Family History Documents and Artefacts => Family Bibles => Topic started by: rubymelia on Wednesday 26 December 18 18:36 GMT (UK)
Title: Getting my hands on the family bible!
Post by: rubymelia on Wednesday 26 December 18 18:36 GMT (UK)
Hi I as hoping some people had a bit of advice for me and my predicament....
So I am living in the North West and my family bible is in the hands of my grandmother's cousin down in London. When I asked if she could send me pictures of the bible content she told me that most of the bible had been scribbled out and was not read-able. I really feel that if I were able to see the bible I may be able to pick up on something she may have missed or even send it to a professional to see if they could interpret what has been crossed out! Is it unreasonable for me to ask my grandmother's cousin to send the bible up by post? I feel that we have as much right to see it as she does but don't want to scare her away by asking too much?
Thanks for any advice.
Title: Re: Getting my hands on the family bible!
Post by: Claire64 on Wednesday 26 December 18 18:45 GMT (UK)
Hmm, difficult one! You might not think you are being unreasonable but that may very well be how they see it. And they might think they won't get it back! I'd ask if someone could take a very good photo of it or scan the page in. They may also be saying it's unreadable because they don't actually have it any more, or don't want you to see it for some reason...all manner of reasons really. If they refuse, if you push the matter you risk alienating them. One of my nannans didn't want me delving into the past AT ALL, and did all she could to distract me from my mission (I never did find out why!). I did eventually see the Bible but it wasn't a lot of help. Also, they are usually VERY heavy, and would be expensive to post/courier. Just my two pennorth.
Title: Re: Getting my hands on the family bible!
Post by: iluleah on Wednesday 26 December 18 19:02 GMT (UK)
Maybe a better option would be to ask them to take photos and send the images via phone/email to you........
I second what Claire64 say lots of people don't like others in the family researching for fear of what they may find out... no one would tellme anything, no one let me look at any records they already held in the family and I knew my cousin had ( and now has) lots... 20 yrs of asking and they claim they have nothing.... but I KNOW they do, now they want my 'help' as they are starting to research and csn't make head or tail of some of those records they hold.....
Title: Re: Getting my hands on the family bible!
Post by: rubymelia on Wednesday 26 December 18 19:18 GMT (UK)
Thank you both, yes i feel maybe asking for it to be posted for now would be too much maybe. Just seems incredibly frustrating as I feel like I have as much right to see it in person as she has! We discovered we had black ancestry (the line relating to the family bible) but my nanna's cousin seemed just as interested in it as the rest of us so I'm sure if I was able to find more info she would be excited about it too!
Title: Re: Getting my hands on the family bible!
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 26 December 18 19:26 GMT (UK)
Why not give her your phone number and email address and ask if she could take photos of the damaged photos and let you see them in order to help her read what has been crossed out. Carol
Title: Re: Getting my hands on the family bible!
Post by: sami on Wednesday 26 December 18 20:26 GMT (UK)
.........We discovered we had black ancestry (the line relating to the family bible) but my nanna's cousin seemed just as interested in it as the rest of us so I'm sure if I was able to find more info she would be excited about it too!
I agree with the other suggestions already given.
Plus, if you already have some information that they may be interested in, it wouldn't hurt to say that you are willing to share research, results etc. They might be more receptive to sending you photos of the bible. Just a thought.
sami
Title: Re: Getting my hands on the family bible!
Post by: rubymelia on Wednesday 26 December 18 22:06 GMT (UK)
Thank you all, I think the best thing to do is to ask for photos of the damaged papers as you said.
Title: Re: Getting my hands on the family bible!
Post by: KGarrad on Wednesday 26 December 18 22:29 GMT (UK)
Just remember that you have no "rights" to that information. Ask politely, and if they choose to let you have photos, then treat it as a bonus.
Title: Re: Getting my hands on the family bible!
Post by: Finley 1 on Wednesday 26 December 18 23:32 GMT (UK)
You want it you go get it.
if it was me - full throttle to get it ... have in the past.. and would again.. dont steal just go with a camera and snap away
xin
OK do it politely and with a lot of charm :) ha ha oops