Claude Henfrey
Claude Henfrey was born in Folkestone, Kent in 1888 or 1889
In the 1891 census, Claude aged 2 was living at 9, Harvey Street, Folkestone with his parents Nelson O. Henfrey (aged 35, a signwriter and decorator, born in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire) and Elizabeth Henfrey (aged 26, born in Willenhall, Staffordshire) and his brothers Harry (aged 5) and Arthur (aged 2). Claude’s birthplace is given as Folkestone, Kent.
By the time of the 1901 census the family had moved to 25, Station Street, East Kirkby, Nottinghamshire. Claude, aged 12, is shown as the son of Nelson Orson Henfrey (aged 45, a decorator and painter, born in Melton Mowbrey) and Elizabeth (aged 36) and his brothers Harry (aged 15, a painter), Arthur (aged 13, a painter) and Percy (aged 8). Also living in the house was a cousin Samuel Taylor (aged 18, an apprentice painter and decorator).
In the 1911 census the family were still at the same address, with Claude working from home as a photographer and picture frame maker. (Census page copied).
On October 6, 1913 Claude Henfrey (aged 25, a stationer of Kirkby, England) married Ellen Elizabeth Maxwell (aged 23, of Granshaw, Kircubbin) in KircubbinR.C.Church.
(Note Claude’s father was born in Melton Mowbrey in 1856 to Thomas and Fanny Henry and Claude was second of 4 children).
1911 Irish Census shows Ellen Elizabeth Maxwell aged 20, a farmers daughter, Presbyterian, living at 8, Gransha, Kircubbin, Co. Down. (Census page copied).
UHF database provided copy of wedding record dated October 6, 1913 at KircubbinR.C.Church (Information copied).
Summary record of birth of Nelson Orson Henfrey (1920) obtained (copied).
1947 Street Directory for Holywood states “Henfrey, Claude: wholesale and retail confectioner, Milk Vendor and Ice Cream Specialist 80-82 High Street and 14, Victoria Road, T.N.”
1949 Street Directory is the same but omitting 82, High Street. The following entry is “Henfrey, Robt. H.N., confectioner, 82 and 79, High Street”.
Not found in 1925 and 1962 Street Directories.
Quote from “A Century in Focus” by W.A. Maguire – “for a few years between the wars some remarkably good photographs of Holywood, Carrickfergus and other parts of North Down and South Antrim were published in postcard form by Claude Henfrey. Henfrey was an Englishman who came to the area around the end of the First World War. There is no sign of him in directories, but some of his work survives and is eagerly sought by postcard collectors. He appears to have given up his photographic activities quite abruptly, reappearing later as proprietor of a confectionary business. When he died in the 1950’s he left over £22,000, far more than could ever have been made from his camera.”
Henfrey not mentioned in PPM index.