The Goodliffe Family of NottinghamJohn Alfred GOODLIFFE - Second child of John Herbert and Elizabeth GOODLIFFE
John Alfred GOODLIFFE aka "Jan RALFINI" (1898-1976)
John Alfred GOODLIFFE was born in Brighton, Sussex on 8 March 1898, to John Herbert GOODLIFFE and his wife Elizabeth (GREATOREX), presumably while Les Trippello were performing there music hall act there. In the 1901 census John (recorded as Alfred) was recorded with his parents at Mansfield Rd, Nottingham. In 1911 John (Alfred) and father John (Herbert) were in Wales performing their musical act at Abedare.
Marriage to Jean CHRISTIEJohn Alfred married Jean Annie Anderson CHRISTIE at the Lambeth London Registry Office on 25 January 1917. Jean had been born on 15 March 1898 in London to George Low CHRISTIE and Eliza Blanche (WHEELER). She was baptised at St Gabriels, Pimlico on 11 May 1898.
John and Jean had four children, the older two being baptised at Wandsworth St Michael:
Despite his talent, John Alfred GOODLIFFE and his wife Jean were not always in demand. In April 1921 they were living with Jean's parents at Clapham, both being listed as "Music Hall Artist" but "out of work" - as were the other music hall artists living with them.
Becoming Jan RALFINI the MusicianThe stage name "Jan RALFINI" first appears in the papers in August 1919. By 1920 he was being billed as the "Bohemian Dancing Violinist", but in 1921 there was only one mention - at Sheffield in July. There were no appearances in 1922 or 1923 but by October 1924 he was back in work, now as "Signor Jan Ralfini - the greatest violinist who has ever visited Lancaster". By January 1926 he now had an orchestra and plenty of work. John Alfred, now better known as Jan RALFINI, became a popular big band leader. He also acted as a 'band agent', who operated several other bands under both his own and other names as well. Ralfini also formed his own talent agency whose principal act was Tommy Trinder, - a comedian and TV personality. In all, Ralfini's music career spanned 40 years. During the 1930s, Ralfini's band recorded extensively and also enjoyed wide fame due to their regular radio broadcasts (although he was found bankrupt in late 1935). Jan Ralfini’s was one of the resident bands on the late 1950s BBC television series, 'Come Dancing'. He disbanded about 1966 and became a Bingo Hall manager, working at that until ill-health forced retirement.
A new family for Jan RalfiniSome time late in 1927 Jan Ralfini left his wife Jean and their four chldren. Jean moved the children to Southend-on-Sea where they were living at the time of the 1939 Register. Jean remained at Southend on Sea, dying at 666 Prince Ave, Southcliff on 25 July 1967.
Jan Ralfini's life with Gladys HUBYSometime before the birth of his fourth child with his wife Jean, John formed a new relationship with Gladys Lilian HUBY. They did not marry, but had five children, the last two being twins.
One of the twins, Roberta, died a few weeks after birth in early 1937. But by late 1936, Jan Ralfini had already left Gladys for a new love. Meanwhile, the 1939 Register tells us Gladys was living at 238 Elmhurst St, Wandsworth with one of the children and she was working as a waitress. The other children are not obvious in the 1939 Register.
As the 1939 Register indicates, Gladys HUBY married Thomas Vincent CHRISTAL in 1948 in Wandsworth, London. Thomas had been born in County Sligo, Ireland on 23 January 1910 (NOT 27 Jan 1911 as stated in the 1939 Register). His parents were Frederick CHRISTAL, a farmer and Kate (KERINS). In 1959 Gladys and Thomas, together with John GOODLIFFE (Gladys' son) emigrated to New York. They departed Southhampton on 27 June 1959 onboard the "Maasdam". Their home address at the time was 54 St Gabriels Rd, Willesden. Thomas was a storeman and John an electrician. Gladys and Thomas initially remained in New York but later moved to Broward, Florida. They divorced in Florida on 6 January 1986. Thomas CHRISTAL died in Broward, Florida on 1 April 1989. Gladys died at Pompano Beach Florida on 30 March 1995, aged 91.
