Can anyone help solve this mystery please?

[JBee]

I have a couple Michael Mulhern/Mulhearne s/o Martin Mulhern? b c1835 in Ireland and Bridget Padan b c1844 in Ireland d/o William & Elizabeth Padan.

They marry on 13 Oct 1862 at St Mary's Sunderland (Family search).(Mulhern/Pagin?? (free BDM).

They had a son John Mulhearn born 20 Apr 1864 at Burleigh St, Sunderland. This John I now believe dies age 8 abt 15 Jul 1872 at Silver Street, Sunderland. (burial on durham online gives father Michael which fits). Have sent for death cert.

I'd happily had this couple emigrating to the US until one of the census I thought I'd found them in (have now deleted) said they'd only had 3 children and I think the year of entry to US was slightly different.

So now I'm stuck - did they emigrate to the US and forget John? I checked Silver St in the 1871 census for John and he wasn't there or any family members I could connect him to.

I've also found a death of a Bridget Mulhearn at Lanchester sept qtr 1879 age 38 which is a bit out. (have sent for death cert today).

Now would a couple go to the US and leave a child behind?

If not where are Michael, Bridget & John in 1871?

Any help greatly appreciated.

[ElizabethHerts]

There is this John of the correct age with his grandparents and a Michael who could be his father:

1871 Census
SUNDERLAND, Durham
RG10 piece 5017 folio 32 page 58
Bain's Lane, Sunderland
MALHERN, Martin Head M 64 Labourer 1807 Ireland
MALHERN, Mary Wife F 66 1805 Ireland
MALHERN, Micheal Son M 33 1838 Ireland
MALHERN, John Grandson M 7 1864 Sunderland County Durham

His grandfather is Martin, so it looks promising.

[ElizabethHerts]

Infuriatingly, Michael's marital status isn't given.

[JBee]

That's fantastic Elizabeth - as Michael's father is Martin on his marriage and John was born at Baines Lane.

off to look at the census

Wonder where Bridget is?

Thank you for putting the reference as it wouldn't come up on ancestry with just the names.

[JBee]

Update

Got the death certificate today for John in 1872 and it was his grandfather Martin who registered it.

It said John was the son of Michael a seaman merchant service. He died of typhoid 14 days.

Can't find anything for Michael (after 1871 census) or Bridget (after birth of John in 1864). A death of a Bridget in Lanchester in 1879 wasn't her (got cert today).

So now completely stuck again.

[Mary from Italy]

This looks like Martin's death, so he should be around in 1881:

Deaths Mar 1884
Mulhearn Martin 77 Sunderland 10a 297

Can't find him, though.

[JBee]

Yes I think that's Michael's father too.

Coudln't find him in 1881 either nor Bridget & Michael. Mind you I couldn't find them in the 1871 census either until Elizabeth gave me the referece - wouldn't come up on ancestry.

There's a possible death for Michael in 1896 in Sunderland but age is years out.