Person Page - 27

     James McMurdo was a Soldier/Dockyard Policeman. He was born on 3 June 1875 at Hightownhead, Kirkmahoe, Dumfries, Scotland. He was the son of William McMurdo and Marion Hiddleston. James McMurdo married Elizabeth Dalrymple Palmer, daughter of James Palmer and Mary Waters, on 21 September 1914 at Paisley, Renfrew, Scotland. James McMurdo died on 19 November 1952 at Gourock, Renfrew, Scotland, at age 77. In the 1911 census James McMurdo was a lodger in Port Glasgow, and his occupation given as a labourer in a shipyard. Later, he was a Dockyard Policeman
In 1914 he was a Sergeant in the 3rd Battalion of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, Special reserve. Between 1899 and 1906 he served in the Cameron Highlanders overseas including Gibraltar, Crete, Malta, and Africa. It would seem that he re-enlisted on 28th September 1914 when WW1 broke out. From about 1919, and for the rest of his life, he lived in Gourock and was a dockyard policeman at the torpedo factory in Greenock until his retirement.
In the attached photograph, from left to right, are: Elizabeth Palmer (his wife), James with daughter Lily, son James and son William.

     Isobel Parker Blackwood was born on 14 December 1924 at Glasgow, Scotland. She was the daughter of John Blackwood and Caroline Parker. Isobel Parker Blackwood married Albert Hall, son of Albert John Hall and Elsie Deakin, on 14 June 1946 at Greenock, Renfrew, Scotland. Isobel Parker Blackwood died on 5 February 2011 at Stafford, Staffordshire, England, at age 86.

     Mary Hunter was born on 3 February 1826 at Renfrew, Renfrewshire, Scotland. She was the daughter of James Hunter and Elizabeth Chalmers. Mary Hunter married Alexander Blackwood, son of William Blackwood and Helen Adam, on 16 September 1852 at Neilston, Renfrew, Scotland. Also at Paisley (Abbey) on 16 Sep 1852.
Alexander and Mary emigrated to Australia on the ship "Typhoon", leaving Greenock on 22 September 1852. This first iron masted ship was severely damaged in the Bay of Biscay and had to put into Lisbon for repairs which took 10 weeks. Letters from passengers describing the event are in the Glasgow Herald on 22 October 1852.
The ship arrived in Melbourne on 4th March 1853. Alexander and Mary are incorrectly indexed in the unassisted passenger list under the name "Blackmore" (not surprisingly, as the original entry is partially obscured). There is no child listed with them on the passenger list.
From the Melton Family History Society, it is understood that Alexander managed a general store, but also leased land at the farm "Creighton" where he ran a large flock of sheep, and was a leader in the community. When he sold up, he retired to Malvern, a suburb of Melbourne. Mary Hunter died on 8 May 1906 at Malvern, Victoria, Australia, at age 80.

     Margaret McIntosh was born circa 1805 at Nairn, Nairn, Scotland. She married Sueton (Swean) Davidson, son of John Davidson and Isabel Shaw.

     Donald MacPherson Davidson was born on 13 January 1846 at Rafford, Elgin, Moray, Scotland. He was the son of Sueton (Swean) Davidson and Margaret McIntosh. Donald MacPherson Davidson married Isabella Morrison in 1874 at Glasgow, Scotland. Donald MacPherson Davidson died in 1919 at Glasgow, Scotland.

     Isabella Morrison was born in 1849 at Elgin, Moray, Scotland. She married Donald MacPherson Davidson, son of Sueton (Swean) Davidson and Margaret McIntosh, in 1874 at Glasgow, Scotland. Isabella Morrison died in 1913 at Glasgow, Scotland.

     Alfred Davidson was born in 1884 at Glasgow, Scotland. He was the son of Donald MacPherson Davidson and Isabella Morrison. Alfred Davidson married Elizabeth Fraser in 1911 at Bathgate, W Lothian, Scotland. Alfred Davidson died in 1963 at Sale, Cheshire, England.

