to telephone someone closely connected to this family out of the blue when you do not know what is going on behind their front doors.

Those that have been identified may have to be written to and this type of correspondence takes time to arrive and be replied to.

Trystan is also working behind the scenes with contacts at Bristol Airport and keeping them informed of our progress.

A huge collective pat on the back to everyone for their input and comments.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Saturday 08 June 13 04:23 BST (UK)
I too had to step away from this thread yesterday, to enjoy a few hours with my grandsons & family at a posh hotel on the Dead Sea...the sacrifices we have to make  :P  But the first thing I did when I got back was to check out this thread  ;D
Wise words Dawn, yes, we have to be patient & see what transpires  :)

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: MaureeninNY on Sunday 09 June 13 05:40 BST (UK)
Not really wishing you well,Jane.

SOME people.....................
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Sunday 09 June 13 10:44 BST (UK)
 ;D  The chance for a little bit of R & R  doesn't happen too often Maureen  ;D

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: MaureeninNY on Sunday 09 June 13 12:44 BST (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Maureen
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Monday 10 June 13 15:13 BST (UK)
What about our teddy?hopefully this week we will know more,reason I ask is last night in the wee hours of the AM,I had a dream/nightmare of being chased by giant bears,and at 75 i dont run so fast,glad I woke up when I did,or maybe I wouldn't be around to share this little tid bit with you all. :) :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Monday 10 June 13 15:34 BST (UK)
I think everyone who's been following this is sitting on the edge of their seats  ;D

Best story I've seen/read in a while without pictures & loud voices/music, people munching crisps, bairns screaming etc.

Can't wait for the conclusion!

Hasbro are in talks & are looking into changeing their game of Cluedo & introducing an adult version which is based on this story  :P as it puts detection into real context  ::)

A. M.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Monday 10 June 13 15:53 BST (UK)
What about our teddy?hopefully this week we will know more,reason I ask is last night in the wee hours of the AM,I had a dream/nightmare of being chased by giant bears,and at 75 i dont run so fast,glad I woke up when I did,or maybe I wouldn't be around to share this little tid bit with you all. :) :)

 ;D ;D ;D

I hope you are feeling much better now, and the dreaming about teddy bears has stopped.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Monday 10 June 13 15:55 BST (UK)
Hasbro are in talks & are looking into changeing their game of Cluedo & introducing an adult version which is based on this story  :P as it puts detection into real context  ::)

A. M.

Really??   :o  Or are you pulling our legs??
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Monday 10 June 13 16:04 BST (UK)
hi angelfish,
I hope you are feeling much better now, and the dreaming about teddy bears has stopped.


wont know until to night, ;D ;D ;D ;D
PS,could be as early as the afternoon tho,depending who gets the couch first? ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Monday 10 June 13 16:34 BST (UK)

wont know until to night, ;D ;D ;D ;D
PS,could be as early as the afternoon tho,depending who gets the couch first? ;D ;D ;D ;D
[/quote]


You're not taking it as a sign of regressing back to childhood yet then I hope  ;) 

Now you mention it, I could really do with a quick nap on the sofa... *yawn* 
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Tuesday 11 June 13 03:47 BST (UK)
I finally got here!

I think Teddy is a bit shocked that I want to look at his postcard.

He's not sure about what all the fuss is about. "He is warm and safe and out of the carrier bag. What more could a bear ask for" As he said to me.

 (Scout Bear the reporter)

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jean McGurn on Tuesday 11 June 13 05:15 BST (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D ;D

Nice picture of Dora, Glyn and the three bears.  ;D

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Tuesday 11 June 13 08:08 BST (UK)
I finally got here!

I think Teddy is a bit shocked that I want to look at his postcard.

He's not sure about what all the fuss is about. "He is warm and safe and out of the carrier bag. What more could a bear ask for" As he said to me.

 (Scout Bear the reporter)

Excellent  ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Tuesday 11 June 13 13:37 BST (UK)
I see they've eaten the Toblerone  ;D

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 12 June 13 17:48 BST (UK)
Any news?
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Wednesday 12 June 13 18:01 BST (UK)
Any news?
Carol

this is just as exciting  as someone having a baby. ;D ;D

Reminds me of my dear old mother using the exact same words Treetotal,she would use them when some neighbour in the street was expecting a baby. :) :) :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Wednesday 12 June 13 22:57 BST (UK)
Everything has gone quiet from Bristol Airport at the moment.
They have, I imagine, been inundated with lots of really helpful suggestions...  :)

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jean McGurn on Thursday 13 June 13 05:55 BST (UK)
They will probably get a few more after Ann Widdecombe had the photo and details centre stage in her column yesterday in the Daily Express


Jean.

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 13 June 13 07:36 BST (UK)
Didn't see Anne Widdicombe's columb Jean. Is she encouraging the hunt too?  :)

Did the Airport not recognise our name on their list of passengers Trystan? Are we still living in hopes....or do we need to go back to the drawing board? :)   
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jean McGurn on Thursday 13 June 13 07:59 BST (UK)
There was the photo from the Huffington Post and although Ann hasn't quoted the writing from the back of the photo it looks like she thinks the children are both girls because she goes on to say that it's not the most important event in the world but if anyone knows of two elderly sisters, possibly called Dora and Glyn - presume here she is thinking that Glyn is short for Glynis - can they get in touch with the kindly staff at Bristol Airport.

Ann gives the name of the bears spokeswoman and ends with the thought had he come from Darkest Peru.

Jean


Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 13 June 13 08:03 BST (UK)
Thanks Jean  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Thursday 13 June 13 08:22 BST (UK)
There was the photo from the Huffington Post and although Ann hasn't quoted the writing from the back of the photo it looks like she thinks the children are both girls because she goes on to say that it's not the most important event in the world but if anyone knows of two elderly sisters, possibly called Dora and Glyn - presume here she is thinking that Glyn is short for Glynis - can they get in touch with the kindly staff at Bristol Airport.

Ann gives the name of the bears spokeswoman and ends with the thought had he come from Darkest Peru.

Jean

Got to wonder if she did any research at all. If you google "Lost bear Bristol" you get so much info and we are there. 2 minutes reading time would have given her a much better story.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Thursday 13 June 13 08:40 BST (UK)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-22717020

Where did they get "Sonia" from?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 13 June 13 08:45 BST (UK)
 loving daughter and sonnie    ::)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: susan hemmings on Thursday 13 June 13 09:00 BST (UK)
I am wondering if there is an "s" left off daughter(s) and "sonnie" is actually "sonine"  not sonnie (the teddy's name).

Did anyone find a Dora and a Glynis (Glenys) for the children or is Dora the mum and Glynis the elder child in the photo and the younger child has only been referred to as "baby"

Susan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Thursday 13 June 13 11:07 BST (UK)
This is just going over old ground.
Sonnie does not appear to be the bears name, but a pet name for son. So it is from daughter and son, Dora and Glyn.

Earlier a possible family was found with children of the right names, right ages, right area, and with father serving abroad.
Until that family is ruled in or out, then there is little point in further specualtion. If that lead goes nowhere then we will have to think again.

The mods have assured us this lead will be followed up, and ask for patience as it will take time.

So lets just wait till they give us an update.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: susan hemmings on Thursday 13 June 13 13:38 BST (UK)
I perfectly understand that folk have to have patience and wait, but what I said was is the name Sonnie OR SONINE.  ?  (Different spelling)  written on the postcard

I was not suggesting going backwards and it was just a thought, however unhelpful it may seem

I thought the forum was for everyone to have an input
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Thursday 13 June 13 13:45 BST (UK)
.... she thinks the children are both girls because she goes on to say that it's not the most important event in the world but if anyone knows of two elderly sisters, possibly called Dora and Glyn ...

This kind of misinformation just confuses the issue - leading people on a wild goose chase. It is also not very likely that either Glyn or Dora are still alive.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Thursday 13 June 13 13:47 BST (UK)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-22717020

Where did they get "Sonia" from?

Another misleading article. Sonia?  ::) .... and the bear is not Glyn.  ::)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Erato on Thursday 13 June 13 13:54 BST (UK)
I think the airport authorities are trying to find the person who lost the bear in the departure lounge.  That person is not necessarily in any way related to the people in the photograph.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Thursday 13 June 13 14:07 BST (UK)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-22717020

Where did they get "Sonia" from?

Another misleading article. Sonia?  ::) .... and the bear is not Glyn.  ::)

This is the article that we started with in post#1 , and we dealt with the Sonia issue straight away.

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 13 June 13 14:08 BST (UK)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-22717020

Where did they get "Sonia" from?

Another misleading article. Sonia?  ::) .... and the bear is not Glyn.  ::)


This was the article that was referred to in the first post  so it does seem that old ground is being gone over,  as lizdb says.

First post:

Bristol Airport Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner

"Bristol Airport is trying to find the owner of an antique teddy bear left in a carrier bag in the departure lounge more than a year ago.

Staff said the bear, who they believe is called Glyn, was found with an old photograph dated 1918, and other items.

On the reverse of the photograph - sent to "our darling daddy" - it names two children, Dora and Sonia, and Glyn."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-22717020


Does anyone think they could help? 

Snap,  Liz - I was just going back through all the pages to get to the first post!

 ;D

Gadget
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Thursday 13 June 13 14:10 BST (UK)
I thought the forum was for everyone to have an input
 Hi Susan,it is,and every little bit of input  this topic gets  will be [I hope]the reason our little mystery gets solved. :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Thursday 13 June 13 14:15 BST (UK)
Sorry, bad memory - forgot about Sonia from the beginning of this thread. I do remember that Glyn was thought to be the name of the bear though.  ;)

Yes, ridiculous that the incorrect information is still being referred to. It makes you wonder if all the detective work by rootschatters has been ignored.  :-\
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Pels. on Thursday 13 June 13 14:22 BST (UK)


I think the airport authorities are trying to find the person who lost the bear in the departure lounge.  That person is not necessarily in any way related to the people in the photograph.

That's the way I understand it too, Erato.

Also, taking into consideration the effort involved, it seems a shame to repeat information
already found.

Pels.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Thursday 13 June 13 14:45 BST (UK)
There are two routes to find out about the bear.  Route 1, to find a living relative of those children in the photo who might or might not know who left it at Bristol airport & route 2, for the airport authorities to ascertain, possibly by way of CCTV camera footage (if it still exists) who had them in their possesion.  From the footage they might see if the person was male or female, travelling alone or with another person, flights boarding when they left that particular area at that time. I'm sure they could get many clues but I'm equally sure they must have better things to do  ;)  We've done our part we can only hope something comes of it  :)

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: KGarrad on Thursday 13 June 13 15:07 BST (UK)
The only problem is that Bristol Airport is an EasyJet hub, and a holiday flight centre.
At times there are many hundreds of passengers - getting through security can take over 30 minutes!!

I would imagine that they have tried CCTV already?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Pels. on Thursday 13 June 13 15:07 BST (UK)



In all honesty if someone presented me with the bear for whatever reason ....

Would I want to take it on a plane ?   No.

Would I want to take it home ?   No.

What if it was abandoned 'accidentally on purpose' ??

And if that is the case, there could be someone somewhere - desperately trying to avoid capture ! 

;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Erato on Thursday 13 June 13 15:54 BST (UK)
The bear was lost or abandoned more than a year ago and probably only came to light when airport personnel did their periodic clean-out of the lost belongings storage room.  Since it was a more interesting item than the average raincoat, they have attempted to locate the owner.  Given the elapsed time, there may no longer be useful video available and, even if there is, that is a very labor intensive and costly way to go about identifying the owner.  Media publicity is cheaper.  The bear has received extensive publicity in Britain and yet apparently no one has come forward to claim it.   I conclude that:

1)  the owner has since died, or
2)  the owner is not in Britain and is unaware of the publicity, or
3)  the owner does not want to be found, or
4)  it is [as was suggested many pages back] a publicity stunt
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 13 June 13 16:54 BST (UK)
For people new to the post here is Milly's earlier recap of the research carried out to date on the Baker Family match found by Hampshire Lass and what has been discovered so far:

UPDATED RECAP:

Just to recap what I think we KNOW or can reasonably assume: to help us keep it straight!

Census info confirms Kenneth George Baker's parents as Nicholas James Baker and Florence Edith, We know they married about 1908. 

There is a marriage 1908 for these 4 names: (2 x Florence but middle names Edith and James suggest it is the right one with maiden name WILLEY )

Marriages Jun 1908  Pontypridd    11a   1047   
BAKER    Nicholas James         
Baxter    Florence             
PRICE    William         
Willey    Florence Edith         

UPDATE: Bessie Waters sister in law in census dies in 1924, had lived in Blaenavon and was daughter of late George Willey of Thornbank, Caerphilly. (NB: Thornbank is also name of house the bakers lived in in Blaenavon and Florence's sister's maiden name was Willey which almost confirms that marriage is right)

ALSO
We know that Nicholas G Baker born 4 Oct 1916 - was Nicholas Glyn Baker (from death reg) fits with birth reg Dec Qtr 1916
And we know that his mother's maiden name was Willey.
And we know that Dora E Baker's mother's maiden name was also Willey.

If we assume Kenneth's mother was Florence Edith Willey too - that links all three children and those parents at that address in Blaenavon.

(What we don't have is any baptism or birth cert info to confirm that Florence was mother to Kenneth AND ALSO to Nicholas Glyn and Dora - but it looks likely)

LOCATION
Blaenavon is in South Wales and not too far from where the photo was probably taken (various offices around Monmouthshire and Glamorgan)

THEORY:
We THOUGHT that the photo was taken on what would have been the late Kenneth George Baker's birthday 4th March (and that he is probably "Baby") but ........he was apparently 10 months old on April 2 1911 - so that does not fit with a march birthday. The birth reg for him is June Quarter 1910


At this time Nicholas Glyn was about 1 yr 5 months old having been born 4 October 1916 (fits with inscription on photo)
Dora E is slightly older and photo fits her age of about 4  - birth reg June Q 1914

PHOTO
We don't know what is on the Tankard as we still don't have a high res photo of it
We think it is the same bear who has had most bits repaired over the years.

Milly


Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Chrissie4 on Thursday 13 June 13 17:20 BST (UK)
I conclude that:

1)  the owner has since died, or
2)  the owner is not in Britain and is unaware of the publicity, or
3)  the owner does not want to be found, or
4)  it is [as was suggested many pages back] a publicity stunt

Or possibly 5) Gone abroad and so unaware of the publicity?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Pels. on Thursday 13 June 13 17:40 BST (UK)




Even I think I'm getting monotonous  ::) ::)  but I still don't think it's the same bear !  ;D

Added :

I posted an update in the belief that people would leave it at that until any new information came in regarding ownership...the constant references to "Is it isn't it" the same bear to me is irrelevant and doesn't add anything to what has already been said....the necessary information to further  this enquiry is being lost and once again it is necessary to go back to read what is relevant.
Carol

In retrospect some people might not see the relevance - to me, the attraction of this particular thread is the mystery surrounding the image and the bear being found together. Therefore, it surely does matter whether it's the same bear. If the pair were thought not to match - there's a good chance we wouldn't have had this fantastic response.

Pels.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Maggie. on Thursday 13 June 13 18:06 BST (UK)
I'm trying, and failing, to find a picture of Airport Bear in profile because if it IS the same bear he has quite a distinctive nose.

Even allowing for extensive renovation work over the years, in my opinion those ears don't look to match the ears of the original though.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: farlington on Thursday 13 June 13 18:25 BST (UK)
There is a profile shot of the bear on the Huffington Post website. In the slideshow section at the bottom of the article

farlington
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Maggie. on Thursday 13 June 13 18:39 BST (UK)
Thanks farlington - I'll go and look.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Thursday 13 June 13 18:42 BST (UK)
the bear on left it's left arm patch looks a lot bigger than the bear on the rights does?
goes up to near the elbow ???
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Thursday 13 June 13 18:47 BST (UK)
If the bear in the photo is not the same one, or indeed of there had been no bear in the photo, it would not have altered the research that has been done.

Perhaps if the person who left the items is found, then they will enlighten us as to whether it is the same bear or not.
(Arm patches can be replaced many times during a bear's life, and will tend to get bigger each time as more of original bear wears out and needs patching!)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Maggie. on Thursday 13 June 13 19:11 BST (UK)
Similar but I don't think the same. The lie of the fur seems different even allowing for wear.  There is an intriguing dent by the nose that seems to match up, but this is actually the opposite profile - Original Bear pic flipped to match Airport Bear.  Ears look completely different to me.

Pels - I used your composite to 'lift' the bear.  Hope that's OK  ::)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Thursday 13 June 13 19:23 BST (UK)
Maggie,

This is like a game of "spot the difference"?  ;D or "See how many differences you can find"?  :D

Now the eyes are looking somewhat suspicious? One protruding, other sunken  ???

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 13 June 13 19:31 BST (UK)
Agree with you, Maggie. They are just not the same. We've done zillions of 'are they the same' on the Photo Board, so we're not inexperienced in this department

Also, could I add that

2)  the owner is not in Britain and is unaware of the publicity, or


Or possibly 5) Gone abroad and so unaware of the publicity?

... these are the same  ::)

I really think that we should all give it a rest- Bristol Airport will have all the info that is needed and just going on and on and on and on and on and on about it  (without adding anything extra ) is not helping at all. In fact, it's just getting annoying and (possibly) making RC look daft!

Gadget
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Thursday 13 June 13 19:37 BST (UK)
A change of angle on the subject - does anyone know if this request has had a possible "record" viewers?

Annie.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 13 June 13 19:42 BST (UK)
In my humble opinion, after years of being on RC and seeing/contributing to many threads, I think that this thread should be locked until any more info is available. Otherwise, we'll be going round and round.  The whole thing is getting daft/ridiculous and any other adjectives that we might think of.

Gadget

PS - For the record, but I think I've said this before when Jim pointed it out in Reply #49, I don't think it's the same bear!
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Thursday 13 June 13 19:57 BST (UK)
In my humble opinion, after years of being on RC and seeing/contributing to many threads, I think that this thread should be locked until any more info is available. Otherwise, we'll be going round and round.  The whole thing is getting daft/ridiculous and any other adjectives that we might think of.

Gadget


"BRAVO"glad we have one that is bold enough, to say enough is enough and to let it rest,thanks gadget. you got more courage than me. ;D ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Flattybasher9 on Thursday 13 June 13 20:02 BST (UK)
I personally think that the double meaning of the term "Daddie" in a relationship may be confusing the meaning of the words on the postcard.

Regards

Malky
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: gaffy on Thursday 13 June 13 20:05 BST (UK)
In my humble opinion, after years of being on RC and seeing/contributing to many threads, I think that this thread should be locked until any more info is available. Otherwise, we'll be going round and round.  The whole thing is getting daft/ridiculous and any other adjectives that we might think of.

Gadget


"BRAVO"glad we have one that is bold enough, to say enough is enough and to let it rest,thanks gadget. you got more courage than me. ;D ;D

Yep, agree totally.  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 13 June 13 20:07 BST (UK)
I posted an update in the belief that people would leave it at that until any new information came in regarding ownership...the constant references to "Is it isn't it" the same bear to me is irrelevant and doesn't add anything to what has already been said....the necessary information to further  this enquiry is being lost and once again it is necessary to go back to read what is relevant.
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Erato on Thursday 13 June 13 20:17 BST (UK)
In my humble opinion, after years of being on RC and seeing/contributing to many threads, I think that this thread should be locked until any more info is available. Otherwise, we'll be going round and round.  The whole thing is getting daft/ridiculous and any other adjectives that we might think of.

Gadget

Oh, I dunno, maybe it greatly augments RC advertising revenues.  Maybe the administration staged the whole thing just for that purpose.  At any rate, there are certainly other long-lived threads that are equally "daft/ridiculous" or more so.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Maggie. on Thursday 13 June 13 20:22 BST (UK)
43 pages is pushing it some and interesting though its been enough is enough until more info is forthcoming. I've read it all, followed the discussion and admire rootschatters for their discoveries but to continue is to keep going over old ground is pointless until and unless what has been found is confirmed.

The 'same bear' issue was of a personal interest as I would love to know if he was the same bear, but I fear alas he is a different bear. I posted my pic and I rest my case.

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: JenB on Thursday 13 June 13 20:30 BST (UK)
I've been following this thread with great interest, but haven't been able to contribute to it.

But I do agree with those that have said that the discussion is beginning to go round in circles. It's almost inevitable when a thread gets as long as this. I do think should now be locked until more information on progress 'behind the scenes' is available.

If anyone else comes up with more information that they think is of real value to the thread they can always contact Sarah or Trystan and ask them to add it if they think it worthwhile.

By the way, for what my opinion is worth, I agree with Pels that the 'airport bear' and the 'photo bear' aren't the same.


Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Thursday 13 June 13 20:59 BST (UK)
As this is a current news article (yet again in the newspaper) this topic is remaining open. There is a large discussion of this topic on social media sites, and this thread is being linked to and referenced to. That's brilliant :)

For those that don't wish to read the discussion if they feel it's going round in circles or that nobody else can possibly contribute anything to it, then fair enough. (Best keep that off this thread though  ;) ) It is unusual for us to allow topics to get this long, and it can be frustrating for some, but to others it's a facinating story with a real human interest.

Now, I wonder where my teddy is... :P

Trystan
RootsChat Caretaker
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Thursday 13 June 13 21:11 BST (UK)
There was the photo from the Huffington Post and although Ann hasn't quoted the writing from the back of the photo it looks like she thinks the children are both girls because she goes on to say that it's not the most important event in the world but if anyone knows of two elderly sisters, possibly called Dora and Glyn - presume here she is thinking that Glyn is short for Glynis - can they get in touch with the kindly staff at Bristol Airport.

