New Scotsman Newpaper Link for Kilt News

[Daneel]

I came across this link when doing a search. I think it could be worth keeping an eye on. Obviously it is Scotland based but what ever happening in Scotish kilt culture will eventually touch us all.

http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?...6&id=564622004

[GMan]

Thank you Daneel, it certainly is a niche market they are targeting. I wish them well.

[Blu (Ontario)]

This may prove to be very interesting tool to the geneology folks. But what the heck does this have to do with tartans and kilts? Is Hector Russel suggesting that one is a prerequisite for the other? If so, methinks they are pointing a gun at their own foot!

blu

[Graham]

I'd rather spent the money on a couple of kilts!

There was a program on telly a while back about this research being carried out in Wales.
Interesting tho'.

[richardljohnson]

It's interestng that they are getting around to this. There is a project in the US by one of the Native American Tribes to do DNA testing and mapping different tribes. Their goal is to map as many tribes as possible and then if anyone wants to do the DNA testing to be put on the 'roll' then they can. There seems to be some interest in this but coming up with the money is the problem. The FED's don't want to fund it.

RLJ-

[bubba]

Why should the Feds fund it? We have one helluva deficit and much more important things are underfunded, if they're funded at all.It just ain't a national priority. It's one of those things that the people who want it should pay for not the taxpayers.

[awoodfellow]

haha. bubba, I won't get into the politics of whether the Feds should fund a project of this type but it's pretty cool that its happening at all.

In the meantime, I've spent the last 10 years doing genealogy work on my paternal side. Just happens that my 'real' surname name is Jones. only 3 bloody billion of us Jones' walking around and ferreting out Jones lines is a rather difficult task.

Seems my Jones' came to the colonies on the Good Ship Abigal in 1635 from London. In the searching of extended and colateral families of this Jones line, I have, alledgedly, ancestors via the Ewings (McEwens) of Scotland, Beaty's of Irish/Scot descent and the Asfordby Family of The Kings Lincolnshire on the Eastern shores of England.

According to history the Ewings were sept to the McLachlan Clan, the Beaty's sept of Clan McBain/McBean. The Asfordby's were just really rich monetarily and in property, which by the way, none of that richness has filtered down to me over the years. There are several other lines of Scot/Irish descent as well. Of course, though there are some paper entries which are requiring of further study, that claim my association to these families, I really can't prove it. But with the advent of DNA mapping, it's now possible to at least locate geographically my heritage.... if I have the cash!

How cool is that? Very cool me thinks!

ambrose

[macwilkin]

I agree with the lady quoted in the article from the Clan MacDonald heritage centre...I am very, very cautious when it comes to the DNA and heritage "fad" right now, and I certainly agree with Blu -- why is a DNA test necessary to purchase a kilt?

Cheers !

Todd

[awoodfellow]

episcalpalscot,

i'm quite certian DNA testing isn't required to purchase or wear a kilt. and while heritage is nothing more than personal gratification these days, it's still very interesting, at least to me, to examine my heritage. i'm sure a lot folks could give a hoot, but for some it's an exciting avenue to follow. and even if DNA is inconclusive in someones search, the simple fact that extraordinary science is being done on such a level is in itself extraordinary.

one of the greatest examples of DNA mapping is being done in Iceland. and yes it is a fad just like cryogenic funerals were a fad a few years ago. but DNA mapping does hold some value.

i don't want me haw maws frosted while i'm alive. and i certainly don't want 'em frosted when i'm dead, for i just never know when i'll need 'em

ambrose
clink !

[macwilkin]

awoodfellow,

I believe that both Blu & I were being sacastic about HR requiring DNA testing before buying a kilt -- they didn't when I bought one from them last year!

DNA testing, whilst appealing and interesting, will never replace good old-fashioned genealogy research. As much as I love the on-line databases like Ancestry.com, they & DNA-testing, as well as the unreliability of many Internet sites, have caused many who make their living in the genealogy profession an increasing number of headaches!

Since I worked as a genealogical librarian, I can certainly attest to the latter!

Cheers !

T.