A collection of Family Letters and a Boot and Shoe Order Book were among the memorabilia saved from possible destruction and much-treasured in the intervening 160 years that led to our latest book “Finding the BOOTy”. 

The 22 letters detail the experiences of John Parkinson in his quest for treasure at the time of the Gold Rushes in America and Australia in the mid-19th century.  They were sent in the 1850s to his wife’s family, James and Elizabeth COLE, whom he and MARY ANN had left behind in Bristol.  Starting with a letter to Mary Ann dated 16th December 1850 and posted from California telling her that he had no money to send so she and three of their children were forced to live in the local Asylum for the Poor (Workhouse) at the time of the 1851 Census. 

Mary Ann was Elizabeth and James Cole’s eldest child but the Order Book was the property of the husband of their youngest – CLARA – who had married George Oxley, a London boot and shoe maker.  Its content led to the question of who found the greatest treasure – those who stayed in the UK making boots and shoes for royalty and other wealthy figures or those who travelled vast distances from home in the search for gold in the 1850s/60s.  In fact, the discovery of family members in New Zealand – the scene of the 3rd Great Gold Rush – adds a further twist to this conundrum, ensuring that you will be absorbed until the very end.

Finding the BOOTy (ISBN: 978 - 1 - 897715 - 093) has 148 pages with 54 black and white illustrations and 49 Coloured ones.  It is due for publication in 2024.  The cover price will be £14.95 but those who are able to buy direct from Corridor Press and collect from them in Exmouth will be able to purchase copies for £10.00. (If you are not local to Exmouth, we can supply copies for £12.50 including postage & packing).