I Joined my clan society

[ardchoille]

Nice certificate! I joined the Clan Gregor Society, but they don't have certificates.. they do have a quarterly newsletter, though.

Good job on joining.. you're supporting an excellent organisation

[Mike1]

Does that mean you're done brow-beating contributing members of this forum whose views differ from your own?

Jake, let me ask - do you have a dog in this hunt?

I chuckle at how some of you for stand back and allow 'well-reasoned' statements to be made that make a mockery of others, yet when someone points that out, they are brow-beating.

Call it what you like, gilmore's (entirely predictable) comments to McMurdo's original post were completely unnecessary. He jumped to a conclusion about McMurdo's research or lack thereof. (Rather interesting that he can make that leap, all the while chastising people for their presumed lack of research.)

If, by pointing that out, I am brow-beating, then my answer to you is "no, I am not finished". And if that response doesn't meet your expectations, just try to learn to live with it anyway, OK?

[Kid Cossack]

I'd just like to congratulate McMurdo for having an interest in his family, and for joining the clan society.

Way to go McMurdo!

[McMurdo]

Thanks K.C.
Now I just have to wait for the Clan Crest Shirt from the Tartan Museum, I have the Stewart, for my Mom, but recently ordered the Graham as well.

[Riverkilt]

I seem to be lucky, or cursed, enough to know my well documented family history back to Gaelic speaking Scots on the Trotternish peninsula of Skye. My great great grandmother, was born in Nova Scotia, but never learned English because her parents only spoke Gaelic. I'm lucky enough to have my grandfather's letters to me about what she was like.

Knowing my family genealogy always has me calling on my clan tents at highland games. Early on I found myself joining a lot of the clan societies. What finally wore me down was the annual membership dues. I understand they are fair for covering costs of newsletters etc. But it just became hard to write those renewal checks.

My solution has been to buy my clan t-shirts at the clan tents. The t-shirts last more than a year and let me proclaim my heritage when I want to.

Ron
Whose parents are 13th cousins

[McMurdo]

I just received an email and they are sending me out a new certificate with the correct spelling, thanks Bob.

[Wompet]

I've been sitting back the last few days, wondering if and/or how to post to this thread (and if someone would get this thread locked before I did respond).

First off, Glen - congratulations. I also remember how excited you were when you joined. I also just remembered one of the pictures from Fergus - "DO meet other members of your clan society" or something along those lines. I don't know if you're familar with the comedic work of Jeff Foxworthy, but there's a redneck joke in there somewhere.
Seriously, though, enjoy your membership, and if through it you learn more of the clan's history and your family's place in it, more power to you.

Now, throughout this thread there has been mention of the misinformation and fallacy of sept and family lists. As a counterpoint, may I mention that some clan societies have professional genealogists in their employ, in order to more comprehensively track the dispersion and/or migration of the clan over time. And this is being backed up with DNA research in some cases - Clan Donnachaidh has been doing genetic tracking for the last five years.
Or, if you prefer a more low tech approach, some clan societies "limit" sept-name inclusion in the clan to people whose ancestors resided within the historic geographic boundaries of the clan. Clan Donald USA has taken this approach.

My two cents.
Gary, who is his own fourth cousin (and therefore knows what genealogical research can turn up)

[ccga3359]

My two cents.
Gary, who is his own fourth cousin (and therefore knows what genealogical research can turn up)

Hey Glen, I think we found that redneck joke! SOKS events now have an entirely new topic to "maturely discuss".

[sirdaniel1975]

McMurdo,

Enjoy being a member of your clan society. You will meet lots of interesting people and hear so many fascinating stories from others who are also members.

I really liked the membership paper/plaque you displayed to us. It's classy and a conversational piece.

[Archangel]

Hey, congrats on that.
I've got my opinion on these things which I've posted but why would I steal your joy over joining this. It's kind of fun and a good conversation piece.

Sometimes the hardcore fans in these societies find some juicy stuff. The Gregor society near Scotland Connecticut had some fantastic prints that I've never seen anywhere else and local (to McGregor) tales that were better than Tranter stories.

Still wouldn't join but I appreciated their devotion to my clan. My view is a combination of Groucho and Rob: wouldn't join a club that would allow a McGregor: Despite Them.