Maine Tartan Day

Scottish Naming Patterns

2008-08-18T11:35:00.005-04:00

The Maine Highland Games were a rousing success. We had fine weather, excellent music, good food and good friends all in one place. Who could ask for more? We hope you all enjoyed the Games as much as we did and look forward to seeing you next year!

Answering all those genealogy questions got me to thinking about Scottish names. More specifically, Scottish naming patterns/practice.

Here's a general rule of thumb to consider when researching a specific person in your family:

First son is named for the Father's Father.
Second son is named for the Mother's Father.
Third son is named for the Father's Father's Father.
Fourth son is named for the Mother's Mother's Father.
Fifth son is named for the Father's Mother's Father.
Sixth son is named for the Mother's Father's Father.
Seventh through Tenth sons are named for the Father's Great-Grandfathers.
Tenth through Fourteenth sons for the Mother's Great-Grandfathers.
First daughter is named for the Mother's Mother.
Second daughter is named for the Father's Mother.
Third daughter is named for the Mother's Father's Mother.
Fourth daughter is named for the Father's Father's Mother.
Fifth daughter is named for the Mother's Mother's Mother.
Sixth daughter is named for the Father's Mother's Mother.
Seventh through tenth daughters are named for the Mother's Great-Grandmothers.
Tenth through fourteenth daughters for the Father's Great-Grandmothers.

Sometimes you will find that the order is reversed with the first and second children, i.e. the first-born son being named after the mother's father and the second-born son after the father's father. If this is the case then the daughters are also usually reversed.

You will also find instances where a child is named 'out of pattern', after an aunt or uncle who has died, or after an admired other relative or friend of the parent. If a child died in infancy, his or her name was often given to a subsequent child - a natural consequence of the high birth rate and infant mortality rates of past times.

It's important to remember that these are general guidelines and not every family followed them. However this pattern is frequent enough that if you are aware of it, the pattern can be used to break through some genealogy "brick walls". For instance, if you know that the first born son was usually named after the Father's Father, then you know to take a look for that name in the appropriate time period and location. If you use this approach on all of the children's names, you will have given yourself more avenues of research and increased your chances of locating that elusive ancestor.

Good luck and good (ancestor) hunting!

Slainte, Dianne

Maine Highland Games

2008-08-14T12:04:00.006-04:00

The Maine Highland Games are happening this Saturday August 16, 2008, at Thomas Point Beach in Brunswick, Maine. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Games in Maine.

This year's entertainment lineup looks like this:

Tannahill Weavers (This year's headliners)
Prydein
Charlie Zahm
Colin Grant-Adams
Maine Highland Fiddlers (formerly Fiddle Dee Dee)

Here are some other things happening during the day:

Historic Highlanders Encampment (all day)
Soldiers of Scotland (all day)
Adult Athletic Competition
Individual Piping Competition
Pipe Band Competition
74 th Highland Regiment Encampment (all day)
Border Collie Sheep Herding Demonstration
Highland Dance Competition
Brunswick Scottish Country Dancers Demo.
Scottish Family History Tent (all day)
Clan Row
Scottish Vendors and Scottish Food

Click here for a complete schedule of events.

This year's Honored Clan is Clan Murray.

Gates open to the public at 8am. Stop by the Scottish Family History Tent to say hello and pick up your free copy of our Web Directory of Scottish Genealogy Resources.

See you at the Games,
Dianne

More Scottish Genealogy Resources

2008-08-12T17:05:00.002-04:00

The Maine Highland Games are coming up this weekend, and I'll be there hosting the Family History tent for the St. Andrews Society of Maine. I'll have loads of books and Scottish history information available for you to look through, and some genealogy resource information you can take home. This is the perfect opportunity for you to look up your tartan and find out about your Scottish family names.

If you just can't wait to get started, here are a few resources you can find online:

A Web Directory of online genealogy resources is located at the Maine Ulster Scots website. While this is not a definitive list, it is a comprehensive look at the Scottish genealogy resources available online.

Maine has, per capita, the highest percentage of Scottish ancestry in the USA. A good reference tool with this information and comparitve statistics can be found here.

Click here for a list of towns in Maine where Scots were living at the time of the American Revolution.

If you are interested in how to use DNA as a genealogy research tool, check out this article written by Bill McKeen that provides an overview of the use of DNA in family history research.