Ann gives the name of the bears spokeswoman and ends with the thought had he come from Darkest Peru.

Jean

The "Darkest Peru" would give reason to believe that "someone"!!!!! has ""INSIDE"" info?

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Chrissie4 on Thursday 13 June 13 21:17 BST (UK)
I would like to apologise to Gadget (top of page 43). I obviously misread what had been said. We all make mistakes sometimes don't we.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: susan hemmings on Thursday 13 June 13 21:36 BST (UK)
Chrissie4

To err is human.  No need to apologise for being human

Kind regards

Susan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 13 June 13 21:37 BST (UK)
I would like to apologise to Gadget (top of page 43). I obviously misread what had been said. We all make mistakes sometimes don't we.

I make them quite often, Chrissie  ;D

(I see that Susan has answered on my behalf  :)  )
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: janan on Thursday 13 June 13 22:15 BST (UK)
A change of angle on the subject - does anyone know if this request has had a possible "record" viewers?

Annie.

Hi Annie

No  it hasn't had a record number of views. I don't know what the record is but my Carver Ramblings 21 page thread on the Bedfordshire board has been viewed 19963 times.

Jan ;)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Pels. on Thursday 13 June 13 22:28 BST (UK)



The following link - 80 pages and the last of three parts, has been viewed 44824 times.  :) :)

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,271385.msg1527818.html#msg1527818

Pels.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 13 June 13 22:43 BST (UK)



The following link - 80 pages and the last of three parts, has been viewed 44824 times.  :) :)

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,271385.msg1527818.html#msg1527818

Pels.

I'm a sad case  ;D but had to add them all up  -  the thread that Pels refers to was split 4 times :

1 - 39897
2 - 24832
3 - 44824
4 -  3723

Grand total of 113276

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Maggie. on Thursday 13 June 13 22:52 BST (UK)
That's a great total but please don't let's make this into a competition. I for one don't take any notice of 'views' - it's the content that counts.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: mare on Thursday 13 June 13 23:39 BST (UK)
Reluctant as I am to put another penny in the merry-go-round and extend the pages further  ;)

My thoughts haven't really changed from the start, including the possibility of bear being a shadow of it's former self.

Comparing photos together as they've lately been put up, I have to say general proportion is so similar, not taking into account features that may have been replaced and repositioned.  Ears could have become detached and reattached, pads have been replaced by sturdy scraps of fabric and not very asthetically but perhaps sympathetically to cover worn areas also eyes often replaced by shanked buttons and can be easily lost. He seems to have lost a bit of stuffing or knocked out of him and fur is a bit different looking  :-\ could be affected by body oils and flattened pile facing different way like bed hair  :D or bear'd hair  ::)

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Thursday 13 June 13 23:49 BST (UK)
I was in no way trying to instigate a competition in any shape/form/manner.

Again, take time to read what I've written with no jibes intended,

Annie.

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: roopat on Friday 14 June 13 11:02 BST (UK)
At first I too thought the 2 teddies were not the same. Then last week I looked at my granddaughter's teddy given to her new at birth, it goes with her everywhere, it's been dropped, sucked on, played with constantly, she can't bear (oops sorry) to be apart from him - and she's only 18 months old. Her official birth photo includes him so we can easily compare. His ears have virtually disappeared and his fur is quite flat now. Of course he's been washed so that makes a difference, but now I can actually see how the Bristol bear could be the one in the photo.


Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Friday 14 June 13 11:39 BST (UK)
There is a marriage for a Florence E Baker to Charles H. Hayward in Bristol in 1929 on Freebmd Vol 6a page 37
Maybe just coincidence....but she could have remarried.

Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rena on Friday 14 June 13 12:44 BST (UK)
Reluctant as I am to put another penny in the merry-go-round and extend the pages further  ;)

My thoughts haven't really changed from the start, including the possibility of bear being a shadow of it's former self.

Comparing photos together as they've lately been put up, I have to say general proportion is so similar, not taking into account features that may have been replaced and repositioned.  Ears could have become detached and reattached, pads have been replaced by sturdy scraps of fabric and not very asthetically but perhaps sympathetically to cover worn areas also eyes often replaced by shanked buttons and can be easily lost. He seems to have lost a bit of stuffing or knocked out of him and fur is a bit different looking  :-\ could be affected by body oils and flattened pile facing different way like bed hair  :D or bear'd hair  ::)

We bought a large heavy bear in France in 1965 which has been played with by our three children and two grandsons.  I was forever sewing it's ears back on, especially the left ear, and I must admit I took the easy option and didn't replace them exactly but sewed them back on in a straight line.    I had a big clear out in recent years and I'm afraid he went in the skip minus one ear which I presumed one of our dogs took a liking to.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Friday 14 June 13 14:30 BST (UK)
There is a marriage for a Florence E Baker to Charles H. Hayward in Bristol in 1929 on Freebmd Vol 6a page 37
Maybe just coincidence....but she could have remarried.

Carol

Hi Carol,

Aren't we looking for the marriage/remarriage of Doris E Baker? 

Oh, her mother Florence E......good thinking, that could well be her. Think there's more to be done with expanding the tree outwards as they certainly seem to stay near Bristol /Newport / Abergavenny / Pontypool area. ......

except for Doris who seems to have vanished into thin air.....

probably on a plane from Bristol Airport 14 months ago   ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: NettieS on Monday 17 June 13 10:32 BST (UK)

Hi all,
Just catching up with all the pages I have missed out on reading for quite a few days and Carol's post kind of made me think. If Doris's mother did get remarried to a Charles H Hayward in Bristol in 1929, could Doris have used or adopted the surname of her stepfather. Only wondering if this is the case because my grandmother was married previously and had two children with her first husband, he passed away and then my grandmother met and married my grandfather and my aunt and uncle from her first marriage adopted my grandfathers surname.

There is a marriage September quarter 1937 Doris E Hayward to a Reginald J Povey in Caerleon.



Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Monday 17 June 13 11:23 BST (UK)
Good point Nettie as that happens a lot.

It looks to me like a relative has been here on holiday not necessarily from abroad and been either given or given the choice to pick something from the disposables after a death whether recent or otherwise.

Still wondering why the airport think it belongs to someone in Peru? I thought any left bags would have been recorded with contents and as to the date & time it was found to narrow things down?

They could at least let the media know if they have made contact with anyone or have written to people etc. but it's a "Wall of silence" which is deafening  ;D  ::)  ???

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Mike in Cumbria on Monday 17 June 13 11:33 BST (UK)
..Still wondering why the airport think it belongs to someone in Peru? ..

It's a joke - or a cultural reference.

Do the words "Paddington" and "bear" ring any bells?

Mike
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: jess5athome on Monday 17 June 13 11:39 BST (UK)
..Still wondering why the airport think it belongs to someone in Peru? ..

It's a joke - or a cultural reference.

Do the words "Paddington" and "bear" ring any bells?

Mike

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Frank.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: NettieS on Monday 17 June 13 11:41 BST (UK)


Oh, her mother Florence E......good thinking, that could well be her. Think there's more to be done with expanding the tree outwards as they certainly seem to stay near Bristol /Newport / Abergavenny / Pontypool area. ......

except for Doris who seems to have vanished into thin air.....

probably on a plane from Bristol Airport 14 months ago   ;D

Picking up what HL has said about them seeming to stay near Bristol/Newport/Abergavenny/Pontypool area there are two births of children with the surname Povey mothers surname Hayward, one in Pontypool and the other in Caerleon.

The Peru thing is a joke referencing Paddington Bear lol.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Monday 17 June 13 11:53 BST (UK)
Was too busy wondering about the new Hasbro game of Cluedo.

Thinking if they base it round Peru I won't be able to play it as I'm hopeless with geography.

Anyway, lights are on and I'm in now  ;D  ;D

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Monday 17 June 13 11:59 BST (UK)

Hi all,
Just catching up with all the pages I have missed out on reading for quite a few days and Carol's post kind of made me think. If Doris's mother did get remarried to a Charles H Hayward in Bristol in 1929, could Doris have used or adopted the surname of her stepfather. Only wondering if this is the case because my grandmother was married previously and had two children with her first husband, he passed away and then my grandmother met and married my grandfather and my aunt and uncle from her first marriage adopted my grandfathers surname.

There is a marriage September quarter 1937 Doris E Hayward to a Reginald J Povey in Caerleon.

Good thinking Nettie. Sounds a great possibility to me  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: NettieS on Monday 17 June 13 12:04 BST (UK)

Hi all,
Just catching up with all the pages I have missed out on reading for quite a few days and Carol's post kind of made me think. If Doris's mother did get remarried to a Charles H Hayward in Bristol in 1929, could Doris have used or adopted the surname of her stepfather. Only wondering if this is the case because my grandmother was married previously and had two children with her first husband, he passed away and then my grandmother met and married my grandfather and my aunt and uncle from her first marriage adopted my grandfathers surname.

There is a marriage September quarter 1937 Doris E Hayward to a Reginald J Povey in Caerleon.

Good thinking Nettie. Sounds a great possibility to me  :)

If it is a possibility HL then there appears to be two children from this marriage and what also appears to possibly be a grandchild as well.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: jess5athome on Monday 17 June 13 12:08 BST (UK)

Anyway, lights are on and I'm in now  ;D  ;D

Annie

 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Monday 17 June 13 12:11 BST (UK)

Hi all,
Just catching up with all the pages I have missed out on reading for quite a few days and Carol's post kind of made me think. If Doris's mother did get remarried to a Charles H Hayward in Bristol in 1929, could Doris have used or adopted the surname of her stepfather. Only wondering if this is the case because my grandmother was married previously and had two children with her first husband, he passed away and then my grandmother met and married my grandfather and my aunt and uncle from her first marriage adopted my grandfathers surname.

There is a marriage September quarter 1937 Doris E Hayward to a Reginald J Povey in Caerleon.

Good thinking Nettie. Sounds a great possibility to me  :)

If it is a possibility HL then there appears to be two children from this marriage and what also appears to possibly be a grandchild as well.

Might be worth sending a PM to Trystan or DawnSh (moderator) Nettie because we can't post the names on this thread and they were coordinating the contact with the possible family.....but I don't know if that has ground to a halt now perhaps.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: NettieS on Monday 17 June 13 12:24 BST (UK)

Hi all,
Just catching up with all the pages I have missed out on reading for quite a few days and Carol's post kind of made me think. If Doris's mother did get remarried to a Charles H Hayward in Bristol in 1929, could Doris have used or adopted the surname of her stepfather. Only wondering if this is the case because my grandmother was married previously and had two children with her first husband, he passed away and then my grandmother met and married my grandfather and my aunt and uncle from her first marriage adopted my grandfathers surname.

There is a marriage September quarter 1937 Doris E Hayward to a Reginald J Povey in Caerleon.

