The Family of Michael Murphy and Susanna Rocks, c1845

Michael Murphy was born about 1826 in Ireland.

Susanna Rocks was born about 1818 in Ireland.

I have investigated this family in an attempt to explain two children who turn up with John Houston and Catherine Murphy in Shettleston in the census of 1891. Elizabeth Houston, age 16, is recorded as a daughter but I failed to find any likely birth record. John Murphy, age 11, is recorded as a boarder. I think the explanation lies herein.


1851 March 30 The Murphys were living in Peesweep Row, Dalry in Ayrshire.

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace
Michael MurphyHeadMar21CollierIreland
Susan do.Wifedo.33do.
Arthur do.SonU5ScholarAyrshire, Dalry
Margaret do.DaurU1do., do.


1857 Elizabeth Murphy was born at 0h45m p.m.on July 29 at Peesweep, Dalry to Susanna Murphy m.s. Rocks and Michael Murphy, Iron Miner. Her birth was registered No.306 at Dalry on August 12 by Susanna Murphy, "her X mark", Mother (Present).


1861 April 7 The Murphy family were living at 24 Old Row in the village of Peesweep, Dalry, Ayrshire, in a house with one windowed room.

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace
Michael MurphyHeadMar.35Iron MinerIreland3 | 1
Susanna [Rock]Wifedo.43do.
Arthur do.Son14do.Lanarkshire, Airdrie
Mary A. do.Daur11ScholarAyrshire, Dalry
Catherine do.do.8do.do., do.
Charles do.Son6do.do., do.
Elisabeth do.Daur3do., do.
Ann ConnawayBoarderUnm22Worker in Woolen MillIreland
George Hughesdo.1Ayrshire, Dalry


1871 April 2 A remnant of the family were still in Peesweep Row, Peesweep in a house with one windowed room.

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace
Susan MurphyHeadW52Ireland1
Catherine do.DaurUnm18Factory Worker (Wool)Ayrshire, Dalry
Elizabeth do.Daur14do. do. do.do., do.

Meanwhile, Arthur has moved about a bit, married and landed up in Provanhall, Shettleston in a house with one windowed room.

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace
Arthur MurphyHeadMar23Coal MinerAirdrie, Lanarkshire1
Mary MurphyWifedo.27Duntocher, Dunbarton
Charles MurphySon3Partick, Lanarkshire
Arthur Murphydo.2Dalry, Ayrshire
Charles MurphyLodgerUnm16Coal Minerdo., do.
Terance O'Harrado.24do.Duntocher, Dunbarton
Elizabeth O'Harrado.19Mill Workerdo., do.


1872 Catherine Murphy and John Houston were married on Thursday, November 7 in St Paul's, Eastmuir, Shettleston. [See Section HN-6-3 for further information.]


1875 Elizabeth Murphy, Illegitimate, was born at 6h0m p.m. on Tuesday, March 30 at Kirk Close, Dalry to Elizabeth Murphy, Domestic Servant. Her birth was registered No.115 at Dalry on April 9 by Elizabeth Murphy, "her X mark", Mother.


1880 John Houston Murphy (Illegitimate) was born at 11h45m p.m. on Wednesday, January 7 at Courthill Street, Dalry to Elizabeth Murphy, Domestic Servant. His birth was registered No.17 at Dalry on January 17 by Elizabeth Murphy, "her X mark", Mother.


1881 April 3 The family is somewhat fragmented. Despite appearances, I believe this is Susanna with her grandaughter living at Courthill Street, Dalry.

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace
Susanna RoxHeadW63AnnuitantIreland
Elizabeth MurphyNiece6ScholarAyrshire, Dalry

Arthur and Mary (O'Hara) are living at 143 Main Street, Maryhill.

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace
Arthur MurphyHeadMar35Iron Stone MinerLanarkshire, Airdrie
Mary do.WifeMar40Dunbartonshire, Duntocher
Charles do.Son13Iron Stone MinerLanarkshire, Partick
Arthur do.do.12ScholarAyrshire, Dalry
Bernard MurphySon9ScholarLanarkshire, Shettleston
Grace do.Daur7do.Ayrshire, Dalry
Susan do.do.4do.Lanarkshire, Maryhill
Mary do.do.1do., do.

Charles has also come north, married, and is living at 382 Gairbraid Street, Maryhill in a house with two windowed rooms.
Elizabeth and young John are living with him.

Rel.Mar.AgeOccupationBirthplace
Charles MurphyHeadMar26Iron MinerAyrshire, Dalry
Catherine MurphyWifeMar25Lanark, Partick
Charles MurphySon8 modo., Maryhill
Eliza MurphySisterUnm23Factory WorkerAyrshire, Dalry
John MurphyNephew15 modo., do.
Eliza O'HaraSister in lawUnm28Factory WorkerDumbarton, Blairdardie
Grace O'HaraNiece2Lanark, Maryhill

Catherine and John Houston are also in Maryhill, lodging with Daniel and Jane Malloy,


1891 April 5 Elizabeth (now Houston) and young John are with Catherine and John Houston in Shettleston.


1898 Elizabeth Houston and James Gribbin were married on Wednesday, April 13, at St Paul's RC Chapel, Shettleston. [See section HN-6-3 for further information.]


Compiled by John Reynolds — JRGene@btinternet.com
Last significant update — Spetember 2016 (created)