Lives and Times is a new genealogy newsletter focused on Scottish genealogy. It is free and available by clicking the Lives and Times link in the links list on this blog. For those of you who live in the Portland, Maine area, copies will be available at the main branch of the Portland Public Library.

If you've done any Scottish family history research at all, you've discovered that the books you need are not easily found in libraries or local bookstores. Amazon.com has an excellent inventory of books relating to Scottish genealogy, history, tartans, Scots Gaelic, culture and heritage. I've got a list of my recommended books posted in a product box under the Links section; click on any of the book photos to be taken to Amazon.com.

See you at the Games!
Dianne

May You Have Thumping Luck and Fat Weans

2008-08-09T22:37:00.007-04:00

The Scots have contributed generously to our language. Do you recognize any of these Scottish Proverbs?

All's well that ends well
Beggars can't be choosers
The early bird catches the worm
Every dog has its day
The cure is worse than the disease
Penny wise and pound foolish
They that dance must pay the fiddler
You must crawl before you can walk
Time and tide will wait for no man
Forewarned is forearmed
Fortune favors the brave
He has a bee in his bonnet
I have other fish to fry
It is an ill wind that blows no good
It's neither rhyme nor reason
Let sleeping dogs lie
Measure twice, cut once
You are never too old to learn
Send a thief to catch a thief
There's no fool like an old fool
Take a hair of the dog that bit you
Birds of a feather flock together
Confession is good for the soul
Either prove a man or a mouse
Beauty is skin deep
That was then and this is now
Charity begins at home
Seeing is believing
Familiarity breeds contempt
You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear
A penny saved is a penny earned
Waste not, want not
Better to bend than to break
Take care of your pennies and your dollars will take care of themselves

And my personal favorite: Twelve Highlanders and a bagpipe make a rebellion.

Slainte,
Dianne

The Importance of Being Scottish

2008-08-03T10:01:00.003-04:00

The National Museums of Scotland have produced a fascinating short video that explores what it means to be Scottish. "One Nation, Five Million Voices", offers a view of Scottishness from the perspective of Scots, both native and transplanted. This film is a feature in the newly opened permanent gallery, "Scotland: A Changing Nation" at the National Museums of Scotland, Chambers St, Edinburgh, Scotland.

Informative and entertaining, this film presents a cross-cultural view of what it means to be Scottish today.

A clip from the video is available here.

Slainte,
Dianne

The Act Of Proscription 1746

2008-07-31T14:48:00.009-04:00

On August 1, 1746, the English Parliament passed an Act of Proscription (a more punitive restatement of the Disarming Act 0f 1716). This Act, an attempt to crush the Scots' spirit and obliterate their culture, was designed as both punishment for taking up arms against their English King (who was actually German but that's another story) and a deterrent for future rebellion.

Foolish Sassenachs.

The Act of Proscription prohibited the men and boys of Scotland from the wearing of Highland garb and carrying, owning or concealing weapons. Scottish teachers and ministers were required to take an Oath of Allegiance to the King and their lessons and church services were monitored to insure that no seditious thoughts or ideas were being delivered in the classrooms or from the pulpits (this action assumed, incorrectly, that the Scots were incapable of forming seditious thoughts on their own). It also banned the right to assemble in groups outside of government sanctioned activities.

The only Scots allowed to wear kilts and carry weapons were those Scots who were part of the Black Watch, a military unit composed of Scottish soldiers whose sole purpose was to spy on their own neighbors and families. This group was raised under the guise of imposing English law and order in the Highlands; you know, to keep those unruly Scots from killing each other. In truth it was a psychological tactic used by the English to further demoralize the Scots. By using their own people against them, the King hoped to use the Scottish practice of fighting among themselves as a way to keep them from fighting against the English.

Foolish Sassenachs.

When the Scots were forced from their homes and no longer able to fight the English on their own ground, many joined the Rebels in America in the fight for independence from England. While that revolution was successful, for those Scots who stayed in Scotland, the fight for independence continues to this day.

The text of the Act of Proscription can be found here.
The text of the Acts Against Highland Dress can be found here.

Slainte,
Dianne

Seal Pelts, Sporrans and Social Hysteria

2008-07-24T11:50:00.009-04:00

There's an uproar in Scotland today, as posted in this article in the Scotsman.com. It seems that Stavros Dimas, the European Environment Commissioner, wants to ban the import of seal pelts; not just any pelts, only those seal pelts obtained by clubbing or other cruel and inhumane methods of death to the seals.

