Geneology - What's yours?

[vmac3205]

My paternal grandmother was a Chesney, sept of the Cummins (Cummings) clan. I'm married to a MacKenzie, and his maternal grandfather was a MacIntosh - another Chattan clan. His mother's maiden name is Maye MacDonald MacIntosh. We have several of those old wonderful photos like the ones above. If I get the time and energy, I'll scan and post one.

[ThistleDown]

While it is certainly true that many, perhaps a majority, of individuals' surnames' claims as septs of clans are bogus, some aren't. Genealogical research through clans and more recently clan associations can bear fruit from time to time. Many clan associations have a genealogist who assists members.

Yes, definitely. That was the subject of my original post in this thread to Chattan Cat. Highlands Council has a staff genealogist who can be a great help to those who think their ancestors may have originated in the Central and Northern Highlands.

[ThistleDown]

Perhaps slightly off-topic, but perhaps of interest. In 1609 the clans of the Central Highlands -- the Clan Chattan -- signed a Bond of Union. At least 8 of those clans have extant chiefs and the rest have representatives today. Next year, the 400th anniversary, they will be signing it anew. Those whose ancestors originated in that region, and those who support the concept of bonds of friendship and common purpose (sound familiar to XMTS members?) might want to visit http://www.electricscotland.com/webc.../chattan3.html for a preview.

[cessna152towser]

Anne Bell was born in 1804, father was William Bell, mother was Nellie Norman. I have no other information than that. Is Anne any of the brothers or sisters of Janet?

My problem is that nothing is known about Janet Bell, my great-great-great-great grandmother, prior to her marriage to Robert Hamilton in 1763, other than that her father was Daniel Bell. If she was the same as the Janet Bell born in 1742 to a Daniel Bell then her mother would be Isobel Watson who was from a farm near Lesmahagow. Much more is known about the Watsons from old records, due to them having been landowners but there is no further information about Daniel Bell.

[Hillwalker]

Genealogy is something that I work on from time to time. More off than on lately, but this website has inspired me to start looking again. Here are some of the surnames that I found in the family tree:

Beasley, Cade, Chester, Dickerson, Driggers, Ellis, Hagen, Hagins, Heath, Hoover, Key, Kitchens, Knight, Lee, Louther, Love, Lowe, Mallard, Mikell, Smith, and Warnock.

All of these originate from either North Carolina or Georgia. I know the countries where most of these names come from by word of mouth, but it is hard actually tracing everything back because the records from the 1700’s are hard to come by.

[ChattanCat]

We really shouldn't get too wrapped up in legitimising our clan connections. Genealogy is one thing, but trying to connect patronymics to specific clans is quite another. There was a time in the 19C when writers and root-finders, all excited about the new romantic Victorian image of Highland Scotland, went off and rustled names from all over the map.

Whether you investigate your past is your decision. I have and enjoy the history and knowing what,where and when I can trace my past fathers.

[ThistleDown]

For sure, Wallace. What I was trying to say was that genealogy is a science and it can be hugely frustrating for anyone if he mixes that up with sept-attachment. There's a heap of evidence supporting a Cattenach origin in Badenoch, and probably Lochaber, even before they appeared in Dee-side/Don-side in the early 15C (see my post 22 in this thread). That makes your attachment to Clan Chattan a foregone conclusion. But for someone with the name Gow, for example, the lists claim it to also be of Clan Chattan. There was a family named Gow in Badenoch, but the name is simply Gaelic (gobha) for smith and most glens had one of those. How frustrating for a Gow to spend years believing he is a Macpherson, only to successfully trace his ancestry to Argyll or Caithness!

[ChattanCat]

For sure, Wallace. What I was trying to say was that genealogy is a science and it can be hugely frustrating for anyone if he mixes that up with sept-attachment. There's a heap of evidence supporting a Cattenach origin in Badenoch, and probably Lochaber, even before they appeared in Dee-side/Don-side in the early 15C (see my post 22 in this thread). That makes your attachment to Clan Chattan a foregone conclusion.

That is some great information. Do you have a source that you can share?

[Ozman1944]

Unfortunately everyone died (in Australia-I now live in California) before I thought to get interested.
All I have is;
Paternal Great Grandparents are "Harris" from Wales -or Cornwall, I've heard both. Maternal Great Grandparents are "Stewart" from Scotland, a dime a dozen, I'm sure. My Great Grandmother, Annie Elizabeth Stewart was the only generational survivor from both familes and died in 1954 when I was ten years old.

[Desert Celt]

not enough room to write all 3800 names, suffice to say I can go to King Malcom I and his father King Donald II of Alba I'm a celt!