Send this page to someone via email

It’s a mystery a Langley man is hoping to solve to reunite a family with memorabilia dating back to the 19th century.

Jean Godmaire came across a mystery chest in his backyard shed and found it contained dozens of memorabilia items, dating back all the way to 1880s.

He found family photos, books, stamps, receipts, handwritten letters, two unique Bibles and even personal items like a hairbrush and hand-knitted baby set.

Global News Global News Global News Global News Global News Story continues below advertisement Global News

Godmaire tried to track down the owners on the Internet, but was not very successful, so he is hoping that showing the items to the public will jog someone’s memory.

Story continues below advertisement

There are a few clues Godmair got from just browsing through the items.

He says some of the photos have Stanley Park and Vancouver in the background, which could help identify the whereabouts of the people pictured.

Godmaire suspects the family featured in the photos may have been quite prominent, judging by the quality of the prints.

Last name “Hewett” is also mentioned on a few items.

WATCH: A Langley man came across a mystery chest in his backyard shed. Do you know who it belongs to?

2:56 What’s inside the Langley mystery chest? What’s inside the Langley mystery chest?

Godmaire says it’s one family’s incredible treasure and he wants to find the rightful descendants.

“It’s somebody’s life 135 years ago,” said Godmaire. “It’s been stored away, moved around and nobody has ever tried to see what it is.”

Story continues below advertisement

Godmaire has been living in his house for seven years now, but made the unusual discovery two-and-a-half years ago. He estimates the chest remained closed since at least 1956, which is the date published on a Vancouver Sun clipping he found inside.

“It’s a time capsule. It’s somebody’s grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles,” he said. “I hope that if they see it, they will want it back. It’s a bit of their history and heritage.”

Godmaire says returning the chest to the rightful owners would give him a peace of mind too.

“It has bothered me for a few years now,” he said.

Do you know who the mystery chest belongs to? Contacts Jean Godmaire by email at: itryit@shaw.ca