Here's my question: how do you know which seals were dispatched inhumanely and how is this action monitored and enforced?

Here is the article, in part:

THE traditional sporran, which has been part of Highland dress for centuries, could be under threat because of proposals to ban the trade in seal pelts.

Stavros Dimas, the European environment commissioner, yesterday announced plans to bring in a total import ban on products derived from seals that have been killed in a cruel way. The move was welcomed by animal rights groups and the government, which say it is the only way to put a stop to the inhumane slaughter of seals.

However, manufacturers of traditional Highland dress believe it could spell disaster for the sporran – the vast majority of which are made from seal skin. Ian Chisholm, who owns a Highland dress business in Inverness, estimates 70 per cent of the dress sporrans it sells are made from seal pelts, and believes a ban would put an end to part of Scotland's heritage. "I think it would be very sad," he said. "Seal skin has been a traditional skin used by the Highlanders for many years. It would be a sad day for the Scotsman if we lost the use of seal skin." He said the ban would lead to the production of all-leather or synthetic sporrans. "They never have the same appearance or feel to them," he said. "Seal skin suits the look of the Highland dress because of its coloration."

However, Ross Minett, the campaigns director at campaign group Advocates for Animals, believes it is high time the use of seal skin was stopped." The wearing of fur generally in Scotland is seen as unacceptable by the majority of the public," he said. "Sporrans are one of the few things where it's still seen as publicly acceptable to wear fur. "I think most people aren't aware that sporrans in this country were made from seals clubbed in Canadian seal hunts."

Under the Brussels plan, trade in seal products would be allowed from countries that can guarantee their hunting techniques follow high welfare standards. David Martin, a Scottish Labour MEP and animal rights campaigner, is worried the proposals do not go far enough. He said: "Having first called for this ban over 23 years ago when I visited the ice floes in Canada and witnessed the inhumane carnage which takes place during the annual cull, I am pleased the commission has at long last come forward with proposals for a ban in the trade in seal products. "However, the proposals are open to abuse – much of the killing takes place in remote areas where effective monitoring of humane killing would be impractical." A ban would need the backing of the EU's 27 governments and the European Parliament before it could take effect.

BANNED sporran products include:
Badger heads: These were very popular in the military. The whole head was used, giving the sporran a ferocious look.
Wild cat heads: Wild cats were once common in the Highlands and their heads made popular sporrans. Now the animals are rare and protected.
Otter skin: Otters were popular for their silky pelt, which gave the sporran a beautiful sheen.
Arctic fox: The long fur made it a popular choice for taller men.

The full article contains 533 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.

Slainte,
Dianne

The Blood Is Strong

2008-07-22T17:34:00.003-04:00

We had such a good time at the Maine Celtic Celebration this past weekend! We had a great audience for our workshops; no, wait, we had an awesome audience. Despite a backdrop of lightning, wind and pelting rain, our Scottish genealogy enthusiasts showed a devotion and persistence that you just don't see everyday. Our blood is strong, indeed.

Our thanks to all who attended. We enjoyed meeting all of you and despite the weather, we all had a really good time.

As promised, the presentation outline ("The Blood Is Strong") and handouts are available online here and at the website of the Maine Ulster-Scots Project.

Our thanks also to Donna Hughes and Dave Dow, the major forces responsible for the success of this event. Well done! We look forward to doing this again next year.

Slainte,
Dianne

Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival

2008-07-17T15:30:00.007-04:00

The 15th Annual Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival will be held on Saturday, July 19, in Look Park, Northampton, MA.

This year's festival includes some truly fantastic musical entertainment: Enter The Haggis, Charlie Zahm, The Rising, and Zoë Darrow & the Fiddleheads are scheduled to perform. Also on tap is a Grade 1 Highland Band Piping competition. This festival always provides a good time and is well worth the drive to Massachussetts.

Opening ceremonies begin at 11:30am. For directions, click here.

We are off to the Maine Celtic Celebration tomorrow. The Maine Ulster Scots Project will be presenting two family history workshops at the Celebration; "The Scots' Trail to Maine" (John T. Mann and Bill McKeen) and "The Blood Is Strong; Researching Your Scottish Ancestry" (yours truly). The workshops are scheduled to begin at 6pm on Friday and 3pm on Sunday at the Steamboat Landing in Belfast, Maine.