Good thinking Nettie. Sounds a great possibility to me  :)

If it is a possibility HL then there appears to be two children from this marriage and what also appears to possibly be a grandchild as well.

Might be worth sending a PM to Trystan or DawnSh (moderator) Nettie because we can't post the names on this thread and they were coordinating the contact with the possible family.....but I don't know if that has ground to a halt now perhaps.

I will send a PM to Trystan, it would be nice to know if anything has come of all the research  RC members have done looking for the owner of this bear.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Monday 17 June 13 12:34 BST (UK)
Sent you a PM Nettie as this may not be our Doris E

PS   :-[ :-[ Just realised I'm confused Nettie and we're still in with a chance   :-[ :-[
I looked up the death record with the wrong surname and now I haven't got the time to look again ::)   

Will search later when I get home......so sorry  :-[ :-[
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Monday 17 June 13 13:22 BST (UK)
Right.....update...

I really shouldn't cook dinner, get ready to go out and post on RC all at the same time  ::)

I was right the first time around and I have found a death record with the surname Povey, which knocks this marriage on the head, probably.

I think I'm resigning from this thread now as I'm as much use as a chocolate teapot. Too confused. :)

Before I go  :)  I've found a marriage in 1938 between Florence E Baker and Edgar W Baker.

Which doesn't help us find Doris E ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Monday 17 June 13 13:29 BST (UK)
There are no matching records for Nicholas Hayward unfortunately...It was a good suggestion though.
I think I posted that one H.L. a few pages back but I think I discounted that one on the basis of her age...she was born in 1875.
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Monday 17 June 13 13:52 BST (UK)
That's something else that  got lost in this enormous thread Carole :)

We're having trouble in extracting the facts.

Anyway, before I resign   :)     just realised that somewhere along the line we've started looking for a Doris E and we need a Dora E  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: NettieS on Monday 17 June 13 13:53 BST (UK)
OOOPS big mistake on my part folks its Dora E not Doris E we are looking for. ::)

Just a tad confused at the moment, maybe Trystan can shed a bit of light on this for all of us.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Monday 17 June 13 13:56 BST (UK)
No, I don't  think you need apologise Nettie. It's all getting so confusing and it's certainly not your fault. :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: dawnsh on Monday 17 June 13 21:57 BST (UK)
Just to let everyone know, after chatting with Trystan about making contact with people and the stance we have here on RC, I have written to a possible living relative on the Baker side.

The address may not be current. If not we live in hope it will be forwarded on.

Dawn
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Monday 17 June 13 22:01 BST (UK)
Thanks for the update Dawn...fingers crossed eh  :D
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Monday 17 June 13 22:08 BST (UK)
Thanks D,

That's really all we were wanting - an update rather than silence.

Thankyou and good luck with that indeed  8)

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Tuesday 18 June 13 08:03 BST (UK)
Well done Dawn and thanks for the update   :)

Fingers crossed you get a reply and the beautiful picture and bear find a home. It will be a shame if the bear's abandoned after a century of love and the picture is definitely one to be treasured and not thrown away.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: UNDERTAKER on Wednesday 19 June 13 14:59 BST (UK)
Dura's Photo Studio 1908 , 65 Queen's Road, Clifton
1911 Last entry.
Hope this is a useful address for the studios.
This was in a victorian photographers website i found it showing ones for bristol.

T.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: AngelFish on Saturday 22 June 13 01:35 BST (UK)
Gosh, I didn't realise I'd missed so may posts. I thought nothing was happening. I have reading to catch up on!  :)

If a home is not found for bear, maybe he could choose a suitable museum to move into? Then he could accept visitors  :D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Saturday 22 June 13 05:02 BST (UK)
I love that idea Angelfish
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Saturday 22 June 13 08:17 BST (UK)
If a home is not found for bear, maybe he could choose a suitable museum to move into? Then he could accept visitors  :D
I love that idea Angelfish

So do I     ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Saturday 22 June 13 17:39 BST (UK)
or Bristol Airport could have  a glass case/stand  made for teddy and it could be placed in a strategic spot where passengers mingle? who knows what would happen.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 22 June 13 18:03 BST (UK)
2 good suggestions from Bugle Boy & Angelfish 2 house "Bristol" in Museum or Airport & I think entrance to departure lounge would be fitting.



Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 22 June 13 18:32 BST (UK)
A toy museum would be a good home for orphan Ted....and I would have the photo and keep it safe with my collection  ;D ;D
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 10 July 13 14:19 BST (UK)
I guess the bear trail has gone cold  :-\
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bugle boy on Wednesday 10 July 13 17:11 BST (UK)
hi carol  I wonder if old ted has found a nice wee or big home yet?  :) just hope he doesn't finish up in some storage locker and forgot about. :(
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: toffeebear on Wednesday 07 August 13 14:31 BST (UK)
Hi! I'm not posting with news on the teddy - but I just wanted to share that at the moment PortsmouthCity Museum has a temporary exhibition of teddies - a must for teddy lovers who live near Portsmouth! I took my two boys today and they loved it.

 http://www.portsmouthcitymuseums.co.uk/

Toffee  ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Sunday 18 August 13 10:55 BST (UK)
Hi,

Just wondered if there's been any progress?

If details can't be disclosed that's understandable but would be nice to know if the work people have put in has done any good (I don't include myself in there).

Are they close to finding the rightful owner basically?

Annie.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Monday 19 August 13 13:38 BST (UK)
I agree, t would be great to know.  :)

Sorry, but we've not been informed by them, so we're none the wiser either. I'll see if I can find anything out.  ;)

Trystan
RootsChat Caretaker
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 21 September 13 11:45 BST (UK)
Hi RC's,

It has dawned on me that this "investigation" has been going on since May/Jun - 3 & a half months.

I have seen more updates on live murder cases & lets face it, the people involved in such sad endings have living relatives who are identifiable so WHY such anonymity regarding a lost teddy  ???

I don't see the reasoning as, with the info. on here re BDM's, I think we know where any "living" relatives can be found  ;D

We only want to know if Bristol Airport are any closer to "closure" & was it with the help of dedicated RC's who have gone to such trouble to point Bristol Airport Staff in the right direction ???

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: KGarrad on Saturday 21 September 13 12:55 BST (UK)
The sound of silence would tend to indicate that it was all a publicity stunt?

Or is that me, being an old cynic?! ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 21 September 13 12:58 BST (UK)
Yes K - Deafening!!!

I'm not getting quite what the publicity stunt would have been for though?

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 21 September 13 13:28 BST (UK)
What useful purpose would such a publicity serve  ???
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: elin on Saturday 21 September 13 13:44 BST (UK)
The ted might be planning a career in the music business!

Elin
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Saturday 21 September 13 14:40 BST (UK)
Didn't we say there was a show at a Bristol Theatre at that time which may have indicated it was a publicity stunt?   I would have thought if that's what it was then any teddy with a message attached would have sufficed.....not such an old and valuable teddy, with an historic postcard attached.

Annie, we probably do all know who the living relatives are and where they are, given all the research facilities we have at our fingertips. The relatives are possibly ill and therefore have never bothered to claim him back.

It just would be nice to have a proper official update on how it's all ended.
If a letter was ever written by RC did we have a reply? 
If the letter was sent to the address we have, was it forwarded to the person if they are no longer living  there? You would think they would have responded one way or the other.
If it was left to the airport to follow it up, did they bother?

So many questions and an official update would be good because lots of people spent lots of time on the research. Without a reply to our letter, if we sent one, it beggars the question, did we have the right family?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Saturday 21 September 13 14:44 BST (UK)
A long thread which I have just briefly skimmed over to refresh my memory, but I thought that early on questions were asked of those at Bristol airport and I don't know if answers were ever received. Didn't Trystan at one stage even request a better photograph?
Lots of unanswered questions and loose ends all round ....
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: loobylooayr on Saturday 21 September 13 15:50 BST (UK)
Still would doubt a kiddies theatre show at Bristol would have instigated such an elaborate publicity stunt (leaving an old Teddy and photo 14 months beforehand and hoping the airport would campaign at the right time to find it's owner) for a show that would probably sell very well without it.
However it would have been nice to have had an update - even if it just was that the bear's owner (no names) had been traced, especially since so many Rootschatters gave up time to research for the family.
 :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 21 September 13 17:43 BST (UK)

However it would have been nice to have had an update - even if it just was that the bear's owner (no names) had been traced, especially since so many Rootschatters gave up time to research for the family.
 :)

Is precisely what I meant i.e. Reply from Airport....................We would like to thank the people involved in helping us to reunite teddy/find relatives or whatever as it was very much appreciated...............That's all I ask  ;D

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Saturday 21 September 13 17:47 BST (UK)

However it would have been nice to have had an update - even if it just was that the bear's owner (no names) had been traced, especially since so many Rootschatters gave up time to research for the family.
 :)

Is precisely what I meant i.e. Reply from Airport....................We would like to thank the people involved in helping us to reunite teddy/find relatives or whatever as it was very much appreciated...............That's all I ask  ;D

Annie

Ditto  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Saturday 21 September 13 18:02 BST (UK)
I agree...I still think it was a chance purchase by an out of town bear collector  ;D
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Saturday 21 September 13 18:10 BST (UK)
Even if that was the case Carol, a message to say they appreciated our help but have been unable to follow it up.............whatever...............

It's called recognition & courtesey ;D  ::)

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Saturday 21 September 13 18:33 BST (UK)
I think you're right Carol.

However, given the amount of international and of course local attention the bear attracted you really would have thought that someone, somewhere, would have enlightened at least the local paper as to where the bear came from.

ie there appear to be very few , if any, relatives that would be the owner of the bear and photo......
maybe after a house clearance he finds himself in an antique/second hand/charity shop ......
someone buys him and then returns to their home overseas......
and somehow manages to leave him at the departure lounge

but with all the media attention I would have thought someone would have at least enlightened the airport if they recognised him.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: bearsome on Saturday 21 September 13 21:00 BST (UK)
Well, I've sat here and read through all FIFTY pages of this thread, and I must say well done to everyone on the work you've done. Such a lot of searching on very little information, and I've almost been biting my nails. I just feel so sorry that no-one has come back to you, even with a "Sorry, we've not heard back from anyone."  :(   As you say, ammack, a cetian lack of manners.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: UNDERTAKER on Monday 23 September 13 19:32 BST (UK)
had a look again at the picture and found some information which hopefully will be useful says "taken on  baby's birthday march 4th 1918, one year and 5 months old." and on the side"from the studios of dura limited" and says "With dearest love 9x's to our darling daddie from your loving little daughter 7 ,and then something i can't make out,and then what looks like donald glyn"
hope this helps.
p.s. sorry if i haven't said sorry.
forgetting my manners.
many apologies.

T.
 
   
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Monday 23 September 13 19:53 BST (UK)
Hi Undertaker,

There are 50 pages full of relevant info. to lead to a successful ending whether it be reuniting Teddy with family or otherwise.

All the info. you have given has already been scrutinised to great extent

Sorry if I sound rude but everything that could conclude the mystery is within those 50 pages.

My posts are generally asking for an update or an answer as to whether the RC's info. was of help or not as there are a lot of people on here who have spent labouring hrs to find/identify original owners whether or not someone else is now the rightful owner and should therefore deserve a thanks at least.

Annie.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Flattybasher9 on Monday 23 September 13 20:29 BST (UK)
Ever thought, that considering the full extent of publicity this incident gained, with no sucessful outcome, that this could be a hoax, aimed at testing the public response to a possible loved one's loss.

Regards

Malky
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Monday 23 September 13 20:36 BST (UK)
Hi Flatty,

That theory has also been aired.

You need to read through all the pages now as the fact is:

On behalf of the great RC's who have pored over this & contributed immensley, there is NOTHING in my mind "having folowed the whole thing from the start" that could enhance anything, apart from a Thanks.

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: roopat on Monday 23 September 13 21:16 BST (UK)
I've followed this from the start & I'm afraid I thought all the time it was a hoax. However that was only my personal opinion and a lot of people spent a lot of time trying to answer what they thought was a genuine appeal and I really enjoyed the incredible research that was done. I can't face re-reading all 50 pages again but please remind me - 1) has anyone contacted Bristol Airport for an update? 2) Has anyone from Bristol Airport replied?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Monday 23 September 13 23:28 BST (UK)
Erm,

1) Yes
2) Yes, they have.

The lines went a little quieter at times as there have been a number of countries at unrest that Bristol Airport had to advise passengers on, which is quite understandable.  ::)

The bear is safely at Bristol Airport again. It took a bit of a detour for an artist (another adventure for Mr Bear) - details will appear soon from Bristol Airport on this. The police were informed for some investigation to be progressed, however as living persons are involved there are things that I can't be reported at the moment.

Bristol Airport express their wholehearted thanks for all the help that we have provided here on RootsChat.

The BBC have been made aware by Bristol Airport of the contribution that all on RootsChat have made in researching the owners of Mr Bear.

I'm terribly sorry if I appear a bit vague on this (even though we know very little more really), but the great news is that Mr Teddy is well and safe. Hopefully we'll have more positive news soon.

Trystan
RootsChat Caretaker
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Tuesday 24 September 13 06:45 BST (UK)
That all sounds very mysterious and intriguing Trystan.  ;D Looking forward to more details as they become available.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: roopat on Tuesday 24 September 13 10:34 BST (UK)
Thank you Trystan! At least now we know what stage it's at.

Pat
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Tuesday 24 September 13 10:42 BST (UK)
Thanks for the update Trystan...when does the book come out  ;D ;D
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: myluck! on Tuesday 24 September 13 11:14 BST (UK)
That all sounds very mysterious and intriguing Trystan.  ;D Looking forward to more details as they become available.

Doesn't it just - watching with bated breath....
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: KGarrad on Tuesday 24 September 13 11:23 BST (UK)
Doesn't it just - watching with bated breath....

I thought bear bating was illegal?! ;D ;D

Yes I know it's baiting!
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: loobylooayr on Tuesday 24 September 13 11:26 BST (UK)
Thanks for the update Trystan...when does the book come out  ;D ;D
Carol

Wonder who will play Teddy in the Hollywood blockbuster??
Tom Cruise perhaps??
Well if he can play Jack Reacher....he can play anyone.....
Looby ;D ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: myluck! on Tuesday 24 September 13 11:40 BST (UK)
But he didn't play Jack Reacher
He tried to
However for this role he'd be closer in size!!!


Then we can bait the bear.....,
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Tuesday 24 September 13 12:53 BST (UK)
Thank you Trystan  :)

It all sounds very mysterious but it's good to know that our work wasn't in vain and hopefully we'll hear the final outcome.........which is obviously that the bear is going to live with Jane, as I believe she put in the first claim for him  ;D

ps I think the bear should play himself in the film.....but the question is....who's going to play Trystan   :-\
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Tuesday 24 September 13 14:20 BST (UK)
It'll certainly be a Hollywood blockbuster with a cast of thousands considering all the Rootschatters that helped  ;D  If Trystan's not available to play himself then I propose George Clooney.  I'm sure George is equally as handsome as Trystan even though we can only see the side of his head in his profile pic.  ;D

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Tuesday 24 September 13 19:06 BST (UK)
Thanks Trystan,

I think most will be happy with that, knowing where they're at (Airport) as the update was all we wanted & knowing things are currently going on behind the scenes.

Can't wait for the final outcome  ;D

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Wednesday 25 September 13 03:23 BST (UK)
Thanks for the update Trystan...when does the book come out  ;D ;D
Carol

Wonder who will play Teddy in the Hollywood blockbuster??
Tom Cruise perhaps??
Well if he can play Jack Reacher....he can play anyone.....
Looby ;D ;D

Scout Bear wants to play Teddy - he says I've dragged him around the world so much that he has aged very well to do the part.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lyn22 on Wednesday 25 September 13 03:43 BST (UK)
I hope Ted from the movie Ted doesn't play Teddy he was a very rude bear. Maybe Danny Devito could play Teddy. Take Care Lynette  ;)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: dawnsh on Thursday 26 September 13 08:02 BST (UK)
I'm sure George is equally as handsome as Trystan even though we can only see the side of his head in his profile pic.  ;D

Jane

I can assure the ladies, that the front of Trystan's head is a lovely as the back view, but don't get carried away as he is spoken for, unlike George Clooney  ;D

Dawn
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Mike in Cumbria on Thursday 26 September 13 08:07 BST (UK)
I can assure the ladies, that the front of Trystan's head is a lovely as the back view, but don't get carried away as he is spoken for, unlike George Clooney  ;D

Dawn

Are you suggesting that that is the only difference between Tristan and George?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: dawnsh on Friday 27 September 13 21:37 BST (UK)
I can't comment on Trystan's acting abilities or the size of his bank balance  :P
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Tuesday 01 October 13 08:26 BST (UK)
I can assure you, both of them are lacking.  :-\ Oh well, thankfully though I'm married to Sarah who not only tidies me up when I try and leave the house looking like a scarecrow, but also I'm lucky enough to have the extended family of you all on RootsChat.  :)

Now for acting school...

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jean McGurn on Wednesday 18 December 13 05:21 GMT (UK)
There is an article on BBC NEWS BRISTOL page stating that the airport has identified the father and the two children in the photo.

Sorry unable to provide a link as I am not sure how to do it but could some kind RCer do it please.

Jean
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Flattybasher9 on Wednesday 18 December 13 06:45 GMT (UK)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-25413436

From CWGC :- Son of Edwin and Grace Baker; husband of Florence Edith Baker, of "Thornbank," Ton Mawr Avenue, Blaenavon, Mon. Born at Blaenavon, Mon

Regards

Malky
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lizdb on Wednesday 18 December 13 08:05 GMT (UK)
So .... that article has just caught up with what we found on here.

Doesnt sound like they have actually found a living descendent, or the person who left the bear at the airport.

Just that they (or actually us?) have found records of the family that fits.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Wednesday 18 December 13 10:34 GMT (UK)
The summary of the information that has been provided on RootsChat is as follows.
A line in the decendants has been omitted for privacy reasons of living persons.

Background
The children on the photo could be Dora E Baker (b 1914) and Nicholas Glyn Baker (b 4 Oct 1916), who were born in Abergavenny, children of Nicholas James Baker and Florence Edith Willey.
 
Their father, Nicholas James Baker, was a Private in the Prince of Wales Volunteers South Lancashire Regiment* in Mesopotamia during WW1 – he died on 15 Aug 1918 and is buried at the war cemetery in Baghdad (North Gate, War Cemetery, grave ref: X1. D.5 – Remembered with Honour) and is the “daddy” referred to on the back of the photo.
He was the son of Edwin and Grace Baker, husband of Florence Edith Baker of Thornbank, Ton Mawr Avenue, Blaenarvon, Mon.
 
*6th Battalion
·         Formed in 1914

·         Moved to billets in Winchester in January 1915 before going to Blackdown.

·         Sailed from Avonmouth in June 1915.  Landed at Cape Helles (Gallipoli) 7 – 31 July then moved to Murdros.  Landed at Anzac Beach 4 August 1915.

·         10 December 1915 evacuated from Gallipoli and went to Egypt via Mudros

·         February 1916 – moved to Mesopotamia

 
Nicholas and Florence had 3 children:
1.       Kenneth George Baker 1910 – died Abergavenny 1913

2.       The daughter Dora E Baker, born 1914 Abergavenny

3.       The son, Nicholas Glyn Baker, born 1916 Abergavenny and died September 1986 in Newport, Monmouthshire. It is possible that he married Elsie E Norman 1941 in Newport.

It is the Baker family that we believe Bristol Bear belongs to.

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: jan57 on Wednesday 18 December 13 17:00 GMT (UK)
 Fabulous work    by  all  involved  from  here !   :) :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 18 December 13 18:02 GMT (UK)
Wouldn't it be great for him to be claimed and end up in a Christmas stocking  :D :D
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: LouiseAust on Thursday 19 December 13 05:41 GMT (UK)
Hi All,

Believe that Nicolas Glynn Baker born 1916, married Elsie E Norman in 1941 in Newport (11a 557).
Adding to the confusion an Albert J Baker marries a Gladys M Norman the same year in Battle. With this in mind possible children of Nicolas and Elsie could be (*) born 1943 in Battle (2b 55), (*) born in Newport in 1945 (11a 253) - my money would be on this one, as its the same area Nicholas and Elsie married in and (*) born 1949 in Battle (5h 20).

Here is a link i found to a tree listing the siblings of Nicolas Glyn's father, Nicolas James Baker, who died in Bagdad in WW1. He was one of 6 children..... :)

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/w/e/s/Jan--M-Westwell/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-1283.html

could this information help find the owners of this bear?

Louise

(*) Moderator Comment:
Edited in accordance with RootsChat policy of not publishing details of living people here, or details of people who may still be living. This is to protect all concerned from spam, identity abuse, internet abuse, etc.
 
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Chrissie4 on Thursday 19 December 13 08:44 GMT (UK)
I'm not sure exactly what the rules are on here Louise but is it ok to post the names of people who may be still living? I assume that you haven't found deaths for them both? I have looked at the one born in 1945 in the past and couldn't find a death.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: myluck! on Thursday 19 December 13 09:52 GMT (UK)
We are asked not to name anyone who may be living for privacy reasons
Entries on the forum can be triggered in on-line searches

Unless you are sure the individual is dead I would use a 110 year rule from the DoB!

