clan associations

[MadMouser]

I'm a half-and-half, my father's side is French-Canadian (St. Jean, Le Brun) and my mother's is English (Sellers, Hargreaves). But there are some Robert/Roberts on my paternal grandmother's side.

Still like kilts, probably going to pick up something in Maple Leaf next...

Pat

[rmckay]

I voted no, because right now I am not a paying member of any society. I was a paying member of Clan MacKay for several years, but family life just made it difficult to go to games or be able to contribute anything to the society, so I let my membership lapse. In the resulting time away I have discovered other things about my family history and while I will always be a MacKay, its the whole last name thing, but my branch of MacKay came to the US from Argyllshire in the 1700's and the MacKay's from there are supposed to be a sept of Clan Donald. I have found lots of conflicting information on whether or not the 2 branches of MacKay's are related, so for now I am just gonna stay out of clan societies and enjoy being kilted.

[Singlemalt]

I voted No.

I grew up in a rural Canadian home. There was no question we were Scottish background. My grandparents came from Scotland I have many of the old Highland surnames in my pedigree Kerr, MacNiel, MacLeod and Cameron. I had grandparents and great grandparents who were Gaelic speakers however I never heard anyone mention we were members of a clan. I think a lot of this stuff has been invented pretty recently in North America by wishful thinking and a desire for connection with "the old country".

I certainly have great respect for the old Highland families and am proud of my connection to them. However, if one of them set out a burning cross I would be unlikely to come and join the fray.

When I did a web search for my surname Thomson I find there is what looks like a rather nasty little squabble going on between Clan's MacTavish, Thomson/Thompson, Campbell and maybe more for my loyalty. I have enough conflict in the part of my life I am paid to do to get involved in more for someone's sketchy interpretation of history and genealogy.

I wear my kilt proudly as a symbol of my Scottish background and upbringing. I feel no need to claim to be a member of a Clan in order to be who I know I am.