The Maine Ulster Scots will be hosting a tent on Vendor Row; stop by and say hello before you come to the workshops. We always love to see our Scottish and Ulster-Scots cousins!

Slainte,
Dianne

Maine Ulster-Scots

2008-07-15T11:14:00.010-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Members of the Maine Ulster-Scots Project will be presenting two workshops at the Maine Celtic Celebration in Belfast, Maine this weekend.

John T. Mann, Chair of the Project, and Bill McKeen, former President of the Saint Andrews Society of Maine and MUSP contributor, will be talking about “The Scots’ Trail To Maine”, focusing on the Border Reivers historical connection to Maine and New England. A second workshop, “The Blood Is Strong; Researching Your Scottish Ancestry”, will be presented by Dianne Bergstedt FSA Scot, MUSP web mistress and generational historian.

In addition to presenting the workshop, John T. Mann is the author of “Ulster-Scots on the Coast of Maine, Volume 1”. Prior to beginning his presentation, he will be presenting two signed copies of his book to Megan Pinette of the Belfast Historical Society and Museum for the Society’s library.

MUSP is sponsored by the Saint Andrews Society of Maine. It explores the struggle of the Ulster-Scots against religious and governmental persecution, their strong reliance on self and family, and the founding of a radically new independent country.

The workshops will be held at the Steamboat Landing in Belfast and will begin at 6pm on Friday, July 18, and Sunday, July 20 at 3pm.

More information is available at the website of the Maine Ulster Scots or by contacting:

John T. Mann
207-353-9047
John@maineulsterscots.com

By the way, the Maine Celtic Celebration is sporting a brand new website and it is spectacular!

Slainte,
Dianne

Raibeart Bruis

2008-07-11T06:45:00.011-04:00

On July 11, 1274, Robert Bruce was born in Ayrshire, Scotland. Today he would be 734 years old, and we are still celebrating the man's courage in his fight to make Scotland free and independent. Kind of makes you think about what our own legacy will be...

From the excellent Wikipedia:

Robert I, King of Scots (11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329) usually known in modern English as Robert the Bruce (Mediaeval Gaelic:Roibert a Briuis; modern Scottish Gaelic: Raibeart Bruis; Norman French: Robert de Brus or Robert de Bruys;) was King of the Scots from 1306 until his death in 1329.

Robert was the first child of Robert de Brus, 6th Lord of Annandale (d. 1304) and Marjorie, Countess of Carrick, (d. 1292) [2] daughter of Niall, Earl of Carrick. His mother was by all accounts a formidable woman who, legend would have it, kept Robert Bruce's father captive until he agreed to marry her. From his mother, he inherited the Gaelic Earldom of Carrick, and through his father a royal lineage that would give him a claim to the Scottish throne.

Google Books: King Robert the Bruce

Slainte,
Dianne

Annual Maine Scottish Military Tattoo 2008

2008-07-10T09:28:00.009-04:00

The other night while I was preparing dinner, I had the kitchen television on and the local news show "207" was on in the background. So there I was, slicing, dicing and lightly browning, when I heard bagpipes. I put down the knife (always safety first, kids) and turned toward the tv, where the camera was just panning on Ernie Smith, the Acadia Piper. Ernie was piping with a group of pipers and a drummer from the Maine pipe bands who are scheduled to play at the upcoming Annual Scottish Tattoo. You can view the video from that show here.

The Annual Scottish Tattoo will be held at Fort Knox, located in Prospect, Maine on Saturday, July 12, 2008.

This popular event brings together pipe bands and Scottish entertainers from across Maine to perform within the spectacular setting of Fort Knox. Festivities commence at 6:30 and end at 8:30. For more information on ticket prices, directions, etc., visit the web site of the Saint Andrews Society of Maine, the sponsoring organization (along with the Friends of Fort Knox) of the Tattoo.

Space is limited, so get there early. For those of you who don't relish the idea of sitting on the ground, I recommend you bring your own portable chair. I also strongly suggest bug spray or netting. As soon as the sun sets, mutant mosquitoes will attack anyone who is not safely inside a building or a vehicle. I know what I'm talking about here; I've been the victim of these swarms of carnivorous wee beasties.

The Granddaddy of all Military Tattoos is the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, held in Edinburgh (pronounced "edinburra" if you please) Scotland every year.

