In 1861, Alexander Clarke was born in Dublin. His father's name was also Alexander, as indicated in his marriage record to Mary Anne O'Hare in October 1880. At the time of the marriage, Alexander lived at 6 Kent Street. In the 1881 census, 6 Kent Street was occupied by a 52-year-old widow named Mary Clarke, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, and is likely Alexander's mother. Also residing at the property were her three daughters, Jane, Annie, and Sophia, along with her nephew, Thomas Simpson.

In Liverpool, the Irish-born population, increased by famine migration, rose from 17.3 per cent of the total population in 1841 to 22.3 per cent in 1851. In 1871, despite a decrease in Irish emigration, Irish migrants still represented over 15 per cent of the population of Liverpool. Between 1850 and 1913 it is estimated that more than 4.5 million Irish men and women had emigrated.

Alexander and Mary had ten children over a nineteen year period.  They were:

• Mary Jean Clarke born 1881

• John Joseph Clarke born 1882

• Mary Clarke born 1884

• Robert Alexander Jackson Clarke born 1888

• Margaret Clarke born 1890

• Catherine Clarke born 1892

• Peter Clarke born 1895

• Alexander Clarke born 1897

• Bernard Clarke born 1900

• Steven Clarke born 1902.

The 1901 census shows the family living at 5 White Street, off Grenville Street South. Alexander's occupation is listed as a Cotton Porter.

Alexander Clarke died in 1921 but we are unsure of when his wife Mary died. We have researched further information on John Joseph Clarke but we are unsure of what became of the other siblings of this generation. If you are a descendant please contact us.

John Joseph Clarke born 9th September 1882 is listed as an apprentice plumber in the 1901 census. In 1908 he married Mary Catherine Tighe. Shortly after, they welcomed a child into the world, Mary Josephine Clarke. In 1910, daughter Margaret was born. 

In the 1911 Census John, Mary and their two daughters are living with the Tighe family at 18 Dickenson Street. It's also worth noting at this point that Mary also had a child in 1906 but John was not the father.

On his record of baptism, Martin Morales Tighe is listed without a father.

The family had ten children in total. They were:

• Martin Morales Tighe 1906 - 1922

• Mary Josephine Clarke 1908-1993

• Margaret Eileen Clarke 1910-1919

• Owen Patrick Clarke 1912-1972 - Read More

• Peter Clarke 1914-1994

• Catherine Clarke 1916-1916

• John Clarke 1918-1918

• Elizabeth Catherine Clarke 1920-1940

• Anne Jane Clarke 1922-2005

• Alexander Clarke1927-1932

John Joseph Clarke died in 1940. His wife Mary died in 1946. 

Mary Josephine Clarke married John Henry Quarless in 1933. John grew up at 14 Kent Street and Mary just a few minutes walk away, at 18 Dickenson street. Thirteen years after their marriage, Mary's youngest sister Anne Clarke married John's youngest brother George Quarless. They had five children: Ernest, Peter, Pauline, Leon and John.

Anne Jane Clarke married George Eustace Quarless in 1946. The met when they were children and they lived just a few minutes walk from each other. George at 14 Kent Street and Anne at 18 Dickenson street.