The only John Thomas birth recorded in the General Register in 1874 was my grandfather's older brother. He was actually born on November 26th 1873 in the West Derby district of Liverpool. His parents were William Looney and Elizabeth Thomas. William was from Maughold I.O.M.. She was from Anglesey. I was not aware that he had ever married. I do know of another John Thomas Looney who was born c. 1876 at South Shields. His father also a John Thomas Looney was born in 1836 at Harrington in Cumberland. His wife was Ann Bushell, and they married at South Shields in 1866. The John Thomas Looney born in 1836 was the son of John Thomas Looney and Betsey Eelbeck. Thomas was a Manxman born c. 1798
in South Shields. Hope that data will be of help.
Bob.