New Member Hampton Roads, Virginia

**jsimon208** · 14th March 17, 06:11 PM

Good day everyone.

Joe here. I just moved to Hampton Roads area of Virginia. I am a 39 yr old retiree/disabled veteran. Since retiring i've had a ton of time to do ancestry and genealogy. Sooo..... of course I have come across my Irish ancestry in detail. The only kilt I have ordered is a casual Utilikilt for general wear. Mainly because I do not want to make any mistakes by buying the wrong tartan colors or having one I think is traditional turn out to be a bad bad mistake.

I've read a bunch lately about the Irish wear of Kilts both while serving with the British Army and 19th Century wear. Of course I've read about the Americanism of the Irish kilt and tartan colors and I want to be a part of it. Customs have to start somewhere and there's no time like the present.

I've narrowed my family line on my father's side to both Limerick and Derry & Belfast. My 3rd Great Grandfather immigrated to the U.S. in 1852, met a woman and started their family. At one point my paternal grandmother's parents (O'Connor from Limerick & McPeak from Derry) produced her. She met my Grandfather who's line comes from Alsace France with some more Ireland and Dutch mixed in. And poof.... My mother's side is British through and through.

So that's it. I am here to make some friends, expand my knowledge of my ancestors customs and culture, and have some fun in the process.

So, should I go with Limerick or Derry?

**Also, I forgot to post. I've had the great experience of visiting Dublin & Edinburgh while I was in the service. I hope to get back to some of the towns that my family is from so I can gather whatever information I can. I have the added benefit of being able to take military space-a flights to Europe to help with that endeavor.

**Father Bill** · 14th March 17, 06:19 PM

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

Traditionally, tartans are traced through the paternal side where possible, and the maternal side for those generations in which it is not. Other than that, there really are no tartan police, just those who think they are, but it's wise to have a simple reason for your tartan without the long and dreaded "right to wear this tartan discourse."

Again, welcome!

**jsimon208** · 14th March 17, 06:25 PM

Yeah, I will always default to, "this is 'murica I can wear whatever I want."

Originally Posted by Father Bill

Welcome to the "Great Rabble!"

Traditionally, tartans are traced through the paternal side where possible, and the maternal side for those generations in which it is not. Other than that, there really are no tartan police, just those who think they are, but it's wise to have a simple reason for your tartan without the long and dreaded "right to wear this tartan discourse."

Again, welcome!

**JohntheBiker** · 14th March 17, 06:32 PM

Hello Joe, welcome from Toronto.

**Father Bill** · 14th March 17, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by jsimon208

Yeah, I will always default to, "this is 'murica I can wear whatever I want."

My apologies; I misunderstood that you wanted information. I was obviously wrong. Yes, like the rest of the western world, you can do as you wish and those who know will be too polite to express their dismissal of your position.

**jsimon208** · 14th March 17, 07:07 PM

Don't misunderstand me. I am saying that if someone really has a problem with what I am wearing I will remind them we live in a free society. I of course want information on what to do right, but I am not too keen on people being rude about anything. Like you said, there are (or shouldn't be) tartan police.

**IrishRebel79** · 14th March 17, 08:14 PM

Hi Joe! If you don't mind me asking, what part of Hampton Roads? Born and raised there till I shipped out to the service... I originally hail from the flat peanut fields of Suffolk.