A CANADIAN man is today trying to find relatives in Blackburn and East Lancashire.

And if he finds any descendants of Obadiah Chew, it will the first time they have had contact for more than 50 years.

John Morrisey, who lives in Toronto, said Obadiah was his mother’s uncle.

His mother’s family left Blackburn for a new life, however, around 1910.

Obadiah was born in Blackburn in 1879 and died in 1914.

He married Annie Brooks and they had one son, Thomas, who was born in 1902.

When Obadiah, who was a plumber by trade, died, the family were living at number 2, Hawkshead Street, Blackburn.

It is believed that his grandfather, also called Obadiah had a business in King Street.

If you can help John trace the Blackburn line of his family, you should email him at jrmorrissey@smart-biggar.ca.