91883: Murdo Martin

Murdo (1819-1892) was the son of John Martin and Christina Macleod. It is not known where the family were living at the time of his birth, his father originated in Harris and moved to Ardroil and his mother was from Melbost.

It is known that the family spent a short time living in Melbost, prior to setting off for Tolsta. They may have arrived in Tolsta while it was still a Tack, but we cannot be certain of this. The confusion occurs because there is one John Martin listed on the subtenants list of 1820, but by the 1842 croft lotting there are two John Martins who obtained crofts.

In 1842, when Murdo was 23 years old, the family moved to 33 Old South Tolsta. Murdo may well have already been married at the time of this move. It seems fairly likely he was married by 1851, when the family moved to 21 North Tolsta, but this is not certain.

Murdo married Margaret Maclennan, of Sandwick, and the couple settled at 8 East Street, Sandwick.