Disappointing

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

I have never really understood being proud of one's allegedly unique and special heritage. All we did to participate in it was to be born, something we had no choice in. Being proud of one's genealogical research is a different story. It often requires a great deal of work over several decades.

As a charter member of "The Lucky Sperm Club" I'd have to respectufully disagree with you.

Pride in the achievements of those ancestors who have gone before (and that includes parents) is, more often than not, the foundation upon which future generations will lay the conerstone of their success. There is a reason why the children of doctors often enter the medical profession: They see what their parents do, are proud of them, and follow in their footsteps. The same holds true with other callings: the military tradition in some families, the political traditions in others, teacing school, running the corner grocery store, tilling the family farm, and a whole lot more; "following in the family footsteps" is down to pride in the successful contributions of ancestors.

My heritage is unique and special. There is no "allegedly" about it. It is as unique and special to me, as yours is unique and special to you. While it's true I didn't have a choice in to whom I was born (no one does), that does not mean that anyone's birth is accidental-- People choose to get married, and choose to have families.

As you say, it can take decades to do genealogical research. To which I would merely add, it takes generations to create the continuity of a family. And that continuity is special and unique whether it is your family, or the family of any other member of this forum.

[Jack Daw]

One of my inspirations to take up piping was that the MacIntyres were hereditary pipers to two major clans.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

One of my inspirations to take up piping was that the MacIntyres were hereditary pipers to two major clans.

My point exactly. People often derive inspiration from the achievements of ancestors, and that inspiration is what improves mankind as a whole.

[macwilkin]

I have never really understood being proud of one's allegedly unique and special heritage. All we did to participate in it was to be born, something we had no choice in. Being proud of one's genealogical research is a different story. It often requires a great deal of work over several decades.

Of course, genealogy is just meaningless names & dates on pedigree charts without a sense of history behind it. I can't tell you how many genealogists I met while working in the field who had no concept of the history behind their family trees -- they could not put those charts in context with the times. They were so focused on the charts, etc. that they lost sight of the big picture -- to learn where they come from. Of course not all of the genealogists were like this, but a fair amout were.

I agree with Rathdown: pride in your heritage gives you a legacy to live up to. He said it so well that I can't really add anything to it.

Without that sense of family history, genealogical data is just that -- cold and meaningless.

Regards,

Todd

[davedove]

So, the family "legend" has always been that we came from the Isle of Raasay, descending from the MacLeod's of Raasay. I have been doing some research, and using a great Aunt's research and found that our ancestor Joseph "MacLeod" Rasey is not a MacLeod at all. DNA testing has proved that there is no way he was related to Malcolm MacLeod who was said to be his father. This connection was supposed to have been fabricated by a preacher years and years back. Anyway, the Joseph Rasey that I descend from was supposedly born in Skye, Argyll but I really cant find a second source substantiating that claim. Anyone know of any Rasey's or Rasay's in Scotland in the 1700's? Well, as disapointing as it is to find out that I am not actually a MacLeod, I can still take pride in my Cunningham heritage which is irrefutable!

Bishop

I understand your disappointment. I was always told that I was related to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Mckean. My father's mother was a McKean. However, I have tentatively traced the Mckean line back to a Thomas McKean, but it is a different one. Apparently, Thomas was a pretty common name for McKeans. They did live in the same area, and may have been distantly related, but there is no definite proof. Also, the descendents of the signer have been fairly well documented, and none of my family is there.

[BoldHighlander]

Of course, genealogy is just meaningless names & dates on pedigree charts without a sense of history behind it. I can't tell you how many genealogists I met while working in the field who had no concept of the history behind their family trees -- they could not put those charts in context with the times. They were so focused on the charts, etc. that they lost sight of the big picture -- to learn where they come from. Of course not all of the genealogists were like this, but a fair amout were.

I agree with Rathdown: pride in your heritage gives you a legacy to live up to. He said it so well that I can't really add anything to it.

Without that sense of family history, genealogical data is just that -- cold and meaningless.

Regards,

Todd

As a charter member of "The Lucky Sperm Club" I'd have to respectufully disagree with you.

Pride in the achievements of those ancestors who have gone before (and that includes parents) is, more often than not, the foundation upon which future generations will lay the conerstone of their success. There is a reason why the children of doctors often enter the medical profession: They see what their parents do, are proud of them, and follow in their footsteps. The same holds true with other callings: the military tradition in some families, the political traditions in others, teacing school, running the corner grocery store, tilling the family farm, and a whole lot more; "following in the family footsteps" is down to pride in the successful contributions of ancestors.

My heritage is unique and special. There is no "allegedly" about it. It is as unique and special to me, as yours is unique and special to you. While it's true I didn't have a choice in to whom I was born (no one does), that does not mean that anyone's birth is accidental-- People choose to get married, and choose to have families.

As you say, it can take decades to do genealogical research. To which I would merely add, it takes generations to create the continuity of a family. And that continuity is special and unique whether it is your family, or the family of any other member of this forum.

Very well said gentlemen!

[Scotus]

MacMillan of Rathdown... an excellent post!! Well said!

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Gentlemen, thank you for your kind kind words.