"ENTITLEMENTS"

[Dreadbelly]

I stumbled over, of all things, a Douglas clan website that was selling "memberships" into the clan for a yearly fee. You got a little paper scroll saying you were a real Douglas.

I have seen similar sites for other names as well.

I was quite offended by them. I still am.

Not society... But clan memberships was how it was listed.

I think I nearly turned purple with rage upon seeing them.

Paypal link and all.

[Colin]

I stumbled over, of all things, a Douglas clan website that was selling "memberships" into the clan for a yearly fee. You got a little paper scroll saying you were a real Douglas.

I have seen similar sites for other names as well.

I was quite offended by them. I still am.

Not society... But clan memberships was how it was listed.

I think I nearly turned purple with rage upon seeing them.

Paypal link and all.

Was it this one? http://www.clandouglassociety.org/ because they refer to it as society numerous times.

You bring up a great point Dreadbelly.

Be sure that you are looking at a registered society, and not sombody's web hobby. The majority of Clan Societies are listed as recognized charities, with the funds raised usually going to local charities as well as to Clan interests. My Clan Society for example, the memberships fees are all going towards the family home and castle in Scotland.

Again, be warned that any idiot that can design a web page (me not being on of them) can start a "Clan Society" or tribute to their heritage. However Official Clan Sociities are usually charities. Find out where the funds go before you join (if they are not listed already).

[Dreadbelly]

No, it wasn't that one in the link you posted.

[Rob Wright]

I am a Douglas and I pay nothing. If somebody asked me for dues on being a Douglas...

Well frankly I would respond in typical and true Douglas fashion. I would brain them for being a ninny.

Damn straight.

Rob

[Dreadbelly]

Rob, did you know somebody was running a scam with the Douglas name?

They were requesting dues from all Douglasses... A payment if you will, to get Douglas ancestral lands out of hoc. In exchange for payment, you get clan membership, and a title legally declaring you as a Lord or Lady of the Douglas Estate.

I found out after a lot of searching there are a lot of scams like this for different names... You can legally have the title as lord or lady when you own land. Payment goes for getting about a square foot of dirt. And it's not even in hoc.

Do a search on the net for purchasing titles like Lord.

I was so mad when I saw this I wanted to mangle something. Turns out you can buy these titles with enough cash. Certain peoples were using historically important names to make these titles seem even more important.

You can actually purchase the title, but I suspect that it is worthless. And it's not to get family lands out of hoc. Er, if you search for it it will make more sense.

I was blinded with rage when I first saw my name being used in such a manner.

I did find out for a fee I can get an English Court to proclaim me Lord of XMarks.

[macwilkin]

Rob, did you know somebody was running a scam with the Douglas name?

They were requesting dues from all Douglasses... A payment if you will, to get Douglas ancestral lands out of hoc. In exchange for payment, you get clan membership, and a title legally declaring you as a Lord or Lady of the Douglas Estate.

I found out after a lot of searching there are a lot of scams like this for different names... You can legally have the title as lord or lady when you own land. Payment goes for getting about a square foot of dirt. And it's not even in hoc.

Do a search on the net for purchasing titles like Lord.

I was so mad when I saw this I wanted to mangle something. Turns out you can buy these titles with enough cash. Certain peoples were using historically important names to make these titles seem even more important.

You can actually purchase the title, but I suspect that it is worthless. And it's not to get family lands out of hoc. Er, if you search for it it will make more sense.

I was blinded with rage when I first saw my name being used in such a manner.

I did find out for a fee I can get an English Court to proclaim me Lord of XMarks.

Ah-hah -- here is where the confusion lies -- you were referring to a scam to sell supposed titles of nobility, which is a whole different creature than a clan society. You should have said that before. ;)

If you have the URL for this "business" (and I use that term with tounge firmly planted-in-cheek), then the Clan Douglas Society should be informed so they in turn can inform their members. I'm sure the Lord Lyon would like to know about it as well.

T.

[bubba]

It's also illegal for an American citizen to accept foreign titles without written permission from the Govt.

[Rob Wright]

No I haven't seen this scam, I"ve only gone to the Douglas Society site. All the others appear to amateurish.

Rob

[macwilkin]

It's also illegal for an American citizen to accept foreign titles without written permission from the Govt.

These aren't even legitimate titles, Bubba -- they're a scam to sell unsuspecting individuals a fake "title of nobility". These scams are well known in Heraldic circles, and many Heraldry Societies, which encourage education about the science of heraldry, attempt to warn members of the general public about them.

I should point out that heraldry, the study of coats-of-arms, is not necessairly the same thing as titles of nobility, and that many Americans legally possess arms which are registered and/or granted by other national heraldic authorities. They are not titles of nobility in any shape or form.

T.

[Dreadbelly]

But these sites ARE calling them selves the clan Douglas (or whomever) sites. They come and they go constantly.

And it's hard to tell who is who any more. Everybody is asking for money.

Clickity

That site explains it rather well. And exposes some of the SORRY **** RAT BASTARDS SCANDALISING MY GOOD NAME!!! YOU YELLOW BASTARDS!

There are hundreds of links online. Just go to Google and type Lord Titles. And you can purchase these titles.

Let me save you the trouble.

Click here your Lordship.

This site isn't as scammy as some... Some, like I mentioned, pose as actual clan sites and offer up sob stories about getting your ancestral lands out of hoc, and how all Douglasses have a duty (Or insert name here) to cough up some money save our lands from the English. In return, you get a title.

It's getting where I worry about donating money to anybody.

Wretched scum. I would very much like to crack their vile skulls with my cane. Or a good old fashioned holy water sprinkler mace.

Sorry. This really chaps my hide. Makes me positively livid. I take a lot of my pride in my name. It's all I have in the world. My name means something. I decend from the Douglasses... I am dirt poor. My name... My name is all I have in my life that means something. I learn more and more about my history. What my name means. What it means to have this bloodline. The rich and noble history that is in the name it self. The importance. The story. It inspires me. Makes me stand a little taller. Makes me want to be a better man. Make my life have meaning.

And when some sot tries to cheapen my good name with crap like this it makes me want to rip off his head, reach down his neck hole, grab his spleen, and yank him inside out.

Sorry.

I feel better. Needed to vent.

Aaaaaah.

Todd, for a true and noble cause, I would gladly donate my last dime. I have exactly 11 cents in my bank account right now. If it where to preserve and keep our history and our cultural story, I would gladly give it.

I just want to know that it is going for the real thing and be assured of it.