William MURRAY of Etherley

[Minty]

Hello all,

Can anyone help me in tracing my Great Grand Father William MURRAY.

He was supposedly 29 and living in Metal Bridge with his father Robert
Murray (birthplace Scotland) on the 1881 census and it says William was born
at Etherley.

William married Amelia Dixon at Ferryhill on 23rd October 1882 and the
marriage certificate says he was 28! His fathers (Robert Murray)
occupation is given as Band Master.

I am trying to trace William's birth and have looked on FreeBMD but cannot
find a William Murray born during the right period.

I have also looked on the Durham CC website and there are a few William
Murray births for the 1852 to 1855 period.

Can anyone help me identify the correct William before I order another
incorrect certificate! 

TIA

Minty

Researching MURRAY, CARLIN, DIXON & GRAY in Durham

[Helen K]

Hi Minty

Here's the 1891 Census entry for William & family.

RG12/4056  Folio 99  Page 23  Sch 118
Pit Row, Ferryhill, Co Durham
MURRAY
William Head M 35 Onsetter Coal Mine DUR Etherley
Amelia Wife M 31 Greatham Stockton
Robert Son 7 Scholar West Cornforth Sedgefield
James Dixon Son 3 West Cornforth Sedgefield
John Thomas Son 1

The 1901 Census Index has William (aged 45), Amelia and 8 children still living in Ferryhill.

From these two Census William's birth year would be 1855/1856.

The birthplace is Etherley in all three Census entries, so fair to assume that's accurate.

According to the Gazetteer from Durham County Record Office there were two Etherley's with Registration Districts of Auckland and Teesdale.

Regards

Helen K

[Helen K]

Hi Minty

There are 1861 and 1871 Census entries on the index of www.durhamrecordsonline.com which closely match your Robert and William MURRAY.

Transcriptions can be bought online. If you buy the entries and want the transcriptions checked just let me know and I can do that.

Just another point regarding William's birth - from the information you have (Etherley) the Registration will not have taken place in Durham, but in Auckland (not available on Durham County Council site).

You will need the GRO indexes at a Library, FHS or LDS Centre. An alternative is www.1837online.com - a fee paying site, but their records are in general complete.

Regards

Helen K

[Minty]

Hi Helen,

Thank you for the census information.  I had already found him on the relevant censuses, but as yet I cannot find his birth.

I found the information regarding William's birth very interesting - do you know why the information for Auckland isn't held by the Durham County Council site?  That could explain why I can't find his mother and father's marriage too (it was his father's second marriage).

Thanks for the useful pointers.

Regards

Minty

[Helen K]

Hi Minty

This link to the Indexing project at Durham County Council shows which records are held and those which have been indexed.

http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/pws/Registrar+-+Indexing+Project

Etherley's Registration District is Durham Western and it seems that some records should be available on the site. My apologies - I should have checked.

This link has the contact information for Bishop Auckland Register Office.
http://www.durham.gov.uk/durhamcc/usp.nsf/web/pages+with+sections/Registrar+-+Registration+Service

Regards

Helen K

[Helen K]

Hi Minty

I've just done a quick search of DCC Indexes for William MURRAY 1851-1860 Durham Western and there are only two entries. 1855 and 1858. You can ask Durham or Bishop Auckland Register Office to check these entries(suggest 1855 first) and only supply a Certificate if the father's name is Robert. If that doesn't match you get your cheque back.

Regards

Helen K

[Minty]

Hi Helen,

Thanks for the pointers directing me to the DCC site.  I have noticed they still have to load the information for the non-conformist (Methodist) church at Etherley and I know there was a strong Methodist following in the family right into the 20th century, so I think he may be recorded there.

I have been to my local library today and spent an hour or so going through the GRO birth fiches and I found a William Murray born in Auckland in the June Qtr 1854.  As I wasn't aware that Etherley came under Auckland rather than Durham I've not looked under that before.

I'm going to take a chance on ordering the certificate for this one as it feels 'right' (now I know I should have been looking at Auckland rather than Durham!) and the date seems to match up quite nicely with his age on the 1861 census.

Thanks again,

Minty