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!

Theresa Scott

A Sad Life… Theresa is my 2nd great aunt; she is one of eleven children born to Richard Scott and Ann Jane Tinsley.  The Scott families were well respected farmers in Stoneyford, Co. Antrim, where I’ve traced them back to … Continue reading

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

Remembered With Honour

MORRISON, Flying Offr. (Pilot) Samuel Cecil – 115396. R.A.F. (V.R.).104 Sqdn. Prot. Sec. (Men’s). Plot F. Coll.  Samuel Cecil Morrison (Cecil) was the son of Samuel Morrison and Charlotte Rebecca Wilson (Cissy) and the eldest of six children.  He was born … Continue reading

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A Strange Coincidence, or Was It?

I’ve been working on my family tree “Twisted Limbs & Crooked Branches” for about 3 years now.  Like many, I started collecting information and photos several years prior.  I had spent time in the Knock Road Cemetery in Ballymoney, Co. … Continue reading

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

The Scotts of Ballymacward, Co. Antrim!

Larceny of Ducks… Beauchamp Scott, lovingly referred to as “Oul Beatty”, was a son, brother, husband and father – he was also my great grand uncle.   Although many historical records indicate he was born on 26 Dec 1878 the Scott … Continue reading

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

“Reasonably exhaustive” research as a process of elimination

Originally posted on Planting the Seeds:
One of the most difficult concepts to grasp, when we strive to meet the Genealogical Proof Standard, is the “reasonably exhaustive search.” This requirement demands that we conduct thorough research, scouring every possible source…

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Faces Without A Name

A multitude of photos with no names attached! I have an abundance of old family photos, which I assembled while on my last trip to Ireland in the summer of 2012.  With over 3,000 images: family photos, documents and the … Continue reading

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

The Beattie/Rankin Connection

A Follow up to – “It’s A Small World”! Less than two weeks ago I posted a blog entitled “It’s A Small World” discussing my Beattie/Rankin connection.  Since then I’ve been able to meet with Mr. Rankin’s son, who is … Continue reading

Posted in Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments

The Belfast Blitz – A Personal Connection

I grew up knowing that my father was born in Belfast and grew up in Ballymoney.  Ballymoney is a small town in Co. Antrim which is a short distance away from the Causeway Coast and the Glens of Antrim.  It’s … Continue reading

Posted in Belfast, Co. Antrim, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

St. Columb’s Court Swifts Football Team

Family photos can be found from the strangest resources. Several months ago, on the 400th Anniversary of Derry’s FB page (which unfortunately has been taken down by the owner); a photo appeared of the St. Columb’s Court Swifts Football Team.  … Continue reading

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

It’s A Small World!

Many people use the term “It’s A Small World”; have you ever stopped to think about HOW small our world really is?  You may run into someone at a ball game that you hadn’t expected to see and say, “Oh, … Continue reading

Posted in Co. Londonderry, Family History, Geneaology, Ireland | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments