What would you do now?

[LibbyW]

                                                                                     
My Grandpa was a MURRAY and how I am beginning to dislike this name because most boy Murray's are either Thomas or James.

Anyway Grandpa was Thomas born 1899 Liverpool, I have him on the 1901 census with his father
James aged 46 born Birkenhead, Cheshire and rest of family Lucy (wife) and other children Elizabeth, Lucy, Agnes, William, James, Mary and my grandpa.

I know James (1855) married Lucy Westhead in 1883 I have the marriage certificate which gives me James's father (yep your right ) named Thomas.

Next step 1881 census I search for James I find 2, one as an inmate at Burton on Trent Union Workhouse with no occupation and the other as a son to a widow Bridget aged 65 from Ireland with a sister Ann aged 28 born Wolverhampton. I believe neither can be right because gut feeling for the first and although the occupation for the second is good it would have stated on James's marriage cert that his father was deceased!? (I searched alot more than these and these where the best).

Next step 1861 census: Again I searched for James aged 6 born Cheshire and got:-
RG09/2644/103/65
Thomas Murray  Head M 38 Labourer  Meath Ireland
Mary                  Wife       40                 Meath Ireland
John                   Son        13                B'head Cheshire
James                 Son         8                 B'head Cheshire
William                Son         5                 B'head Cheshire

This looks good except the age, but especially the names they run through the family for ages, ! So I searched Cheshire BMD and came up with a cert for 1855 which I am hesitating to order. Why? well there are so many ifs, buts and maybes.

Where is he or are they on 1881?
Do I get someone to check 1871 when James may have already left home?
If I get someone to check 1851 James isn't even born?

You all know how it is, I'm sure you have all been there so would some kind soul give me a shove and make a suggestion as to what do I do next??

Sorry its so long winded

Regards

LibbyW 

[Colin D Gronow]

There is a James Murray born abt 1853 living at 224, St. Ann Street Birkenhead, father Thomas Murray mother Mabel Murray, brother William Murray.

RG10/3748, Folio: 134  Page: 26

Parents both from Ireland, both sons Birkenhead.
Occupation of Father: Labourer.
Occupation of James: Assistant in Shop

Hope this helps

[Colin D Gronow]

Sorry that information is from the 1871 Census of Birkenhead 

[Arranroots]

Hi LibbyW

Regarding the marriage between James and Lucy: have you checked the addresses they give against the 1881 census?  Who were the witnesses and can they give you any clues to James's family?  You don't say what James's/ Thomas's occupation is - might help to locate them when we are searching.

kind regards, Arranroots 

[sjsbc]

Hi,

On the 1891 census, the family are living in Liverpool at 39 Clauda Street, Walton on the Hill, West Derby.

RG 12 / 2978 / 70 / 23

James Murray, head, m, 36, labourer, Cheshire, Birkenhead.
Lucy, wife, m, 27, Lancashire, Liverpool.
Elizabeth, daur, 7, scholar, Lancashire, Liverpool.
Lucy, daur, 3, Lancashire, Liverpool.
Florence, daur, 1, Lancashire, Liverpool.
Elizabeth Westhead, sister-in-law, s, 14, Lancashire, Liverpool.

Sue

[Arranroots]

Same address in 1901

I have been trying to work out who the nephew Thomas ESKRIGGE belongs to in 1901?  Do you already know?  Wondered if there might be a clue there!

A 

Modified: have just found his birth & the marriage of his parents (?) Thomas Slater & Mary Agnes WESTHEAD - so no luck there!  Note: not sure about the marriage - the other two names on the same page have the same surname?! 

Birth

Thomas James S ESKRIGGE

West Derby Vol 8b  Page 418

Dec 1875


Marriage

West Derby Vol 8b  Page 538

Dec 1874

ESKRIGGE  Thomas Slater 
MCKENDRICK  Angus 
MCKENDRICK Christina
WESTHEAD Mary Agnes

I hope this helps

[sjsbc]

Hi,

I found Elizabeth Westhead on the 1881 and James is lodging with them!!

RG 11 /3677  / 48 / 41

Living at 144 Walton Rd, Kirkdale, Liverpool.

Peter Westhead, Head, widr, 52, van driver, Lpool.
Lucy, daur, un, 17, Lpool.
Agnes, daur, un, 14, scholar, Lpool.
Alice, daur, un, 12, scholar, Lpool.
Elizabeth, daur, un, 4, Lpool.
James Murray, boarder, un, 27, van driver, Lpool.

Sue

[sjsbc]

At the same address, same reference (RG 11 /3677  / 48 / 41) but a separate family

James Westhead, head, mar, 25, warehouseman, Lpool.
Mary A, wife, mar, 21, Lpool.
Peter Jas, son, 1, Lpool.

Sue

[Arranroots]

OOH well done Sue!!

These in-laws do come in handy!

Now where are his parents??