Murray Clan

**scotsannie** · 09-Apr-09, 21:52

Any help please with David Murray born 5th February 1774, Alexander born 19th November 1776, Elizabeth born 29th October, 1779 and Christian born March 1790 their parents were James Murray and Janet Coghill, I am looking to find out who they married or anything about them. Many Thanks Scotsannie

**phyllis ferguson** · 18-Apr-09, 19:06

Hi there,
I have just started tracing mu family roots and have discovered a David Murray fro the Caithness area. I wonder if it is the same on as yo have listed? he married a Christian Gordon and had a son Thomas Murray born 1802 who later married a Barbara Mackay from the parish of Reay in 1840. They then moved to elgin and both died in 1879 and 1881 respectively in Glasgow. their son Alexander Murray was my great great grandfather. The David Murray I am looking for would have been born anytime from 1770. Can you find the missing link?
Hope to hear from you soon
Phyllis

**Mamie_2** · 19-Apr-09, 23:05

is this the same James and Janet who had Donald 1782? and is he your ancestor?

I collect so much stuff I am not always sure from whom or where I got it from lol.

If Donald is your ancestor then you most likely have the information that I have.

Haven't tried to trace James and Janet's other children...yet

Mamie

**Mamie_2** · 20-Apr-09, 15:58

A good candidate is age 60 in Tain with wife Margaret in 1841 - no children still at home though.

There is a David Murray who had a son James in 1803 in Dunnet with Margaret Robeson.
The witnesses were Violet Sandison and Janet Coghill.

Violet(Wilet/Willid/Wylet) was married to a Murray(James sister in law maybe?) and David's mother was Janet Coghill.

If Violet is James sister in law then she was married to Donald Murray and had 4 children that I know of
David 1763
Alexander 1774 m Janet Brodie
Margaret 1777 m Donald Sinclair
Jean 1783

She may have been married before to someone named Matheson as her name is Alexander's record is Matheson or Sandison.

I believe the David from 1841 is still in Tain in 1861 a widower age 86 so it should be possible to find a death for him to confirm parentage.

Mamie

**Mamie_2** · 20-Apr-09, 16:55

a good Canidate is the one who married Jean Miller
their children
James 1805 Dunnet
Donald 1807 Olrig
Janet 1810 Olrig
David 1813 Olrig
Jean/Jane 1816 Dunnet
Alexander 1820 Dunnet
Dolly 1822 Dunnet

he then most likely remarried after Jean died in 1825 to Elizabeth Angus

This family is in Bower in 1841 and 1851 but Alexander doesn't seem to be around in 1861 so unless he died after 1855 not much hope of proving it other than the names works with the naming pattern.

but the interesting part is following son James to 1871 an aunt Christian Taylor age 80 is living with James and sister Dolly.

A Christian Murray married Donald Taylor in 1836 and it was registered in Dunnet and Olrig.
age fits name fits therefore pretty good circumstantial evidence and since she died after 1871 it should be possible to find a death and confirm.

Mamie

**Mamie_2** · 20-Apr-09, 17:31

once I trace Donald Taylor and wife Christian her brother Donald is living with her and Donald in 1841 and with her in 1851 and is listed as unmarried in 1851
so he probably shouldn't be the one who married Catherine Gollach??

Mamie

**scotsannie** · 20-Apr-09, 20:01

Thanks Mamie, Your reply has given something to get my teeth into. I will have a look at my paperwork.
Thank you again.

**Tricia** · 29-Apr-09, 14:18

2 lines of MURRAY in Watten link to me via Sutherland marriages
I haven't been able to tie them in c 1700 but sure they must.
1st Connection
1. James MURRAY (bef1690- ). Marr Janet MANSON 1708, Olrig, Caithness, SCOT. 30 Dec 1708 & 10 Feb 1709.
Janet MANSON (bef1690- ).
2. Anne MURRAY (1718- ). Bap 6 Oct 1718, Wick, Caithness, Scotland.
2. Alexr MURRAY (1720- ). Bap 1 Feb 1720, Wick, Caithness, Scotland.
2. Janet MURRAY (1722-1791).She was born on Oct 6 1722 in Wick Parish, Caithness, Scotland. Baptized Oct 6, 1722.
Microfilm of Wick Parish records of the Presbyterian Church reads, "October 6, 1722 - This day James Murray in Wick had two daughters baptized being twins Janet and Margaret witnessed by. Anthony (Donaldson! and ? Henderson! merchant both there.
. . " Janet Marr William SUTHERLAND 3 Dec 1742, Wick, Caithness, Scotland. A microfilm, of the Old Parish Records of the Presbyterian Church, at the L.D.S. Genealogical Library, records, WilliamSutherland, "in Catcherie", was married to Janet Murray of Wick Parish, Caithness Co., in Wick Parish, on Dec 3rd. 1742. Died 6 Aug 1791, Watten, Caithness, Scotland. MI Watten plot 95 'Flatstone '.William SUTHERLAND (1716-1769), son of William SUTHERLAND ( - ).
2. Margaret MURRAY (1722- ). Bap 6 Oct 1722, Wick, Caithness, Scotland.
2. John MURRAY (1724- ). Bap 1 May 1724, Wick, Caithness, Scotland.
2. Isabell MURRAY (1725- ). Bap 17 Jan 1726, Wick, Caithness, Scotland.
2. Marjory MURRAY (1727- ). Bap 18 Sep 1727, Wick, Caithness, Scotland.

