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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Buteshire => Topic started by: david64 on Sunday 10 January 10 21:44 GMT (UK)
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I have traced myself back to:
William Murchie (bpt. 10 Mar 1781, Kilmory - d. 10 Feb 1871, Sorn, Aryshire). His parents were John Murchie and Elspeth Curry. According to someone else's' research, their first child was baptised in 1772, so the marriage would likely be around then and the last child was baptised in 1793. So, a likely time period of birth for the two would be 1740-1755. However, I've not been able to find any possible marriage for the two and I've wildcarded until there are no cards left at Scotland's People.
Reading a bit on the history of Arran, I came across some vague statements that seemed to suggest that names on the Isle of Arran were Anglicised around the 17-18th Century and that general spelling of the surnames was erratic. Does anyone have any info on this?
If so, I guess you really need the registers to get the required info.
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Hi David
Thanks for your PM regarding another thread - I've replied to suggest you contact the Arran Heritage Museum:
http://www.arranmuseum.co.uk/geneaology_section.htm
They are very helpful but only open once a week in winter.
Regarding anglicisation - remember that many folk were functionally illiterate and spellings were not set in stone anywhere, so for example I have an Eleesabath = Elizabeth and all sorts of exotic variations - and that's just the forenames!!
Doesn't the death cert for William MURCHIE give you the marriage date of his parents? I thought they did at that period.
Kind regards, Arranroots ;)
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No, the marriage date is only on birth certificates after 1855.
Arran was a Gaelic speaking island and it was very rural. The spellings were varied as were the names. For Elizabeth, also read Elspeth, Betty, Isabelle (and variants). I have a page from the marriage register of Kilmory in 1799 - it looks like the mice got it!
According to the Statistical Accounts, the parish register of Kilmory begins in 1701 and was "beautifully kept" until about 1729. From then until 1762 much was lost except for a scroll of minutes of a few session meetings around 1736 on loose leaves stitched together and they are almost illegible. From 1762, the standard picked up again, but it was judged in 1840 or so to be in dire need of transcription since the paper was decaying. Kilbride registers were not kept regularly in the 18th century and some volumes of the sessions records went missing having been lent to someone (this is again from the Statistical Accounts).
I have found the baptisms of the children. If you want them, please say.
Nell
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Thanks Nell - that's very interesting!
Luckily half of my own family were from Kilbride and half from Kilmory - maybe that increases the chances of something surviving?!?
To your list of Elizabeth variants - add Elspa!
;D
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I have found the baptisms of the children. If you want them, please say.
Thanks for the info, and yes, that would be much appreciated. Will save a spree on Scotland's People :D
So according to your info, if John Murchie and Elizabeth Curry were married in c. 1773, there should be a surviving marriage record, but births are likely to be lost? - assuming they were born on Arran.
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There appears to be a big gap between 1716 and 1766 in the baptisms :(. So nothing for John and Elspeth themselves.
I have found two baptisms of children John & Elspeth/Betty Murchie/Murchy:
Mary 27 May 1772
Donald 18 Mar 1774
The following are transcribed as MURPHIE, children of John Murphie & Elspeth/Elespie/Elspa Currie.
William Murphie, bp 10 Mar 1781
Elespie bp 25 May 1783
Janet bp 25 May 1783
Duncan bp 11 Feb 1787
John bp 15 Apr 1788
John bp 12 Sep 1790
Archibald bp 13 Oct 1793.
The handwriting is clear in 1783 - it is definitely written Murphie. Do you know where they lived at all? Bencargan - don't think it's spelt like that now though.
No joy with a marriage at the right time - only one in 1714, same names!
I've checked the MI for the island, but nothing for this particular Murchie. There are loads for Currie - still checking!
Nell
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The following are transcribed as MURPHIE, children of John Murphie & Elspeth/Elespie/Elspa Currie.
Thanks for the lookups :D Yes, he was quite often listed as Murphie. The LSD has a record saying he died in 1813, but I don't know where that has come from.
They lived in Bennecarrigan as far as I know.
I've found the genealogical community to be very friendly and helpful during my time here thus far. Maybe if genealogists infiltrated the government, they could change the world.
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Hello,
The John Murchie and Elspeth Currie mentioned are my 4th great grandparents. Just wondering if you've managed to get any further back with this line?
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Gaels used patronymics amongst themselves , the use of Scots surnames only became necessary on bills, leases & wills etc! Regular school attendance where Gaelic use was discourage, wrought the transformation,
Skoosh.
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This is from Roots in Sandstone which was provided by the museum on Arran. Three men were the roots of Lamlash. John Montgomery James McIntyre and William Taylor. I come down through James. John Montgomery married Janet Mckenzie. James MacIntyre married Catherine Currie. William Taylor married Margaret Baird and were contemporary with the McIntyres. The Taylor and McIntyre families were joined in 1854 when John McIntyre married Janet Taylor. They were my gr gr grandparents.
Marc
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Hmm, an unrelated family but my 5th great grandmother was born in Kilmory, Arran and moved to Sorn, Ayrshire. I wonder if there was some reason that multiple people from the community moved to the same area. I'm trying to dig into the history of Arran during her life but not getting very far, I do know it's the era of the clearances. Perhaps there was a mass migration over to Sorn.
For general reference, in case they do turn out to be linked some how. My 5th great grandmother was Isabella McNeil, daughter of Donald McNeil. They were from Auchenhew on the south end of Arran. She was born in 1764, and married one Alexander Wright in the Manse of Sorn in 1789.
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Hmm, an unrelated family but my 5th great grandmother was born in Kilmory, Arran and moved to Sorn, Ayrshire. I wonder if there was some reason that multiple people from the community moved to the same area. I'm trying to dig into the history of Arran during her life but not getting very far, I do know it's the era of the clearances. Perhaps there was a mass migration over to Sorn.
For general reference, in case they do turn out to be linked some how. My 5th great grandmother was Isabella McNeil, daughter of Donald McNeil. They were from Auchenhew on the south end of Arran. She was born in 1764, and married one Alexander Wright in the Manse of Sorn in 1789.
My great grandmother was Anne McNeill from Auchenhew. I grew up on Arran and have quite a lot of McNeill family info and wonder if we can exchange knowledge. Although the McNeill surname is no longer resident in Kildonan I am on touch with a number of McNeill relatives who regularly visit the island.
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My great grandmother was Anne McNeill from Auchenhew. I grew up on Arran and have quite a lot of McNeill family info and wonder if we can exchange knowledge. Although the McNeill surname is no longer resident in Kildonan I am on touch with a number of McNeill relatives who regularly visit the island.
Hi Arran Girl, I'll PM you so we don't hijack the original thread too much :)