When George was 17 he decided to explore the world. He boarded a ship that was bound for New Zealand. There he joined a trading ship that was sailing to America. During the return voyage, George witnessed the captain murdering a crew member. The captain gave him two choices either to be killed or to be put off shore on an isolated island. George opted for the second choice and that's how he landed on the Gilbert Islands. Now called (Kiribati) West Pacific, See Arthur Grimble book 'A Pattern Of Islands' for his story.

George worked for a man called Mr Corrie, who sort of adopted him and was employed as a Book Keeper and a store keeper. Later on after saving some money he established his own business. He went to Guatamala with his first wife Takeiti whom he had two children with. She died not long after their return in hospital in Betio.

Geroge was a successful tradesman and became the Acting Resident Commissioner and provided a unique contribution to the Kiribati people.

Towards the end of 1910 George married a part European/Kiribati lady called Meme Randolph. Meme was in her early twenties when she got married and George was about 50.
Meme was the second eldest child of Captain Randolph and 3rd wife Temoa. Captain Randolph, his wife and a baby were lost at sea and Meme was adopted by a Gilbertese family. Over the next seventeen years Meme and George had eight children

George passed away aged 76, on the 19th of September 1936 and is buried at Kuria. His wife Meme died in late 1969. George was quite wealthy when he died.

Geroge McGhie Murdoch and his first wife Takeit Tebwebwe's children are.

Agnes Donaldson Murdoch (1886- 1951) born in Tarawa, educated in a Roman Catholic Convent "Riouista California, remained in the convent when her family returned to the Gilberts from Guatemala, she then returned on completing her schooling. She married Tokatake (1899-1935) they had five children, (George Tekinaiti 1916-?) ( Bauro Paul Binatiake (1917-?) (Molly 1918-?) (Tiare Charlie 1921-?) (John Tiaon 1925- 1976).

The second child of George McGhie Murdoch was Charles Lono Murdoch (1892- 1915) Charles was born in Guatemala and was educated in Australia, he joined the Australia army and fell at Gallipowi during WWI, he married Bertha and they had no children.

GEORGE McGHIE MURDOCH'S CHILDREN with his 2nd wife Meme Randolph.

1st child Delorus Caroline Murdoch (married 3 times)
2nd child John Armstrong Murdoch (aka Jack) married Rosemary Sue's
3rd child Fredrick David Murdoch (married twice)
4th child Ellen Jane Murdoch, born on the 12th of August, 1917. Married John Foster Milne, two children Wally and Moira.
5th child George Randolph Murdoch
6th child James Samuel Murdoch
7th child Sarah Grace Murdoch
8th child Alexander Murdoch he is in his 90s now (2005) and is the only survivor of George and Meme's children.

Back to Family Information