Quote Originally Posted by The Deil's Chiel View Post
If it is a common misconception, then it is one perpetuated by the office of Lyon Court itself, as I was told that I could apply for a grant of arms to my (long since dead) ancestor who was a subject of the British Crown, and have the arms then matriculated down to me. It was never suggested by the office of Lyon Court that I (as a 7th generation American citizen) could simply apply for a grant of arms to myself by proving my descent from my Scottish ancestor. The grant would have to be first made to the ancestor who was a subject of the British Crown, and then I would have to be matriculated as his descendant - a process that could be done in a single document, provided I was able to come up with sufficent proof (i.e. historical documentation that each intervening generation was the direct descendant of the previous generation spelled out clearly in no uncertain terms - such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or other legally recognized documents).
This is the same level of proof required of someone applying for arms based on the fact that his grandfather (or father) was born in Scotland. The only difference is the amount of paperwork required with each additional generation. I can sympathize with your frustration at not being able to connect all the dots. But again, let me suggest that if a substantive coat of arms is of importance to you, that you consider applying to the South African Bureau of Heraldry.