Catherine Murray (Graham) - Stornoway

[kshaw]

I have hit a bit of a hurdle and was wondering if anyone was able to help?

I have the marriage Cer't for Angus Murray and Kate (Catherine) Graham 19 Aug 1897 in Fraserburg. Both were from Back Stornoway. His parents are listed as Donald Murray and Mary Murray (Martin). Her father is listed as Donald Graham and her mother is a name I've never seen before which looks to be Germalia Graham (Morrison). Her name got me interested in finding out more about her.

I've combed Scottish people site for any records but have come up with nothing. I've tried changing her first name to Gormelia, which appears to be more likely. I have found a few but none linking to a Donald Graham. I also found 3 Catherine Grahams' born at the right time (1869-71) in Stornoway, 2 have a father called Donald but no Gormelia or even a Morrison surname.

Can anyone help me over this hurdle? Thank you in advance.

[Forfarian]

I read is Gormelia not Germelia.

Could it be a misspelling of Cornelia?

[Shetland Sausage]

I'd say it's Gormalia, although it's not a name I've seen before. There's about 14 of them on Ancestry - many have US connections, but most of the surnames sound Scottish, so maybe an old traditional name?

[DonM]

Its Gormelia, the English translation of Gormshuill according to the wife.  She says one her nieces daughters carries the name.

It is also mentioned a few places on Google.

Don

[Br1gau]

Perhaps there is an error with the marriage record? From SP:

ALEXANDER Graham married GORMILIA 1857 Barvas (not opened record to see surname)

1881 Census - 13 Back
Alexander Graham 50, a fisherman.  CORMELIA Graham 45, wife
Catherine Graham 14, 3 other siblings

1891 Barvas
Alexander Graham 58 Crofter, GORNULIA Graham, wife

1901 8 Back
Alexander Graham, 70, Crofter and fisherman, GORMILIA Graham, 65, wife

brigau

Added: Sorry, I'm not seeing things - the 1857 marriage was for Alexander Graham and Gormilia MURRAY

[kshaw]

Thank you all, I'm not sure if it's spelt right or what else it could be but have looked through all the possibilities I could think of. I even started to wonder if it was a pet name and used something else too.

Br1gau - I did stumble on a death record for 1922 - Graham, Gormelia aged 88 Stornoway. She had married a Murray, Alexander. Funny that it's the opposite of your find.

The only last names match I was able to find was a Morrison, Gormillia who married Graham, Roderick in 1884 Barvas. Which is clearly not them haha

I have now found the 1901 census with Angus Murray and Catherine Graham living at Tolsta Main Rd 21, Stornoway. Catherine is listed as having been born in Stornoway abt. 1870... so that is somewhat confirmed.

I'm really at a loss with this one.

[DonM]

1901 Census

GRAHAM GORMELIA 1901 F Age 4 Stornoway Ross and Cromarty
She is with her mother Catherine (father is absent), and siblings Murdo, John, and Marion.

Don

Sorry forgot to include the one who died in 1943 (Gormelia Morrison) is the witness married to Roderick Graham.