>I just copied this from the Mindspring/Earthlink site. I tried to send it
>as a link but with
>no luck. (It's an ABC news story). I thought it was interesting. Wouldn't
>it be nice to receive a
>letter from an ancestor or an ancestor's friend?
Sorry about the text.
>Darwin
>Better Late Than Never Postcard Arrives 112 Years Late
>By Lucrezia Cuen
>L O N D O N, Feb. 22 - His name was Colin. He was apparently working in
>merchant banking, on leave in Australia and awaiting word on his next
>destination.
>
> The year was 1889 and postcards were a new means of communication in the
>British colony of Queensland. Using this new medium, Colin sent New Year's
>greetings to a Miss Wardrop in Aberdeen, Scotland. The threepence stamp on
>the postcard was postmarked Jan. 4, 1889. Last week, 112 years late, the
>postcard arrived at the Aberdeen post office, via London and the Royal Mail
>is now trying to find relatives of the intended recipient. "The card has
>come 12 thousand miles and we want to go the extra mile and deliver it to
>the right people," says Colin McGregor, spokesman for the Royal Mail.
>Changing Times The card was addressed to:" Miss Wardrop, 32 Carden Place,
>Aberdeen," but the address is now a dental surgery and three other
>businesses. The message on the card reads: "Just a few lines to say that I
>am still in Brisbane and have enjoyed my six weeks leave. I reported myself
>today at the bank, but have not yet heard my destination. Thanks awfully
>for
>letters from you and Gerty. Trusting you are all well and wishing you all a
>happy new year. Will write in a day or two. This is the first time
>postcards
>have been issued in Queensland. Colin." The card looks much like a modern
>day card, it's 3 inches by 4 ¾ inches, but it carries an elaborate crest
>and
>herald showing two lions rampant on the top left hand corner and postage of
>only three pence. 'If This Card Could Talk' The British postal service
>says it has no clue where the postcard has been or where it's traveled in
>the past century. "In those days it would have normally taken six weeks or
>so for a letter to be delivered," says McGregor. "It would be superb if
>this
>card could talk. It would have great story to tell." Because the
>recipient's name, Wardrop, is fairly uncommon, the Royal Mail believes it
>may have luck finding a relative. It has put out an appeal for anyone who
>thinks they could be related to come forward to claim the postcard. An
>early response came from a man in San Diego who claims his grandmother was
>a
>Wardrop who lived in Scotland. The Royal Mail says it checking it out.
>Local stamp and card dealers say that despite its age the card is not worth
>a lot of money - $10 at most - but the sentimental value to the family
>would
>make it priceless. Anyone wishing to claim ownership of the postcard
>should
>contact the Royal Mail in Aberdeen, Scotland at 44-(0)1224 870 207.
>
>
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