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Quote from: Paul W Thompson on Saturday 02 July 16 10:40 BST (UK)

I can understand a child being given the same Christian name if the first named one had passed away (although I find this rather morbid). Can it be that the family have taken in the 2 children I can't find baptism records for from another member of the family for whatever reason.

Yes the practice of naming children with the same name was not uncommon in the past when many children died shortly after birth or within the first few years of life.In some families it was important that a certain name was passed down in the family and in order that this occurred some named a subsequent child the same as one who had died or in other cases if they thought the child was frail.

I have come across a few where 2 children were named the same.. In particular Roderick McIver Murray 1905 - 1907 & Roderick McIver Murray 1908.

USA Social Security Applications
John Morrison Murray birth date 15/12/1888 Jersey City
Father Donald Murray mother Catherine McIver
Claim date 13/12/1954
Notes 30 July 1976 name listed as John Morrison Murray

Seen this record for a John Murray in 1892 departure New York arrival May 1892 Glasgow ship Devonia
D Murray age 29
Mrs Murray age 31
John Murray age 5
Rosie

Rosie.. I have not seen the 1892 departure record..where can I see this please.
Thanks Karen

In the future, please tell us everything you have already found so we don't waste our time going over the same ground. 

You can order a passport application for a fee.  According to this, it would be available to you, as he was born over 100 years ago - https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/United_States_Passports#Availablity_of_Passports.2C_April_1925_to_Present 

The life claim in the Social Security application database means he applied for retirement or disability benefits then.  If I remember correctly, the later date that shows what the name was listed as was just due to the Social Security Administration going through their past records in an audit and doesn't really mean anything about your man.

Very sorry, should have thought before asking the original question... I will do correctly in the future.
I will check for the passport and life claim, thanks for the info.
BTW.. Sent off for a copy of birth.. Just received an email this morning with this copy.. Hard copy being mailed.. Yeah !!

Thanks Rosie & Shelly.. very much appreciate your reply's.

I do already have
1923 sailing info England > Boston ~ exact birth date 15th Dec 1888
1926 sailing info England > New York ~ exact birth date 15th Dec 1888
1935 sailing info Scotland > New York.. using US Passport 157037 i think issued 4 Dec 1934 addressed at 585 Court st Brooklyn ~ exact birth date 15th Dec 1888

I also have info for a life claim dated 1954  with 30 July 1976 listed with John Morrison Murray ~  exact birth date 15th Dec 1888

Thanks for the 1940 info about US census.. interesting and defiantly could be him ?

Family address on the 1911 Scottish census has John still living at home 21 Bruce st Greenock..

There are quite a few gaps that i would like to fill in.. eventually... If i could get info on the passport or Life claim these could carry more information.. perhaps even a wife's name !!!

Thank you every one for your suggestions & thoughts.. some put a smile on my face 

Regards
Karen