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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Dumfriesshire => Topic started by: gaisgeach on Thursday 02 December 10 00:06 GMT (UK)
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I am trying to find out which part of Scotland my gggrandfather came from. He left Scotland and ended up in Dublin in the 1800s. I believe that i may have found his death date, which gives his birth as 1844 and also his father's name Thomas. The only fit seems to be a George Murray living in Tundergarth with his family in the 1851 census. His fahter's name is Thomas on the Scottish census. Is the name Murray common in the Tundergarth area? Are there still Murray's around the area? Is there another search i could do to make sure that this is my gggrandfather's place.
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The only Tundergarth I know is two miles east of Lockerbie in the valley of the Water of Milk; it is certainly in an area where you might expect to find Murrays. This surname is often associated with Perthshire, but there was a separate landed Murray lineage between the Annan and the Solway south-east of Dumfries who had principal houses to the west of Ruthwell at Cockpool (now a hotel) and at Old Hoddom (a ruined 19th century folly of a castle in a caravan park) about six miles south of Lockerbie. Don't jump immediately though at landed ancestry. There seem to be a mix of Murray origins here, some traditionally Highland Murrays who stopped off here on the retreat before Culloden, as a convenient place to lose themselves amongst other Murrays. Besides which Ecclefechan, about 4 miles south of Tundergarth, and Lockerbie provided employment at various times to migrant communities. You will therefore likely find a good few Murrays in Ecclefechan and Lockerbie in the 19th century, who might have lived further afield in the 18th century. There is quite a likelihood of of farm workers seeking work at farms in the area or as small tenants, so that could be a reason for finding Murrays at Tundergarth. The spot with strong Murray tradition here is Repentance Tower, a very small tower house on a hill half a mile south of Hoddom Castle. Basically you will find a lot of Murrays along this stretch of the Annan Valley, and a lot of history associated with the name. But you can find Murrays anywhere across here from Dumfries to Eskdale and from the Solway to Moffat.