A vintage family Bible- leaving a legacy

The delicate paper began to crumble as I reached into a bag of unknown contents. Black flecks filled the space, confusing me about what I was holding. Pieces of my Grandma’s life were passed on to me, the new custodian.

A fragile, 110-year-old Bible emerged from the disorganized stacks. It’s covers decaying as the first hands in quite some time brought it into the light.

I didn’t recognize it, this beautiful treasure. Turning it over with caution to avoid further disintegration.

Inside, a name was carefully scripted and the date of 1912. This belonged to my grandma’s own mother! I had found my great- grandmother’s Bible.

A family Bible connects generations

This surprising treasure, a family Bible, was a special treat indeed. Gertrude received this when she was about 14… a servant.

110 years ago, this young woman could never have imagined how her legacy would carry on. Born into a Victorian workhouse in England, she was part of 100,000 children sent from orphanages to Canada.

A trade to provide labor to people who needed it in Canada. A horrible solution to the huge population of orphaned children (or unwanted) in England.

She, (along with my paternal great grandfather) were both sent to servitude until they reached adulthood. “Home Children” the government called them.

Why is a family Bible so special?

Gertrude didn’t live to see her daughter finish growing up, get married, have children or become a grandmother.

Her life was cut short one night. However, her story has been shared with me for my entire life.

It was important to Grandma that I understand my roots.

This Bible answered the question of whether my great grandmother knew the Lord. Somewhere, I can find comfort in knowing that she too turned these pages.

Preserving a legacy through the family Bible

This book is especially valuable to me because my Grandma is so inspirational in my own faith journey. These delicate pages hold an enduring story. Someday, it will pass down to one of my own children. Maybe even my grandchildren.

If you’d like to read more about this amazing woman, check out this post, Grandma’s recipe for love

Many of us have a Bible on our shelves. Just think, someday when we are long gone… hands of our people will pick it up with wonder.

Let’s leave a story, a legacy of faith.