Getting a COA registered

[macwilkin]

As is often the case, I rather like Todd's comments and suggestions.

Jim,

I really can't claim it as my idea per se, but he certainly poses an interesting one in his article. If the CHA allowed Americans to petition for a grant of arms, I'd be one of the first in line, though.

T.

[WVHighlander]

That would be interesting...for sure. I would look into that. The main reason for Scotland is heritage.

It funny with G. Washington, J. Adams (both), and T. Jefferson so interested in heraldry that we didn't come up with our own office. I do understand the reason at the time being disdain for ANYTHING old world, elite, or noble. Even the Society of Cincinnati got remarks about it when it was created.

[Cygnus]

That would be interesting...for sure. I would look into that. The main reason for Scotland is heritage.

It funny with G. Washington, J. Adams (both), and T. Jefferson so interested in heraldry that we didn't come up with our own office. I do understand the reason at the time being disdain for ANYTHING old world, elite, or noble. Even the Society of Cincinnati got remarks about it when it was created.

If I remember correctly, the younger John Adams wrote home to his wife instructing her to have his arms removed from their carriage after they became a political liability.

The attitudes that led to this still seem to be going strong today.

As Jim said in one of his posts above, one of the reasons for pursuing a personal coat of arms is a sense of pride in one's ancestors, heritage, and family - this is the principal motivation of my desire to one day petition arms for myself.

[WVHighlander]

Actually it was the elder John Adams who instructed Abigail to have it removed from their carriage during his time in Washington. This was due to the political attacks against him painting him as royal supporting from all of his time in England etc etc etc. (The political fights between him and Jefferson and Hamilton are something to read.) However, he still maintained the arms and used them later in life.

[macwilkin]

That would be interesting...for sure. I would look into that. The main reason for Scotland is heritage.

It funny with G. Washington, J. Adams (both), and T. Jefferson so interested in heraldry that we didn't come up with our own office. I do understand the reason at the time being disdain for ANYTHING old world, elite, or noble. Even the Society of Cincinnati got remarks about it when it was created.

The AHS had a nice collection of articles on the arms of American Presidents:

http://www.americanheraldry.org/page...n=Main.Notable

Washington was the most enthusiastic about heraldry, and said that there was nothing incompatiable with the Republic in a letter to a fellow who wanted to form an American "college of arms" after the Revolution. I don't think the Adamses or TJ shared Washington's enthusiasm, although as you state, they did have their own arms.

My favorite president, Theodore Roosevelt, was also "dee-lighted" in bearing arms, and reportedly had a tattoo of them somewhere on his body.

T.

[thescot]

Jim,

I really can't claim it as my idea per se, but he certainly poses an interesting one in his article. If the CHA allowed Americans to petition for a grant of arms, I'd be one of the first in line, though.

T.

I imagine that I'd be very close in the same line. I fully intend to attain (assume? create? petition? beg?) my own arms in the next few years if for no other reason than vanity, family pride, and a cool set of china to leave to my son.

I have been toying with designs, so when the time comes, I hope to be ready.

[WVHighlander]

I have the design done and it is well thought out etc. It has historical and familial meaning and I am chomping at the bit to get it registered. However....I will add a measure of tactical patience and see what the outcome is.

[thescot]

I have the design done and it is well thought out etc. It has historical and familial meaning and I am chomping at the bit to get it registered. However....I will add a measure of tactical patience and see what the outcome is.

I'd like to see--or at least hear about--your design.

The one I'm working on has similar familial and historical significance, too.

[WVHighlander]

Jim,

I shot you a msg with the rough description.

[SlackerDrummer]

I had, HOWEVER, after emailing them three times and NO RESPONSE I gave up on that option.

It is my understanding that the NEHGS is very old school. You might try writing them a letter. As for their registry, it is the oldest and therefore, arguably, the most prestigious in the country. It is also a filing cabinet. Registration does not come with any sort of emblazonment, certificate or the like.

I had similar issues with the American College of Heraldry and the American Heraldry Society. I began to think an active-duty, combat vet, officer, with multiple degrees etc didn't qualify for the US organizations.

A former member here, Scotus, had his arms registered with NEGHS several years ago with no issues. He and I used to be members of AHS, but left for similar reasons as you describe.

As a current member of the board of governors of the American Heraldry Society, I'd be very interested to hear (here or by PM) your negative experiences with the organization. The AHS is not an arms registry and it is not in the business of designing arms, though there are certainly members who are experienced and willing to help.

I have the design done and it is well thought out etc. It has historical and familial meaning and I am chomping at the bit to get it registered.

The one I'm working on has similar familial and historical significance, too.

I'd be interested in seeing (or reading a blazon) of either of you guys' arms ideas. If you are going back to a Scottish ancestor (in terms of familial meaning), it is the practice of Lyon to go back to the oldest arms on record of the same name (regardless of relationship) and use them as a basis for designing the new arms. If there is a "chief of the name" the arms will be based on those.