Southampton Mystery - Need Urgent Help!

[ClonmanyGenealogy]

Can anyone help me please with a family mystery.

My grandfather's brother Philip died in a tragic accident in Southampton in 1955 (I believe date it correct but need verification).  His widow remarried and their two sons took the surname of their new stepfather before the family emigrated to South Africa.  Would love to trace these two sons in particular as I know that their mother is now dead also.

Details:

Philip McLaughlin born 17th Oct 1919 Letter, Clonmany, Co Donegal, Ireland to Michael McLaughlin and Mary Duffy.  Eldest child of four boys (my Grandfather Cornelius was the second son).

Philip went to a seminary to train to become a priest but did not complete his training and soon afterwards moved to England where it is believed he worked in the construction industry.  He met and married a woman from Dublin (name unknown) and they had two sons (again names unknown). 

Philip was killed when hit by a car whilst crossing the road after alighting a bus.  My father believes it to be 1955 as Philip's mother (my Dad's grandmother who was living in my Dad's house) was still alive and she never left the house again after hearing of her son's death.  She died from breast cancer 25th April 1956.

Can anyone please help me with lookups on possible marriages, sons births and Philip's date of death.  I realise that the information is patchy at best but I am relying on my 84yr old granduncle (Philip's only surviving brother) to help fill in the "blanks" and his memory isn't the best anymore.  Thanks in advance.

Jennifer

[janan]

Hi Jennifer

This is the only likely death - age is out a bit but would only be as accurate as the informant could give.
 
Philip A Maclaughlin age 32 Oct qtr 1955 Southampton District Vol 6b Pg 567

Jan

[Dave Francis]

I can see a possible marriage registration for Philip in 1950, also in Southampton.
Spouse: Kathleen M Mitchell (or O'Rourke).

[aghadowey]

Not sure what is so urgent about this but you've posted looking for information about this man on various board lately-

Common Room (12 Sept.)-
www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,482355.msg3409649.html#msg3409649

South Africa (12 Sept.)-
www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,482336.msg3409518.html#msg3409518

On this Wolverhampton Archives thread-
www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,478927.msg3409598.html#msg3409598

To get exact details that you are looking for you will need to purchase some certificates yourself (English ones are not available to view online). You've just been give a likely death registration so that might be the place to start- actually you were already given this information on one of the other threads- multiple threads cause needless confusion and duplication for anyone trying to help you.

If what you are really wanting to do is trace Philip's sons then I'm afraid Rootschat isn't a forum for tracing living relatives but there are hints to help with this in Posting Guidelines in Help pages-
www.rootschat.com/help/posting_guide.php#living

I can see a possible marriage registration for Philip in 1950, also in Southampton.
Spouse: Kathleen M Mitchell (or O'Rourke).

Other possible brides are listed in Common Room thread.

[ClonmanyGenealogy]

Jan - thank you for the death registration lead...going to follow that up now.

Dave - I think this may actually be the marriage as my father just half an hour ago mentioned the name O'Rourke to me as a possible surname for Philip's wife.  Going to follow this up too.


Aghadowey - My apologies for annoying you.  I posted in a number of threads due to trying to target specific help.  The Common Room is (by my understanding) for those asking for help in look ups I believed; I then posted in error to the Wolverhampton thread until I found out today that it was in fact Southampton. I then corrected my information on the Wolverhampton thread. I also posted to the South African thread to target people there.  Correct me if I'm wrong but surely not EVERYONE reads EVERY thread?  I certainly wouldn't.  I only read specific areas which are of interest to me and would try to assist people accordingly.  My story has a number of areas specific to it and I thought that if I broke it down into places to which it pertained then it would be seen by those who may be specifically able to help me.  If there is one thread that covers all these angles and is definately seen by everyone possible that could help me, can you please direct me to it - I would be happy to receive your advice.

The reason for my urgency is a relative who is very ill at the moment and would like to find out what happened to this branch of the family.  They will not have long to enjoy the fruits of any information I can gather at this point.  It is the only part of the family tree which I hadn't fully researched due to location.  We have no proof that they are alive or dead other than that Philip was killed in an accident....anything other than that is speculation or dependant on the memory of an 84yo uncle whose memory is fading fast. I don't understand why marking urgent would really make a difference to anyone - it just helped me feel better that I was prioritising this at last.

I don't have any knowledge of the English genealogical searching format - my own area is Irish genealogy and would be very happy to help others with this.  I understand that it is a reciprocal thing.  Just looking for help and I am so appreciative of everyone's help to date.  I note that apart from you, no person has made a duplicate reply on any of the other threads - just an observation.

Many thanks,

Jennifer

[aghadowey]

As you've already seen, duplicate postings on different boards cause confusion which is why I pointed out the other threads. I merely said I wasn't sure what was so urgent about finding this information.
Since your aim seems to be to possibly find living relatives quickly I suggest you try looking at some of the hints under Living People in Help pages that I directed you to earlier. Sites such as Facebook, Genes Reunited, etc. are tailored for that while Rootschat is not. Google searches do pick up posts here (which is one reason why we don't allow recent family details to be posted) but perhaps these family members will find your posts that way. Have you tried using Google South Africa (in addition to what's already been suggested) to look for them?

[ClonmanyGenealogy]

I suppose what I really would like to find out is the following:

1) obituary and actual death of Philip McLaughlin - perhaps a newpaper clipping
2) name of his wife - can't confirm this yet.  She then remarried - need to trace that marriage.  She is now dead so I am not asking for personal details of someone living.  I would then perhaps use THAT information to look for LIVING relations - can't do this without tracing their "ancestors" first if you know what I mean.  I HAD intended looking for living relations in the places you suggested.  I am hitting a brick wall as they will no longer be McLaughlin as explained.  Their mother remarried and they took on the name of their stepfather.

I am currently following up the leads given which I received very gratefully and thanked those concerned for.

[janan]

Hi

I hope the death and marriage certificates help you  with your quest - let us know how you get on.

Jan

[ClonmanyGenealogy]

Thank you Jan - you've been very kind.

I rang up the Southampton BDM office this morning and they are going to look them up based on the details given and get back to me.  I'd like to get both Philip's marriage and death certs so I can take it from there.

Will post my findings of course!