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From: "Sheena Carmichael" <>
Subject: Murdoch in Kilmaurs
Date: Mon, 1 Jan 2001 16:25:42 +0000

I am trying to trace a line of Murdochs who settled in Kilmaurs
between 1812 and 1819. I have a complete fix on:

THOMAS MURDOCH, Master Blacksmith, born 14 September 1819 in Kilmaurs
and died June 4th 1895, also in Kilmaurs. Thomas married ELIZABETH
DICKIE 17 July 1853 and they had at least 5 children.

Thomas's parents (from his death certificate) were:
JOHN MURDOCH (also a Master Blacksmith) and
MARGARET POLLOCK.

I have found the family in the 1851 census, by which time John
(Thomas's father) was dead and Margaret was living with Thomas and
some of his siblings, also in Kilmaurs.

My major problem is that I can't find the birthplace of Thomas's
father, JOHN MURDOCH. He must have been born before 1794 and died
before 1851. Family lore has it that Thomas was descended from
WILLIAM MURDOCH, the inventor of gas lighting. William (who was born
in Auchinleck on 22 September 1754, parents JOHN MURDOCH and ANNA
BRUCE) had at least two sons, one of whom was John (this information
from a newspaper article), and the ages MIGHT make this John Murdoch
William's son - but how do I find out?

The 1841 census won't help to find John Murdoch's place of birth,
since it will only say if he was born in or out of Ayrshire. John
Murdoch is a very common name in Ayrshire, and the problem is always
to know whether you are tracking the right person of that name!

Any help or guidance from the list would be very much appreciated.

Meanwhile, Happy New Year to everyone on the list!

Sheena Carmichael

This thread:

• Murdoch in Kilmaurs by "Sheena Carmichael" <>