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Category: Finch Family

  • Finch Electric Ad in the Brantford Expositor

    Finch Electric Ad in the Brantford Expositor

    My paternal grandfather E. Clifford Finch was a plumber and electrician. I previously shared a photo of his truck. Well, here is an advertisement for Finch Electric that appeared in the Brantford Expositor on March 4, 1960. The same ad actually ran for several days.

    The ad is for McDougall pumps. There was an R. McDougall Co. Ltd. out of nearby Galt, which I believe is the company that manufactured these pumps among other equipment. Finch Electric was one of the companies in Brant County to sell and service their pumps.

  • Photo Post #34 | Doris (Mills) Finch

    Photo Post #34 | Doris (Mills) Finch

    It’s hard to believe, but it’s been one year since Mom left this world for a better one. So, it’s only fitting that I share some photos of her.

    Mom was one of my biggest genealogy fans. She always enjoyed learning new information I discovered. She was also one my my best sources, helping me connect the dots and answer questions about ancestors long gone. I sure do miss her.

  • Photo Post #29 | Dancing Grandparents

    Photo Post #29 | Dancing Grandparents

    Here are a couple photos of my paternal grandparents Clifford and Hazel (Vansickle) Finch dancing at their 45th wedding anniversary reception in 1982. I love the smiles on their faces. They were clearly having a great time.

    I can only vaguely recollect this event as I was only (almost) 5 years old at the time. I remember everybody getting up and doing the “chicken dance.”

  • Photo Post #26 | E.C. Finch Truck and sister Cassie’s dogs

    Photo Post #26 | E.C. Finch Truck and sister Cassie’s dogs

    I love this picture of my grandfather Clifford Finch’s Volkswagon business truck (he was a plumber and electrician) and a couple of dogs (named Pepi and Reni) that belonged to his sister Cassie.

  • Christmas Memories by Hazel Finch

    Below is a piece that originally appeared in the Brantford Expositor on December 1, 1992. It was written by my Grandma Hazel (Vansickle) Finch. She shares her Christmas memories as a child, a mother, and grandmother. Click the photo to view the original size. Enjoy.

  • Photo Post #24 | Erick and Hazel (Vansickle) Finch

    Photo Post #24 | Erick and Hazel (Vansickle) Finch

    In honour of my Grandma Hazel Aileen (Vansickle) Finch, who died 30 years ago, I am posting a familiar picture of my paternal grandparents. The photo- taken to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary – is easily the photo I most often associate with Grandma and Grandpa Finch.

    As a child, I remember this photo being prominently displayed in the dining room at their house in Harrisburg (in Brant County) along with pictures of each of their children’s families – my aunts and uncles and cousins…and me too, of course. I used to always like looking at everyone in those pictures whenever we would visit.

    Grandma died unexpectedly on December 20, 1993. It made for a rather sad Christmas, and I recall the somewhat sombre sound of the odd Christmas song being played at the funeral home in Brantford during her public viewing. I still have the present I bought for my grandmother for Christmas that year (oven mitts and a pot holder); I’ve kept them all these years.

    RIP.

  • James C. Finch pledges support to Ranald McKinnon

    James C. Finch pledges support to Ranald McKinnon

    Finding your ancestors in the newspaper is exciting. It can give you a glimpse into their lives and adds to their story. I came across this piece originally published in the Hamilton Spectator on December 10, 1857 (Source: The Hamilton Spectator, December 10, 1857, page 7.)

    Here, my third great grandfather James C. Finch is listed amongst other men of Haldimand County as supporters of Ranald McKinnon, requesting him to run in the upcoming provincial election. The Haldimand riding was ultimately won by William Lyon Mackenzie of rebel fame.

    Ranald McKinnon is considered the “founder” of Caledonia and his name is still prominent in the area. By seeing James C. Finch’s name on the list supporting McKinnon, who was a conservative, I can now make the reasonable assumption that my third great grandfather had conservative political leanings, as well.

  • Photo Post #18 | David Finch and Family

    Photo Post #18 | David Finch and Family

    The above photo was shared on the Ancestry tree of a distant cousin named Marian Ormont. Recently, I’ve been in touch with a gentleman working on her family tree using DNA to try and figure out who the father of James Finch was.

    This photo is of David Finch and his family. David, second from the left in the second row, was my great-great grandfather Elijah Wright Finch’s brother.

    David Finch was born 1833 in Upper Canada. He married Deborah Clark in 1854. They had twelve children. The family resided in Glanford Township in Wentworth County, Seneca Township in Haldimand County, Leamington in Essex County, and later Brantford. Like many of the Finches, he was a labourer and a farmer.

    David died in 1904 and is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Brantford.

    Thanks Marian for sharing this wonderful photo.

  • Photo Post #17 | Grave Marker of Doris Elaine (Mills) Finch

    Photo Post #17 | Grave Marker of Doris Elaine (Mills) Finch

    Grave marker of Doris Elaine (Mills) Finch, White Chapel Memorial Gardens (Hamilton). Photo by Amanda Finch.

    It took a little longer than expected, but the good folks at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Hamilton finally located and installed my Mom’s grave marker. OK technically it’s my Dad’s too, but he wants to wait a bit before rejoining Mom.

    My parents purchased their marker and burial plot years ago. A good idea. I think they chose well. The round piece in the top centre pulls up and becomes a vase for flowers.

    Doris Elaine (Mills) Finch was born August 26, 1949 in Oyster Pond Jeddore, Nova Scotia. She died July 20, 2023 in Oakville, Ontario.

  • Photo Post #14 | Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mom

    Photo Post #14 | Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mom

    Today is my Mom’s birthday. She would have turned 74. I love this photo of her and Nan about to share what looks to be a delicious birthday cake. Growing up, birthdays were a big deal. Mom would always make a cake for us – often from scratch. And, we got to choose which flavour we wanted! Happy Birthday, Mom. Hope you and Nan are enjoying your day.

    My Mom Doris Elaine (Mills) Finch was born on August 26, 1949 in Oyster Pond, Halifax County, Nova Scotia. Her mother/my Nan Rose Margaret (Power) Mills was born on August 12, 1919 in East Jeddore, NS.