Maria Finch (1829–1868), a life cut short

Maria Finch (1829–1868) and Edward Duffell (1826-1895).My 2nd great-grand aunt and uncle. Maria Finch (or Mary as she was sometimes recorded) was baptised on 18 January 1829 at St Mary’s Church in Reigate, Surrey, the daughter of Henry Finch and Jane Bashford. She grew up in the town with her parents and siblings and was working […]

Mary Ann Budgen (1863-1953) and her family’s brush with poverty

Mary Ann Budgen (1863-1953) and Frederick John Lunnon (18664-1932). My great-grand aunt and uncle. Born in 27 August 1863 in Worth, Sussex, Mary Ann Budgen was baptised on 4 October that year at St Nicholas’ Church. Her parents were Thomas Budgen and Maria Dolamore. At the time of the 1881 census she was living at […]

Gertrude Emma Stolliday (1881-1964) – widowed by war

Gertrude Emma Stolliday (1881-1964) and Jonathan George Skipper (1879-1916). My great-grand aunt and uncle. Gertrude was born in Great Yarmouth on 2 January 1881 to parents Edward Stoliday and Harriet Goulty and baptised on 26 June of that year at St Nicholas’s Church. The census for 1881 showed the family living in the town’s row […]