Murdoch McDonald

[Neale1961]

You said that you didn't know where the 2 different birth places came from.
I have pointed out the exact origin of that conflicting information.
I do not have access to the full pension record - only the links to the index that I posted.

[KiwiJes]

You said that you didn't know where the 2 different birth places came from.
I have pointed out the exact origin of that conflicting information.
I do not have access to the full pension record - only the links to the index that I posted.

Ah thank you.

[David Nicoll]

KiwiJes,

    Hi, the  FindMyPast record you allude to actually gives you the answer to why Tain and Aberdeen.
    There are two discharge records for Murdoch if you look at the original image, they appear to be the same man. The second of the two images gives Tain as nearest town and Parish of birth.
    I would be inclined to believe this over Aberdeen.

Happy Hunting

PS thanks for the pointer to the records, I was unaware they were now on FindMyPast

[Forfarian]

I hate thinking this is as far as I can get when a clan name like McDonald should be relatively easy.

Not so.

It is actually one of the most difficult, partly because it is such a common surname, partly because there are so many variants, and partly because the records from the more populous parts of Scotland are better, in general, than those from the clan territories in the Highlands and Islands.

According to 'Personal Names in Scotland', admittedly published in 1991, M(a)cDonald was the second commonest surname in Scotland (after Smith). I used the 'Home' search screen on SP to check the current numbers of the top ten surnames listed in that booklet. Sm*th is still the commonest, but M*c*d*n*l* with 1,330,882 listings is now third, having been overtaken by Wilson.

I note it's always spelled McDonald not MacDonald and I am unsure if that has significance either.

It has no significance in the vast majority of cases before the 20th century. Always search for M*donald, or even better M*d*n*l*, which will pick up the variants.

[KiwiJes]

Thanks all. The second military record is practically identical to the first except for place of birth.
While Tain is the nearest city, I am struggling reading the Parish. The Tain museum says it’s Stornoway - which is nowhere near Tain. Any views on this?

[Forfarian]

Well, I have to confess to being stumped.

Though I am sure it's not Stornoway; you're perfectly correct that Stornoway is nowhere near Tain, having the whole width of the north mainland plus the Minch between them.

I was hoping that the Statistical Account might shed some light but something has gone wrong with the statacc web site and all my antivirus etc has kicked in and won't let me look at it.

[KiwiJes]

The Tain museum gave me this image snippet from his pension records which I have never come across before. It looks like “Stromway” here.

This says he is being given fourteen days pay, beer and marching money to carry me to "Stromway Isle" being the place of my first attestation.

I am exasperated!!

[Neale1961]

It would be more helpful to see the complete written section of the last snip (not partly chopped off).

Remember he had not written it. Someone else wrote it from what he said.
Looks like "Stromway Isle", but that is what was heard.

[KiwiJes]

Sadly that's all they sent me but I hope to have the full bit soon.
Yes it does look more like Stromway Isle and yes, he only ever marked with an X across all documents.

I have just noted that at this time, Ross WAS in fact administering Isle of Lewis, and this was done from Dingwall 120 miles away (Somewhat close to Tain). So it may not be a total leap. Murdoch was also involved with the Seaforth Highlanders - And the Earl of Seaforth himself was from Stornaway. Maybe clutching at straws there though! Just some interesting links.