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Finlay C. Tench, Esq., FRSA
Who is the Curator?
Who is the Curator?
My name is Finlay Tench, and I am a 19-year old independent historian and researcher.
When I am asked "what started your interest in history?" I often find myself leaning towards specific events. One of the significant ones would be the Sinking of the RMS Titanic, which arguably was the key to my interest in History, and the same event which ultimately caused me to branch out in my interests. I now study many eras, many nations, and have a private collection which I have decided to finally make publicly accessible.
My collection began with a few small trinkets, items of curiosity that were interesting and had a tale to tell; however over the past few years, this collection has exploded. What was once a few small items has turned into a wealth of artifacts spanning nearly two centuries, from the early Victorian era to ongoing events. Because of this vast timespan, and the necessity to share my interest with the world, I found it only logical to release my collection for public viewing, and I shall endeavour to provide as much detail on every item as I can, as I receive them.
I was educated at Laurus Ryecroft, where I was lucky to be a part of its founding cohort before the permanent site was even completed. In spite of this hurdle, my dedication to history and my curiosity were not dampened, but instead grew from a small spark to a roaring inferno. This curiosity and love for history only grew during my time at college, and eventually led to my election as a Fellow of the RSA. Having been educated in both History and Latin at High School, I naturally gravitated towards Classics as well as History and Ancient History at college, the same foundations that now inform the standards I expect this archive to uphold.
Currently, my work is divided between the physical stewardship of my archive, a process which requires delicate care and deep research, and the creation of articles that can be used by others to further their own knowledge and interest in history. Whether I am dealing with a piece of Victorian ephemera, or modern militaria, I hope to provide a detailed explanation for each article in my care.
Alongside this written research, I maintain a practical interest in obsolete media and personal objects. This includes the occasional transcription of wax cylinder recordings, which are some of the most beautiful things I have ever had the pleasure of listening to, and the research of the people who owned them. For me, these small things help show the true scale of a much larger historical puzzle, and often help lead us to answers we do not yet know, so that generations who come after may use our knowledge to learn more from the past.
Since I am a young researcher, I am still working to expand this archive. In spite of this, my commitment remains the same as it always has: the preservation of history is our greatest duty.
A Look Ahead
A Look Ahead
Many have asked me what I see myself doing in ten years. I admit, the question can be rather daunting as I spend a great deal of my time looking backwards instead of forward. However, my primary focus remains on the expansion of this digital archive into a comprehensive and publicly available resource for like-minded researchers to discover and investigate. I hope to deepen my study of Scottish history, and hope to eventually collaborate with public museums or educational institutions to share my findings.
Atop this, I am committed to ensuring that the stewardship of history remains a living tradition for my generation, and to hopefully have the honour of passing the baton to future generations to learn and grow from stories we have the luxury of knowing from the brave days of old.
Get in touch
Get in touch
I welcome correspondence from fellow researchers, curators, and members of any societies I am affiliated with. If you have a query regarding a specific article in the archive, or would like to discuss potential historical collaborations, feel free to reach out.
Based in Greater Manchester.
Primary Contact: finlayctench@gmail.com
Institutional Enquiries: I am open to invitations from schools, local history groups and museums. If you would like to discuss my research, artifact availability, or potential visits for educational purposes, please feel to reach out via email.
Research and Collaboration: I welcome enquiries from fellow historians or students regarding the provenance of items within the archive.
Society Matters: Members of the various societies and honorary orders I am affiliated with are encouraged to get in touch for formal or informal collaboration
For formal invitations or society-related correspondence, please use the primary email address listed above.
I attempt to respond to all enquiries within 48 hours.
Header image: 'SS City of Rome', Antonio Jacobsen (1881). Image sourced via Public Domain.
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