surname FINNIS

[finnisfinder]

 Think I might have filled a gap. I've found the burial of a William Finnis 19th April 1782, Parish Church, Deal. I'm wondering if this is the William born 1725 who married Martha Wells in 1751 Deal. I have the marriage of his daughter Sarah to Boulding Hook in 1784.
Sarah is a minor, her guardian is John Finnis.

Is it likely that her brother John born 1759 could be her guardian? Or did it have to be somebody older?

Any ideas please.

Finnisfinder

[AJ100]

I'm not sure of the legal requirements of a guardian, I always thought it was one appointed by the parent regardless of age but that's only my belief. If it's right, then there's no reson John souldn't have been Guardian to Sarah, a minor in those days at 19 but not by today's laws.

Your William could well be the one. He was buried at St George's 19/4/1782 aged 62 and buried in the family vault. That would make his date of birth around 1720, though ages were decidedly elastic then. There is no burial for a Martha Finnis but there is an entry for 'Mother Finnis' on 24/2/1799 aged 76. That would make her birth date also around 1820 and a  candidate for William's wife Martha.

Regards

AJ

[finnisfinder]

 I have been very fortunate to have received loads of help on here to fill Finnis "gaps."

 However still more to do!

 I have marriage of Mercy Finnis to John Marshall of Barham 24th Dec 1830 at Northbourne.

 Mercy does not seem to be on 1841 Census. John is there, occupation, butcher  Barham.

 So........ Mercy died between 1830/31-1841? This could have been at Barham. Northbourne, or even Deal where she had lived with her family of John Finnis.

Any ideas? I've wondered if she could have been recorded as Mary instead of Mercy, might be a long shot.

Would appreciate help.

Finnisfinder.

[finnisfinder]

 After a lot of searching and a lot of help I have seen copies of baptism/marriage certificates for Mercy Belsey who married John Finnis in 1785 in Northbourne and in January 1831 married John Marshall at Northbourne. John Finnis having died in Deal in 1824.

Mercy was baptised 24th January 1768 St Augustine Northbourne daughter of John Belsey and Ann Woodruffe. This might fill a gap in someone else's records.

But as you know, you never stop searching. I am still searching for the date of Mercy's death. I have found John Marshall on 1841 census in Barham Has just come to me that Mercy might have been recorded elsewhere, that is worth a look!

Finnisfinder

[finnisfinder]

 Are there any records for the late 1700s that indicate where someone may have lived?

 The town is Deal. John Finnis was a butcher born in 1759 I know that he was an apprentice to Martin Child 1774 and John in turn had an apprentice James Iggulden 1788. On the Apprentice records I am not sure if it means date starting or date when apprenticeship will end.

I would love to know where John lived and worked. Are  there possibly any early trade directories?

Finnisfinder

[polarbear]

Hello finnisfinder.

Have you considered contacting the public library in Deal? They may also have other resources that may be of help.

http://www.kent.gov.uk/KCC.Libraries.Web.Sites.Public/LibraryDetails.aspx?aid=0&lid=28&uprn=100062285653

PB

[finnisfinder]

 Thanks polarbear, will do that.

 Have you seen Here's History Kent? There are images of early maps of Deal. It's possible Deal   
 Library might have copies.

 Finnisfinder

[finnisfinder]

 Still trying to tie up some loose ends.

 Susannah Finnis born 1752 Deal, daughter of William Finnis and Martha Wells married Richard   Roberts in 1772.They had a son William Finnis Roberts 1775-1836.

 I have been unable to find date of Susannah's death.

 Can anyone help please?

[finnisfinder]

There have been many replies and viewings since this topic was started in 2006. They have been very helpful.

There is one thing that I still puzzle over and it is, what is the origin of the surname Finnis?

Often an explanation starts " this is an unusual name."

I have wondered about a number of possibilities, Huguenot, Walloon or possibly Norman French.

Does anyone have any ideas about this name?