And for all you Sassenachs out there, click here to answer the question "What the heck is a Military Tattoo, anyway?"

Slainte,
Dianne

Words, Terms and Objects With A Scottish Influence

2008-06-30T19:02:00.009-04:00

From the website of National Tartan Day:

Angus cattle: A breed of Scottish cattle first brought to America by George Grant, who transported four Angus bulls to the middle of the Kansas prairie in 1873. These four Angus bulls, probably from the herd of George Brown of Westertown, Fochabers, Scotland, made a lasting impression on the U.S. cattle industry.

decibel: ("deci-" meaning "ten" and "Bell," after Alexander Graham Bell): a unit for expressing the ratio of two amounts of electric or acoustic signal power equal to 10 times the common logarithm of this ratio; also, a unit for expressing the relative intensity of sounds on a scale from zero for the average least perceptible sound to about 130 for the average pain level.

Douglas Fir: a type of coniferous tree named after David Douglas (1798-1834), Scottish botanist.

Dunce: one who is slow-witted or stupid; term coined after Scottish philosopher John Duns Scotus, whose once accepted writings were ridiculed in the 16th century.

Kelvin: relating to, conforming to, or having a thermometric scale on which the unit of measurement equals the Celsius degree and according to which absolute zero is 0 K, the equivalent of -273.15°C. Based in the work of Scottish scientist William Thomson, Lord Kelvin.

Galore: meaning "plentiful," this is based on the Gaelic gu leòr with the same meaning.

Listerine: mouthwash brand based on the work of James Lister, founder of antiseptic medicine.

Macadam: pavement with a bituminous binder, invented by Scottish engineer John L. McAdam.

Maxwell: the centimeter-gram-second electromagnetic unit of magnetic flux equal to the flux per square centimeter of normal cross section in a region where the magnetic induction is one gauss 10-8 weber; named after Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell (1831-79.)

Mackintosh: a raincoat made of a lightweight waterproof fabric originally of rubberized cotton, invented by Charles Mackintosh, Scottish chemist & inventor.

Morse Code: a code consisting of variously spaced dots and dashes or long and short sounds used for transmitting messages by audible or visual signals; named after Samuel Finley Breese Morse (1791-1872), American artist and inventor.

Shrapnel: a projectile that consists of a case provided with a powder charge and a large number of usually lead balls and that is exploded in flight; also a bomb, mine, or shell fragments. Named after artillery officer and inventor Henry Shrapnel.

Slew: meaning "a great number," based on the Gaelic sluagh, meaning "a crowd."

Sideburns: side whiskers or continuations of the hairline in front of the ears; term coined after Scottish-American Ambrose Everett Burnside (1824-81), American general and three-term governor of Rhode Island.

Watt: a unit of power equal to the work done at the rate of one joule per second or to the power produced by a current of one ampere across a potential difference of one volt; 1/746 horsepower. Named after scientist James Watt.

Wendy: a girl's name created by Scottish author and playwright J.M. Barrie. He had known a little girl, Margaret Henley, who called him 'my friendy', which she lisped as 'fwendy' or 'wendy.' Barrie immortalised her in 'Peter Pan' by calling his heroine Wendy.

And, of course: Whisky: a liquor distilled from the fermented mash of grain (as rye, corn, or barley), derived from the Gaelic term uisge beatha, literally, water of life.

Slainte,
Dianne

Andrew Murray and William Wallace

2008-06-24T12:31:00.022-04:00

As published in the Pine Tree Highlander:

Andrew Murray and William Wallace
Co-Commanders at the Battle of Stirling
Dianne Bergstedt FSA Scot
Historian, St. Andrews Society of Maine

Andrew Murray, also known as Andrew Moray, was born about 1270 into one of Scotland’s most powerful families. As the oldest son of Sir Andrew Moray of Petty, he had the advantages of family connections to the most powerful Scottish families. Andrew’s education included instruction in military strategy to prepare him for his place in the knighthood.

Sir Andrew Murray

In April 1296, Andrew Murray was part of the Scottish army defeated by Edward I’s forces near Dunbar. After the battle, Sir Andrew Murray, Andrew’s father, was captured by the English and was locked up in The Tower of London. Rather than imprisoning Andrew in London, he was held captive at Chester Castle, from which he escaped.

