Family traditions

**Gael Ridire** · 24th August 11, 09:24 AM

Thanks for such kind remarks. I too was quite suprised! One daughter-in-law thinks it is kinda' weird to care about this, but we shall see when she gets a copy of the Scottish Baillie book that is on her family genealogy. Her cousin who has it decided to copy it because the pages are brittle and crumpling.

As far as researching one's genealogy. Ya, there really is only one set of truth. I've got several branches of the family upset with me for proving various family stories wrong. However, I want to know the truth, therefore I use only documents to prove the facts. I still include the family stories, but then state what the facts prove them right or wrong. Still folks get upset.

**macwilkin** · 24th August 11, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by Gael Ridire

Thanks for such kind remarks. I too was quite suprised! One daughter-in-law thinks it is kinda' weird to care about this, but we shall see when she gets a copy of the Scottish Baillie book that is on her family genealogy. Her cousin who has it decided to copy it because the pages are brittle and crumpling.

As far as researching one's genealogy. Ya, there really is only one set of truth. I've got several branches of the family upset with me for proving various family stories wrong. However, I want to know the truth, therefore I use only documents to prove the facts. I still include the family stories, but then state what the facts prove them right or wrong. Still folks get upset.

Reminds me of my days as a genealogical librarian.

Guid on ya for passing along the family history to the next generation.

T.

**Burly Brute** · 24th August 11, 09:43 AM

Men in general need to be more focused and take charge of directing their families down good paths. I applaud you for that. It also seems that in my neck of the woods there are a few heritages that are much more praised than that of the gaels/celts/picts/angles/etc. It is probably due to proximity, but it is a shame nonetheless!

Either way, I applaud you for your dedication and wish to do the same for my children some day should I be so blessed.

**Gael Ridire** · 24th August 11, 10:10 AM

Burly Brute - Thanks for the kind words. As I look back I believe that I focused to much on attending events and not more internalizing the traditions. It really blew me away when my one son stated that he wanted a kilt to wear to family functions of import and opted to get a tank kilt instead of the PV type. I really think that having all my children's families attend once a month for a formal diner at the house in kilt will help this get ingrained.

Your time will come. Think it over and what you want to do, and make sure you talk about it with your lovely companion. A Scot I knew came here to the states for college. He was a piper, and wanted to have a kilted wedding. His bride said "no way" and that she never wanted him to wear a kilt again or play the pipes. Yuck!!!

**castledangerous** · 24th August 11, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Gael Ridire

<snip>A Scot I knew came here to the states for college. He was a piper, and wanted to have a kilted wedding. His bride said "no way" and that she never wanted him to wear a kilt again or play the pipes. Yuck!!!

He should've dropped her like a ton of bricks!

**Burly Brute** · 24th August 11, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by Gael Ridire

Burly Brute - Thanks for the kind words. As I look back I believe that I focused to much on attending events and not more internalizing the traditions. It really blew me away when my one son stated that he wanted a kilt to wear to family functions of import and opted to get a tank kilt instead of the PV type. I really think that having all my children's families attend once a month for a formal diner at the house in kilt will help this get ingrained.

Your time will come. Think it over and what you want to do, and make sure you talk about it with your lovely companion. A Scot I knew came here to the states for college. He was a piper, and wanted to have a kilted wedding. His bride said "no way" and that she never wanted him to wear a kilt again or play the pipes. Yuck!!!

Thankfully my soon-to-be spouse has given me her approval on kilts for our upcoming wedding this January, but at first she didn't take much to the liking. I love the idea of the once a month thing, even if it didnt have to do with kilts, still a great bonding experience for family!

**Hamilton pride** · 24th August 11, 06:27 PM

I have been trying to get more of my family history into my family and get my kids interested in Scottish things. I keep hitting a brick wall when it comes to my wife, I am trying to learn the pipes (shes against it), she told me I dont need to be wearing a kilt i'll just embarass myself (says my legs are to short for a kilt). Her family is from a German background and they could care less about their heritage and thinks I shouldn't either. I am slowly getting my girls a little interested, they like going to the Scottish festivals, but they are teenagers so I dont know how long that will last. I think anything you can do to get closer to your heritage is great. Maybe one day I can wear my kilt without ridicule from the family.

**Gael Ridire** · 24th August 11, 07:13 PM

That is hard when the family doesn't support you, I've felt that way a lot. Yet my wife has been supportive but dang if she isn't practical too! My new one daughter-in-law thinks it is all a bit weird. Since toddlers, our family on Memorial Day visit nearly all the graves of my wife's ancestry in the state, takes three days. But we go to the graves, clean them up, pay a tribute and read the history of the person. We will also have a picnic. For most it's a three day weekend, for my family it is one weekend during the year that we can pay honor to our forefathers. The new daughter thinks this is really weird!

Perhaps you might not hit the mark with your kids, but there's the grandkids!