The Campbell Connection

Well now we know why every descendant of Beatrice Campbell Murdoch had the name "Campbell" inserted somewhere. Those Campbells were damn proud of who they were; the most powerful, numerous and aquisitive of the Scottish Clans, they say. 

Here's a nice Clan Campbell cap badge on a background of clan tartan. You can order one from Scottish Clans

According to Burke's Landed gentry Beatrice was the daughter of Patrick Campbell, "of Dunderave in Argyllshire". Finding out more is proving a challenge. Campbells liked to marry other Campbells and the same popular christian names - Archibald, Colin, Patrick, Dugald or Douglas - were passed down through the generations.

A site called Scotland's People  has proven helpful and I have nailed down a Patrick Campbell "sometime in Inverchaggernay, thereafter at Dundrave, parish of Kilmorich". His death was noted in the Argyll Commissary Court records as 2nd October 1774. He had a wife called Ann or Anne and a daughter, Beatrix who married a James Murdoch.

Now here arise a couple of those semantic puzzles that I love:  Dundrave and Inverchaggernay. Old Scots names had their origins in Gaelic, and various English spellings have been used. I have come across Dunderawe; Dunderamh; Dundarawe; Dundaramh for Dunderave Castle but I never thought of searching for Dundrave. However it's clearly the same place. But where on earth is Inverchaggernay? The best I can do is the parish of Inverchaolain. Searching Inverchaolain (pron "inver-hool-ain" turns up an old Ordinance book that mentions "Mr Campbell" of "South Hall". Could this be our Patrick's family? But why did he go to live at Dunderave?

Dundaramh; Dundarave; Dundarawe; Dunderamh; Dunderawe - See more at: http://www.stravaiging.com/history/castle/dunderave-castle#sthash.FrQMuG9F.dpuf

Dundaramh; Dundarave; Dundarawe; Dunderamh; Dunderawe - See more at: http://www.stravaiging.com/history/castle/dunderave-castle#sthash.FrQMuG9F.dpuf