| Norwegian Blood in the family |
| Dreamy | [:)]
I have a relative that was born in Portugal in 1857 but I have been told recently that one of his parents may have come from Norway. His mothers name was Mary Murdy or Mundy and I believe that it is possibly her that came from Norway and her husband came from Portugal. His name is listed as Frank Kerdy.
Does anyone have any information on this family. Is Murdy or Mundy a Norweign surname or is Kerdy possibly a Norwegian surname. |
| jwiborg | Hi,
this might be a "shot in the dark", but there is an island called "Mærdø" in Aust-Agder county, just outside the city of Arendal. There are also farms in Aust Agder called Mærdø.
Look at the 1865 norwegian census.
In norwegian, Mærdø and Murdy is pronounced very similar... [:)] Maybe her name was Marie, and she was from the farm Mærdø? (english: "Maerdoe"... )
Not many norwegian names ended with an "y" in those days.
Btw; the ending "ø" is nowadays mostly spelled "øy", and can be translated into "island".
Jan |
| thelebrity | I take it that both the names Kerdy/Murdy are taken from New Zealandic sources. Both names must have been angloised on their way from Norway/Portugal. If you are hoping to find any possible norwegian ancestors you will have to find them in potugese sources first, and then try to find the connection to Norway. |
| Dreamy | Sorry it took me so long to reply, but have had a few family issues.
First thankyou Jan, that is really informative.
Per Helge Seglsten - Yes both surnames are from New Zealand sources. I haven't been able to find any information from Portugal sources in 23 years of trying, and was only just given the Norway link recently at a funeral, but I will keep trying. |