How much evidence is enough?

[mahees]

Hi all,
    This is basically about a marriage certificate I got; it gave a father's name for my Great Great Grandfather, which I followed up in the census and found a likely candidate, who had a son matching my G G Grandad's name and age.
The thing is, I'm just not sure this is enough evidence to say for certain this is the right family. The father's name is fairly unusual (Jeremiah), but without a mother's name to cross reference I find it really difficult. I can't use place of birth as a reference either, because my G G Grandad's place of birth is completely different on each census.
How certain would you have to be to add the names to your tree? Am I right to be concerned by this?
Thanks
Erin 

[JAP]

Erin,

Of course you are right to be concerned 

The question is, what is the purpose of your tree!
And what notes/qualifications do you add to it!

If you are using a good computerised genealogical program it will allow you to note your reservations.  That's probably the best you can do at this stage.

Whether you actually insert this chap in your tree (however qualified his place might be) is entirely up to you 

Regards,

JAP

[mahees]

Thanks JAP
    I just wish there was some way to verify this; I've had situations in the past that are more clear cut, where I've been able to say 'this is almost certainly the right family' or 'there's not enough evidence at all', but in this case it all looks right, but that one piece of evidence is missing. If only my G G Grandfather's place of birth had been consistant, or his middle name showed up on the censuses I'd be able to move past this instad of obsessing over it! 
Erin 

[Josephine]

Erin,

Have you been unable to find a birth or baptism for your g-g-grandfather?

Do any likely matches appear on the IGI?

Regards,
Josephine

[kooky]

Have you got a birth cert. for your gt gt grandfather? This of course will have his mother's name on it.
I am presuming  a date since 1837. FreeBMD could give you more information, if you just enter names and dates without places.
Also, if you are prepared to post the details you do have on here, someone may be able to help you further
Kooky

[mahees]

Hi Josephine and Kooky,
    I have found a couple of Michael Maguire's (various spellings) abt 1855 around London on free bmds, but no Michael Joseph Maguire's which is my GG Grandfather's middle name according to the censuses 1881 onwards and his marriage cert. One census says he was born in Ireland (which was the one I always believed for some reason) so there would be no records if that was the case. The 1871 and 1861 census I found with father Jeremiah seems so good, it's mking me wonder about my previous preconceptions.
Thanks
Erin 

[Josephine]

Erin,

Michael Joseph Maguire sounds Catholic to me.  Is that correct?  If so, there might be a baptismal record for him somewhere.

Regards,
Josephine

[jinks]

Also could Joseph be a confirmation name.

My Grandmother had a confirmation name of Catherine but it
never showed up on any legal documents.

Jinks

[mahees]

Josephine - yes that's right; do you know how I can get a baptismal record without visiting London (I live in the north)

Jinks - You're right, I never thought of that. My mum and my brother both have confirmation names but never use them, but there's often no rhyme or reason to genealogy I suppose. It is possible that he thought Michael Joseph had a nice ring to it and so used it. I wonder if confirmation records exist