Century-old journal returned to Cambridge church by mystery woman

The discovery of a century-old journal has sparked a search for answers in Cambridge, Ont. CTV’s Karis Mapp has the story.

Volunteers at Central Church in Cambridge, Ont. are trying to solve a mystery.

On Oct. 7, a woman called, claiming she had a book that belonged to the church.

“We get things dropped off all the time,” said Ingrid Talpak, a volunteer.

“She showed up at the church and she handed over this amazing journal.”

Since then, Talpak has been trying to trace the book’s history through time.

So far, she has discovered that it belonged to the church’s first minister, Rev. James Dickson.

“He was the minister from 1879 until 1914,” Talpak explained.

Many residents of Cambridge may recognize the last name because William Dickson founded Galt back in 1816. Talpak is searching for any relation between the two men.

“I have been going through the genealogical records, and I just have not had the time to look through it because I don’t even know if he’s from the same area of Scotland,” she said.

For now, she continues turning through the pages that outline James Dickson’s journey to Canada from Scotland.

An excerpt from the first page of the diary reads, “I came over to Canada via Quebec in 1857.” His travels took him through Edinburgh, stopping in Liverpool for a bit.

The following pages include family photographs, news clippings and even correspondence with a publisher in New York City.

The journal contains the sights and smells of a different time.

“There’s a very strong smell of pipe smoke. So, I’m good for five, ten minutes and then I have to step away from it,” said Talpak.

But the mystery remains as to who the woman who initially dropped off the book is.

All the church knows is that she lives somewhere that’s roughly two hours from Cambridge.

“We believe south of Cambridge and she found it in a Value Village. She left without giving her name,” said Talpak.

“We would really like to reach out to her to thank her properly.”

Anyone interested in seeing the journal in-person can attend an unrelated concert on Friday that the church already had planned. The book will be on display beforehand and during intermission.