Michael Sherry and Mary Marrs
I suppose it was around 1939/40; I opened the bathroom door and there he was, my grandfather. Quite tall, braces holding up large trousers, collarless vest, face full of shaving cream and a cut throat razor in his hand. He looked at me but said nothing. I said “Sorry” and backed out of the bathroom, closing the door behind me. That is the only recollection I have of my grandfather. Isn't that sad?
Nearly sixty years later I began to think just what sort of man was he? Where did he come from? Where did he live? Why didn’t I know anything about him? Time to find out I thought.
What I did I know, from my parents, was
- He was born is Ireland.
- He was once a publican.
- He emigrated to America and came back to England in 1939
Further known facts were
- My father was born in England
- The whole family emigrated to America
- Great Grandfather’s name Edward Sherry
- Great Grandmother’s name Margaret McCormack
Not much to go on. Where do I start? The local reference library seemed to be a good place but what do I look for? I asked the kind lady on the desk for assistance and she recommendedI looked through the local Gore’s Directory.
As my father was born in 1900 I started with the 1899 directory; nothing. Moved on to 1900; FANTASTIC! There he is; Michael Sherry, Beer Seller, The Revenue Hotel, 40 Demesne St, Poulton-cum-Seacombe, the same address as on my father’s birth certificate. Further searches in the Gore’s directory showed that he moved to The Canada Hotel, 82/84 Old Bidston Road, Birkenhead in 1904 and then on to The Marine Hotel, 1 Birkenhead Road, Seacombe in 1908. The last entry for him at that address was in 1912. At last I seem to have something positive. But that didn’t tell me where he came from and where he went.Just to recap;
I knew where he was from 1900 to 1912 and from 1939 till his death in 1940. What about before 1900? More research was needed. As I couldn’t travel to Ireland I employed the services of a professional genealogist to look for my grandfather. Scotstown, Monaghan has always been the place where he was allegedly born. No one seems to know for certain why we should know this. However, sure enough, the professional came up with the goods in no time. Here is the story so far in chronological order.
1870, Michael Sherry (MS), born 30th July.
The birth was registered in the Kilmore District, and the place of birth was Cavanagarvan, in the County of Monaghan, in the Barony of Monaghan, in the Province of Ulster, Ireland.
There is a family rumour that he came to England about 1875/6 with his father and returned to Ireland at a much later date with Mary Marrs where they were married, and then returned to England for the second time in 1898/9.
(No records were kept of people arriving from Ireland as in those days it was all one country and to date I have no copy of marriage certificate).
Thomas Edward Sherry, their first son, was born 12 October 1898. He was registered at Wallasey Town Hall one day after he was born. This is unusual for that time, as most children were registered about six weeks later. He died two days later.
1898. At the age of 30 MS became the licensee of the Revenue Hotel, 30 Demesne St, Poulton-cum-Seacombe. He ran the hotel for four years until it was taken over by Robert Stewart.
1900. James Joseph Sherry was born 26th April at 30 Demesne Street, Poulton-cum-Seacombe.
1902. John Aloysius Sherry was born 7th September but no records of him being born at England. After great researching his birth registration was found in Stanly Terrace in the registration district of Monaghan, Ireland.
1904. MS took the Canada Hotel at Nos. 82 & 84 Old Bidston Rd, Birkenhead.
1907. MS gave up the Canada Hotel to Thomas Ryan and moved to 28 Bentinck St. for a short while. 30 Demesne Street became business premises for the Ajax Window Cleaning Company.
1908. MS became the licensee of the Marine Hotel, 1 Birkenhead Rd while James Marrs still resided at 27 Percy St. He was registered as a Victualler but there is no record of whether these premises were a Public House or not.
1912. Everything remained the same until this year. John Brassey was registered as the landlord of the Marine Hotel. Michael Sherry, Mary Sherry, James Sherry and John Sherry emigrated to America. With them was a Dora Sherry. No records of her anywhere. (See copies of Ellis Island Ship's passenger list).
(Another family rumour is that they were all booked on the Titanic to sail to America, but John Aloysius contacted the measles and they had to leave on a later ship. Wouldn't that be something if I could find out if it is true?)
Up to now I can't find out what happened to 30 Demesne St. Council houses now stand in that street.The Marine Hotel was demolished in 1992 to make way for traffic improvements in the area. The Hotel was formerly 2 fisherman's cottages, known as Brassey's, over 200 years ago. The riverside hotel was famous for its American style bowling alley. The 2 cottages were whitewashed, and next to Brassey's there was an even smaller hotel called the Ship Inn, circa 1888. The brewers when it was demolished were Whitbreads.
(Update 30.04.07. I’ve found the entry in the Ellis Island web site where my grandfather, Michael Sherry, my grandmother, Mary Sherry, my father, James Joseph Sherry and my uncle, John Aloysius Sherry, entered America on 20th April 1912. Along with them is a Dora Sherry, child, and a Mary Hayes, cousin.
They were met by a “Friend, Joseph Roper of the Superior State Bank, E E Superior, Wisconsin”. I have no idea who Dora Sherry, Mary Hayes or Joseph Roper is.
So, from the ship’s manifest it looks like they all went to Wisconsin. But, while searching Border Crossings from Canada to U.S., 1895-1956, the next date I have is June 24th 1924 when Michael Sherry, Mary Sherry, James Joseph Sherry and John Aloysius Sherry entered America from Winnipeg, Manitoba. But, Michael and James went on one day from 318 Morley Avenue, Winnipeg, and Mary and John entered from “Sister Anna’s” 149 Selkirk Avenue, East Winnipeg another time. They all went to 3934 “Ins A Str”, Detroit.)
1939. In May, Michael and Mary Sherry returned to England. (No exact date yet. I haven’t found the name of the ship).
1939. James Sherry, Rita Sherry (nee Sweeney) Margaret Sherry, Marie Sherry, Colette Sherry, Michael Sherry and Paul Sherry (that’s me) arrived in England on 10th August 1939 having sailed on the SS President Harding from New York to Southampton.
1940. MS listed as living at 6 Alwyn Gardens, Moreton, Wirral.
1940. MS died 17th November. Buried at Flaybrick Cemetery, Birkenhead on 20th November 1940 Plot No. RC263 Section 6.
1941. MS still listed at 6 Alwyn Gardens. James Joseph Sherry (JJS) listed as living at The Nest, Lomond Grove, Moreton, Wirral.
1943. MS still listed at 6 Alwyn Gardens but no JJS at Lomond Grove. Is this when he went to Nelson, Lancs?
1946. Mrs. Mary Sherry listed as living at 6 Alwyn Gardens.
1951. Mary Sherry (Mary Marrs) died 2nd December and buried at Flaybrick cemetery 6th December 1951 Plot No RC263 section 6.
There is a possibility that someone out there is part of this SHERRY family. I would love to hear from you.
Contact me
email pj.sherry@googlemail.com.