New Bedford Man Returns Family Tree to Owner Across the Country

On a regular day of thrifting, New Bedford native Juan Ferrer stumbled upon something extraordinary, and followed his heart all the way to San Diego.

A Hidden Treasure in New Bedford

It started on June 10, when Ferrer and his girlfriend were browsing through antiques at the old Furniture City building on Rodney French Boulevard in New Bedford. Among the vintage finds, something unique caught his eye: a hand-drawn family tree dated November 1993.

“To me, it was more than just art. It was history,” Ferrer said. “I asked my girlfriend, ‘Should I buy this and try to return it to the rightful owners?’ Without hesitation, she said, ‘Yes, absolutely!’”

The Search for the Family Begins

They purchased the family tree, not knowing who it belonged to, how far they'd have to go to return it, or even if they'd get a response. But that didn’t matter. The mission wasn’t about money; it was about heart.

Ferrer began his search on Facebook, sending messages to people who shared the last name on the artwork. Days went by without a reply, until one message changed everything.

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A Message From San Diego Changes Everything

A man from San Diego, California, reached out and confirmed: the family tree was indeed his.

"Hi. Yes, this is my family tree," he wrote. "This is an incredibly kind gesture, Juan. Thank you."

The brief but heartfelt exchange was enough to confirm what Ferrer already felt deep down: this piece was always meant to find its way home.

“What a fulfilling feeling,” Ferrer said. “God is amazing, man. From the moment I saw it, I knew I had to do something about it.”

Sometimes all it takes is a hidden gem, a rare find, or a random piece of art to reconnect and heal humanity and it's safe to say that Ferrer and his girlfriend did just that.