Too Much Knowledge Disruptive To My Stereotypes

**Riverkilt** · 13th January 09, 06:58 AM

[Not sure if this is proper placement, move if needed please.]

I was raised to believe I was of Scottish heritage - particularly by both grandfathers. I was taken to Highland Games and given books of tartans to browse and read.

Then I caught the genealogy bug and found out there were English and Irish and Welsh and Dutch and Palatine Germans lurking in my family tree. Okay, I can deal with that. None were particularly thick lines.

Then my cousin Bob does the DNA thing and finds we're Scandanavian. Okay I can deal with that too...Sons of Somerled/Clan Donald...we knew that. We just didn't think about it.

Then yesterday I get a packet of information from my little sister who's been up in Cuba/Rushford, New York exploring a hot bed of our Gordon line. The information begins with a reminder that the Gordons are probably of French origin. That triggered my memory of a strong family English line, the Brett/Britt line which is also probably of French Origin.

So, with increasing knowledge I've gone from believing my family is Scottish to now believing we're French-Scandanavian....

More tartans to buy now....

Ron

**davedove** · 13th January 09, 07:04 AM

You're like most of us here in the States Ron; we're all mutts.

Dave (who's mostly English and German, with a handful of Scottish and Irish, and a sprinkling of who knows what else)

**Riverkilt** · 13th January 09, 07:12 AM

Mutt for sure...just always thought we were more of Scottish mutts...the switch to French - Scandanavian mutt is a new core thought.

Stealing my own thread I am for some reason reminded of a neighbor's dog back in Alabama. Was a cross between a German Shepard and a Bassett hound.

Had a German Shephard head, body, tail, and markings but Bassett legs.

Looked like an alligator when it walked.

Genetics can be surprising

but then genetics breed tartans.

Ron

**Tartan Hiker** · 13th January 09, 07:16 AM

Well, cousin, it's a very good thing that you don't listen to the "traditional wisdom" (like the nonsense spewed by the evil lady "expert" in our local Highland shop). You'd have to sell all your kilts and go back to wearing trousers...you're obviously not Scottish enough.

**Sionnach** · 13th January 09, 07:20 AM

Well, at least you are able to trace all sides. I have a grandmother (my only grandparent still alive and 90) who was abandoned as a child, so she has no personal family hx and one whole quarter of my heritage is missing. But the rest is a mix of English, Scot, Danish, Norwegian and Swiss. But its a fun mix.

**piperdbh** · 13th January 09, 07:23 AM

So you're a cross between a Scottish terrier, a Border collie, an English sheepdog, a French poodle, a Dutch shepherd, and several other breeds thrown in to boot. Welcome to the club! My maternal grandmother's father (Lockhart) was of Scottish descent, his wife was half Cherokee (her maiden name was Thompson), and my paternal line includes Callahans, Radfords, McCalls and Hensleys. Those of my ancestors who didn't swing from their tails swung by their necks.
If we added up all the nationalities/ethnicities we could use in describing ourselves, i.e. French-Swedish-Cherokee-Irish-Scottish-Navajo-African-Asian-American, we'd have to have business cards the size of a legal pad just to hold all the hyphens. I'm content to be an American, who happens to have a mixed up heritage.

**McFarkus** · 13th January 09, 07:53 AM

Originally Posted by Riverkilt

[Not sure if this is proper placement, move if needed please.]

....yesterday I get a packet of information from my little sister who's been up in Cuba/Rushford, New York exploring a hot bed of our Gordon line. The information begins with a reminder that the Gordons are probably of French origin. That triggered my memory of a strong family English line, the Brett/Britt line which is also probably of French Origin.

So, with increasing knowledge I've gone from believing my family is Scottish to now believing we're French-Scandanavian....

The Gordons WERE French. Adam De Gordon was a Norman who supported King David I in the 12th century

**macwilkin** · 13th January 09, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by McFarkus

The Gordons WERE French. Adam De Gordon was a Norman who supported King David I in the 12th century

And the Normans were originally Vikings ("Northmen = Norman").

Todd

**sathor** · 13th January 09, 09:18 AM

My dad's side thought there was Scottish in them, ancestry.com taught otherwise. Funny thing, for some reason, an ancestor went to Scotland, had a kid, and then went back form where they had come from. I think I checked and it considered with a war of some sort, but can't say.

Then I found out my wife has a MacDonald ancestor, then I found out my mom's g-grandparent was a Gordon.

**Pleater** · 13th January 09, 09:20 AM

You are lucky if you can trace your family right back to Adam - I come from a long line of spinsters, as far as I can tell.

My genealogy has more holes in it than a pair of lace curtains.

I supose I could get a DNA analysis done, out of curiosity, but I have a stronger sense of place than of people and 'home' will always be South Yorkshire because that is where I grew up.

I have bought Morrison tartan - 'Morris on' was a recording of morris tunes and I happen to be a drummer for a morris side. I also bought Armstong, as there is possibly some dwarfish blood.....

I have to consider a strong Scottish connection as, despite a normally calm and genial nature, the sound of bagpipes increases my pulse rate and I feel the urge to - find something - and do things at it.

Anne the Pleater