     Elizabeth Fraser was born in 1884 at Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. She married Alfred Davidson, son of Donald MacPherson Davidson and Isabella Morrison, in 1911 at Bathgate, W Lothian, Scotland. Elizabeth Fraser died in 1980 at Manchester, Lancashire, England.

     Isabella Morrison Davidson was born in 1913 at Glasgow, Scotland. She was the daughter of Alfred Davidson and Elizabeth Fraser.

     Elizabeth Russell was born circa 1799 at Moray, Scotland. She married David Davidson, son of John Davidson and Isabel Shaw, on 26 December 1820 at Cawdor, Nairn, Scotland, and at Drainie, Moray on 22 Dec 1820. Elizabeth Russell died on 23 August 1848 at Elgin, Moray, Scotland. She was buried in the Cathedral Church yard, Elgin.

     Isabella Sutherland married David Davidson, son of John Davidson and Isabel Shaw, in 1853 at Elgin, Moray, Scotland.

     John Walter Muir was buried at Nthn Suburbs, Presbyt, NSW, Australia. He was an Orchardist. He was born on 20 March 1851 at Sydney, Australia. Baptism recorded at St Andrews Scots Church, Sydney, on 20 Aug 1851. Parents "of Windsor". He was the son of John Muir and Jane Blackwood. John Walter Muir married Flora Hastings McDonall, daughter of Rawdon McDonall and Charlotte S. King, in 1900 at St Leonards, NSW, Australia. John Walter Muir died on 5 October 1927 at Lidcombe, NSW, Australia, at age 76.

     Elizabeth Muir was born on 21 March 1853 at Sydney, Australia. Baptised 3rd May 1853 - Presbyterian baptisms in the Parish of Portland Head, in the Counties of Cook and Cumberland. She was the daughter of John Muir and Jane Blackwood. Elizabeth Muir married David Weymiss Bain in 1901 at North Sydney, NSW, Australia. Elizabeth Muir was buried at Nthn Suburbs, Presbyt, NSW, Australia. She died on 21 May 1929 at Kuringai, Gordon, NSW, Australia, at age 76; No issue.

     Walter Blackwood Muir was born on 7 April 1856 at Redfern, NSW, Australia. He was the son of John Muir and Jane Blackwood. Walter Blackwood Muir was a Bank Clerk. He married Elizabeth Mary Suttor on 22 December 1887 at Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia. Walter Blackwood Muir was buried at Gore Hill, Presbyterian, NSW, Australia. He died on 2 August 1898 at Wahroonga, Gordon, NSW, Australia, at age 42; No issue.

     Mary Agnes Muir was born on 6 July 1862 at Redfern, NSW, Australia. She was the daughter of John Muir and Jane Blackwood. Mary Agnes Muir was buried at Nthn Suburbs, Presbyt, NSW, Australia. She died on 24 December 1945 at Ashfield, NSW, Australia, at age 83. Mary was recorded as unmarried.

     William Gilroy was a Ploughman. He was born circa 1844 at Inveresk, Midlothian, Scotland. He was the son of William Dick Gilray and Ann Montgomery. William Gilroy married Mary Ann Lyall on 26 April 1867 at Berwick Upon Tweed, Northumberland, England. Also spelt Lyall in later documents. William Gilroy died on 3 November 1927 at Fogo, Berwick, Scotland.

     Donald Gilroy was a Coal Miner/Licensed Victualler. He was born on 21 March 1875 at Inveresk, Midlothian, Scotland. He was the son of William Dick Gilray and Isabella McNab. Donald Gilroy married Jane S Minter circa June 1919 at St George Hanover Square, Middlesex, England. Donald Gilroy died on 9 February 1953 at The Castle Inn, Isleworth, Middlesex, England, at age 77.

     Elizabeth Adam Blackwood was born in 1853 at North Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She was the daughter of Alexander Blackwood and Mary Hunter. Elizabeth Adam Blackwood married James Allan Barrie, son of John Barrie and Margaret Allan, in 1872 at Melton, Victoria, Australia. Elizabeth Adam Blackwood died on 7 April 1942 at Blackburn, Victoria, Australia. Buried at Shepparton cemetery.

