Information on The Stewart Society (Edinburgh)

[Andrew M. Stewart]

I have been asked on a few occasions “What is the benefit of joining The Stewart Society for someone who lives over here in North America when I can join the Clan Stewart in America who is based much closer?” My answer is that there are good reasons for joining both the Clan Stewart in American and The Stewart Society from Scotland. The Clan Stewart in America is a good way to network with Stewarts over here in North America as this is where they are based; they usually have a good presence at highland games over here where you get together, wear kilts, discuss the 45 and all that.
The Stewart Society of Edinburgh, who I am a Commissioner for over here in Canada, is probably a better source for the true historian as they host a vast amount of documents, genealogical data, an extensive library, artefacts like pistols, targes, swords, jewellery and many, many more relics related to the history of the Stewarts. The information that they hold is there for the inquiry to members of the society. I have made numerous inquiry’s to the society on various subjects and have had all of my questions asked very quickly by either The Librarian Muriel , The Secretary, Izzy, Sandy (Alexander Stewart of Ardvorlich) one of the executive members. when they couldn’t answer one of my questions, they referred me to a leading expert on the subject who answered my question in full.
As far as representation of The Stewart Society over here in Canada goes, it is up to us as Stewarts who care about and are interested in our lineage to hold the flag over here. The Stewart Society’s member base is not what it should be in Canada, despite the various contributions that Stewarts have made to this country. We see this in the various provinces where we have place names like Stewart River (Yukon) Stewart Valley (Saskatchewan), Stewart Lake (Ontario) Stuart Island (British Columbia), Stewart (a town in British Columbia), Stewart’s Glen (Ontario) as well as many other places that are to numerous to name here. We have in Canada the 16th Battalion Canadian Scottish regiment in Victoria B.C. who wear the Hunting Stewart tartan, The Pipes and Drums of the 48th Highlanders of Canada, in Toronto, who wear the Stewart of Fingask Tartan we have the many members of parliament, the soldiers who have served in our military, professors in our university’s and all other’s of all walks of life who bear the name Stewart that throughout Canada’s history have helped to make this country great.
The Gathering 2009 took place this year in Edinburgh. This was an international gathering of the clan’s, mainly taking place in Holyrood Park. The Gathering 2009 was the main event of “Scotland’s homecoming year” which was a call to all of those of Scottish descent to come back to the old country. This was the largest clan gathering or highland games event ever put together and was well attended by the Stewart Society who had an information tent in the clan area. This year, the Stewart Society AGM took place at the Stewart Society’s office at 53 George st, Edinburgh. The AGM coincided with The Gathering and I’m sure that we will be able to read more about these events in the next issue of “The Stewarts”.
In the coming years I plan to create a Stewart Society tent to be in attendance at some of the various highland games that take place around Ontario. This will be a great opportunity to showcase Stewart related information as well as what the Stewart society has to offer. I would also love to meet our Canadian Stewarts and these Scottish cultural events would be perfect meeting grounds.

There is an old gaelic saying in the Highlands of Scotland: “Stiubhartaich, cinneadh nan righ is nan ceard” (Stewarts, race of kings and of tinkers). To quote Randy Stewart, one of our Stewart Society members in British Columbia and Commissioner for the Clan Stewart in America:” Whatever the origin of your Stewart family, the kinship and communal history is shared. All Stewarts can be proud of those of their namesake who made a positive mark on our world, whether tinker or king.” The point being that the Society is not just for those Stewart’s of titled family’s or of those born to privilege, but to Stewart’s of all walks of life.

I would like to press to you to encourage your siblings, grandparents, parents, children and extended family to join this great society. It is the members that have in the past and continue to make the society what it is. The Stewart Society would like to encourage you to, please if you have not already done so, submit you family’s genealogical information as this helps in aiding others who are researching Stewart family lines. It is often the case that information that your branch of the family has retained has been lost through the years with others whom are related to your branch and vice versa.
The Stewart Society, as I mentioned, is focused on history and would like to hear about the history of your family, so please join us and if you have stories about the great deeds of your parents, grandparents or your great-great grandparents please submit them. These stories need to be shared and preserved. We Stewart’s are descended from a great history; we are all proud to bear this name and its ancient history. As Stewart Society members have all shown our pride in our name and its history by joining the Stewart Society. We all need to remember that it is up to us as Stewart’s to continue this legacy into this century, to plant the seeds for future generations and instil in our children the sense of pride that we all enjoy in being a part of the history of the Stewarts.
In closing I would like to thank you for reading this and to consider joining the Stewart Society,I would like to one day see a gathering of Stewarts here in Canada. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

With sincerest regards

Andrew MacDonald Stewart
The Stewart Society’s Oversea’s Commissioner for Ontario Canada
13 Nancy Pocock Pl
Toronto, Ontario
M6G 4C4

[KFCarter]

Adding my two cents:

I can vouch for how responsive the Stewart Society folks in Edinburgh are. I am a new member and I inquired about one of my Veitch ancestors who married into the Traquair line. Muriel Walker found quite a bit of information in the archives about the Veitches of Dawyck, a good bit of which I had not seen, and promptly copied it and posted it off to me. I feet like she truly went "above and beyond" for a brand new member... and it is very much appreciated!!

And thanks, Andrew, for mentioning the organization on the forum. It was your original post that sent me in their direction.

Ken Carter

[Andrew M. Stewart]

I'm really happy to hear that joining The Stewart Society has been a good experience for you! It would be great to have a Stewart gathering here in North America. They have happened before but I think that it has been a while. The Society has been around since 1899, it would be nice for this generation to see alot of activity here in North America.
Keep in touch Ken!

[BoldHighlander]

My paternal great-grandmother was a Stewart (Mary Etta Stewart to be exact). Other than that I haven't researched her linage yet to see where it leads.

I always stop by the Stewart booth at my local games to say "Hi"

[KFCarter]

I'm really happy to hear that joining The Stewart Society has been a good experience for you! It would be great to have a Stewart gathering here in North America. They have happened before but I think that it has been a while. The Society has been around since 1899, it would be nice for this generation to see alot of activity here in North America.
Keep in touch Ken!

Will do, Andrew!

I'm also going to pass information about the Society along to my Veatch relations... the Veitch Historical Society is a pretty good sized group in their own right and we're all descended from a James Veitch who was grandson of Malcolm Veitch of Dawyck and Janet Stuart of Traquair. All are very aware of the Stewart connection (and proudly so!). Some may already be members, but I know that my closest Veatches cousins are not and I expect some will be interested. I'll pass the word!

regards

Ken