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!

Tombstone Tuesday!

Templecormac, Upper Ballinderry – A Family Cemetery?  Photographed on a trip “back home” during the summer of 2012, it would seem this tiny little cemetery is a private family burial ground.  I’ve since discovered that some of my family may be interred … Continue reading

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

Mystery Monday!

Faces Without A Name… One of my “Faces Without A Name”!  The photo on the left was among the possessions of my maternal grandmother; unfortunately no names are written on the back!  The photo was taken by William Anderson of 364 … Continue reading

Posted in Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

The Garryharry Sweeney’s

“They Hailed From Donegal” – A Follow Up In an earlier post entitled “They Hailed from Donegal” I wrote about my Sweeney family of Co. Donegal.  Shortly afterwards I posted an enquiry on  West Ulster Genealogy Face Book page hoping … Continue reading

Posted in Burial Records, Co. Donegal, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

From Catherine Chambers to Kate Bustard

From Londonderry to Tawnawully, Co. Donegal Catherine Chambers, who was born in Londonderry on the 15 Mar 1874; was my maternal great grand aunt.  She was also a daughter, sister, wife and mother.  Catherine was one of four children born … Continue reading

Posted in Co. Donegal, Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

My Granny’s House

The Home of Three Generations! The year was 1904, and the house was one of twenty situated off Fountain Street.  12 Victoria Street was a two up two down terraced house on, what I thought of as, a very steep … Continue reading

Posted in Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Twenty Two Years Ago Today…

Robert Sweeney, named after his grandmother Lizzie Sweeney of Donegal! Referred to as “young Bobby” – he was born in November 1934 at 41 Cherryville Street, Belfast, the home of his maternal grandparents.  23 Vandyk Gardens becoming his family home shortly … Continue reading

Posted in Burial Records, Co. Antrim, Co. Donegal, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments

A Love Connection

From Drumachose, Co. Londonderry to Northbridge, Massachusetts Born in Drumachose, Daniel Love is my 2nd great grand uncle.  He was the eldest son and one of nine children born to John Love & Nancy Anne McAlister.  One of his brothers … Continue reading

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They Hailed From Donegal

The Sweeney’s James Baxter Sweeney is my 2nd great grandfather; and from the limited information I have on him it would seem he was born about 1834 in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.  James father was also James Sweeney and his mother … Continue reading

Posted in Co. Donegal, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

9140 – Sergeant Alexander Murdock

2nd Bn Highland Light Infantry Alexander, known as Alex; is my 1st cousin 3x removed.  His father, Alexander; and my 2nd great grandfather, William; were siblings.  Alexander was born on 2 Jul 1879 in Ballymoney, Co. Antrim.  As I mentioned … Continue reading

Posted in Burial Records, Co. Antrim, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

“A Sea Faring Man”

The One Who Doesn’t Want To Be Found” … My Brick Wall! Once again I am returning to Robert Berry who is my 2nd great grandfather… he’s the one who doesn’t want to be found; or maybe he does and … Continue reading

Posted in Belfast, Burial Records, Co. Antrim, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments