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Research in Other Countries => United States of America => US Lookup Requests => Topic started by: zenobia on Saturday 07 February 09 15:00 GMT (UK)

Title: Murdoch-WW1 help please
Post by: zenobia on Saturday 07 February 09 15:00 GMT (UK)
I am searching for Walter (M) MURDOCH  b:4 Apr 1891, Airdrie, Scotland to David Murdoch and Jane Patrick.  He emigrated? to the U.S. around 1917 (Chicago).  He was an Ohio Military man and enlisted on 04 Jun 1917-  Serial number 1540463 (National Guard).  Honourable discharge 12 Apr. 1919.
Walter spent the rest of his days in the Chigago Veterans hospital.  He would have died after the 1940's.  There is no mention of him on the Social Security sites nor can I find anything on the gravesite listings. 
Title: Re: Murdoch-WW1 help please
Post by: Erato on Saturday 07 February 09 15:46 GMT (UK)
I do not see any trace of this man in the 1920 and 1930 censuses.  What information do you have that places him in the Chicago Veterans' Hospital?
Title: Re: Murdoch-WW1 help please
Post by: merjones on Saturday 07 February 09 16:29 GMT (UK)
The Walter M. Murdoch who registered for the WWI draft in Toledo, Ohio was assigned to an Ambulance Company, but was reassigned to "Blacksmith" on March 24, 1918 and was honorably discharged on April 12, 1919.

Immigration manifest: Arrival in NY April 7, 1914 on the Cameronia

Walter Murdoch b.1890
Father: David Murdoch
418 Old Shettleston Road, Shettleston Scotland
Destination: Chicago, Illinois
Occupation: Blacksmith

1920 US Census Toledo, Ohio

Walter Murdoch b. 18?? immigration yr 1913, Na 1918, Blacksmith, Single

merjones

Title: Re: Murdoch-WW1 help please
Post by: merjones on Saturday 07 February 09 17:16 GMT (UK)
If your Walter M. Murdoch is actually the same one listed above in WWI as being assigned to the Ambulance Corp then maybe this is your Walter M. Murdoch:

Name: Walter M Murdock
Service Info.: PVT 148 ARMY AMB CO US ARMY WORLD WAR I
Birth Date: 14 Apr 1891
Death Date: 7 Jul 1956
Interment Date: 11 Jul 1956
Cemetery: Wood National Cemetery
Cemetery Address:   5000 West National Ave. Bldg. 1301 Milwaukee, WI 53295
Buried At:   Section 36 Row 20 Site 4

merjones

merjones
Title: Re: Murdoch-WW1 help please
Post by: shellyesq on Saturday 07 February 09 17:55 GMT (UK)
If merjones found the right guy, it doesn't appear that he died in Chicago.  I checked the Cook County death records here:  http://www.cookcountygenealogy.com/  There is no death record for Walter Murdoch or Murdock in Cook Co. at any time. 
Title: Re: Murdoch-WW1 help please
Post by: zenobia on Sunday 08 February 09 11:58 GMT (UK)
I had assumed Chicago as my mother used to write to him on a regular basis as a girl.  The mail went to the Chicago Veterans Hospital.  She can't remember the full address.  He also had a good friend - surname Ehlan (think I've got it right)
Title: Re: Murdoch-WW1 help please
Post by: merjones on Sunday 08 February 09 20:55 GMT (UK)
It is certainly possible for your Walter Murdoch to have lived in Chicago Illinois and then died in a different VA Hospital in Wisconsin in 1956.

What is his friend Ehlan's first name?

and

What period of time was your mother getting mail from Murdoch when he was in Chicago?

merjones
Title: Re: Murdoch-WW1 help please
Post by: zenobia on Thursday 12 February 09 12:01 GMT (UK)
George Ehlan - wife Carolyn - son Roger

Mum wrote to Walter until around 1953 - she sent a wedding photo which was later returned by Carolyn.

Where is Wisconsin in relation to Chicago?

Is it possible that patients were transferred between hospitals?

Zenobia