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19th December 06, 09:00 AM
#1
All of my Irish/Scottish blood comes from a maternal side, be it my father's mother (McDevitt) or my mother's grandmother (who can trace her line back to Clan Carnegie and the Angus District). Even most of my paternal grandmother's side is German.
I agree with Ron. ALL of my ancestors matter.
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19th December 06, 09:05 AM
#2
My MacNaughton ancestor is female and was born around 1800. Her grandfather emigrated from Ulster in 1733.
How's that for distant? Me mate Casey, who is half Lebanese (that's right, Lebanese) showed me his family tree and HIS MacNaughton ancestor dates from the mid 1800's. Yet Casey and I are two of the mainstays of the MacNaughton Clan Society here in Northern California.
My Hall ancestor was born around 1810, and I am totally unable to trace where he came from. He could be an English Hall, a Scottish Hall or a Borders Hall. My Bryson ancestor dates from around 1750, his Scottish fatherr having emigrated from Ireland in 1730.
Since those dates, pretty much all of my ancestors have been in North America since practically forever. Yet the Hall Family Association is quite pleased to have me as a member, ditto for the Brysons.
I wouldn't worry about it.
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19th December 06, 11:26 AM
#3
I think you'll find that most clan societies have one, common prerequisite - that you use proper spelling in the 'Pay to the order of' line of your check.
Which does tend to beg the question of why most people join a clan society in the first place. While there are advantages to be had in some societies, because of the genealogical research effort of the society, the fact remains that we are who we are and no membership card required. I've yet to be charged annual dues to pull my chair to the table at a family reunion.
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19th December 06, 12:27 PM
#4
 Originally Posted by Mike1
I've yet to be charged annual dues to pull my chair to the table at a family reunion. 
You know I have that same problem.
Brett
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19th December 06, 12:58 PM
#5
 Originally Posted by Mike1
I think you'll find that most clan societies have one, common prerequisite - that you use proper spelling in the 'Pay to the order of' line of your check.
Which does tend to beg the question of why most people join a clan society in the first place. While there are advantages to be had in some societies, because of the genealogical research effort of the society, the fact remains that we are who we are and no membership card required. I've yet to be charged annual dues to pull my chair to the table at a family reunion. 
I really did laugh out loud when I read your first sentence. Well, chuckled. But it's true. Most clan societies in the US will take anyone as a member, provided they pay dues, as far as I know. I have never heard otherwise. There are other much more exclusive genealogical and hereditary organizations that don't
I joined one pursuant to genealogical work, and may join another for the same reason. Only members are allowed access to their genealogical records in this case. These records are merely held by the clan association, but were contributed freely to it by the members and are the result of thousands of hours of work by the members over many years. It may not be fair, but that is the way it is.
One of my problems with clan societies is that they are often not more exclusive, that is, they often will come up with lists of names---sometimes very common names---that are only very remotely or tenuously associated with the clan, and declare that these are septs. These lists are picked up and repeated both in print and online until they are widely distributed and commonly accepted, when in actuality, the vast majority of the patrilineal ancestors of people whose surname they are using had no association whatsoever with that or perhaps even any clan. This is not at all helpful to those of us doing genealogical research, and has lead to years of misinformation being circulated, and hours of research wasted in places that are fruitless. But it results in more memberships and more money for the clan associations.
To sum it up, if you are interested in joining organizations made up of people who most of the time merely share the same or similar surnames, clan societies are for you. If you want to join an organization of people to whom you are related, you may come to think of the clan societies as bogus.
Last edited by gilmore; 19th December 06 at 03:04 PM.
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19th December 06, 02:30 PM
#6
The majority of my Scottish blood comes from my Mother's side of the family. My closest proven clan lineage is on my Fathers through my Great Great Grandmother, most of my Scottish family connections came through the maternal lines of both families.
Most clan societies will accept your membership application and check based on the fact that you are interested in the history of the clan. One of the exceptions is Clan Donald, they have very strict genealogical proof requirements. I can't get into Clan Donald even though I have Mays on both sides of my family. I do qualify for membership by marriage because my wife is a proven descendant of Clan Donald.
One of the other Clan Societies that has some restrictions is the Family of Bruce, I can't qualify for full membership even though I have several centuries of Bruce blood in my veins. Their restrictions only allow persons who have the Bruce name or a sept name to hold office and enjoy full membership privileges. However, they will allow you to be an "Associate" member.
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19th December 06, 12:33 PM
#7
And I have never been asked for my membership card whilst visiting the clan tents at highland games either. Most of the time it's "come in and take a load off". While I do belong to one clan society (Clan Moffat), it is for access to their genealogical records.
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19th December 06, 12:36 PM
#8
clans...
Many clan societies also maintain historical museums and welcome centers, which is a worthy cause. I see nothing wrong with paying dues to an organization with a noble purpose.
Regards,
Todd
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19th December 06, 12:36 PM
#9
The Donnachaidhs (a.k.a. Robertsons) will accept anyone who is interested in the clan and is willing to write a check. My own Robertson blood is maternal to my great-great-grandfather.
My own last name is either German, Dutch, or perhaps Scottish since it is also found in the Aberdeen area. So I hang with the Gordons as well. I have both cap badges and even an old Gordon Highlanders badge which I alternate depending on how the mood strikes me. I also have both a Gordon tartan kilt and 3 Robertson tartan kilts.
Mongrel to the core!
But, I prefer the Scottish roots to the English and German, and so I practice that side, study it, wear the kilt (like today at work), and relish the history, tradition, etc. of being Scottish.
Jim Killman
Writer, Philosopher, Teacher of English and Math, Soldier of Fortune, Bon Vivant, Heart Transplant Recipient, Knight of St. Andrew (among other knighthoods)
Freedom is not free, but the US Marine Corps will pay most of your share.
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19th December 06, 06:52 PM
#10
"Many clan societies also maintain historical museums and welcome centers, which is a worthy cause. I see nothing wrong with paying dues to an organization with a noble purpose"
I totally agree with this. It also doesn't hurt if the society's agenda and mine are very similar. The Gordon's have their museum... pity that there is nothing stateside though! Something like that would be a field day for me. I'll have to check it out when I can get enough money for a play ticket plus a couple weeks worth of play time.
Speaking of clan societies... any of the Muirs on here heard anything new regarding the Muir society/website?
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