In a remarkable turn of events, a family heirloom has completed a century-long journey, reuniting with its history and the family that treasured it. The reliquary, a silver container adorned with red jewels, has traveled from England to Canada and finally to California, where it remains a cherished symbol of familial connection.
The story begins with Barbara Gore, who in the late 1970s compiled albums of family photographs and memorabilia, a task made easier by her ancestors’ commitment to preserving their history. On her father’s side, the Padgett family has roots in England, specifically in Winchelsea, recognized as one of the smallest villages in the country. Barbara’s grandfather, the youngest of twelve siblings, built a home in Grand Forks, British Columbia, in 1915, relocating the family there the following year.
By 1979, Barbara’s family had undergone significant changes. While her uncle Peter’s family moved to Chico, California, in the 1940s, her aunt Frances remained in Canada until her passing in December of that year. When Frances’ possessions were distributed, Barbara retained several items, including the stunning reliquary that would later surprise her with its history.
A few years later, an early morning moment of reflection led Barbara to revisit her family albums. As she turned the pages, she stumbled upon a photograph of her great-grandparents’ home, known as “The Mount,” displaying the same reliquary that sat on their mantel one hundred years prior. The discovery left her astounded, as it provided a direct link to her ancestors and their past.
On June 3, 2023, Barbara’s friend attended the Antique Roadshow in Salt Lake City, Utah, taking along the reliquary along with a family cameo. Appraisers valued the reliquary at $300, but the true significance lay in the photograph, which illustrated the item’s journey from England in the 1880s to Canada in 1916, and ultimately to Durham, California, in 1980. This connection to her family’s past has made the reliquary a treasured possession for Barbara over the years.
The story of Barbara Gore and her family’s reliquary serves as a testament to the enduring bonds of family and the importance of preserving history. The journey of this artifact highlights how objects can carry the memories and stories of generations, creating a bridge between the past and present.
