Adoption Thread 2

[Iolaus]

This is a spin-off question from the previous adoption thread.

I'm scottish by heritage, but not blood. My mother's parents divorced when she was one year old, and her mother remarried, to a McKillop, when she was three. She was never formally adopted, because her birth father never relinquished parental rights, but he also never saw her again 'til she was in her fifties, so the McKillop was the only father she knew...and the only grandfather of either side of my family that I knew (my paternal grandparents were both deceased).

Years ago, at a local H-Games, I inquired at the clan booth about my situation, and was told that I didn't qualify for membership because she was never "formally" adopted. I dropped the subject at the time, but since I have gotten older, I have renewed the interest in my heritage. I looked a little on line, to get new membership material, but couldn't find any links to a family organization.

Having a distinct family tie, I would rather declare a family association than a generic association, and my thought was to investigate the possibilty of invoking some sort of traditional precedent such as "fostering" (if indeed such a thing actually existed, and isn't just an institution made up for historical novels), or any other possible arguements, in order to get them to "bend" the rules a little.

Can anyone point me toward getting in touch with the right organization, and/or give me any advice? I know the McKillops are a sept of Clan MacDonnell of Keppoch, but that's about it.

[Foppy]

Unfortunately, I'm unable to offer any suggestions. However, I see this as a most interesting situation. Of course in this instance my opinion means nothing, but I think it's only fair that you're allowed to join Clan McKillop. (Please forgive me if I've misunderstood) I'm sure there's some way; hopefully someone more knowledgable will be able to answer.

[macwilkin]

Have you considered the Scottish District Families Association (SDFA)? They are for those of Scottish heritage with no "formal" ties to one of the great Scottish clans/families:

http://web.infoave.net/~jmcdaris/sdfa.html

Cheers,

Todd

[Iolaus]

I'd like to pursue the family connections first. It is a personal heritage thing after all.

[The Wizard of BC]

I'm sure the Historians here will agree that the Clan system originally had little to do with "blood relations" and was more centered around sworn or implied loyalty to a chieftain.
By those rules, anyone can join any clan as long as you hold some feeling to that clan.

[David in Maryland]

Whether or not the Clan Society said you are a member of the clan or not, you really still are. Your mother's mother married a MacKillop, she may not have been officially adopted but your mother was raised as a MacKillop, and so were you.

[macwilkin]

I'm sure the Historians here will agree that the Clan system originally had little to do with "blood relations" and was more centered around sworn or implied loyalty to a chieftain.
By those rules, anyone can join any clan as long as you hold some feeling to that clan.

Steve has summed it up quite nicely, so I won't repeat it.

Some clan societies don't understand the history of the clans and become rather elitist in their membership requirements. They are only hurting themselves.

Cheers,

Todd

[Andrew Breecher]

And to keep the topic on kilts, you're absolutely able to wear the MacKillop tartan if you desire. There are two I found right off the bat, both red-based, including one gorgeous red field with blue and green stripes.

Andrew.

[Iolaus]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I'm going to try the Association one more time, this year at the USS Games. I'll actually get the application, send it in, and get a formal answer this time.

As for the tartan, you're right, it's still my heritage, whether the Association recognises me or not!

[Colin]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I'm going to try the Association one more time, this year at the USS Games. I'll actually get the application, send it in, and get a formal answer this time.

As for the tartan, you're right, it's still my heritage, whether the Association recognises me or not!

From All I have heard about negative reactions of Clan Societies at local games, you may be better to find out if the clan society has a website, and to deal with the higher ups. I would never have joined the Clan MacKenzie Society of North America, if I had only dealt with the un-interested, uninformed, and rude **** that was manning the Clan tent at my local games a few years ago. Instead I have dealt with the person the runs the society, and have had him bend over backwards with help and information.