Clansman's Badge

**ThistleDown** · 4th July 17, 09:21 AM

One of the pitfalls for North American researchers is the temptation to attribute things that are factual in their own families to people of the past and then off they go wandering in that direction. I suppose this tendency is due to a cultural familiarity with only the recent past. Colour of eyes or hair, does pass on from generation to generation, of course, but mannerisms don't carry much beyond the immediate family member from whom they are learned.

**Arnot** · 4th July 17, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by ThistleDown

One of the pitfalls for North American researchers is the temptation to attribute thanks that are factual in your own family to people of the past and then off they go wandering in that direction. I suppose this tendency is due to a cultural familiarity with only the recent past. Colour of eyes or hair, does pass on from generation to generation, of course, but mannerisms don't carry much beyond the immediate family member from whom they are learned.

Is this regarding post #8 and the "old Arnots"?

**ThistleDown** · 4th July 17, 01:46 PM

I had to go back and re-read #8. Yes, I suppose it is, but it's just something I've noticed in my years on XMarks: a tendency for North Americans to explain a non-genetic habit or preference as genetic. I think it comes from a short cultural memory and an intense desire to make a connection with an older culture. Not important to your question, though. Good luck in your on-going research.

**Arnot** · 5th July 17, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by ThistleDown

I had to go back and re-read #8. Yes, I suppose it is, but it's just something I've noticed in my years on XMarks: a tendency for North Americans to explain a non-genetic habit or preference as genetic. I think it comes from a short cultural memory and an intense desire to make a connection with an older culture. Not important to your question, though. Good luck in your on-going research.

I believe that in many cases your observation is spot on. In this case, I didn't mean anything genetic was involved. I was only saying that maybe they did something in the same way as my family would. That's all. I do thank you for your input, though. It's got me thinking.