Twelve Months of Discovering Scottish Heritage in the most fun ways!!
How the obsession began
When we went to Beaver Island Michigan the summer of 2017 I knew we’d be in for a lot of peace and quiet and a lot of rest and relaxation. I also knew there would be a lot of reconnecting with family that we hadn’t really seen or spent time with since Sage was born.
Beaver Island secrets
Beaver Island was everything I expected and more. True to traditions of Northern Michigan being a keeper of mysteries, (Oh yes, there is a blog post waiting to happen here) I learned things like I have a 100% biological aunt that was adopted away one year before my father was born and she tracked her brothers down and wanted to meet. I also learned the King family has a strong Scottish side to our lineage, so strong, in fact, that it can be traced to clan Gregor and roots that go back to the year 700.
One thousand years of adventurers
Apparently my siblings belong to American Clan Gregor as paid members and my sister even received a scholarship for school from them while attending university. How did all this happen without me knowing??
Thus began my obsession with my roots. Clearly my family had all kinds of stories to tell and I, being from a thousand years of adventurers and storytellers, must now embark on this quest to learn and retell the stories.
Adventure 101 Series
Joining the Clan
The remainder of 2017 was a busy time. Looking back it was a bit of a blur but I sent in applications for myself, Madison and Sage to be joined to the American Clan Gregor Society family lineage under my father. It was relatively easy since the bulk of the lineage had already been turned in and verified. I simply needed to prove the bloodline from him to me and likewise, to Madison and Sage.
Obsessed or just Really Interested?
When I received all the paperwork welcoming us to Clan Gregor I was thrilled! For the first time in my life I felt I was genetically tied to something much much larger then myself. Plus, anyone who starts an email with A THOUSAND WELCOMES COUSIN has got to be cool!
Naturally I went back and watched Rob Roy, Braveheart, and embarked upon the epic journey that is the Outlander series. I successfully sucked my husband in my delusions of grandeur watching Outlander and I’m not saying for certain, but I may have worn a shift around the house every night for a couple months. (I forgot how amazingly comfortable reenactment clothes were!) In addition, I may have started using words like ‘wee’ and ‘lassie’ because, well, they’re fun and current American English could use a dash of sass. Amirite?
Tartan Tartan Everywhere
In December, I was suddenly acutely aware of all things tartan. Tartan EVERYWHERE!!! And not just any tartan, the oldest of the Gregor tartans! I wondered was the universe in sync with me, celebrating all things Gregor? Or was plaid a part of the holidays and I was just suddenly seeing it. I mentioned it to my daughters and husband, all of whom thought I was being ridiculous. I insisted there was MacGregor plaid everywhere. I’m always on the lookout for meaningful coincidences in life and this seemed to be a giant one yelling MAGREGOR! at me everywhere I went! They kept dismissing it so I decided to start taking photos while I was out and about. From the 99 store to Nordstrom’s and everywhere in between. You be the judge. Did I exaggerate?
In Conclusion
And that is without even trying. That is literally me going out and running errands. So naturally there are conclusions to be drawn.
1) Being Scottish is cool, hip, and clearly everyone wants to be MacGregor
2) I am naturally drawn to Scottish stores and all things MacGregor
3) Everyone really IS a MacGregor
4) I need to own this and represent! The universe is telling me so!
Aaaaaaannnndddd……Twelve months of adventures in genealogy and culture begin…
January: Robert Burns Night
February: Queen Mary Scotsfest
March: Class and Sass
April: Tartan Day
May: Highland Dance
June: San Diego Highland Games
Discover YOUR Scottish roots and more with me and the AWESOME folks at the Genealogy Jamboree this year! Seriously… you have questions and they have the resources to answer them! We had an absolute blast last year and look forward to learning more this year!
Cousin???
I need to trace more of my ancestry.
I wonder if I’m Scottish too! lol So far we believe I’m Irish and English but haven’t been able to trace our line back to any other country yet. Family history is so exciting. After reading this I want to be Scottish too. 😉 So fun!
Well Ruth, there is a long standing tradition of adoption in Scottish cultures! LOL We’ll take ya! It is SO much fun! We have been having an absolute blast with it!
Yay! Scottish adventures sound like so much fun! I have been reading about Scotland and dreaming of going there forever. I’ll have to grab a Tartan!
Absolutely!!!! They are a riot!
First of all, that is one of my favorite winter / Christmas patterns ~ lol. Second, my mother is huge into ancestry and would love moments like this (very much into our Irish heritage). Enjoy the adventure upon you are about to embark and here’s hoping you find many connections!
