Ancestry surprise!

**BrettH** · 21st February 09, 11:06 PM

My interest in my ancestry has always been at a background level, but recently jumped with my interest in kilts and discovery of this board and its many discussions. I wanted to know what tartans I was "allowed" to wear, which led to asking my mother for any information she had about family history.

From the first Family Tree we had to make in elementary school, I remember being told that I had some ancestors from Scotland on my father's side. Today I got a package from my parents with all the genealogy information that anyone's been able to dig up on either side, along with a note. This note informed me that there was no Scottish blood in sight and my grandmother had apparently used the term to mean thrifty (I have no idea what context this would be - describing herself when she was acting in a thrifty manner?).

On the other hand, in creating a new, comprehensive, digital family tree from all this information, I discovered a number of ancestors from Ireland!

Now it's late and I haven't even taken the next step of finding tartans that are associated with these families, if any exist. Still have some time before I can get more kilts, but that's just more time to figure out what I want, right?

**Highlander31** · 21st February 09, 11:48 PM

The Irish don't really have family tartans. Instead, you will find county tartans for Ireland. If you served in one of our military branches, then there's a tartan for you. Of course, you can wear any tartan you want with a few exceptions. The Isle of Skye is a nice tartan. The XMTS tartan is also a good choice (it's the background on our pages.)

**Jerry** · 22nd February 09, 05:19 AM

If you keep digging, you might discover that some of your Irish ancestors might really be Scotts.

**joeybear** · 22nd February 09, 05:54 AM

Very cool that you learned about your heritage! I recently found out about my own and, although I'm somewhat still in shock, I'm quite happy with what I've learned.

**Balaamsass51** · 22nd February 09, 05:56 AM

Hello BrettH.

When your sainted grandmother said that the family was Scottish (thrifty) she was probably referring to what many consider the Scots - tightwads, stingy, don't want to part with even a penny.

This is not true. It is just a story we Scots put out so that nobody will ask to borrow money from us.

Oh, and wear what you like. Most do like to find some kind of connection between their tartan and themselves even though these may be tenuous at best.

Matt H.

**sathor** · 22nd February 09, 06:17 AM

And keep looking. I signed up for ancestry.com to find the Scots that I was told about on my dad's side of the family, only to find out that the Scottish Ancestor we had just so happened to be born there because their family was trying to avoid a war or something, all their siblings were born elsewhere.

I was disheartened a bit, until my sister provided me with her research on my mom's side, and it filled in one hole that was able to go back 1 more generation, to a Gordon.

Of course, I married a woman who's g-g-g-grandparent was a MacDonald. But since Ky's records were burned away a number of years ago (a whole bunch of years ago) the trails end there rather quickly.

Keep looking, you might be surprised what you find.

**BrettH** · 22nd February 09, 08:10 AM

Originally Posted by Balaamsass51

Hello BrettH.

This is not true. It is just a story we Scots put out so that nobody will ask to borrow money from us.

Genius!

Oh, and wear what you like. Most do like to find some kind of connection between their tartan and themselves even though these may be tenuous at best.

This part I knew. Given that I'm nearly 100% descended from the British Isles (one 6th or 7th generation back fellow came from Germany), I figure I can claim *something*, even if it's what appears to be my ability to claim actual Irish blood on Saint Patrick's day, and an excuse to pick up more kilts. But really, the possibility of a connection got me interested in the family history in general, and I'm really thankful to one of my g-g-aunts who did all the legwork on her side of the family for a booklet for my grandmother's 80th birthday.

**BrettH** · 22nd February 09, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by Highlander31

The Irish don't really have family tartans. Instead, you will find county tartans for Ireland. If you served in one of our military branches, then there's a tartan for you. Of course, you can wear any tartan you want with a few exceptions. The Isle of Skye is a nice tartan. The XMTS tartan is also a good choice (it's the background on our pages.)

No military service, but good to know about the counties. I'm seriously considering getting (asking for) an XMTS tartan kilt the next time an order's done - I really like how it looks.

**The Barry** · 22nd February 09, 08:46 AM

Keep digging, you'll never know what will come up.

Since you've found some Irish family links, check out the county tartans, some of them are quite beautiful.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 22nd February 09, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by Balaamsass51

Hello BrettH.

When your sainted grandmother said that the family was Scottish (thrifty) she was probably referring to what many consider the Scots - tightwads, stingy, don't want to part with even a penny.

This is not true. It is just a story we Scots put out so that nobody will ask to borrow money from us...

Matt H.

HA! you've never been to Aberdeen!