Minnie Murphy Blair

[carlibar]

G'day again from a (blissfully) warm and sunny Sydney. Weather like this in old Borrheid would be a heatwave! Thanks for yr  messages. Much of your backgrounder makes sense and rings bell but occasionally we seem to go off at tangents. Unfortunately my background knowledge is inadequate, given that I left home at 18 for Army service then left again in '62 for the Far East and only managed a couple of visits back. Sadly, did not see Minnie b4 she passed away but had a long-ish visit with JEB (in his 'new' cooncil hoose) whilst he still enjoyed good health. I will contact other Murphy branches here to try and fill in some blanks and get back to you.
For now I can recall talk of dear Minnie being raised by an "Aunt Ellen". There was a brother, whose only involvement I can recall was to make very rare (fortunately) unannounced visits when we lived in the "red building" in Carlibar Rd/Walton St. This bloke only turned up when  he'd had a skinful and was (to a pre-schooler like me) quite alarming in his obnoxious, belligerent behaviour towards his sister. (Cunning old git: he never came around when dad was home). I know not and care even less what befell this bloke. Minnie was close to the Murphy clan who lived at Rufflees Avenue down Dovecotehall way. Sire of this family of 8 was a Willie Murphy; married to a salt-of-the-earth lady, Nellie nee Dye who outlived him by years.  Talk again soon. BTW where are you in Aust??? brgds

[marzipan]

Hello again Carlibar, thrilled to hear from you. I live just south of Adelaide & also enjoying lovely weather today.  The only info. I have of Minnie is what I managed to get from Scotlands people and from what I remember my Mum telling me. Minnie was born in Bridgeton on April 1901. Willie visited my Mum soon after I was born 1945 and I think that was the last time she saw him. The other brother James and Minnie she never saw after her mother died in 1932. I have always been curious to find out more of this side of the family, while my Mum was alive I used to ask her to try and find them but never did. My Mum was brought up as an only child and the only record I have found was in 1921 when Minnie was 18yrs old, James 19 and William 22 and my Mum was 6yrs... living at Dean st Glasgow. Also found the marraige cert. when Minnie married J.E.B. in1929. Not a lot of info, Though I have some info on Mary Murphy's family from Ireland. Wonder if the obnoxious brother was James??? Any more info you can give me would be much appreciated, especially of the Murphy clan or Minnie. Out now to a BBQ but hope to hear from you soon again marzipan

[carlibar]

Amazing how the aging (72) grey matter clicks, with a little prompting. Minnie's brother James was THE postman at Nitshill; another salt of the earth type bloke; pipe smoker, tweed-wearer, very serious, with a great, loud voice; married a quite-the-opposite lady, Isa, a "choochter"from 'way up in the far north who was something of a religious recluse - a situation which deepened after their only son, James (who was learning to play the violin ... ouch!) was run down and killed by a car while walking with his parents between Nitshill and Darnley (no cars in those days although James had his Postie's bike with the letters basket in front). James, Isa, long gone. If of interest they lived in a post office residence entered directly from the street just off Glasgow Rd; room and kitchen; outside toilet was very dark and scary for us kids and most visitors  "made-do" behind a curtain.
The nasty brother was Wullie ("shshshsh, don't answer the door; here's brother Wullie and maybe he'll go away to the pub!!" Say-tuned

[marzipan]

Thanks for that carlibar,   your description of James seems familiar somehow, I have a vague memory of my Mum giving me a similar description. That was sad that they lost their only son. Would you have any idea when he died or when they died?
Are you still in touch with the Murphy's? I have some info on Mary Murphy nee Finlay who came from Newtonard, Ireland. This would have been Minnies Mother. Can you tell me anymore about Minnie ? What she was like etc. or any photos? I have one photo of my Granny, Mary Murphy nee Finlay, she would have died before you were born, !932 in Duke st hospital.  Did Minnie ever mention that she had a young sister, 12 yrs younger? name of Maimie.  This was my Mum.   cheers marzipan