Well you know there are some FAB stories of Irish culture too!!!
This is very interesting. I love reading about adventures. Thank you for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed!
I love family history and would love to look into my own background. I’m part Chinese and Peruvian which wasn’t the coolest thing growing up as a kid. Now I try to own it lol. I always love learning about new foods and cultures. Good luck on your adenvtures.
THANK YOU!! It’s interesting how so many people feel that way… that we all hid our cultures growing up… I suppose it has to do with society and the times. I’m of the opinion that we should learn all we can about ourselves and others. That way we can start sharing and celebrating instead of some our current trends. Happy adventuring yourself! 🙂
So cool! What a great experience!!
Family history was not important to me until I got older. This is an excellent read and how fun.
This is awesome!!! I’d like to explore my Scottish roots more thoroughly like you. We go to the annual Scottish festival here each year.
OH we have now begun to go to several! (You’ll learn why in the next couple of posts in the series) Which one do you go to? Maybe we will see you!
How fun for you! You might be slightly obsessed – LOL, but it’s a fun obsession! It’s funny how as soon as we become aware of something (plaid), you see it everywhere! LIke when you are thinking of buying a new car and all of the sudden all you see on the road is the particular model you’ve been thinking about. I love the plaid, it really adds to the Christmas spirit. I wasn’t aware you could join a clan – that’s cool too.
HA! perhaps… lol… It’s so true… I love the way the way the universe works that way… yup, most plaid is good plaid. (I’ve seen a couple questionable ones) but yes! I agree it has that woodland homey feel doesn’t it?
This post is so fun! Thanks for a great read!
Thank you! I hope you enjoy the next installments… it gets really fun!
Sounds like such a fun trip! It’s definitely on my bucket list! Now I have a better clue as to when I get to it! Thanks!
oh I’m glad you liked it! Part two with more information is going up in next day or so. 🙂 Let me know how you like it!
Great read. Sounds fun. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! 🙂
i’m obsessed with all things black and red plaid hahah.
ha! I think it’s a popular trend right now. It is a great pattern for sure.
Such a fun post! If people only knew where their styles originated, they might be inclined to be more interested in culture.
agreed! I’m hoping to inspire a little bit of that. 😉
Sounds like a fun adventure
thank you!
Love this! Way to represent your heritage!
whoo hoo! Thank you! Heritage I didn’t really know I had..ha! It’s a fun journey
So interesting! I’ve never read about this process before. Thank you for writing about this!
This is awesome! Loved this post!
Thank you! I hope you’ll tune in for the next installments!
This is fun! Have fun looking into your lineage!
Thank you! It’s been a riot so far!
Sounds like you are loving every minute!
I hate to tell you, but I see that plaid every year around Christmas time 😉 But I’ve done my own genealogy research on my family and know how fascinating it is, enjoy your year as you go down the rabbit hole and get in touch with a side you never knew you had!
hahaha it’s true! I am just highly amused that it’s ‘that’ plaid. It is fascinating though. Did you discover anything interesting?
How fun! I’m totally obsessed with Outlander! My mom is adopted and we did the DNA tests and are half Scottish and half Irish. I’d love to figure out what clan. I think it would be so fun!
It is SO SO MUCH fun! I’m taking genealogy classes this year but I have become quite the ancestry.com sleuth too! Obsessed with Outlander? Yes… we can be friends 🙂
This is really cool. I am always a little curious about my lineage..
It has become a bit of an obsession for me. We’ve been having so much fun with it that I’m actually taking genealogy classes this year.
I love plaid! Maybe I’m a MacGregor too? 🙂
hahaha maybe!!!! Well there IS a strong tradition of adoption into clans….. I think all who love plaid should be honorary members. I’ll take you!
Love it so fun! It’s always great finding connections!
isn’t it? I love being connected to something bigger then just me. 🙂
LOL, Well I guess you are a MacGregor! Sounds like you are going to have a great year!
LOL let the obsession and hilarity begin….
Enjoyable read. Love to hear of you adventures (or misadventures 😜)
Glad you enjoyed! You’ll get a kick out the next installments…it gets very interesting and hilarious…
Great post, very funny! And clearly you’re right, MacGregors are everywhere!
Thank you! I know right?!! Of course no one really knows that is the old hunting plaid. We all know it as Buffalo Plaid but it makes me giggle anyhow.