I Joined my clan society

[Bryan]

I chuckle at how some of you for stand back and allow 'well-reasoned' statements to be made that make a mockery of others..

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.)

Actually, Gilmore's original comment did no such thing. He never once questioned McMurdo's research nor did he mock him for joining his clan society. And if you don't believe me, read it again:

"There is much misinformation in many of the lists of septs and families that are claimed to be associated with the various clans. These bogus lists are perpetrated by tartan merchants who want to sell as much of their product to as many people as possible, and by clan associations who want to attract as many members as possible. Some common names appear on several of these lists.

The first step in tracing your family's history is going to the oldest people in your family and asking them what they remember about their parents, grandparents, and other ancestors. Then one goes to the public records to verify and flesh out these stories, ALWAYS working backward one generation at a time, without skipping any."

Now you tell me where he mocked him or questioned his research. Mike1, if you find it offensive to offer a bit of truth or a differing opinion than your own, then that's your problem. I was given the same info by some prominent members of this great group of guys (and girls) when trying to determine whether my family had any connection to a clan and no one got all up-in-arms then.

McMurdo, congrats on joining your clan's society!

[sirdaniel1975]

Actually most clan societies today are suggesting to their members to take part in the Scottish DNA Genealogy project. It pinpoints to the actual area of a country your DNA comes from. They wish to weed out all the non-clan descendants.

By the way... it is wee bit $$ for most.

[Mike1]

Now you tell me where he mocked him or questioned his research.

Rather than demanding I do anything, allow me to suggest you read Post 3. McMurdo's quote and gilmore's first statement.

Until anyone (are YOU up to the task, perhaps?) can prove to me that gilmore knows McMurdo did not look into his family history prior to making the comment he made, then I will stand by what I have said. Gilmore assumes his genealogical knowledge is superior to McMurdo's, based on what grounds?? I await presentation of the proof. Hmmmm, now what label will I receive, for holding someone's feet to the fire?

If gilmore wants to see a glass half-empty, that is fine with me. But to jump to this conclusion, for no other reason that trying to make someone out to be wrong? Sorry, that is not fine with me. And, if you care to follow along in the thread, you may notice I have identified gilmore's behavior to be entirely predictable. This is not the first time this problem has cropped up.

But I'll tell you what I am willing to do, Bryan. The next time this situation rears its ugly head and the complaints start flowing into my Inbox about someone's untoward behavior, I will forward those on to you. How does that sound to you? You are quite welcome to your own interpretations of the matter, but I am in a position to say you are not part of the majority on this one.

To make my position on clan societies clear, I belong to a rather useless society. (It has put me in touch with a family member I would not have met otherwise, so that membership is not a total write-off.) Additionally, my family relationships are what they are and a dues card doesn't alter or change those realtionships one iota.

However, there are clan societies that are working hard. As several have pointed out in this thread, many are now using DNA testing.

This time around, I've got people wanting to tar all clan societies with the same brush. If you will recall, a few weeks back, it was an group organizing a Scottish event that had all St. Andrew's societies getting the tar and feathers.

If someone wants to make absolute statements, then I don't think it is too much to ask for the person to supply absolute proof, to back up the statements. If anyone is not able to live up to that standard, it's certainly not me to blame.

[Cawdorian]

Some of the clan societies are worth belonging to, I belong to same one Mike1 mentions and I do not feel I get much for my money from the national society either. A group of four or five of us hold down the fort around the Atlanta area, we have a great time at the games and keep the clan name represented at various games in the area.

The Clan Campbell society has an exceptional quarterly magazine of about 64 pages and provides professional help in the genealogical department, membership is well worth the money.

Clan Donald has complicated bloodlines that are very difficult to unravel, the also provide a lot of help with genealogy, I am sure membership in their society is well worth the dues.

Clan societies are an excellent way to get in touch with your heritage, but not all are created equal.

[Bryan]

Rather than demanding I do anything, allow me to suggest you read Post 3. McMurdo's quote and gilmore's first statement.

Mike1, allow me to now pose a question to you. Do you actually read people's posts before you start answering them? I QUOTED POST 3 IN MY REPLY (post 42 if you want to actually read what I typed). It is now bolded so maybe you won't skip over it. Now, if you are referring to the "you would be misinformed" statement, how is that an attack? Did he say McMurdo is a moron for joining a bogus society? Hell no he didn't! There is no indication that McMurdo ever felt threatened by anything Gilmore said (at least not that he posted publicly). In fact, Gilmore and McMurdo were having a very civil and courteous exchange about genealogy. Here is my suggestion to you. Instead of attacking people for disagreeing with others (and most especially you, it seems), you should read ALL the posts to see what is transpiring and before passing on your almighty judgments.

As per your suggestion to forward all complaints to my inbox, that won't be necessary as people are more than free to form their own opinions and I don't look down my nose at them for disagreeing with me. I would agree that all complaints should to be taken seriously had Gilmore attacked McMurdo's race ,religion, etc, but attack him he certainly did not. As Monkey@ Arms pointed out earlier, it was "an informed opinion about the advice in the first post about what a good "first step" about learning about your greater family would be." Of course you then rounded on him for yet another opinion that differs from yours. Are you seeing a pattern here?

And for the record, I don't know Gilmore or Monkey@Arms from Adam. I just happen to agree with Monkey@Arms in regard to Gilmore's post.

Apologies to McMurdo that something special to him that he posted has gone down in flames, but Mike1's self-righteousness irks me.

[McMurdo]

Well all
Let me say that I am disappointed with the way this thread has gone, I merely wanted to share something that was important to me regarding my heritage with you, as it stands I regret starting this thread here at all.

It is funny I am a member of various other kilt forums and this is the only one where this post has gone this way, as I do not believe that there will be any further useful discourse on this subject I respectfully ask that the thread be closed.

[Mike1]

Bryan, I've stated my position clearly. On more than one occasion.

I see you have failed to provide the proof I mentioned, so it is plain you really have no position other than trying to start a stushie.

If you've got a personal issue with me, take it to the Private Messaging system. I'll ignore you as easily there and we'll not be taking anything further away from this thread.

For anyone else with anything negative to add to this -

If you don't agree with a topic and feel you must post something saying as much then don't post a reply. If you don't care about a topic then don't post a reply. If you don't have anything constructive to add to a post then don't reply.

[Bryan]

Bryan, I've stated my position clearly. On more than one occasion.

I see you have failed to provide the proof I mentioned, so it is plain you really have no position other than trying to start a stushie.

If you've got a personal issue with me, take it to the Private Messaging system. I'll ignore you as easily there and we'll not be taking anything further away from this thread.

For anyone else with anything negative to add to this -

Translation: "I am wrong and now look a fool, so we will close the thread."

[campbell]

Congratulations!

[McMurdo]

Translation: "I am wrong and now look a fool, so we will close the thread."

Well now it looks like you are the one who is not reading the posts, I have asked that this thread be closed, not Mike, so I reiterate, please close this thread.