Finding the correct John

Discussion in 'General Family History Queries' started by looby, Aug 10, 2019.

  1. looby

    looby Well-Known Member

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    John Dignam married Mary McNally June Qu 1906 Toxteth Park

    In 1911 John and Mary are living in Gillingham Kent with their son John aged 4.

    John is in the Royal Navy. His age is 25 born Liverpool.

    Using a birth range of 1885-1886 there are 2 possibilities but I’m not sure how to determine the correct one.

    Registered in Dec 1885 is John Roderick Dignam Liverpool 8b 104

    Registered Sept 1886 John Dignam West Derby 8b 555

    On the suggested records on Ancestry there are lots for John Roderick Dignam and Public Members Trees has linked John Roderick with Mary Mcnally but I can't see any definite proof.

    Any ideas gratefully received. Thank You
     
  2. Daft Bat

    Daft Bat Administrator. Chief cook & bottle washer! Staff Member

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    The marriage certificate should name their respective fathers, which should enable you to identify them in the 1901 census and so discover which is the correct John. :)
     
  3. Daft Bat

    Daft Bat Administrator. Chief cook & bottle washer! Staff Member

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    Aha!

    FMP has John Roderick DIGNAM in the Royal Navy with a birth date of 23rd August 1885 and from Liverpool.
     
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  4. looby

    looby Well-Known Member

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    It was a Register Office/Registrar attended marriage unfortunately so nothing online to help there. I saw the Navy records Jan but don't know how to determine if that's the right one. Is buying a cert the only way to go?
     
  5. Daft Bat

    Daft Bat Administrator. Chief cook & bottle washer! Staff Member

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    Well, the evidence is stacking up that John Roderick is your chap - he is in the Navy, born Liverpool and, even though he was born in 1885, he would still be 25 as he had not yet had a birthday in 1911.

    Edited to add : the John born in 1886 would still be 24 as he had not yet had a birthday when the census was taken in 1911. :)
     
  6. Jellylegs

    Jellylegs Well-Known Member

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    There is a death registration for a John Dignam (born 1886), in the September quarter 1886, West Derby Registration District (8b/408).
     
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  7. Jellylegs

    Jellylegs Well-Known Member

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    John Roderick Dignam died 1935:-
    upload_2019-8-10_18-41-28.png
     
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  8. looby

    looby Well-Known Member

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    I hadn't seen that death. Thank you
     
  9. looby

    looby Well-Known Member

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    Yes I saw that and was tempted to claim as mine. On the 1939 register Mary is a widow with Daughter Mary Kathleen mother's maiden name McNally.
    Many thanks for your help.
     
  10. AnnB

    AnnB Editor in Chief who is Hot off the Press!

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    This might be of interest
    Liverpool Echo 6th February 1936
    BIRKENHEAD The settlement of a claim under the Fatal Accidents Act was announced at Liverpool Assizes (Civil Court) today Mr Justice Singleton gave judgment accordingly for £1,500 in favour of the family of the late John Roderick Dignam, an employee of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board. The widow, Mary Dignam, of Henry-street, Birkenhead, had sued Thomas Malone of Buccleuch-street, Birkenhead, and George Tullis, of School-lane. Bidston, owners of a motor-lorry which she alleged was driven negligently. Dignam was motor-cycling on March 2, and a collision occurred with the lorry at the junction of Price-street and Corporation- road. Birkenhead, his injuries proving fatal. The award was allocated as follows: The widow, £900; daughter Mary Kathleen, £150; and son, Edward Donald, £400; and £50 awarded under the Law Reform Act of last year.

    There is a report in Liverpool Echo of the 16th April 1935 which goes into the details of the accident, but it is too lengthy to reproduce here. If you want a copy, send me your e-mail via a 'conversation'. According to a short article in the Liverpool Echo of the 17th April 1935, the driver of the lorry had been accused of manslaughter, but was found not guilty at Liverpool Assizes. :)
     
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  11. looby

    looby Well-Known Member

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    Wow that's excellent, thank you so much. I will send my e-mail
     
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  12. Bay Horse

    Bay Horse Can be a bit of a dark horse

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    (This has taken an unexpected local turn... I used to work over the road from Henry Street).
     
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  13. AnnB

    AnnB Editor in Chief who is Hot off the Press!

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    No problem, it will be with you shortly :)
     
  14. looby

    looby Well-Known Member

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    Got it thanks. Very interesting.
     
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