2nd Connection
1. William MURRAY (1746?- ), son of Malcolm MURRAY (bef1722- ) and Margaret SMITH (bef1722- ). Marr Margaret MURRAY in 1773, Watten, Caithness, Scotland.
Margaret MURRAY (1754?- ), dau. of William MURRAY (1715?-1780) and Margaret SUTHERLAND ( - ). (William M & Margt S buried in Watten)
2. Janet MURRAY (1775- ).
2. Margaret MURRAY (1777-bef1783).
2. Ann MURRAY (1779- ).
2. Jean MURRAY (1781- ).
2. Margaret MURRAY (1783-1865).
Born 20 Jun 1783, Tarool, Watten CAI SCO. Marr Magnus CORMACK 5 May 1826, Wick, Caithness, Scotland. Died 12 Jun 1865, Thrumster Parish of Wick, CAI, SCT. Buried Jun 1865, Thrumster Parish of Wick, CAI, SCT.
Magnus CORMACK (1789-1868), son of Magnus CORMACK (1748?- ) and Mary SUTHERLAND (1750- ) my 4xg gparents. NB MARY SUTHERLAND a daughter of William Sutheraldn and Janet Murray above.
3. Janet CORMACK (1828-1902).
Born 17 Jun 1828, Thrumster Parish of Wick, CAI, SCT. Marr John MCDONALD 21 Aug 1860, Wick,
John MCDONALD (1823-1887), son of Alexander MCDONALD ( - ).
2. Elspet MURRAY (1785- ).
2. Malcolm MURRAY (1789- ).
2. William MURRAY (1790- ).
2. David MURRAY (1792- ).
2. Ann MURRAY (1795-

I think I will now revisit all this MURRAY SUTHERLAND CORMACK family - maybe I will find some more.

Several DAVID Murray in family.
Tricia

**scotsannie** · 29-Apr-09, 20:34

Thanks Tricia, I'm away to study your reply, and see what I can come up with. Will let you know.

**phyllis ferguson** · 02-May-09, 21:31

Hi again, how is the search going? If by any chance you uncover that your David Murray born 1779 was an Inn keeper then please get back in touch. There are far too many Murrays to trace and I have a possible son for him. Thanks
Phyllis

**scotsannie** · 03-May-09, 17:39

Hello,

I haven't found anything yet, but will be going home on Saturday, and will do some research then, will let you know what happens my David was born 5th Feb 1774, but that's all I have at the moment.

**phyllis ferguson** · 03-May-09, 22:03

I don't have anything on David Murray except the one i'm looking for was an innkeeper. I'm too busy researching the next generation down but if you find anything let me know. There are just too many Murrays to hope that we are looking for the same one!

**Tricia** · 04-May-09, 18:18

Checking David Murray name.
from my last message - mine born 1792 app Watten to William Murray & Margt Murray

here in 1851 with his married sister Ann. Ann married Watten 1827 John Manson
Piece: SCT1851/36 Place: Dunnet -Caithness Enumeration District: 4c
Civil Parish: Dunnet Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: -
Folio: 0 Page: 8 Schedule: 27
Address: -
Surname First name(s) Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Where Born Remarks
MANSON John Head M M 58 Joiner Caithness - Dunnet
MANSON Ann Wife M F 54 Caithness - Watten
MANSON Janet Dau U F 14 Scholar Caithness - Dunnet
MURRAY David Lodger U M 58 Pauper Formerly Ag. Lab. Caithness - Watten Enum. As Visitor changed to Lodger

also this one for a David born 1823 in Dunnet to David Murray & Janet Brotchie.
He marries 1842 Mary Ann McDonald in Watten and has children in Watten:
Piece: SCT1851/42 Place: Watten -Caithness Enumeration District: 1
Civil Parish: Watten Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: -
Folio: 0 Page: 3 Schedule: 4
Address: Watten Mains
Surname First name(s) Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Where Born Remarks
MURRAY David Head M M 28 Shepherd Caithness - Dunnet
MURRAY Mary Ann Wife M F 35 Ross and Cromarty - Milton
MURRAY Janet Dau - F 7 Caithness - Watten
MURRAY David Son - M 5 Scholar Caithness - Watten
MURRAY Dunbar Son - M 3 Scholar Caithness - Watten
- Mary Ann Dau - F 1 At Home Caithness - Watten Surname not indicated

