When I was a kid we always had a big family Christmas day meal at Granny's.
One year the older kids somehow got tasked with cleaning the table.
When Granny finally got around to putting all the silver flatware back in their case a day or two later, a few pieces were missing.
When she got out to the garbage cans they were empty.
Easter was the next big meal at Granny's and she counted all the silverware after it was washed.
Everything went well for several years with Granny removing an occasional knife or spoon from the garbage.
Then one year we had a family reunion at Granny's; aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. from all over.
After the meal Granny was in the kitchen counting her silverware when a second or maybe a third cousin wandered in, saw what she was doing, and yelled, "Well if that's what you think of us we'll be leaving now".
Granny's been gone 25 years now but we still retell that story at least once a year.
Hope you find your china. You got any cousins?