This is variable for bears!!! ;)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: acorngen on Thursday 19 December 13 17:44 GMT (UK)


Whilst what the RC members have found is amazing there is far too much conjecture involved.  Like others this seems to be a hoax in my mind after all I would have thought that someone leaving this at the airport would have at least contacted them or had the airport they were flying to contact them asking if the said bear had been handed in.  Especially with the publicity it has generated

Rob
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: LouiseAust on Thursday 19 December 13 21:50 GMT (UK)
Sorry im new at this.disappointed that so many of you were so quick to point out an innocent mistake rather than any info i was able to supply.nevermind ill continue my research without sharing with rootschat merry christmas all! :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Thursday 19 December 13 21:55 GMT (UK)
Louise,

Merry Christmas to you, and thank you for your enthusiasm! We do have to protect the privacy of living people though, because once the cat is out of the bag (or the bear) then it's too late. We don't know what impact that an international story like this can have on people so we are all just trying to help in our own little way. :)

So keep contibuting, and between us all we can discover some amazing things. :) All the very best over the festive period, and I hope the New Year brings you lots of realy interesting and worthwhile surprises.

Trystan
RootsChat Caretaker

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 19 December 13 22:07 GMT (UK)
Welcome to Rootschat Louise....not to worry...we have all been new at some point and have made the same mistake  ;)...don't take it to heart and please feel free to join in and to share in what the site has to offer :D
Merry Christmas!!
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: janan on Thursday 19 December 13 22:09 GMT (UK)
Hi Louise

Welcome to Rootschat :)

I can only assume that others just failed to notice how new you were when pointing out your mistake, I'm sure they were only meaning to be helpful by letting you know Rootschat policy. Please don't let it put you off posting.

Good luck with your research, I hope it leads somewhere.
Have a good Christmas
Jan ;)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lyn22 on Thursday 19 December 13 22:43 GMT (UK)
Welcome Louise do not be put off continue to post I still make mistakes and post things by mistake that I should not have. We have all done it.  :) ;)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Chrissie4 on Friday 20 December 13 07:25 GMT (UK)
Oh dear, I'm so sorry Louise, I really didn't mean to upset you. I should have used a smiley :-[
I wasn't sure what the rule on here was either and it was meant to be more of a question, as I know that many sites (rightly in my opinion) have this rule.
I should have made sure before I posted  :-[
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Friday 20 December 13 11:27 GMT (UK)
Welcome to rootschat Louise.
.disappointed that so many of you were so quick to point out an innocent mistake rather than any info i was able to supply.nevermind ill continue my research without sharing with rootschat merry christmas all! :)
You have completely misunderstood the good intentions of Chrissie and others, who merely informed you of the rootschat rules, in a civil and friendly fashion. I think you have taken it the wrong way. ;)

Shame there is no real news on the owner of the bear and photo. I find it hard to believe that if you lost such items, that you would not retrace your steps in an attempt to find them - you would surely have a fair idea that you left them at the airport. Seems odd.  :-\
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Friday 20 December 13 12:27 GMT (UK)
I think Louise was thinking of the same family as all of us but 54 pages is an exceptional number to actually read and absorb all the information contained in them. Because of the very sensible privacy rules on RC we were unable to give the actual name of the current generation who I believe Trystan contacted.

I for one don't think it's a hoax but there has to be a very good reason why the person who abandoned the bear has never contacted the airport.

It would be nice to hear how this lady responded to this letter we will never have any closure on this until we do.

I think we do have the right family but because of the lack of descendants maybe Bristol Bear had actually had a home with an adopted family for a while.

It would have been so great to have reunited him with his own family and we can only hope this may still happen. Unbelievable though this seems maybe they are unaware of all of this coverage. I have mentioned Bristol Bear to several/many people and not one of them had heard or seen anything about him.  8)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Trancesgirl on Sunday 05 January 14 13:55 GMT (UK)
Does anyone know if the bear has been claimed yet - it would be nice to know

I think "sonnie the bear" would be delighted to be re-united with his family

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Sunday 05 January 14 14:20 GMT (UK)
I think a new thread on The Welsh Boards with Trystan's summary and the photo should be started to include "Seeking relatives of Nicholas Glyn and Dora E. Baker of Abergavenny"...anyone researching the Family who googles their names will then be brought here.

Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Trancesgirl on Sunday 05 January 14 14:26 GMT (UK)
OOOOO it looks like I missed at updated post saying the family/owner had been found - how fantastic - all credit to the person that handed it in though many would have kept the bear for themselves.

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Sunday 05 January 14 14:30 GMT (UK)
That's an excellent idea Carol   :)

For all the recent media coverage about the research it still feels unsolved to me.....and will do until we hear the bear and photo have found a home.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Sunday 05 January 14 15:04 GMT (UK)
Yes I feel that way too HL and a new approach might bring results...if the direct descendants don't want them maybe rellies of Nicholas James Baker may come forward and welcome a copy of the photo for their family files.
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Trancesgirl on Sunday 05 January 14 15:08 GMT (UK)
I am now confused because I am sure I saw an updated post saying the teddy had been re-united with its owner  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: janan on Sunday 05 January 14 15:44 GMT (UK)
OOOOO it looks like I missed at updated post saying the family/owner had been found

Really? Where did you see that? I thought he was still unclaimed ???

Jan ;)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jean McGurn on Sunday 05 January 14 15:50 GMT (UK)
The father and two children had been identified but so far I do not think they have found who left the photo and teddy at the airport.

Jean
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Sunday 05 January 14 16:15 GMT (UK)
I think more accurately - the "most likely" father and two children have been provisionally identified - but we need to actually make contact with the family to confirm if Rootschatters are right or not.

Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Trancesgirl on Sunday 05 January 14 16:43 GMT (UK)
Thank - when I read "family found" - I thought it had been re-united - I hope someone claims it but will teach me to read things properly

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:07 GMT (UK)
The bear has now been claimed, by Robert Glyn Baker who lost the bear on the way to Cyprus.
A press announcment has been made, whcih was received below. Unfortunatley, no mention of all of us here on RootsChat.com though.

Quote
NEWS COPY – WITH PICTURES

The mystery of a 100-year-old dog-eared teddy bear found abandoned in an airport departure lounge has finally been solved.
 

Airport staff found the antique bear, which has one eye and a floppy ear, in a bag with a frayed black and white photo, dated March 1918, of him being cuddled by two little children.
 

Unlike Paddington Bear, the toy had no name tag but a message in faded ink on the back of the picture read: "With dearest love and kisses to our darling Daddie from your loving little daughters Dora and Glyn."
 

Staff at Bristol Airport made a public appeal to try and trace the owner earlier this year but were unable to find any living relatives until a campaign by The Mature Times, a newspaper for the over 50s.
 

Reader Robert Glyn Baker spotted the story and recognised the bear as a family heirloom he lost while travelling through the airport on his way to Cyprus.
 

He said: “I was stunned when I got a cutting of the Mature Times in the post and saw my bear on the front page.
 

“I thought it was lost forever, I was convinced it had been destroyed.”
 

The bear was found in 2012 and staff spent 14 months trawling flight records to see if they could find any two passengers with the same names as those mentioned on the back of the picture.
 

When they could not they appealed for help from the public and a number of experts stepped forward to help with the search.
 

They were able to trace the date of the picture after they discovered a second message on the picture, which said: "taken on Baby's birthday March 4th 1918, one year and five-months-old."
 

But, despite tracing who the children were they were unable to find them.
 

Robert spotted his bear - nicknamed 'Bristo' by staff - after his former wife sent him a cutting of the Mature Times front page from January.
 

The gobsmacked dad-of-one, who is still in Cyprus, was so shocked when he realised his bear was still out there he immediately rang the paper to try and get him back.
 

“I'm an only child and my auntie Dora didn't have any children either so I am the only person that could have got the bear,” Robert said.
 

“My mum gave him a different nose, he has pads on his arms too. I think I gave him a rough time when I was a kid!
 

“It’s the sentimental value really, my hands were so full with what I was carrying I thought I had left it in the toilet.  I had so much with me, but like a fool I left it in the airport.
 

“I would love to have it back.”
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:17 GMT (UK)
Oh thanks for the update Trystan...What a wonderful outcome and a real sense of achievement for those of us who spent hours trawling through records....Boy and bear now reunited...and all the sceptics have also been proved wrong  ;D
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: LizzieW on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:30 GMT (UK)
What a shame they didn't mention Rootschat.  Did the readers of The Mature Times (whatever that is) have as much input as Rootschatter?  I guess they ran the story and the owner just saw it.  You do wonder why the owner would carry such a precious bear around with him.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: toffeebear on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:32 GMT (UK)
Great news!! Well done to all you 'experts' on Rootschat who helped to solve the mystery!
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:37 GMT (UK)
What a shame they didn't mention Rootschat.  Did the readers of The Mature Times (whatever that is) have as much input as Rootschatter?  I guess they ran the story and the owner just saw it.  You do wonder why the owner would carry such a precious bear around with him.

This is the story they ran, last Wednesday: www.rootschat.com/links/0xtm/

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: myluck! on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:39 GMT (UK)
Great News!

As with much family research it is taken for granted rather than applauded!

LizzieW
Book #1 "Who do I belong to?"
your quote:You do wonder why the owner would carry such a precious bear around with him
The follow-on book "How I got to where I am!"
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: jess5athome on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:43 GMT (UK)
Sad that Rootschat members were not mentioned, But .................................................
Wow! you've got that "Warm Feeling" inside of you all.  ;)
Well done to every single one of you.

Frank.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: millymcb on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:49 GMT (UK)
Can Rootschat do a press release telling our story?  Not sure where to send it though - maybe the local Wales newspaper?  Or the Daily Mail? At very least we should post it on the facebook page.

Milly
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Wednesday 29 January 14 12:59 GMT (UK)
If we knew how to do it, yes.  :-[

It's been put on Facebook and Twitter already, but if people can retweet, or like the topic, or forward this story onto people then it will help get the word out :)

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 29 January 14 13:03 GMT (UK)
Perhaps we should contact the Mature Times with a link to this thread so they can see how the search evolved leading to the repatriation of bear and owner. I'm sure Robert Glyn Baker would be fascinated to learn of our quest to find him.
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: MargP on Wednesday 29 January 14 13:07 GMT (UK)
Hi Trystan

Here is the link to the Mature Time

http://www.maturetimes.co.uk/contact-us/advcontact.html

Margp
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Wednesday 29 January 14 13:38 GMT (UK)
Marg,

Thanks, I'd already contacted them on that, but thank you ever so much anyhow.

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Wednesday 29 January 14 13:52 GMT (UK)
Phew, I'm glad that's over....now where's the next one  ;D
Well done everyone,

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: sarah on Wednesday 29 January 14 13:56 GMT (UK)
It would be lovely if Robert Glyn Baker was able to read the research I am sure he would find it very interesting reading :)

Sarah
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Wednesday 29 January 14 14:03 GMT (UK)
I see Sarah has already posted a comment with a link to this thread on the article in the Bristol Times...way to go Sarah  ;D

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: MargP on Wednesday 29 January 14 14:05 GMT (UK)
It would be lovely if Robert Glyn Baker was able to read the research I am sure he would find it very interesting reading :)

Sarah
I wonder if he is on Facebook
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: sarah on Wednesday 29 January 14 14:07 GMT (UK)
Hi Marg, I thought of that but I couldn't find any online profiles :'( Anyone from Cyprus ??