After his escape, he returned to Avoch, his father’s castle, overlooking the Firth of Moray and where he built forces in opposition to Edward I. He attacked many of the main castles in Moray including laying siege to Urquhart Castle. While most of these actions were not considered momentous, a few of them certainly caught the attention of Edward. In one incident, Andrew attacked and killed several soldiers of Sir William fitz Warin, Constable of Urquhart Castle, as he was returning from a meeting with Sir Reginald Cheyne – Edward’s main supporter in Moray. Upon receiving the report of this attack, Edward I directed several Scottish notables, including John Comyn, the Earl of Buchan, to deal with Andrew Murray – Andrew was the stepson of Euphemia Comyn. Using his connections to the Comyn family through Euphemia, Andrew managed to ‘escape’ to the wilds of Moray and avoided capture by Edwards‘ men. The King’s men decided not to pursue him in this area; it is worth noting that all of Andrew’s pursuers had intimate knowledge of the land in Moray, but used the rough terrain as an excuse for inaction. Some say that the Scottish nobility tacitly supported Andrew and supplied him with cash, weapons, and horses.

During the autumn of 1297, Andrew Murray and William Wallace joined their 2 armies at the Battle of Stirling. Andrew was one of the few soldiers from the Wallace/Murray army who died during the battle. Many say that Andrew was merely wounded; historians have found 2 letters sent by William Wallace after Stirling that bear both the Murray seal and Wallace’s seal. The first letter was sent from Haddington on 11 October to the mayors of Lübeck and Hamburg, two of the towns of the Hanseatic League, by "Andrew de Moray and William Wallace, leaders of the kingdom of Scotland and the community of the realm." The second was issued to the Prior of Hexham on 7 November by: "Andrew de Moray and William Wallace, the leaders of the army and of the realm of Scotland." Since the name of Andrew Moray does not appear on any other later document, it is deduced that he must have succumbed to his wounds around this time. But the importance of these letters is undermined by the lack of any mention in English or Scottish chronicle-sources of Moray's presence at Hexham during the invasion of northern England when this latter letter was issued. Walter Guisborough's chronicle, which contains a detailed account of this invasion, makes it clear that it was led by William Wallace; he makes no mention of Moray.

Stirling Bridge

It has been suggested that Wallace needed to issue documents jointly in the name of his deceased co-commander until such time as he was able to consolidate his position as Guardian of Scotland. Willam Wallace, as a former outlaw, was vulnerable to the machinations of Scotland’s politically elite. He needed the protection offered by Andrew Murray’s name and influence, even after death, to keep his position secure.

A few months after his death, Andrew Murray’s widow gave birth to a son, also named Andrew. This child would rise to the lordships of Petty and Bothwell and play a crucial part in resisting the efforts of Edward III to control Scotland. He would be entrusted twice by King David II, the son of King Robert I, to lead and protect the realm in the King’s absence. Like his father, he would be a gifted military strategist and leader, and, like his father, he would die too young in the defense of his beloved Scotland.

Clan Murray Badge

Clan Murray is the Honored Clan for the 2008 Maine Highland Games.

Slainte,

Dianne

Maine Ulster-Scots at the Boothbay Windjammer Days Parade

2008-06-23T15:51:00.006-04:00

The folks from the Maine Ulster-Scots Project are going to be in the Windjammer Days Parade in Boothbay, Maine on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. We would love to see you there, and better yet, we would love it if you would join us in the parade. Here is the pertinent information:

Line up at 4:30 Parade starts at 5:00 PM
Meet at Boothbay High School
SASME and MUSP members and friends will march to represent the Saint Andrews Society of Maine and to promote the Maine Highland Games.

For more information on the parade, visit this web site: Boothbay Harbor Chamber of Commerce.

Slainte,
Dianne

Ulster-Scots and Maine Phrases

2008-06-19T05:00:00.002-04:00

Just for fun, here are some common Maine sayings that originated in the Ulster-Scots language:

Rug Rats - Children
Knickers in a twist - Anxiously upset
Finagle - Achieve by cunning or dubious means
Get away with you - Don't be stupid
Whaling away at - Beating
I'm your man - I agree to and will follow your plan
Eejit - Idiot
My Aunt Fanny - Nonsense

Slainte,
Dianne

Stooryduster

2008-06-18T05:00:00.002-04:00

Stooryduster, a web site built by a graphic artist, is a Scottish word and vocabulary site. According to the author, "The Stooryduster site was my reaction to the slow drowning and erosion of languages by the globalization of ‘international English’ –through the ubiquity of computer operating systems and by association the Web.