Jan Ralfini's life with Harriet MILLAR (aka Terry Millar GOODLIFFESoon after the birth of Janet in 1936, Jan Ralfini left Gladys for Harriet Collie MILLAR, with whom he had one son - Ian Terry GOODLIFFE (later known as Ian RALFINI). In the 1939 register Jan Ralfini was boarding at Oldham with Harriet and their son Ian.
As the 1939 Register shows, Jan Ralfini was now living with Harriet MILLAR. This would be Jan's third and last relationship. Jan and Terry were together at Du Cane Court, Balham High Rd in the 1945-1953 electoral Rolls. Later they moved to 3 Queensbury Mansions, Parsonage Rd, Bournemouth. In 1962 "Mrs Terry M Goodliffe" established a new company - the Savoy (Midsomer Norton) Ltd - "to carry on business as dance hall proprietors". Jan Ralfini is listed in the 1963-1968 telephone directory at this address. Terry Millar GOODLIFFE died at 3 Queensbury Mansions on 10 Feb 1966. Probate was granted to Ian Terry MILLAR, music publisher, her son.
Death of Jan RalfiniJohn Alfred GOODLIFFE - Jan Ralfini - died on 29 April 1976 at Braunton, Devon. His wife Jean had died at Westcliff, Southend on Sea on 25 July 1967. In his Will John acknowledges Ian Terry Millar GOODLIFFE as his son but also a daughter - Anita Ruby GOODLIFFE. He left his violin to Ian and his car to Rachel and money to some of his children, including a daughter Anita Huby GOODLIFFE, but only two of his 16 (or more) grandchildren received money directly.
The Children of John Alfred GOODLIFFE - With Jean Anne CHRISTIEBetty Jean GOODLIFFE (1921-2006)Betty Jean was born 24 March 1920 at Wandsworth, London. She was recorded living at Southend on Sea with her mother in the 1939 Register. Although the 1939 Register is annotated with a marriage to FROST, this event is not in the BMD index, suggesting it is in error. There is a Betty Jean in the electoral rolls for 2004-2007 in Barnstaple, Devon, where Betty died in 2007. The death index gives her year of birth as 1920, suggesting this is the correct person. Ronald Ralph John GOODLIFFE (1920-2007)Ronald GOODLIFFE was born 5 August 1921 in Wandsworth, London. He was recorded living at Southend on Sea with his mother in the 1939 Register.
Ronald married Margaret Blanche YOUNG at Southend on Sea in 1942. They had three children - June (1944-1977), Ronald and Sally.
Margaret died in 1948, aged 26. Ronald then married Doreen GARDINER in 1950 in Southend on Sea and they also had three children. Ronald died on 17 December 2006 at Southend on Sea. His wife Doreen died in Barnsley in 2017. Rachel Elise GOODLIFFE (1924-2007)Rachel GOODLIFFE was born in early 1924 at Stoke on Trent, presumably while her father, Jan Ralfini, was performing there. She remained with her mother when the family moved to Southend on Sea. Rachel married Richard NORTHEY in late 1946 at Worthing, Sussex. Richard NORTHEY was, at that time, the leader of Jan Ralfini's Mayfair Orchestra. The Orchestra was playing at The County Restaurant in Worthing in October 1946. Richard was a tenor and lead violinist. Richard later moved to be leader of other orchestras, including the Eddie Mills Embassy Orchestra in 1947. But by 1953 Richard had fewer engagements; he was advertising for work in June 1953. Richard and Rachel do not appear to have had any children. By late 1953 Rachel and Richard had separated. Rachel gave birth to a daughter in 1954, the event being registered as Judith FRANK/NORTHEY. Rachel later married Charles FRANK in 1968 at Torbay, presumably after she had divorced Richard. Rachel and Charles later moved to Barnstaple, Devon. Charles died in Barnstaple in 1993 and Rachel in 2007. Jan David GOODLIFFE (1927-2015)Jan GOODLIFFE was born 12 August 1927 in Lambeth, London. He married Violet May OULDS in Southend on Sea in 1955. They had four daughters. Jan and Violet appear to have been divorced as Jan later married a Susan GOODLIFFE in 1973 and Violet married John GLEN in 1977. But by the early 1980s Jan was living alone at Plymouth. He died there on 28 August 2015, aged 88 years. The Children of John Alfred GOODLIFFE - With Gladys Lilian HUBYPauline GOODLIFFE (1928-before 2023)Pauline GOODLIFFE was born in 1928 in Blackpool to Jan Ralfini and Gladys HUBY, a dancer. Pauline married Werner HAEMMERLI in Wandsworth in 1952. They had two children - Werner and Roberta. Werner then drops out of sight. Pauline is found in the electoral rolls for Clapham in 1953-1956 but after that vanishes. She died before 2023 (according to the obituary for her sister Anita). Anita Joy GOODLIFFE (1930-2023)Anita Joy GOODLIFFE was born on 25 August 1930 to Jan Ralfini and Gladys Lilian HUBY, the birth registered as both HUBY and GOODLIFFE. In 1939 Gladys and Anita were living at 238 Elmhurst St, Wandsworth. London, where Gladys was working as a waitress. Gladys later married Thomas Vincent CHRISTAL in 1948.
