Okay, I am finally going to ‘fess up to my genealogical madness. I want Scottish roots! Yes, really, that is probably the main reason I started my search in 1993 – I love everything about Scotland.
In fact, the header bar of my blog is from a picture I took from a cemetery on the south side of Loch Ness in Scotland last year.
Have I found any Scottish ancestors? No, not for certain, but I have a couple I think are of Scottish heritage, but as yet I have no proof. I have one great-great-great-grandfather I am obsessed with, Joseph McDonald Scott. Sounds Scottish, right? His father comes through Tennessee from North Carolina and may or may not be descended from Cherokee Indians. Sigh....
There are a couple more ancestors of interest, but so far nothing has panned out, but while undertaking this crazy, mad search, along the way I have discovered a lot of important things; one being that I come from a long line of hard-working, family-loving people. The second is that most of my people have been in this country for a long time, most of them dating back well before the American Revolution. The third is that I really love genealogy; I love the hunt and the excitement when I discover a new clue or fact about these elusive ancestors. Getting a genealogical document, like a death certificate, land document or will, makes my heart beat faster.
What could possibly add to my madness? Last year – finally - my dear husband Jim took me to Scotland for twelve days – I was in heaven. I felt like I had come home at last. The Scottish Highlands including the Isle of Skye are the most beautiful places I have ever seen! My husband, who hates to travel, had the most wonderful time, and felt a connection to this beautiful country as well. About six months after we came home, I decided to research his family history, after many years of talking about it. I discovered so much information about his family in Pennsylvania and Trenton, NJ as I have discussed in my other blog, Rogers Family History.
Have you figured out where I'm going with this yet? I discovered, written in a bio about his great-uncle, that Jim’s great-great-great grandfather, Jonathan Rogers, came to the United States from Scotland between 1790 and 1824!! I have not yet been able to substantiate this fact, but my husband enjoys adding to my madness daily by crowing about his “Scottishness.” The rat!
Scotland is wonderful!!! I happen to be blessed with quite a lot of "Scottishness" as my father's paternal grandparents were both born in Scotland. Several years ago my parents and I went on a trip to visit some of the ancestral places and it was so beautiful - even in the rain :-) Seeing the pictures on your blog brought back some great memories!
ReplyDeleteMy husband, daughter, and I are also in love with Scotland. My husband and I spent our honeymoon there (loved it and especially Skye) and returned five years later. So far I have lots of Scots-Irish ancestors, and some possible Scots, but nothing definite. Oh, well. Have to think of another reason to go back.
ReplyDeleteYou're not alone ... My father-in-law truly felt he he had Scottish ancestry. He had a kilt and pipes and took lessons and would put on an accent when it suited him. We had pipes played at one of his birthday celebrations and at his funeral. In all my research I had never found that scottish link - but I never burst his bubble.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the geneabloggers family.
Regards,
Theresa