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ALEXANDER DAVID MCMURTRIE
Alexander David McMurtrie had a vision.
His vision was of one McMurtrie Family History Collection that covered the entire family all over the whole world.
The breadth of his vision enabled him to be a welcome collaborator with dozens of interested individuals and family historians of families in every corner of the globe.
The care and the thoroughness and the zeal and the openness with which he pursued his hobby provided a stimulus and inspiration (as well as pages of data to pour over) for many of us who shared the pursuit of family roots with him or who followed in his footsteps.
But I believe that his vision was deeper and broader than family history. Though I never met A.D. in person, I have seen his pictures and I see in his eyes, a gentleness and a thoughtfulness that moves me
And in the volunteer work he did for children, especially for boys who needed extra support and encouragement, I find a commitment to compassionate action that makes me feel like I really missed out by not having had the chance to know him.
In memory of Alexander David McMurtrie, and all he was and all he did, on this the 100th anniversary of his birth on August 23, 1895, this compilation of his work and the work of his collaborators is dedicated.
Richard K McMurtry
Berkeley, California
August 1995