John Joseph Prendergast

[Jamjar]

The only birth I can see for a John Joseph between 1880 and 1890 is March quarter 1884 W. Derby.

[prendeseek]

Hi Jamjar

Yes, that's our best guess at the moment. But his mother's maiden name on that certificate isn't the one he gave at any other time, so I'm trying to find out if we've missed a birth in Ireland maybe?

[Jamjar]

What's his mother's maiden name and his parents christian names?

Jamjar

[prendeseek]

Hi Jamjar - I'll ask my brother (he has the certificates). I think on the West Derby the mother's maiden name is Mary Rafferty, but apparently my granda told his family his mother's name was Mary Shaw.

I can't remember the name of the father on the W Derby birth certificate - but I think the records of siblings for that family don't mention a George, who was his older brother.

[Jamjar]

A Mary Rafferty married a Michael Prendergast December 1879 Liverpool

Jamjar

[prendeseek]

Yes - Michael and Mary Rafferty - I think that's the names on the W Derby birth certificate.

It's the most likely match so far. But the name Shaw was very important to him - he used it throughout his life, we think gave it to his firstborn son, who died aged 1 year, and claimed it was his mother's maiden name.

Now as I say, he changed a lot of things. But 'Mary Shaw' was a name he claimed consistently as his mothers. I think (must check with my brother) he also claimed his father's name was John. Michael and Mary Rafferty also didn't, I think, have a son named George. (My brother did this bit so I think that's right).

So the W Derby looks likely, but I want to make sure I haven't missed a better match.

[Jamjar]

Although an arduous task you need to put up everything you have already found, as we will most likely be searching for that which you already have.

Mary Raffertys father was John, so another possible link.

Jamjar

[LizzieL]

Baptism for John Joseph Prendergast St Joseph's Liverpool (Catholic) on 11 Feb 1884, birth 16 Jan 1884, parents confirmed as Michael Prendergast and Mary Rafferty. Godmother Margaret Carlisle no godfather. In Latin, but I think that is what Matrina and Patrinus mean

[prendeseek]

Thank you so much everyone!

Yes, I'll get everything I know from my brother. I know he went down a LOT of dead ends due to all the false info, so I need to weed out the red herrings.

The info on the baptism is new, LizzieL so thank you for that!

I'll update once I've spoken to my brother.