The Here Again Gone Again Man!

[jerseygirl]

Hi all,
I wonder if anyone might be able to help with a rather bizarre family history problem?
I ( have been trying for a very long time to find the details of my father on law's family (Dominic Michael Stringer- known as Michael) without success. Dad told a number of stories about his exploits and although some appeared really fantastic there was usually a grain of truth in there somewhere. The only details/stories I have are as follows:

Early Life:
Born <after 1910> but his birth certificate does not appear in the English or Scottish records and as far as I can tell not in the Irish either – although they are rather more difficult to research from a distance! A merchant navy document of which we have a copy says he was born in Eire. He had a strong Glaswegian accent. His mother may have been called Elizabeth or Martha and his father appears in his marriage certificate as John Patrick (John Patrick does not appear in the records either). He had an older brother Jack(?) and there may or may not have been other siblings. When Michael returned to Glasgow in the mid 1950's he was told that his father and brother were both dead. Apparently one had died just a couple of years back the other some time ago. He was (probably) brought up by his grandmother. He was (possibly) one of twins but his mother and the twin died either at birth or shortly afterwards. He would say always that his father hated him because of his other's death.
He claimed to have been educated at St Aloysius College – but this is Jesuit run and so very unlikely. His name indicates a Roman Catholic background and he would admit to this. However he was a staunch supporter of Rangers who, as I understand it, have a largely Protestant following.
Michael said he got himself into trouble and his brother helped him get out. The trouble may or may not have had something to do with electricity pylons. Michael said he returned to Glasgow, looked up the policeman who had been chasing him and told him "you can't touch me now that I am in uniform". This seems to imply the immediate pre war period and some sort of "protected" occupation.

The War Years:
Our first provable sighting of Michael is at Singapore February 1942 where he escapes successfully on one of the last ships to leave - a small water boat called Daisy. We can track him for only a few weeks at most and then nothing until approximately November 1942 and by this time he is in the West Indies. Further, he appears to have joined the US Coastguard (I have a picture of him in uniform that has been identified as such). In January 1943, he married a Barbadian girl <name removed> and his son was born December that year. After his marriage, his next of kin is given as that of his wife and he seemed to want to cut off all connection with Glasgow. By May/June 1944 Michael is in Montreal and signs on in the British Merchant Navy and spent the remains of the war in the Mediterranean.

Dad died <after 1960> and his wife in <after 1960>
One curiosity - I have found a Janet Patrick Stringer (J.P.!) who died in Glasgow in 1950 and am wondering if she might be anything to do with this shaggy dog tale! Given that his wedding certificate gave John Patrick (J.P.!) and he said his dad hated him IS this the family connection I am looking for?

Our primary objective is to try and prove where and when Dad was born, how he got out of Glasgow and how he got to Singapore. Any suggestions as to how I may progress this search will be welcome.

[LesleyB]

As some of the dates given above are past the TS cut-off dates and there may still be be living close relatives of those mentioned, if any of the above sounds familiar to anyone and you would like more detail, please contact the poster by PM. Thanks.

I note there are other posts on the web regarding the same subject - further info may also be found there for anyone who can help.

I can empathise with your search - I have a grandfather who was the very devil to find, having used as an adult a name which was an extended version of the name he was originally registered with and who also acquired a middle name later on in life..! Also, he was sometimes known by yet another first name, and also appears on records with that name. Thinking along those same lines, it may be the case that the name you know your man as and which you consider to be his "official" name, may not be as it seems. Not much help, I'm afraid, but something to bear in mind.

Best wishes
Lesley

[jerseygirl]

Hi Lesley,

The thought of Dad using another name has crossed our minds - the most likely time is getting out of Glasgow on dodgy documents (if that is what he did)! Especially given the story with the bobby and no evidence of him in the services. The "trouble" with the police may have had something to do with electricity pylons.

Regarding living relatives, as far as we are aware,there are none still alive. If mother died in childbirth and father and brother died before 1956 when Dad went back to Glasgow - it would seem unlikely. Also his wife died some 18 years ago.

The business of JANET PATRICK fascinates me and would love to know more about her. I do know she was born 1870 Janet Partick McDougall and married twice - Samuel Robert Stringer being her first husband. It just itches that she has the same initials as given on Dad's wedding certificate. Any ideas where I can find more about her - particularly offspring?

Another thought - given the problems with gangs in Glasgow prewar - would there be any significance in Dad having a dirk tatooed on his leg?