**scotsannie** · 04-May-09, 18:41

Tricia,

Thanks for your post, but as far as I know neither ties in with my Murray's, I have David's siblings, as Alexander born 1776 Elizabeth born 1779 Donald (my 3 x Gt Grandad) born 1782 and Christian born 1790. Maybe somewhere along the line we can connect. Thanks again.

**phyllis ferguson** · 07-May-09, 20:03

The David Murray I am looking for could well be the same one you have . I have a Thomas Murray born 13.08.1802 to parents David Murray & Christian Gordon, Clavie, Caithness,could possibly put my David Murray as being born circa 1774?

**scotsannie** · 08-May-09, 14:47

Hi Phyllis, Will let you know we will be in Thurso on Saturday, so once I have done some research will let you know what I come up with.

**phyllis ferguson** · 12-May-09, 10:24

That would be great. Although the year is around the time I am looking for we may still have the wrong parentage. The Grandchildren of my David have middle names of Sinclair, Young and Murdock with a gt granchild having Innes. If you happen to stumble on any connection when in Caithness then I'll look forward to receiving it. Happy searching.

**phyllis ferguson** · 22-May-09, 11:18

i've just stumbled on some new information that may be of some use?
The David Murray I am searching for had 4 children with Christian Gordon: Andrew 1794, Mary 1798, David 1800 all Kildonan, Sutherland and thomas 1802 Reay. I am directly descended from Thomas.
The birth of David and Christians' children would place David's birth as early as 1774? worth a try if anything. I can only trace a birth around 1779 which makes him 15 which could also make him old enough but I wouldn't think so.
How did your trip up north go?

**scotsannie** · 22-May-09, 19:49

Phyllis, Have sent you a private message.

**Tricia** · 24-May-09, 16:52

Just from my notes:
??In 1841 John Murray is with his widowed mother Catharine Gollanger! 40 and his brother William b1826 in Tain Caithness. Reckon Catharine is Gulloch/Golach/or Gillach??? m 8 Dec 1821 Donald Murray in Dunnet. The Other Donald Murray m Catherine Coghill 1819 Olrig but their son John aged 16 is still single in household 1851 census.

Catherine Gollach & Donald Murray also had Thomas b 1828.
Catherine Murray (widow Gollach) is with son William in Tain 1851.
NB also in Tain at that time a Donald Gollach m to a Catherine Stephen.

1851 John Murray & Margt Budge:
Piece: SCT1851/39 Place: Olrig -Caithness Enumeration District: 4
Civil Parish: Olrig Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: -
Folio: 0 Page: 4 Schedule: 14
Address: Tain Newlands
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Surname First name(s) Rel Status Sex Age Occupation Where Born Remarks
MURRAY John Head M M 27 Labourer Caithness - Olrig
MURRAY Margaret Wife M F 27 Sutherland - Rother ?????
MURRAY Donald Son - M 6 Scholar Caithness - Olrig
MURRAY Margaret Budge Dau - F 5 Scholar Caithness - Olrig
MURRAY John Son - M 3 Caithness - Olrig
MURRAY Cathrine Dau - F 2 Caithness - Olrig
MURRAY William Son - M 8m Caithness - Olrig
JAMISON Jane Servnt U F 16 General Servant Caithness - Wick
Also in 1861 1871 1881. Margaret Budge his wife born Portsoy Banffshire

Margaret Budge Christening
OC 23 APR 1821 Fordyce Banff Margaret to JOHN BUDGE/MARGARET BURGESS 153 5 5
MARRIAGE:
OM 10 MAY 1820 Fordyce Banff BUDGE JOHN / MARGARET BURGESS/FR1461 153 5 5

inscription for lair no 24 in the Olrig churchyard : John Murray 29.12.1886 61, Margt Budge 13.12.1916 93, fam Margt 23.9.1891 45(h Wm Manson), Matilda 13.3.1904 44, John Budge 16.11.1910 63,Alex 30.11.1925 73 all d Castletown, Don and Wm lost at sea, David Chicago.