Earl of Sefton

[Baronetcy Lady]

I recently came across this website. Someone is calling themselves the 8th Earl of Sefton, a title I thought extinct in 1972.

https://molyneuxfamily.com/family-history/

This title is not on the current Roll on the College of Arms website. Does anyone know any more about this 'worldwide search'?

[Peter FitzGerald]

The title is indeed extinct. I suspect that someone who happens to have the same surname has simply decided to claim (falsely) that they are entitled to the earldom. You can tell by the "family members" page that they have absolutely no idea how peerages work:

https://molyneuxfamily.com/family-members/

(Apparently, the Countess of Sefton is not the wife of the Earl of Sefton but inherited that title from her mother! And all the other members of the family apparently have weird and wacky versions of the subsidiary titles. Come on now - at least do some basic research before claiming to be a peer.)

[colinp]

The "Family History" tab states -

"The search for a direct heir was commenced in the mid 1980s and the search was extended worldwide however none could be found. In 2020, a direct heir was found and Ross Molyneux inherited the Earldom in March 2022. Viscount Michael Molyneux took his post as Viscount of Sefton in September 2022 after the death of Viscountess Beatrice Molyneux at the age of 98. The Countess of Sefton is currently held by Bianca Molyneux, she took the post as Countess in 2009 after the death of her mother Evelyn at the age of 64."

Completely muddled 

[Baronetcy Lady]

It's mad, isn't it? Completely muddled. What worries me is that people fall for this. 

[S. S.]

It is a bit amusing see certain strange individuals claiming to be a peer. I find it even more amusing that several members of the family hold "peerages". Gives the Temple or the Baring family a run for their money on the number of peerages they hold!

S.S.

[JayGeee]

In the I884 edition of Debrett Col Hon George Molyneux, younger son of the 2nd Earl of Sefton, is said to have married a Mrs Eliza Stuart and had a son Charlie Berkekey Molyneux, who in turn married Emily daughter of the Rev John Meara and with two daughters had five sons! I cannot believe that some of these could not have left issue?  However the above were totally omitted from later editions of reference  books !

Whether because of illegitimacy I do not know?