I inherited a large number of family photos from my paternal grandmother Jessie Stocking (nee Ephgrave). Her mother Phoebe features in many of them along with other family members. Some are of special occasions such as weddings, others are more informal. What can they show us about 1930s-1950s life? A short summary of Phoebe's life … Continue reading Phoebe Caroline Ephgrave: Later life in photos
Photos
Stocking homes: Bowles Road & Herman Road, Camberwell
My Stocking, Wales and Hill family lines converged in these two London streets on and off for more than two decades from the 1880s onwards. The street names seemed interchangeable and their history was apparently steeped in scandal. But what were the houses, the neighbours and the area like? Do family and other photos show … Continue reading Stocking homes: Bowles Road & Herman Road, Camberwell
James Thomas Stocking (1853-1939): A Labourer’s life
My 2xgreat grandfather came from a line of Rope Mat Makers of Bermondsey. He spent most of his working life as a Labourer in south London, sometimes for bricklayers or builders. Many of his sons, grandsons and great grandsons learnt specific building or associated trades, but what would life have been like for Jim? Large … Continue reading James Thomas Stocking (1853-1939): A Labourer’s life
Susan Caroline Stocking (1896-1971): A move to Tingewick and family tragedies [Updated]
Susan was 15th of 19 children. She was left with three youngsters of her own when her ex-serviceman husband Fred Smith died after ten years of marriage. In the early 1940s, she moved with her second husband Harry Catlow to Tingewick, Bucks, where they ran The White Hart. Tragedy struck when both her daughter and … Continue reading Susan Caroline Stocking (1896-1971): A move to Tingewick and family tragedies [Updated]
Stocking family holidays (1930s +)
Much of our family life for at least three generations has been recorded on film, in black and white and occasionally a blast of technicolor. Family holidays feature strongly: at 'Lucknow' (my Stocking grandparents' bungalow at Camber Sands), at nearby Rye or elsewhere on the South coast of England and Europe. These are just a … Continue reading Stocking family holidays (1930s +)
Annie Louise Stocking (1892-1975): A love of colourful clothing
Annie was the 13th child born to my 2xgreat grandparents, and suffered several losses, including the death of her mother, while still young. She married towards the end of WW1 and lived the rest of her life in Lewisham. Newspaper coverage of her two daughters' weddings suggest she had a keen and colourful fashion sense. … Continue reading Annie Louise Stocking (1892-1975): A love of colourful clothing
Catherine Alice (Kate) Stocking (1885-1967): Tingewick and turbulence of War [Updated]
Kate, the eighth child of my great grandparents, grew up with her many siblings in South London. Before marrying Tramways Engineer Charles Hall in 1908, she worked as a Shirt Machinist. They stayed together through two world wars, moving from London to Buckinghamshire to run The Crown Inn at Tingewick. But their family stories illustrate … Continue reading Catherine Alice (Kate) Stocking (1885-1967): Tingewick and turbulence of War [Updated]
John Arthur Stocking (1882-1957): Telephone Engineer
Years ago, in conversation with my Dad about his family, he recalled his 'Uncle John' who used to play the piano whenever Dad visited their Beechfield Road home in Catford. 'Uncle John' was actually his father's uncle; it's strange to think that, when I hold Dad's hand, there's a personal connection back to my great … Continue reading John Arthur Stocking (1882-1957): Telephone Engineer
Emma Mary Ann Stocking (1877-1939): A corset machinist and young widow
The third of my 2xgreat grandparents' 19 children was Emma Mary Ann, born in 1877. Her occupation, over several decades, as a Corset Machinist, is well referenced. She had an illegitimate daughter who died in infancy. After being widowed in her early 30s, she lived with her sister Harriett and family. With no surviving children … Continue reading Emma Mary Ann Stocking (1877-1939): A corset machinist and young widow
Beth and Vera: Centenarian Fage sisters
My Mum's family were fairly long-lived and indeed, both her own mother and one of her aunts reached their centenaries. Both celebrated their golden weddings with their husbands and, indeed, my Nana Brown was married for 70 years. They lived through two world wars and much much more; how were their milestones celebrated? Elizabeth Sarah … Continue reading Beth and Vera: Centenarian Fage sisters
My Stocking Roots 