LITTLE MCMURDO

[norah]

Can any one please look at the 1881 and 1891 For a Francis Mcmurdo. A daughter Lilly Little Mcmurdo b 1880 and any other info that is on it . Francis was born 30th June 1845 to George Little and Lillias Gray. I found him on census 1851 with Thomas Mcmurdo and Lillias Mcmurdo children Margaret 2 my Great Grandad John 5 months old and Stepson 5years old name still Little. On 1861 census he was working on a farm but changed name to Mcmurdo .On 1871 census family had moved to Easington Durham and he was still with them. After that he disappears. Think he went back to Troqueer or Dumfries Dumfries . Because in 1900 a young woman marrys in durham area called lilly Little Mcmurdo and on 1901 census it says born Scotland.Francis half brothers and sisters still all lived in that area of Durham would be grateful for any help thank you Norah

[Gadget]

No sign of either of them on the 1881 anywhere in Scotland. I've searched on both surnames and forenames.

No sign of Lily's birth record either. Tried Lily, lilly and lillias with little and mcmurdo/variations.

Sorry.

Gadget

[norah]

Thank you for doing that for me. I will have to rethink now NORAH

[peterrbridges]

Hi Norah and anyone who can help,

Lilly Little McMurdo was my father's mother and of course, we are anxious to establish her parents.  Norah, I haven't been able to find any record which might indicate that Lilly's father was Francis Coltart McMurdo (- formerly Little) as you suggested in your post.  I would be very interested to know your source and whether you have been able to make any further progress.
Many thanks,
Peter Bridges.

[mdundas]

I do not know if this is of any use but I believe that Francis Coltart Little may have been named after one of my g-grandfathers, Francis Coltart. He was married to Agnes Gray in Troqueer. Agnes had a sister, Elizabeth, born March 1824 in Lochrutton. I believe that Lillias can be used as an endearing petname for Elizabeth. My guess is that, for whatever reason, he was named after Lillias' brother-in-law. I hope that this helps - a step backwards timewise, I know! I have other siblings and parents of the Grays.
Best wishes
Maxine Dundas ( nee Colthart ).

[mdundas]

PS I note that on one of the later censuses with Thomas McMurdo and Lillias mcMurdo/ Little / Gray that there is a young daughter named Elizabeth. Could this be the younger Lilias? It is surprising that there is a seven year gap between her and her nearest sibling. Perhaps she IS their daughter. Perhaps she was a granddaughter that they were bringing up? Just a wee theory to throw into the mix!

[irenemac]

When Lillias Gray McMurdo had her son James in 1855 in Scotland her husband Thomas said she was 32 and born in Troqueer...so unlikely to be Elizabeth born in Lochrutton in 1824.
And Thomas McMurdo and Lillias's youngest daughter Elizabeth ...the reason for the 6 year gap is that there was another Elizabeth born in 1862 who died in 1863.
In 1911 Lilly Little McMurdo wife of Charles Bridges said she was born about 1884 in Dumfries, Scotland. In 1891 in Annan there is a Lilly McMurdo aged 6 years born Dumfries living with her grandparents, George McMurdo and Agnes (nee Coupland) Also in the household is a Frank Scott, Quarryman b 1845 in Kirkpatrick -?- .....coincidence? 2 Franks both born in 1845?
And this George McMurdo is a brother of the Thomas who married Lillias Gray. In the scotlandspeople index there is an entry for Lilly McMurdo birth 1884 in Dumfries.
Irene

[mdundas]

Hello again. I wondered if this was of interest. In 1920 Francis "Frank" Coltart died in Duns, Berwickshire. In some of the censuses he states that he was born in Troqueer, Kirkcudbrightshire. His DC states that he was the reputed son of John Coltart, General Labourer and Mary-Lilias Gray, afterwards married to Thomas McMurdoch (sic), Coal Miner. His wife was Margaret Drummond. The 1851 census shows a Thomas McMurdo, miner, at Craigdarroch, Sanquhar, with Lilias his wife and their children Margaret, 2, John, 5 mo, and Francis Little, 5, stepson, born Troqueer.   I hope this helps. Maxine.

[mdundas]

PS If this helps, Francis Coltart married Margaret Drummond in 1878 in Bunkle Preston, Berwickshire. His father's name on his MC (which is apt to be more correct than his DC) is down as Joseph Coltart and Lilias Gray. One of the witnesses was a J McMurdo. Let me know if you want the certs. Maxine.