son of a gun...I'm a McKnight

[Alan H]

My maternal grandmother did a lot of research into the family history during her lifetime. She very much wanted to be in the DAR, and so I have, from her, a great deal of geneological information about her side of the family.

Turns out, in 1820 or 1821, Catherine Piercy married John McKnight. They had a number of children, and one of their daughters is my great, great, great, great grandmother.

Son of a gun. Turns out the McKnights are part of the Clan McNaughton, and that most of the McKnights/McNaughtons that emigrated to the USA in the early 1800's were part of the Scots that moved into Ulster after the Irish uprising under Sir Cahir O'Dogherty in 1607. Apparently a large number them left for the New World around 1750, so John McKnight is probably the son or grandson of one of those immigrants.

Looks like I can legitimately wear the McKnight tartan, Hamish!

The internet is an amazing thing.

[Hamish]

.................................................. ...................................
Looks like I can legitimately wear the McKnight tartan, Hamish!

The internet is an amazing thing.

That's great news Alan. Well done!

Apart from having word passed to me verbally by my late father that his mother was born "somewhere in Sutherland, Scotland", I have no knowledge at all of the origins of any of my four grandparents - no birthdates, wedding dates, death dates ... nothing! I stand very little chance, therefore, of being able to trace my family tree. I am not even sure of where my own parents were born, although I obviously know their birth dates and wedding date, but don't know where they were married!

Knowing that my grandmother came from Sutherland, and that all male members of my father's generation within the family were also named Hamish (second names), is good enough for me!

Good luck in tracing more of your roots, Alan, and the McKnight tartan is a truly attractive one. It will make a fine kilt.

[Jimmy Carbomb]

So Alan, how cool is that? It's fun enough to wear a kilt, but when you can get a tartan that has some family link, it makes it even better!

With all the threads and posts about heritage, you're getting the chance to experience the feeling of bringing your past into the present. Now the fun begins in finding your kiltmaker, the style of kilt that you want, and getting the final product.

Have fun!

[Atticus]

I am adopted. My Parents are American of German descent. My adoption certificate mentions that I am part Scottish, as well as Polish, Russian and Scandanavian. So I am a bit of a mutt.

The good news is that I feel very scottish and embrance it. Now if the polish equivalent Rob Roy or Braveheart makes it to the big screen that might change (fat chance).

I could be part of any Clan so I feel free to wear any of them. When I wear a kilt I do my best to conduct myself in a way that would make my family or my "clan" proud.

that is the best I can do...

[macwilkin]

Poland has a long connection with Scotland, Atticus. Many Scots went to Poland as merchants and peddlars, but the strongest connection was in the Second World War, when a number of Poles exiled after the Nazi Invasion of 1939 fled to the UK to organise Free Polish forces to fight with the allies against Hitler. There is even a recent book, "The Eagle and the Lion", which talks about the Poles in Scotland and how many stayed in Scotland after the Communists took over after the war.

I have a deep respect for the Polish people. They know the personal cost of freedom.

Cheers,

T.

[Riverkilt]

Great news Alan...who knows what else lurks in other parts of your family tree...

Ron

[Jimmy Carbomb]

You're lucky! Your tartan is REAL nice!


I have a friend that has a family tartan that looks like dog puke. Put that on your **** and it's even worse. Now, to find it!

[Atticus]

I mean no disrespect to the Poles. I have met many people from Poland and I have always enjoyed their company.
My wife and I almost went on a missions trip to Belarus (neighbor to Poland and Russia) but we found out she was pregnant and cancelled the trip. We would have been a bit too close to Chernobyl. Talk about a history with WWII... Belarus has still got so many problems stemming from the war. Maybe we'll go when little Johnny is a wee bit older.

Viva Poland!

[Alan H]

I joined Geneology.com last night after hauling out great, great, greatuncle Reynold's family tree and finding the McKnights on it. I was looking through the "McKnight" fammily discussion forum and ran across some questions regarding some names that are on my family tree. I joined with the free two week membership, messaged the person who'd asked the questions, and in less than 24 hours I am now in contact with McKnights from Arizon, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma.

Two of them have sent me a pile of information about my Piercy and Romney ancestors that married McKnights. The most famous McKnight was a sea captain of some repute who seemd to have a lot of rotten luck with getting cargoes in and out of Europe.

I'll be sharing some of the information that I've got, the coolest thing happens to be a history of the Masonic Lodge of Alexandria. US History buffs may remember that Alexandria was the name of the town that was ceded to the District of Columbia and was later renamed "Washington". Turns out that the Masonic Lodge, chockablock full of Revolutionary War veterans, met for quite some time during the 1780's at "McKnights Tavern".

So my two most famous Scottish ancestors were...1.) a sea captain that was repeatedly captured by the French, and 2.. Some guy who kept a tavern along the waterfront in a fever-ridden town named Alexandria.

....buncha crazy wild men, for sure.

ain't the internet an amazing thing?

[Alan H]

McKnight Tartan from the Scottish Tartan Authority website. VERY nice, if you ask me.