James Callaghan

Birth Name: Leonard James Callaghan

Date of Birth: 27 March, 1912

Place of Birth: Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, U.K.

Date of Death: 26 March, 2005

Place of Death: Ringmer, East Sussex, England, U.K.

Ethnicity: English, Irish, possibly one eighth Ashkenazi Jewish, likely some Scottish

James Callaghan was a British politician and statesman. A member of the Labour Party, he served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, from 5 April, 1976 to 4 May, 1979. He was also a Member of Parliament for Cardiff South/Cardiff South East/Cardiff South and Penarth, Wales, from 5 July, 1945 to 18 May, 1987, Chancellor of the Exchequer, from 16 October, 1964 to 30 November, 1967, Home Secretary, from 30 November, 1967 to 19 June, 1970, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, from 5 March, 1974 to 8 April, 1976, Leader of the Labour Party, from 5 April, 1976 to 10 November, 1980, Leader of the Opposition, from 4 May, 1979 to 10 November, 1980, and Father of the House of Commons, from 9 June, 1983 to 18 May, 1987, among other duties.

Prime Minister Callaghan was the son of Charlotte Gertrude (Cundy) and James Callaghan, a chief petty officer in the Royal Navy. He was married to Audrey Callaghan (born Audrey Elizabeth Moulton), until her death. The couple had three children, including politiican Margaret Jay, Baroness Jay of Paddington.

Prime Minister Callaghan was raised Baptist.

Prime Minister Callaghan’s paternal grandfather was James Garoghan (the son of John Garoghan and Winifred O’Rourke, Groarck, or O Hara). James was born in Coventry, Warwickshire, England, to Irish parents.

Prime Minister Callaghan’s paternal grandmother was named Elizabeth Bernstein/Burnstein. Elizabeth was born in Manchester, Lancashire. She is described in a handful of references as Jewish. It is not clear if this has been verified. Elizabeth appears with her sister, Eliza, on the 1871 England and Wales Census. One genealogy lists Elizabeth’s father’s name as Lewis Burnstein, and one lists her mother’s name as Mary Geary, the daughter of James Geary.

Prime Minister Callaghan’s maternal grandfather was William Henry Cundy (the son of Robert Cundy and Grace Burn, or of Daniel Cundy and Elizabeth Ryall). William was born in Tavistock. Daniel was the son of Daniel Cundy and Sarah Bickle.

Prime Minister Callaghan’s maternal grandmother was Rosina Fanny McDowell/McDowall (the daughter of John McDowell and Charlotte Pidgeon). Rosina was born in Devonport. John likely had Scottish ancestry. The McDowell is of Scottish origin. Charlotte was the daughter of James Pidgeon.

Sources: Genealogies of Prime Minister James Callaghan – http://www.edwardjdavies.info
https://www.geni.com

Prime Minister Callaghan’s paternal grandparents, James Garoghan and Elizabeth Bernstein/Burnstein, on the 1901 England and Wales Census – https://familysearch.org

Likely Prime Minister Callaghan’s paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Bernstein/Burnstein, on the 1871 England and Wales Census – https://familysearch.org