     James Allan Barrie was born circa 1853. He was the son of John Barrie and Margaret Allan. James Allan Barrie married Elizabeth Adam Blackwood, daughter of Alexander Blackwood and Mary Hunter, in 1872 at Melton, Victoria, Australia. James Allan Barrie died in 1888 at Shepparton, Victoria, Australia.

     John Barrie married Margaret Allan circa 1834 at Kirkintilloch, Scotland.

     Margaret Allan was born on 8 June 1815 at Kirkintilloch, Scotland. She married John Barrie circa 1834 at Kirkintilloch, Scotland. Margaret Allan died on 14 November 1900 at Shepparton, Victoria, Australia, at age 85.

     Mary Barrie was born in 1873 at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia. She was the daughter of James Allan Barrie and Elizabeth Adam Blackwood. Mary Barrie died in 1945 at St Kilda, Victoria, Australia.

     John Alexander Barrie was born in 1875 at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia. He was the son of James Allan Barrie and Elizabeth Adam Blackwood. John Alexander Barrie died in 1901 at Malvern, Victoria, Australia.

     James Barrie was born in 1879 at Shepparton, Victoria, Australia. He was the son of James Allan Barrie and Elizabeth Adam Blackwood. James Barrie married Molly Berenice Kavanagh circa 1932. James Barrie died on 14 July 1962 at Malvern, Victoria, Australia.

     William Blackwood was a Blacksmith & Farmer. He was born on 7 May 1855 at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia. He was the son of Alexander Blackwood and Mary Hunter. William Blackwood married Louisa Jane Plummer, daughter of Edwin Plummer and Louisa Agnes Howes, on 22 March 1883 at Burwood, Victoria, Australia. William Blackwood married Rosetta Newton Coles Strickland in 1902 at Victoria, Australia. William Blackwood died on 2 August 1940 at Mentone, Victoria, Australia, at age 85. He was buried on 3 August 1940 at Springvale Crematorium, Victoria, Australia.

     Louisa Jane Plummer was born on 29 March 1855 at St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. She was the daughter of Edwin Plummer and Louisa Agnes Howes. Louisa Jane Plummer married William Blackwood, son of Alexander Blackwood and Mary Hunter, on 22 March 1883 at Burwood, Victoria, Australia. Louisa Jane Plummer died on 13 August 1899 at Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia, at age 44.

     Christina Blackwood was born circa 1857 at Melton, Victoria, Australia. A birth record has not been found. Her marriage certificate in 1875 gives her age as 18, and Melton as place of birth. Her death registration in 1921 gives her age as 64. She was the daughter of Alexander Blackwood and Mary Hunter. Christina Blackwood married William Alfred Cecil, son of William Cecil and Theresa Coles, on 24 March 1875 at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia. Christina Blackwood died in 1921 at Brighton, Victoria, Australia.

     William Alfred Cecil was born in 1843 at Berkshire, England. He was the son of William Cecil and Theresa Coles. William Alfred Cecil married Christina Blackwood, daughter of Alexander Blackwood and Mary Hunter, on 24 March 1875 at Bacchus Marsh, Victoria, Australia. William Alfred Cecil died in 1902 at Melton, Victoria, Australia.

     Helen Chalmers Blackwood was born in 1859 at Melton, Victoria, Australia. She was the daughter of Alexander Blackwood and Mary Hunter. Helen Chalmers Blackwood married Ellar Alexander Buchanan on 24 May 1881 at Victoria, Australia. Source: The Argus, 1st June 1881. Helen Chalmers Blackwood died in 1938 at Richmond, Victoria, Australia.

     Ellar Alexander Buchanan married Helen Chalmers Blackwood, daughter of Alexander Blackwood and Mary Hunter, on 24 May 1881 at Victoria, Australia. Source: The Argus, 1st June 1881.