The Stooryduster project began in the twenty first century 2000. The idea sprung from lively discussions about words with workmates from abroad during our unit's mandatory weekly Friday afternoon sticky bun tea break.

We discussed their understanding of Scots words and the similarities and differences discovered to the same words from their country with much laughter. There was also a serious shared passion for language and how to use words to communicate clearly and unambiguously. I thought I could illustrate the words that came up and put them on the Web. Can't be that too much work involved. Doh! It's grown since then."

On this site you will find a new Scottish Word posted every week. You can take multiple Scottish Word Quizzes to test your knowledge of Scottish words; the Whisky Quiz is particularly fun.

One of the links from the Stooryduster site took me to the Omniglot online book store. Here you will find resources for Scottish Gaelic language courses, dictionaries and other books to assist you in learning Scottish Gaelic.

Slainte,
Dianne

Western Mass Highland Games and Celtic Festival

2008-06-17T11:50:00.003-04:00

The longest running Games in Massachusetts will be held Saturday, June 28, 2008. in Greenfield, MA. The Western Massachusetts Highland Games and Celtic Festival has been an annual event since 1993.

Known as the Home of the New England Scottish Hammer Throw Championship, this years' Games promises to be especially grand. The entertainment is top-notch: Prydein, a perennial favorite, is back to rock the Games. A special treat is in store for those of us who have been waiting for Neil Anderson and Rathkeltair to return to the Highland Games circuit. Neil has been serving in Iraq for the last two Games seasons, and will be performing with his band Rathkeltair, this year, as well as presenting a bagpiping workshop. He has also been chosen as the Chieftain of the Games for 2008.

Also scheduled for performances are local fiddler Katherine First, performing with Max Cohen and friends, the Pioneer Valley Harpers Guild, and the Celtic Dance Troupe Emerald Road Dancers.

The Patron of the Western Mass. Highland Games, Chief Steven MacTavish of Dunardry and his lovely wife Leslie, will also be in attendance at the Games.

A complete schedule of events for the 2008 Western Mass. Highland Games and Celtic Festival is available here (PDF). You may find directions to the Games here.

While you are at the Games, make sure you stop by the Clan Mackintosh tent and say hi to Ray McHatton. Ray is the Northeast Representative for Clan Mackintosh and always loves to meet new people and possible "cousins" at his tent.

Slainte,
Dianne

2009 Tartan Day Buttons

2008-05-30T05:00:00.001-04:00

From Jack Barker at the Tartan Day Cooperative:

Greetings from Tartan Day Wisconsin!

Well, Memorial Day—the unofficial start of summer—is just past, which means we’re getting close to the start of the summer Highland Games season. Which is a great time to start getting people revved up for next year’s Tartan Day and to start fundraising with the official 2009 Tartan Day buttons!

That’s right, the 2009 Tartan Day button is now available for ordering! You can download the order form on our web site: TartanDayButtons.com.

As always, there is a limited number of buttons available, so I highly recommend ordering early. I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Have a great summer!--Jack A. Barker Tartan Day Cooperative of Wisconsin

Slainte,
Dianne

On The Wearing Of The Kilt

2008-05-29T05:00:00.000-04:00

Wearing a kilt can be as simple or as complicated as you want. For a more relaxed approach, you can wear a kilt with a Jacobite shirt (a favorite look for the summer weather). You can achieve a more formal look by using different jackets and shirts. As always, the accessories make the outfit; sporrans, belts, flashes and swords can be used to dress the outfit up or down, whichever you prefer.

If you've been inspired to purchase a kilt, or if you are just wondering how to wear one, I've found some web sites to help you:

How To Wear The Kilt (eHow)
How To Wear The Kilt...Literally (Matthew A.C. Newsome FSA Scot, kilt maker, kilt wearer, kilt historian)
Tartans Authority
On The Dignity Of Kilts
How To Wear A Great Kilt
How To Wear Your Kilt (YouTube)
The Kilt Guide
A Guide to the Purchase and Wearing of the Kilt and Other Highland Dress (The Capital Scot)
Wearing the Great Kilt

If you are feeling particularly crafty, you can make your own kilt:
How To Sew A Modern Kilt (BBC)
Making A Kilt
D.I.Y. Kilts

And for the ladies:
How To Make A Simple, Pleated Tartan Skirt (PDF)

Slainte,
Dianne

Men In Kilts

2008-05-28T05:00:00.000-04:00

Most women I know really appreciate the sight of a man in a kilt, and the men are always surprised by how comfortable a kilt can be. With that in mind, here's a list of links that will take you to web sites featuring kilts:

KiltDay.com
The Evolution of the Kilt
Kilted Life
Brotherhood of the Kilt
Real Men Wear Kilts
The Making of a Kilt

Celebrity Bravehearts (from Hello magazine)
Movies with Men In Kilts

More photos of celebrities in kilts can be found at Kiltmen.com.