Sarah
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Wednesday 29 January 14 14:15 GMT (UK)
Thanks for the update Trystan. I am SO pleased that we had the right family and that the bear and beautiful photograph have been reunited with their family.  :)

It's a shame that RC has not been recognised though. I would have thought that the family would be interested to read our thread.

I did enjoy our research and am just pleased that we now have the happy outcome we yearned for.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 29 January 14 14:57 GMT (UK)
I have contacted a matching tree owner on Ancestry outlining the story of the Bristol Bear and the Baker Family photo....I have given him a link to this post so that he can share in the story in the hope that he may have email contact with Robert G. Baker.
We can but hope  :D
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: MargP on Wednesday 29 January 14 15:12 GMT (UK)
Well Bear has been found, we are now on the hunt for the owner.

Margp
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Wednesday 29 January 14 15:16 GMT (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D ;D  ......like that Marge  :)

We did have his address in Wales. I'm left wondering why our letter didn't bring a response months ago.  Still, that doesn't matter ......it's just lucky that the press cutting was forwarded to him, even if the letter wasn't  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Wednesday 29 January 14 15:16 GMT (UK)
I also tried Facebook & a Google search...but nowt  :(
Carol I think I contacted that tree owner when we originally started the search, can't remember what the outcome was,

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Wednesday 29 January 14 15:34 GMT (UK)
I think a big 'pat on the back' should go to Hampshire Lass who made the BIG breakthrough, Page 16 post #151  :)  :)  :)

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=648863.msg4959112#msg4959112

Jane

Moderator Comment: Link to Hampshire Lass' epic breakthrough added.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Wednesday 29 January 14 15:38 GMT (UK)
Thanks Jane.  :)

We all played a part but I am just SO relieved I didn't send us down the wrong pathway by my suggestion.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: MargP on Wednesday 29 January 14 15:38 GMT (UK)
I second that

 :) :) :) :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Wednesday 29 January 14 16:06 GMT (UK)
Would you ever send us down the wrong path Hampshire Lass  ;D

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Wednesday 29 January 14 16:11 GMT (UK)
I probably could Jane   ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 29 January 14 16:27 GMT (UK)
That crown really suits you HL so wear with pride ;)....you picked up the ball and we ran with it.
Well Done!....The cakes are on us  ;D ;D

Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Wednesday 29 January 14 16:35 GMT (UK)
Oooh....cakes......yum, I'll be there  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: MargP on Wednesday 29 January 14 17:31 GMT (UK)
Blow the cakes, make it a good Merlot, or have both
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Wednesday 29 January 14 18:02 GMT (UK)
 ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: lyn22 on Wednesday 29 January 14 23:10 GMT (UK)
That is a great outcome after all this time great work 3 cheers hip hip hooray PS I have told my bears and they are having a party Ha Ha take Care Lynette   ;) :D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Wednesday 29 January 14 23:33 GMT (UK)
Hampshire Lasse should definitely be on the big red sofa on BBC Breakfast then!

(With a big cake on the table, and a bottle of Merlot).

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Wednesday 29 January 14 23:35 GMT (UK)
;D ;D ;D ;D  ......like that Marge  :)

We did have his address in Wales. I'm left wondering why our letter didn't bring a response months ago.  Still, that doesn't matter ......it's just lucky that the press cutting was forwarded to him, even if the letter wasn't  :)

We don't really know that it wasn't though. :;)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: tedscout on Thursday 30 January 14 00:01 GMT (UK)
Oh how fantastic.

Scout Bear and his friends are jumping up and down on my bed. He was feeling a little depressed and frightened to leave the house in case I left him somewhere and he'd end up in a storage cupboard like Bristol Bear did for a few years of his life.

I hope in some way Robert Glyn Baker does find this thread. Just so we can get to know him, even if its just a little bit.

Good work everyone, Luv Ted
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: MargP on Thursday 30 January 14 00:18 GMT (UK)
Hi

It was in the Telegraph

 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/10604894/Airport-teddy-bear-mystery-solved-as-the-owner-comes-forward.html

It may be worth contacting them as well

Margp
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Thursday 30 January 14 01:08 GMT (UK)
Hi

It was in the Telegraph

 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/10604894/Airport-teddy-bear-mystery-solved-as-the-owner-comes-forward.html

It may be worth contacting them as well

Margp

I am so pleased that the owner has been found. Presumably if he is living in Cyprus, it is understandable that he missed all the publicity surrounding the bear.

Bit miffed though - how on earth can they have written these articles without mentioning rootschat? It's as though they did it purposely .... mentioning "experts" and "Mature Times" but avoiding all mention of rootschat?  >:( Did the rootschat quest predate the Mature Times article?
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Thursday 30 January 14 01:27 GMT (UK)
The same press release has several news agencies. You'll see similar stories (without mention of RootsChat) in several newspapers and websites over the next couple of days.

The ones that pick up on the real human interest story will have the real scoop. How it captured the hearts of the RootsChatters, which resulted in identifying the family, and the fall of "Daddie" in Word War One in Bhagdad. This is particularly poignant at the centenary of WW1.

It was not two girls in the photo, and the bear was not called "Glyn" - even though this is what was first released.

The important thing is that Robert Baker came forward, based on the information that had been found by us here and reprinted.

Whether we get recognition for it or not, it just shows that we are a community that work together and try and  help others. Just because we want to.

It just shows how wonderful it is to be part of RootsChat, or even just the generosity of human spirit. Stories like this really reinforce that. It's a humbling and worthwhile experience

Trystan


Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Thursday 30 January 14 01:41 GMT (UK)
Very true Trystan.
Still, it would be nice if the hard work of rootschatters was recognized - look forward to hopefully getting a mention elsewhere ... Please keep us informed.  ;D
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Thursday 30 January 14 01:44 GMT (UK)
It would be - if anybody could keep us all informed of *any* mention of the hard work of us all on RootsChat then it would be great. :)

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 30 January 14 07:44 GMT (UK)
Here's one report Trystan and there is a comments thread online, so a link to RC could be added.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2548450/Airport-teddy-finds-owner-Antique-bear-left-Bristol-airport-year-finally-returned-public-appeal.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Incidentally, I also found a record which stated that Nicholas James died from Malaria which seems extra poignant to me.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Thursday 30 January 14 09:18 GMT (UK)
If Robert Glyn Baker ever gets around to reading this thread he'll need a supply of tea, picnic lunches & a sleeping bag....we are now 59 pages long, that's a lot of reading  ;D

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jool on Thursday 30 January 14 18:13 GMT (UK)
Great result, well done to all involved, especially H.L.  ;D. I hope RC gets the recognition it deserves. 

What surprises me is, with the name (Glyn) on the photo and additional Baker information provided by RC, that airport staff didn't connect a passenger flying out of Bristol on that day called Robert GLYN BAKER.  ???
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Thursday 30 January 14 18:18 GMT (UK)
Hi,

I agree re the helping others because we want to, enjoy it etc. but would it not be fair to say that the press & airport are not aware it was HL who found the family & address as the owner was not at home in this country to receive the rootschat letter so it is still unopened, reading between the lines? So as far as all are concerned it is a Cyprus address with no proof that HL's find was relevant at this stage???

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Thursday 30 January 14 18:20 GMT (UK)
Great result, well done to all involved, especially H.L.  ;D. I hope RC gets the recognition it deserves. 

What surprises me is, with the name (Glyn) on the photo and additional Baker information provided by RC, that airport staff didn't connect a passenger flying out of Bristol on that day called Robert GLYN BAKER.  ???

Hi,

The airport were searching for over a yr prior to RC getting involved and Robert may not have used his middle name
(added) & were they not searching for 2 females ???

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 30 January 14 18:47 GMT (UK)
Didn't we give the Airport the name Baker anyway though? It could have been solved back in the summer if they had checked using that name.

I actually want and expect no glory for myself........it was just an enjoyable pastime, spurred on by my belief that the photo of the children was truly adorable and shouldn't up in a dustbin but be returned to the family, who obviously valued it enough to place it in hand luggage.

However, I really did want the team of RC to be recognised by the media as a team to be valued....and at the moment that doesn't seem to be the case.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Thursday 30 January 14 20:57 GMT (UK)
Hi HL,

I know you don't want glory and yes I do think RC should definitely be mentioned & praised for sure. I was merely thinking of reasons why it hadn't happened rather than jump the gun.......benefit of the doubt really but at the same time HL you ought to be proud as we are all genuinely proud of you & your breakthrough  ;D :P

I also agree with Trystan, GMTV would highlight the forensics of it all without wearing a chequered hat   ;D ::)

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Thursday 30 January 14 21:16 GMT (UK)
Aaw Annie that's kind of you  :) Thank you  :)

I don't want the media to say HL found the family, I just really want them to say RC found them and then I'll be happy.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Thursday 30 January 14 23:54 GMT (UK)
We only have second/third hand reports that the airport DID look for possible travellers who left the bear behind ( ;)).
Of course it is not their job to chase up owners of lost items, so I am not blaming them, but they may only have initially had a cursory glance at a passenger list or two (rather than spending time actively searching for bear's owner) and may not have even taken any notice of this thread or HL's breakthrough find. I find it amazingly good luck that they even kept the bear, and in the end it is a good outcome.
One mention of rootschat in the media would be a nice reward for HL and everyone's time though.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Friday 31 January 14 00:35 GMT (UK)
Ruskie,

Do you think there is a reason not to include RC ?

This would actually put WDYTYA into the background.

The research on the TED puzzle was all done with team work, combined effort, close scrutinisation, comparison, diligence, co-operation to name a list of words, by TOTAL strangers, with no face to face meetings, no phenominal research fees nor any extra info. - only the bare minimum facts (pardon the pun) & free policing with HL getting the breakthrough.

So, in effect, the cost of the investigation for finding the culprit  ;D was a whole load of many man hours, much debate, comparing of notes, lab testing (to find out where the pics originated)  ;D, door to door enquiries  ;D for analyses to find the DNA to link them etc. etc.

Total cost £000,000.00  I think the TV would love to run a story, think of the income they would generate for themselves as it is a unique thing with so much involved to get to the finishing line & would capture an audience as it is just like a forensic search with evidence needed to conclude it  :-)

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Friday 31 January 14 00:55 GMT (UK)
No clue if there is any kind of agenda Annie - I wouldn't think so ....  :-\

Possibly so many people providing so much information, and so many questions to the airport staff that the role of rootschatters was lost - nobody knowing who provided what information?  :-\

I think the whole search began with the wrong interpretation of what was written on the back of the postcard, so confusion from the start. I don't know if anyone apart from rootschatters were involved in the search or were able to come to with any (or the same) information or reach the same conclusion about the family as rootschatters.

