Author Archives: CJ Murdoch

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About CJ Murdoch

Looking For "Dead People"! My Journey Back In Time - Tracing my ancestors and researching the counties, cities and towns where they resided. Taking a “Glimpse” into their lives and stories and the times in which they lived; all in an effort to learn about their “Dash”! “I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of his friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning – to the end. He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the second with tears, but he said that what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.” I have always been interested in researching my family tree and “hanging out” in cemeteries. Like most of us... I didn't ask enough questions when elderly family were still living. Oh, what I would give for 24 hours and a camera with my ancestors… just to sit and listen! I'm researching many family lines, including: Murdoch, Wilson, Berry, Love, Scott, Beattie/Beatty, Hendren, Sweeney, Robinson and Elvin; just to name a few. My families are predominantly from counties Antrim, Donegal and Londonderry. However, it seems that many of them, both maternal and paternal lines, originally hailed from Co. Donegal. I was born and raised in Northern Ireland and now live in Ottawa, Canada, making frequent trips back home to visit with my family. Of course those visits also include treks to the many burial grounds of my ancestors. My most recent trip back home was during the summer of 2019! Looking forward to August of 2020 when I will return. If you are interested in help tracing your ancestors I’d love to hear from you!

Friday’s Faces From the Past!

They Are Family…  but from which Twisted Limb?  “…to gaze into the face of another is to gaze into the depth and entirety of his life.” ― John O’Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom Copyright (c) (2014) (https://colleenjmurdoch.wordpress.com). All Rights … Continue reading

Posted in Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wordless Wednesday!

“It is lovely to meet an old person whose face is deeply lined…” “…a face that has been deeply inhabited, to look in the eyes and find light there.” ― John O’Donohue, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom Copyright (c) (2014) (https://colleenjmurdoch.wordpress.com). … Continue reading

Posted in Co. Antrim, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Piper Archibald MacMillan Murdoch!

“The Last O’ The Lot An The Best O’ The Bargin.” Named after his mother Sarah MacMillan, Archibald MacMillan Murdoch was my 2nd great grand uncle.  Archie was born on 3 Aug 1866 in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, and baptized in … Continue reading

Posted in Co. Antrim, Family History, Geneaology, Glasgow, Ireland, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Wordless Wednesday!

“In the end, we’ll all become stories” Margaret Attwood. “If Stones Could Speak”! Copyright (c) (2014) (https://colleenjmurdoch.wordpress.com). All Rights Reserved.   

Posted in Co. Antrim, Co. Down, Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Printer” – Daniel Chambers!

“They Hailed from Where Exactly?” – A Follow Up Born about 1822, Daniel Chambers is my maternal 3rd great grandfather.  At this point in time, where I’ve been looking anyway; records for Daniel are sparse.  Upon locating burial records from … Continue reading

Posted in Burial Records, Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology, Glasgow, Ireland, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Mystery Monday!

“Faces Without A Name” … Yet again, I’m immersed in looking at old family photos!  I have so many beautiful photos from family albums which, unfortunately still remain “Faces Without A Name”! My never ending quest to find my “dead … Continue reading

Posted in Belfast, Co. Antrim, Co. Donegal, Co. Down, Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wordless Wednesday!

Muiredach’s High Cross… Muiredach’s High Cross is a high cross from the 10th or possibly 9th century; and is located at the ruined monastic site of Monasterboice, Co. Louth, Ireland.  Muiredach’s cross is also known as the South Cross.  It has been described as … Continue reading

Posted in Co. Louth, Family History, Ireland | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mystery Monday!

Faces Without a Name… These are some of my family, unfortunately other family photos remain  beautiful “Faces Without A Name”! I believe that the “Face Without A Name” is Richard Scott the father of Mary Agnes.  If that is the case, … Continue reading

Posted in Belfast, Co. Antrim, Family History, Free Genealogy Websites, Ireland | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

They Hailed from Where Exactly?

To Londonderry via Letterykenny & Glasgow My maternal 2nd great grandparents were John Chambers and Catherine Johnston.  Their marriage was “Solemnized at Londonderry in the Parish of Templemore in Co. Derry” on 13 September 1870 in St. Columb’s Cathedral, indicating … Continue reading

Posted in Burial Records, Co. Donegal, Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology, Glasgow, Ireland, Scotland | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Beattie & McCadden Family

Donegal to Londonderry! Charlotte Elizabeth Beattie is my maternal great grandmother.  Born in Jul 1869, she was the youngest of nine children born to James Beattie and Rebecca McCadden of Co. Donegal. Her father and my 2nd great grandfather, James … Continue reading

Posted in Co. Donegal, Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 10 Comments