Steelworks in Motherwell?

[Allan Wood]

My mother's father (Henry George McMurray) was born in Scotland in 1911 and I'm related through him to a lot of McMurrays in Motherwell. Many of them worked in steel, as did my grandfather in Vermont. Their family came to the US in 1921 or so.

My second great-uncle was Robert McMurray, born September 15, 1884 in Motherwell. He married Margaret McVicar and they had two children. I think Robert died while working at Dalziel Steel Works on October 15, 1939, age 55.

Does anyone have any thoughts about how I might find out more information? Thanks!!

[Forfarian]

Does anyone have any thoughts about how I might find out more information? Thanks!!

www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk has all these birth, marriage and death certificates, plus the originals of the censuses. It's pay-per-view but modestly priced.

[scotmum]

Allan Wood, could it have been an Agnes rather than Margaret McVicar? See death notice:

MCMURRAY At 5 Viewbank Avenue, Calderbank, on October 17, 1950, Agnes McVicar, beloved wife of Robert McMurray (late of Motherwell)

Of course this could have been another McVicar/McMurray couple, as Agnes described as wife of rather than widow of, although I am only seeing one marriage with theses surnames, that being:

MCVICAR
AGNES
MCMURRAY
ROBERT
1905
651/ 175
Airdrie or New Monkland

[Lodger]

McMurray was not a common name here in Motherwell, there were only 4 McMurray households listed in the 1911 street directory for the town. The householders names were :-

McMURRAY Henry, ironworker, 98 Wellington Street.
McMURRAY James, plater, Thistle Street.
McMURRAY Mrs Mary Ann, Kilmoray, Douglas Street.
McMURRAY Mrs Mary, 32b North Orchard Street.

In the 1922 street directory (compiled as a voter's roll rather than a list of head of households)

McMURRAY B. 36 Ashton Place, Airbles Street.
McMURRAY C. 11 Forrest Street.
McMURRAY J. 11 Forrest Street.
McMURRAY R.F. 117 Brandon Street.

In the 1925 Householders list (compiled by streets) all of the above are still at the same addresses,

McMURRAY BERNARD, miner, 36 Ashton Place, Airbles Street. 
McMURRAY C. fitter & McMURRAY JOHN, steelworker, 11 Forrest Street.
McMURRAY ROBERT, draughtsman, 117 Brandon Street. (That address is still there, a tenement).

There was a family of McMurrays lived in Kings Building, Merry Street when I was young (2 years ago! ) I just rang one of the daughters who still lives in Motherwell, she said her father's family originally came from Ayrshire and he only came to Motherwell for work in the 1930's.

Hope this helps.

[Skoosh]

I believe the butchers used to advertise "Smelters Steak!" as only their wifes could afford it!  Not to be confused with "Carluke Steak!" which was a piece n jam.
 Great book & pic's of Scotland's Iron & Steel workers. "Sons of Vulcan!" by Robert Duncan, pub' Birlinn.

Skoosh.

[Lodger]

I can thoroughly recommend Robert Duncan's "Steelopolis", the history of Motherwell, written by the only man (or woman - and I'm thinking of one in particular!) who was so intelligent that he didn't have to plagiarize his work from every other single thing ever written about the town.

Never heard of a "smelter's steak" Skoosh, a new one on me. My great-grandfather was a 1st hand smelter in Dalzell Works (Colville's) and he died at an early age. My grannie used to tell us that he lost so much sweat at the furnaces that his death was attributed, in part, to a lack of salt. So these poor men earned their steaks.
A Carluke steak is another story! Based on the R & W Scott jam works in Carluke, the factory is still going after 100 odd years and many a wean still enjoying a Carluke steak.

[Forfarian]

I have a copy of The Monkland Tradition, written by Thomas Ronald Miller, founder and chairman and managing director of Motherwell Bridge and Engineering Company.

[Lodger]

Forfarian,

Motherwell is famous for coal and steel.

The Monklands are famous for steel 'n' coal.   

[Allan Wood]

Allan Wood, could it have been an Agnes rather than Margaret McVicar? See death notice:

MCMURRAY At 5 Viewbank Avenue, Calderbank, on October 17, 1950, Agnes McVicar, beloved wife of Robert McMurray (late of Motherwell)

Of course this could have been another McVicar/McMurray couple, as Agnes described as wife of rather than widow of, although I am only seeing one marriage with theses surnames, that being:

MCVICAR
AGNES
MCMURRAY
ROBERT
1905
651/ 175
Airdrie or New Monkland

I've seen that, too. I'm not sure.
I have not done super-extensive research into the McMurrays, to be honest.