Enjoy!

Slainte,
Dianne

What Is The Difference Between Plaid and Tartan?

2008-05-27T12:48:00.006-04:00

The subject of the world's first permanent color photograph was a tartan ribbon. The photo was taken by Scotsman James Clerk Maxwell in 1861.

One of the questions I am asked at Highland Games is "What is the difference between plaid and tartan"?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition of plaid is : noun, fabric woven in a chequered or tartan design.

The word plaid however, has an additional meaning in Scotland. A Plaid (pronounced "played") is a large piece of tartan cloth that is worn with the highland outfit over the left shoulder. It is accompanied by a broach at the front known as a plaid broach.

Another common question is "Which tartan can I wear"?

You can wear just about any tartan you wish. The only restriction is private tartans. These are tartans that have been registered with a licence that limits them to a company, family or other organization where a membership is required. You can find out more about that at the Tartan Authority Website.

Here are some links to web sites with more information on tartans:

Tartan in the Wikipedia
Tartan Symbolism
Tartans of Scotland
History of the Tartan
FirstFoot.com
Kilts and Tartan Made Easy (a free e-book)
Scottish Tartans Museum in Franklin, North Carolina

Slainte, Dianne

Scottish Government

2008-05-20T16:11:00.003-04:00

My recent post on the Sanitization of Scottish History reminded me that I really don't know enough about the current state of affairs in the Scottish Government. So I've started researching the modern Scottish Government. If you are interested in what is happening in Scotland right now, here are some good places to start:

The Scottish National Party (official web site)
The Scottish National Party (Wikipedia)

Scottish Labour Party (official web site)
Scottish Labour Party (Wikipedia)

Scottish Conservative Party (official web site)
Scottish Conservative Party (Wikipedia)

Scottish Liberal Democrats (official web site)
Scottish Liberal Democrats (Wikipedia)

Scottish Green Party (official web site)
Scottish Green Party (Wikipedia)

Scots Law
Scottish Self-Government
Scottish Independence Guide
Scottish Independence Convention

Scottish Government Online
Scottish Parliament (official web site)

World News Network
Scotsman Online
Sunday Herald
The Herald

Several of these sites are interactive; they offer a Forum for members to discuss the current governmental issues in Scotland today.

Slainte,
Dianne

A Wee Bit O' Scottish History Online

2008-05-16T14:47:00.007-04:00

These are interesting and valuable online resources for researching Scottish history:

Debate on the 1820 Uprising in the Scottish Parliament
The 1820 Rising (free ebook at Electric Scotland)
White Slavery, What the Scots Already Know
Why Scots Cursed the Damn Yankees
The Act Against Highland Dress
The Act of Proscription 1747
International Civic Heraldry (Scotland)
The Jacobite Heritage (extensive digital archives)
National Library of Scotland's Interactive Timeline of Scottish History
James VI and the Union of the Crowns (National Library of Scotland)

Slainte,
Dianne

How Not To Make Friends At Your Genealogy Research Facility

2008-05-15T09:09:00.008-04:00

Arrive 15 minutes before closing time. Be sure the first words out of your mouth are "I have no idea what I'm looking for".

Announce loudly that you require a wireless connection for your laptop so that you can check your email while "they" locate your information.

Demand that the staff stop what they are doing in order to make your project their #1 priority because your project is really important.

Set your designer coffee/bottled water on top of the oldest book you can find so that you can freely rummage through your bag.

If you are not charged for the services you require, be sure to laugh loudly and exclaim " I guess you get what you pay for". If you are charged service fees, object loudly and exclaim "How can you charge me for information about my own family?"

Make yourself look as untrustworthy and dangerous as possible. This is especially effective when done on the nights the facility is open late into the evening.

Slainte,

Dianne