In 1987, I started on a journey of tracing my Family History. With little more than a few "family myths" and some memories from my Dad, I didnt realise that this would be fully occupying my life some 30 years later.

For those of you who have tried to trace their ancestors, you'll realise how much like a drug it is - when you've found something, you dare not let it go, for fear of losing the momentum. Each lead turns to another, and before you realise where you are, there are multiple strands of information, begging to be followed. Of course, 30 years ago, there was no Internet as such and the myriads of Genealogy sites and forums hadn't come of age. The Public Record Office at Kew, The Mitchell Library in Glasgow and my dear Uncle George Murdoch (now sadly passed away) were the keystones of my research. Nothing was instant...If you needed a copy of a document, you could order it by telephone, and some weeks later it would arrive - much like waiting for your holiday pictures to be developed.

Fortunately for me - and with great insight from those who have gone before, the Murdoch Family decided to record their Pedigree in a small, hand-written volume. This Pedigree was maintained from 1605 until the end of the 19th Century, when it was printed and copies were distributed about. One of these copies found its way to the Mitchell Library in Glasgow, whilst another found its way to George. Key dates, with names and descriptions were added by the eldest of each generation and the value of this document has become immeasurable.

The language, sometimes hard to understand, made proud description of the members of this historic family. Two Provosts of Glasgow, generations of Tobacco Lords, Sugar Merchants and Bankers...and of course, the rest of us. The daily trials and tribulations. The tragedy of family loss and the joy of the arrival of younger generations. This document provided the key for what has turned out to be a journney of biblical proportions. It has been my "bible" for all things "Murdoch" related and I hope it will serve the same purpose for those who come after me. Indeed, when I started this research, the Murdoch Line ended with my self and my brother Iain. Now, in 2017, my nephews Nisse & Matti, and my own son James, will sometime hopefully pick up the reins of this journey and follow it with the passion and pride that has given me endless sleepless nights, and quite honestly, cost me a small fortune! It's worth it lads...it's our heritage...it's where we come from.

Several years into the project, I became interested in the fact that two Family Members were involved the great Conflicts of their times.

Peter Murdoch (1761-1786), fought in the American Wars of Independence. The Pedigree entry reads "Peter Murdoch, my eldest son, died a batchelor at Bolbeck, Normandy in France, having nearly attained the 25th year of his age, on the 3rd of June 1786. He was a Captn, in His Majestie's Land Forces in the late 74th & 77th Regiment of Foot".

Later in the Volume, much coverage is given to a further Peter Murdoch (1795-1871). Whilst no mention is given to Peter's military career, family myth referred to him as the "Old Waterloo Gentleman". Clearly, the dates would suggest that fighting in the Napoleonic Conflict was very plausible and his latter life as a super intendent at a Penal Colony in New South Wales would also hint at him having been a Professional Soldier.

The Pedigree ends quite abruptly on 26th July 1886, announcing the marriage of my great grandfather, George Brown Murdoch. This, then leads us into the realm of living memory. My father, yet another Peter, whilst not having met his grandfather, would most certainly have recieved first hand information from his father. George Brown Murdoch's children were born into an era of even greater conflict. And a chance find in 2011, led me to discover the great story of the Murdoch's At War...

Whilst this site has been built primarily to record the work that has been carried out over the last 30 years, it also serves as a memorial for the men and women of this, and closely related families, who struggled and in some cases gave their lives in conflict. I hope that you will enjoy reading the narrative and hope that it may inspire you to follow your own journey of Your Family At War.

Alistair Murdoch
Edinburgh
2017