 ... I really don't know ...

Yes, it IS a great story, especially looking at it the way you describe - but that angle hasn't been picked up by the media yet has it? (not sure but I think Trystan was perhaps hinting at some coverage with a more 'human interest' angle which might include rootschat?)

Be interesting to see how it all pans out.  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Friday 31 January 14 01:03 GMT (UK)
No, I'm not hinting at anything that we're doing. The human interest side of it is partly a reflection on how little coverage there was in the papers today, despite the press release.

Without the wider human interest bit of it, the hunt and capturing the hearts of so many on here, the WW1 soldier that fell in Bhagdad in the centenary commemoration, it's not the big story that it could be.

What I was alluding to was for a journalist to pick up on it.

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Friday 31 January 14 02:21 GMT (UK)
No, I'm not hinting at anything that we're doing. The human interest side of it is partly a reflection on how little coverage there was in the papers today, despite the press release.

Without the wider human interest bit of it, the hunt and capturing the hearts of so many on here, the WW1 soldier that fell in Bhagdad in the centenary commemoration, it's not the big story that it could be.

What I was alluding to was for a journalist to pick up on it.

Trystan

I thought you may have had some knowledge of a different angle to the story being published which included the rootschat search ...

Yes, you have hit the nail on the head - they have not taken full advantage of the story through what they have omitted.

Is there any way to amend/correct/add some facts? I don't have facebook, but maybe there is a way to enhance the story via fb or some other social media, or letters to editors, etc?  :-\
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Friday 31 January 14 05:00 GMT (UK)
Just to put the record straight we (Rootschat) did get mentioned by name in this BBC article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-25413436

This has more background on the Baker family

http://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/mystery-bristol-airport-teddy-bear-solved/

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jean McGurn on Friday 31 January 14 05:39 GMT (UK)
I think it was kind of Robert Glyn Baker's ex wife to send him a cutting, which solved the mystery.

The fact she sent a cutting suggests to me (IMHO) that Mr Baker does not have a computer,  otherwise why didn't she just send an e-mail?

As for RC not being mentioned in any of the articles I rather think that's down to the writers of the articles - or maybe the original article that was picked up by the rest. If they aren't a RCer or have  read any of these  pages then they would not have any reason to mention all the hard work everyone put in.

Who knows maybe one day some budding author will write a book on Ted's lost years and put in it how thousands of strangers from all over the world who go by the name RootsChatters help to find his Master.  ;D

Jean
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Friday 31 January 14 06:16 GMT (UK)
My thoughts exactly Jean  :)  I think Mr. Baker is leading a quiet retirement in Cyprus!
It would indeed make a great story line for a novel  :)
I also noticed a wonderful painting someone had done inspired by Ted's demise.  One newspaper had used it but gave NO credit to the artist  :(

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Ruskie on Friday 31 January 14 10:43 GMT (UK)
Just to put the record straight we (Rootschat) did get mentioned by name in this BBC article
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-25413436

Excellent, thank you for posting that link Jane - it's a very good article, and nice to see Rootschat mentioned (when I was led to believe that it had not been).  :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Friday 31 January 14 11:06 GMT (UK)
That's the article before Christmas.

RootsChat were mentioned in that older BBC article (18th December 2013) becasue I spoke to the journalist who wrote the article at the time, and asked for it to be ammended and put in. They were also contacted by Bristol Airport, after I contacted them. It had originally been posted without mentioning the leg work of RootsChatters, but they were very good to ammend it at the time.

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Friday 31 January 14 16:10 GMT (UK)
It would make a great magazine story of human interest of how a dedicated team of researchers took this lost bear to it's heart and through sheer determination and hours of research...identified it's family. If published then that would  be a bit of well deserved publicity for Rootschat and any money received could be donated to The British Legion in honour of Nicholas James Baker who sacrificed his life for his country.
Story inspired by Bisto...the lost bear by  Rootschat's answer to "The Bletchy Circle"  ;D ;D ;D

Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Friday 31 January 14 16:29 GMT (UK)
I wholeheartedly agree with you Carol. :) That would be a very very happy ending.

Couldn't someone contact one of the Family History magazines.....I'm sure they would be interested and it's just the place to have an article  featuring Rootschat.

I expect Mr Baker, who is entirely unaware of this thread, would be interested to hear all that has gone on. It seems a shame that he beliefs the answer was as simple as a photo in a Mag for over 50s
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Friday 31 January 14 16:37 GMT (UK)
Beat me to it HL, I had the same thought..family history magazine etc....  I'm throwing the gauntlet down  ;D who's going to do it?  Anyone with article writing experience out there on Rootschat?  It would be great to have a picture of Robert Baker with the bear in Cyprus!  I wonder how he's (the bear) going to get there, surface mail?  DHL? recorded delivery?  His own seat on a flight :D?  After all he is a VIP  ::)

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Friday 31 January 14 16:42 GMT (UK)
I would say Jane, that Trystan should be the elected person   ;D

Perhaps if he contacted one of the many Family History magazines, a reporter from there (would they have such people?) would then do the necessary.

I also wondered how Bristol Bear was going to travel. I think he actually should travel with a letter from us telling Mr Baker how he was traced. If a letter was written to him, maybe the Airport would enclose it in the parcel.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Friday 31 January 14 17:08 GMT (UK)
Ahhhh, nice thought HL.  Poor Trystan he gets volunteered for everything ;)

Jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Friday 31 January 14 17:12 GMT (UK)
 ;D ;D

Or Sarah.....after all, RC is their baby   :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Hampshire Lass on Friday 31 January 14 19:11 GMT (UK)
 We're mentioned on this TV report  :)

http://www.itv.com/news/west/search/?q=Bear+left+at+bristol+airport

Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Friday 31 January 14 20:36 GMT (UK)
Alas, Sarah and I are not article writers or publcists though - and I have more of a "face for Radio" (as they say) rather than being in the limelight.

Could anyone here write the story for one of the magazines?

It's great to see the mention of RootsChat on the ITV news clip on that link - many thanks to Jacqui Mills, at Bristol Airport for that.

Trystan
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: roopat on Sunday 02 February 14 22:43 GMT (UK)
Why didn't Mr Baker contact Bristol Airport as soon as he realised the bear was missing..... ??? if it was so important to him. None of my business, I know, but that's what has intrigued me since reading about the owner being found.

That's not to downplay the RC researchers who have been absolutely amazing.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rainbow Quartz on Thursday 06 February 14 09:38 GMT (UK)
In yesterday's Daily Express this story got a mention by Ann Widdicombe, and although she didn't mention RootChat by name, she did say that 'family tree experts' had found the owner, which is true!
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: WDYTYA Editor on Wednesday 19 March 14 11:33 GMT (UK)
Hello everyone, this is my first post on this forum. I was prompted because you kindly mentioned the article by Chris Paton on tracing missing ancestors in our April issue on Facebook and so I ended up browsing your Facebook page and came across this thread. Our offices are based in Bristol so we were all very interested in this story of the bear. I had no idea that the owner had been traced by members of RootsChat! I see in the thread that people mentioned getting in touch with someone in the media. In future, if you have a story that you would like featured in Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine, just send me a message. I can't promise anything but we would have loved to have featured this story.

Regards,

Sarah Williams, Editor, Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: MargP on Wednesday 19 March 14 12:00 GMT (UK)
Hi Sarah and welcome to RootsChat

I am sure Sarah or Trystan will be in touch soon, it would be great if all the hard work that people have put to this research is recognized

Margp
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: sarah on Wednesday 19 March 14 12:05 GMT (UK)
Hi Sarah,

Welcome to RootsChat :)

Thank you ever so much for your kind words. The lost bear story really captivated the hearts of many here on RootsChat, and we all did what we do best which is bringing all our thoughts and findings together to try and get a result - however remote it seemed.

It has been a really big human interest story, on many levels. The living owner of the missing bear, the story of the family of the boy and girl in the photograph, the father who lost his life in the Great war (this photograph came back in his belongings) , and indeed the story of how a group of people on RootsChat pull together.

We've sent a little personal message to you, so hopefully we may still have this story in print.

All the very best and thank you again,
Sarah
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: jess5athome on Wednesday 19 March 14 12:11 GMT (UK)
I've got one of those "Warm Feelings"  :)
welcome to Rootschat Sarah.
Frank.
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 19 March 14 12:25 GMT (UK)
Hi Sarah and a warm Rootschat welcome from me too.
We need to hear from Nicholas Glyn Baker and learn whether he was reunited with his bear...it's been a long journey of discovery for us all... and that would conclude the story which at the moment still feels incomplete....Here's hoping  ;D
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: WDYTYA Editor on Wednesday 19 March 14 12:28 GMT (UK)
If you hear back from Nicholas Glyn Baker (and preferably get a photograph of him with the bear) that would make a great conclusion and give me an excuse to feature the story a few months after the puzzle was solved. Has anyone got a contact at Bristol airport who has been dealing with this? Perhaps I can get in touch with them?

Sarah
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: sarah on Wednesday 19 March 14 14:29 GMT (UK)
Hi Sarah,

It would be fantastic to see a photograph of the Bear back with his owner :)

Will send you some contact details by PM,

Regards

Sarah :)
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Jane Masri on Wednesday 19 March 14 17:41 GMT (UK)
Hi Sarah & welcome to RootsChat  :)
I'm an avid reader of your magazine so hope an article can be realised.  It really would be the icing on the cake plus the cherry on top  :D

jane
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: WDYTYA Editor on Wednesday 19 March 14 17:45 GMT (UK)
Hi Jane, I've been in touch with Bristol Airport and they haven't returned the teddy bear yet (which means we're not too late for the story) however they also said that Mr Baker had mentioned that he didn't want any media coverage. Anyway, I've asked them to think of us when they do eventually return the bear and she said she would put in a good word for us with Mr Baker (after all, I hardly think we count as 'media' in the sense he might be thinking - no paparazzi here!).

Fingers crossed and thank you for welcoming me onto RootsChat.

Sarah
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Treetotal on Sunday 11 May 14 14:48 BST (UK)
Any news  ???
Carol
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: Rosinish on Thursday 20 November 14 19:40 GMT (UK)
Hi Folks,

Just wondered if there had been a "reunion" yet?  ;D

Re Sarah (WDYTYA Editor), I think a mention of the story highlighting various routes (from start to finish) to come to the conclusion can only be good & name of person who owns Teddy doesn't need to be mentioned.

This would show people that genealogy is like forensics......every scrap of evidence is important no matter how little they think it is as they threads sew the trail  ::)

Annie
Title: Re: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner
Post by: trystan on Thursday 12 November 15 19:04 GMT (UK)
An update to this topic can be found here:

Update: Can Rootschat members help? - Lost Teddy Bear 'Seeks' Owner (http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=735125.0)