The 1952 to 1956 Electoral Registers tell us more about Anita. In 1952 Anita was recorded living with her mother Gladys and husband Thomas CHRISTAL, together with Herbert HUBY and his wife Viola (Violet), being Gladys's brother. Also with them were Pauline GOODLIFFE and John GOODLIFFE, sister and brother to Anita (the "Y" before John's name in the register indicates he had not yet met the residency requirement to vote, so was a recent arrival at this address).
Anita emigrates to New YorkOn 30 December 1955 Anita Joy GOODLIFFE departed Liverpool for a new life in New York. She arrived at Ellis Island on 7 January 1956 onboard the "Ivernia". Her intended address in New York was 22 Thatcher Ave, Buffalo, New York.
Anita settled into life in New York. Shortly after her arrival she was interviewed by the local paper:
Three months after arriving in New York, on 7 April 1956 Anita married James Lawrence DUNNIGAN. Both gave their address as 22 Thatcher Ave at the time. But the marriage did not last and a divorce was granted on 23 January 1963. Anita then married John George (Jerry) VONHOLD on 29 May 1965 at Trinity Church, New York. Anita was aged 34 and John was 40. The marriage record explains her circumstances and confirms she was the daughter of John Alfred GOODLIFFE. John VONHOLD had degrees in Science and Engineering and later became a professor of Mathematics.
According to later obituary notices, John and Anita VONHOLD had two children: Jill and Ian. John died at Deerfield Beach, Florida on 13 February 2011.
Anita Joy VONHOLD (née GOODLIFFE) died on 28 July 2023 in Oxford, PA. An online obituary tells more about her life.
John GOODLIFFE (1932-)John GOODLIFFE was born 17 January 1932 to Gladys HUBY and Jan Ralfini. We know little about his life. He was living with his mother according to the 1953 electoral roll. In 1959 John accompanied his mother to New York. He gave his occupation as "electrician".
After arrival in New York John vanishes. The obituary for his sister Anita tells us he had died before 2023. Janet GOODLIFFE (1936-)Janet GOODLIFFE was born in 1936 with her twin sister Roberta. She married Paul R. DAVIDS in Wandsworth London in 1955. The Children of John Alfred GOODLIFFE - With Harriet Collie MILLARIan Terry GOODLIFFE (1937-)Ian Terry MILLAR was born 7 July 1937 at 77a Highgate Hill, London. His birth was registered as both Ian Terry MILLAR and Ian Terry GOODLIFFE. The birth record confirms John GOODLIFFE - Jan Ralfini - was his father and Harriet Collie MILLAR his mother.
Ian GOODLIFFE, known in the musical world as Ian RALFINI, worked for EMI as a music publisher and promoter, involved with many noted music successes. There is a short interview with Ian on Youtube, here. Return to John Herbert GOODLIFFE page Return to Arnold Goodliffe home page Last updated: 7 November 2023 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
