I've been researching my maternal grandmother's roots in Scotland, but have run out of leads and connections. I happened across a Murray family blog by Alexanderina Murray in Australia that got me energized for more searching. My maternal grandmother was Helen "Nell" (Murray) Hodson, formerly Helen "Nell" Murray Spiers of Galaschiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland. She was born on June 20, 1887, in Galaschiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland, according to family records. She and two sisters (Mary Ann "Annie" (Murray) Smail & Agnes "Aggie" (Murray) Arnott) emigrated to Eden/Farson, Wyoming, United States, around 1910-1913. Their father was William Murray (b.1848) and Elizabeth Stoddard (b.1851) both of the same area of Scotland. Sister Elizabeth "Bet" Murray, brother William Murray, and other siblings James, Andrew, Thomas, and maybe a Maggie stayed in
Scotland.
William Murray, my great grandfather, was apparently the son of James Murray (b,1818) and Margaret Williamson (b.1822). James Murray's parents were, perhaps, Andrew Murray (b.1796) and Agnes ?? (b.1801). Margaret's parents were, we think, William Williamson (b.Abt 1786) and Margaret ?? (b.Abt 1781). At this point in our research, we come to a halt.
Elizabeth Stoddard, my great grandmother, was the daughter of James Stoddard (b.1814) and Elizabeth Thompson (b.1813). We have been able to trace James back 4-5 generations (we think), but not Elizabeth. Her parents were apparently William Thompson (b.1780-91) and Agnes Pringle (b.1780-81). Hers ends there.
Anyway... I'm stumped and looking for help. Anyone out there with some input for me?
Hi James,
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Have you found William born 1848 in the census?
How do you know that his father is James born 1818 and Margaret Williamson?
These look like relatives of ours. See the entry from Cameron Murray about William Murray and Elizabeth Coldcleugh of Galashiels Melrose who went to Ontario Canada and also from Bill Murray re William Murray & Elizabeth Mitchell of Stow & Gala- all related. I can check with Bill & Cameron however this family should be documented by us.
Is this family your James Margaret & William???
1851 Census
County Name Selkirkshire
Parish Name Stow
Town/Village
Address Craiglatch
James Murray Head Married 33 M Dike Builder born Midlothian, Stow
Margeret Murray Wife Married 30 F Dike Builder's wife Roxburgh, Galashiels
Helen Murray Dau Unmarried 5 F born Selkirk, Galashiels
William Murray Son 3 M Selkirk, Galashiels
Euphemia Murray Daughter 2 F Selkirk, Galashiels
Andrew Murray Son 5 mo M Selkirk, Stow
and
1861 census
County Name Selkirkshire
Parish Name Stow
Address Craiglatch
Rooms with Windows 2
Children at School 4
James Murray Head Married 43 M Dyke Builder born Stow
Margaret Murray Wife Married 39 F Dyke Builder's Wife Roxburgh, Melrose
Helen Murray Daughter Unmarried 15 F Roxburgh, Melrose
William Murray Son 14 M Dyke Builder Roxburgh, Melrose
Euphemia Murray Daughter 12 F Scholar Roxburgh, Melrose
Andrew Murray Son 10 M Scholar Midlothian, Stow
Elizabeth Murray Daughter 7 F Scholar Selkirk, Stow
Martha Murray Daughter 5 F Scholar Selkirk, Stow
Margaret Murray Daughter 3 F Selkirk, Stow
Janet Murray Daughter 11 Mo F Selkirk, Stow
AND
spouse: Elizabeth Stoddart
child: William Murray
name: William Murray
gender: Male
birth date: 30 Jun 1881
birthplace: Galashiels, Selkirk, Scotland
father's name: William Murray
mother's name: Elizabeth Stoddart
indexing project (batch) number: C01903-3
system origin: Scotland-EASy
source film number: 232695
spouse: Eliza Stoddart
groom's name: William Murray
bride's name: Eliza Stoddart
marriage date: 14 Aug 1874
marriage place: Galashiels,Selkirk,Scotland
indexing project (batch) number: M11775-1
system origin: Scotland-ODM
source film number: 6035516
spouse: Eliza Stoddart
child: Elizabeth Thomson Murray
name: Elizabeth Thomson Murray
gender: Female
birth date: 05 Nov 1874
birthplace: GALASHIELS,SELKIRK,SCOTLAND
father's name: William Murray
mother's name: Eliza Stoddart
indexing project (batch) number: C11775-1
system origin: Scotland-ODM
source film number: 6035516
My apology. I had more or less given up on this part of my family tree and hadn't seen this information from Alexandrina Murray. It matches what I had, but there were 2 more children for James and Margaret: James and Agnes.
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