A treasure trove of old photographs and documents dating back to the mid-1800s has been discovered in an attic of a house in Altrincham – and now the new owners are appealing for any descendants to come forward.
Dr Nicky Lewis, a local GP, and his partner had just bought the property on Beeston Avenue in Timperley when they made the find.
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The property had been sold through probate after the previous owner died, but it had been thought that all remaining belongings in the house had been cleared by a removals company.
But Dr Lewis said he was “amazed” to find over 100 old photographs, a marriage certificate, war certificate of service, death commemorative certificate and other documents in very good condition inside a leather bag.
He told us: “We needed to sort out a leak in the chimney so we ventured up to the attic to see how bad the damp was.
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“We found this little leather case hidden in the rafters alongside an old Singer typewriter and a few other things.
“It sounds like a cliche but we really did have to wipe off a layer of dust.”
Among the items is a First World War certificate of service for Private John Harold Bower, who was in the Cheshire Regiment between 1916 and 1918.
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There’s also an invitation to a wedding of John Bower’s daughter, Sarah, in 1915, and a memorial card for Ellen Downs of Styal, who died in 1876 and is interred in Wilmslow Parish Church.
Also in the bag is a marriage certificate marking the union of John Walton, a butcher, and domestic servant Sarah Downs, in 1868.
Dr Lewis says he has contacted his solicitor to contact the sellers’ solicitor in an attempt to track down any surviving relatives.
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He said he would love the find to go to a close relative of somebody in the pictures, or a place where it can be enjoyed by others, such as a local historical society.
Anyone looking to see the full collection of photographs and other items can view them here.