As a new member I have found it refreshing that these forums focus on inclusion instead of exclusivity. I find it nice to enjoy the common interest we all share in a civilized and respecting group. As someone who tends to get obsessive about any number of subjects joining the forum has allowed me to enjoy this interest and not drown in the details.

Having said that, my family's history still calls to me for more research and I would love to be able to link history with my first kilt (I will place the order next week).

My family has been able to trace our history to Glamis, Angus County, Scotland. John Ross (b. 1693-d. 1759) was Jacobite captured in Preston 1715, transported as an indentured servant to Virginia and shortly thereafter freed by his sympathetic debt holder.

My first kilt was always going to be a Ross Modern Red tartan, but as I continue to pick apart my personal history I have questions that I would love to answer regardless of the effect it would have on my selection.

Does anyone know of a good resource to trace the diaspora of the Ross clan? I'd like to know what caused my supposed highland ancestor to be in Angus. My gut thoughts are that he followed other Jacobites. John Ross was not loyal to Clan Ross per se. Most Ross' were not Jacobite or did not fight in 1715. My other thought is that perhaps we are not highland Ross' at all despite the only male names in my family have been John, James and David for 300 years.

The other loop I've been thrown is that once in Virginia John Ross attended a Presbyterian church possibly. I try not to be overly speculative and enjoy supposing a narrative for my ancestors, but the actual paper trail has been cold for a while.

As I continue to enjoy the forums and soon my kilt I'd love to get some suggestions of books or feedback to keep my thinking over the next couple of months.