AN appeal was this week issued by a Tavistock charity shop, after an unusual donation came through its doors. Volunteers at the Oxfam Books and Music store in North Street were surprised when they came across an old bible dating from the 19th century, its covers falling off, with an extensive list of family names handwritten inside. The births and deaths of 15 or more members of a branch of the Chinn family, dating from the 1880s to 1964, along with the details of a Maurice Tonkin, who died in 1899, were listed inside the bible. Hillery Watkins, a volunteer at the shop, said: ?We often have quite rare and valuable books donated, but this is the first time we have had a family bible. ?Because of its condition the book is unsellable, but the information inside would be precious to a family history researcher ? it could save hours of checking through the internet or BMD index.? Hillery said staff have posted a message on the surname boards at ancestry.co.uk but they were hoping as it was likely a local family was involved, they would be able to hand the bible to an appropriate recipient. The bible will be kept in the shop for the next few weeks and if there is no response locally, it will be offered to the Devon Family History Society. Anyone who is interested in the old bible should call into the Oxfam shop in North Street or telephone the shop on 01822 616273.
