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Archiver > MURPHY-ROOTS > 2005-03 > 1109774145


From: "Jan Dean" <>
Subject: Re: Murphy/Morphy in the Caribbean
Date: Wed, 02 Mar 2005 08:35:45 -0600
References: <200502280805.j1S85OQa015376@lists5.rootsweb.com>
In-Reply-To: <200502280805.j1S85OQa015376@lists5.rootsweb.com>


Mark Murphy wrote:
>I'll keep my eye out for your Murphys, especially in my Barbados
>meanderings.

Thanks, Mark! I have a very slim Barbados file of Murphys that I began when
I wasn't sure if they were connected to my St. Domingue (Santo Domingo)
Murphys. My info is from "Barbados Records Wills & Administrations, Vol. 1,
2, and 3 (covers 1639-1725)". If you don't already have this, let me know
and I'll send it to you.

Best,
Jan

>Jan,
>Wow. That is a very interesting line of old-time Murphys. I've never
>heard of that path to the Americas. Where they might be confused with
>other New World Murphy/Morphys is in Haiti. The Caribeean seems to have
>been an active place for our clan. I'm finding that learning more about
>history helps me immensely in my genealogy. Murphys(+variant spellings)
>seem to have been good mariners. Cromwell and other Englishmen might
>have attempted to crush our spirit, but the Irish seem to live by the
>code of "that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger". Maybe the
>name Murphy does stem from "sea warrior", so I've read. In English, it
>means "potato". Sea Warrior sounds much more appealing to me.
>[I must say that me mum's side, Crane, are very English, so no bash is
>intended to last].
>
>I'll keep my eye out for your Murphys, especially in my Barbados
>meanderings.
>
>Nice to meet 'cha!
>
>Mark
>
>Jan Dean wrote:
>> Hi Mark,
>>
>> I recently joined the group and am delighted to find someone else who is
>> researching Murphys from several hundred years ago. Here's a brief recap
>of
>> my ancestors:
>>
>> Michael Murphy, son of James and Ellen Murphy of Cork City, was born in
>> Lisbon, Portugal (date unknown) and married Maria Porro in Gibraltar in
>> 1755. Around 1768, Michael and Maria moved to Malaga, Spain. One of
their
>> sons, James/Diego Murphy/Morphy, went to St. Domingue (present day
Haiti)
>> and there he married Mollie Creagh (of Limerick) in 1789. They and their
>> young son fled the island during the slave revolution and went to
>> Philadelphia where James/Diego Murphy/Morphy was vice consul of Spain.
In
>> 1795, they moved to Charleston, SC where James/Diego was the Spanish
>consul
>> for North and South Carolina and Georgia. Their final move was to New
>> Orleans in 1809 where once again, James/Diego Morphy was Spanish consul.
>> This branch of the Morphy family has been in New Orleans since 1809.
>> Probably the most well-known member of the family is Paul Morphy, the
>chess
>> player.
>>
>> I'm unable to determine exactly when these Murphys left Ireland and went
>to
>> Portugal, Gibraltar and Spain. If you or anyone on the list is
>researching
>> this family, I'd be happy to share what I know. And if you have any
leads
>> for me, that would be great!!
>>
>> Best,
>> Jan Dean
>> Diamondhead, Miss.


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