Evelyn Kathleen Finch – my great-aunt.
Evelyn was born on 20 May 1911 in Bynes Road, Croydon, Surrey, and was Walter and Annie Finch‘s youngest daughter.
She was christened at St Augustine’s Church in South Croydon on 2 August of that year, along with her brothers Gerald and Geoffrey. Within the family, she was usually known as Viv. Before the Second World War, she lived for a time with her sister Hilda in Northwood Avenue, Coulsdon, Surrey, after the latter’s divorce from her first husband.
Viv’s first husband, Edward Richard Applebee, who she married in 1939, was a travelling salesman for a time but also served in the RAF. Her occupation, at the time of the 1939 Register, was a gowns buyer but the document also shows that she was a first aider with the ARP. The couple had two children, a boy and a girl. Edward died of a coronary thrombosis on 21 December 1967. Electoral roll records show that they were living at St Andrew’s Road in Coulsdon in the years before his death. Probate was granted of £4,663.
In 1971 Viv was married for a second time, to Essex-born bank manager Dudley Curry Farr, and together they lived in Reigate until his death in 1993. Their addresses included Church Street and Durfold Drive. Evelyn died on 6 October 2009.
Sources: BMD, census, 1939 Register and electoral roll records held at Ancestry.com and Findmypast.com, Surrey Records Office, and family memories.
I’m Evelyn’s daughter, Corinne. Actually, my first name is Elizabeth but – for reasons too long to explain here – am always known by my second name, Corinne. Evelyn, or Viv as she was always known, died on 6th October 2009, aged 98. My father, Ted, is second from the right in the above photo, between Geoffrey and Gerald. He died on 21st December 1967 of a coronary thrombosis.
Hi Corinne
Thanks for getting in touch and giving me some additional info. I’m Stephen, eldest son of Brian Finch. I remember him going to Viv’s funeral but as is his way he then forgot whether it was 2009 or 2010. It was many years ago that I last met her although I remember going to her place in Reigate a few times, particularly for great gran Annie Finch’s birthdays. If you have any other info that can help me flesh things out on the tree or memories to flesh things out, it would be great to hear them!
Stephen
Hi Stephen
I’d worked out that you were one of Brian’s sons. You’ve done an amazing amount of research into the family. I think Annie was one of thirteen children and know that at least the youngest two didn’t survive infancy. I’m in touch with two cousins whose grandmother was Evelyn and she was Annie’s niece so the daughter of one of the oldest Finch siblings. Evelyn lived all over the place and moved zillions of times. My father had a heart attack in 1957, I think, when Annie was living with us. Mum nursed dad at home but couldn’t cope looking after Annie as well so Annie went and stayed with Evelyn in Hove. I remember visiting her there after she, too, had had a heart attack. It’s a pity Mum’s no longer with us because she had a tremendous knowledge of the family. One of the relatives with whom she was in regular contact was Sylvia but I can’t remember her mother’s name nor from which of Annie’s siblings she descended. I’ll ask Richard, my brother, if he has any further recollections. We used to call at the bakery in South Croydon on Saturday mornings to collect our bread and I loved going out to the bakehouse to see your grandfather – my favourite Uncle Gerald – and was mesmerised by his huge hands kneading the bread. Your Dad did kindly come to Mum’s funeral and I hadn’t seen him for years so it was a lovely surprise. Will be in touch again when i’ve spoken to Richard. Best wishes. Corinne (some kind of near relative but I’m not sure exactly what!)
Hi Corinne
Thanks for the reply and all the info – it all adds to the bigger story! I found after starting documenting all this stuff that it becomes somewhat addictive, for better or worse. And you can spend hours or weeks on dead ends or build a story and then realise you’ve been following someone who’s not related at all but shares the same name. So for all the fun, there’s a heck of a lot of frustration. I keep hoping I will find lost millions or a link to someone really famous, but so far they’ve proved elusive. There aren’t many rogues on the Finch side either – or not that I’ve discovered. They’re all on my grandmother’s side! I didn’t realise that several of Annie’s siblings died young. I’ve not found them so I’ll have to do a bit more digging there. Dad did mention Evelyn in Hove and her husband, who he thought worked in newspapers. But I’ve not found a Sylvia yet and dad’s not mentioned her and the name didn’t ring a bell when I spoke to him the other night. It’s true what you say about missing the chance to talk about the past to family when they’re gone. I was always fascinated by history but never once thought about talking about it to my grandparents. It was only when we got into the TV series Who Do You Think You Are that I decided to do something about it! Anyway, will be interested to hear if Richard has any other info…
Take care. Stephen