Need advice/help; I'm sorely confused...

**Southern Breeze** · 11th November 08, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by RockyR

Those Stewarts are ALWAYS confused... They have no idea WHAT they're doing.

(please note my business partner / girlfriend Kelly's last name is Stewart)

Anyone care to guess who's sleeping on the couch?

**kmaclea** · 11th November 08, 07:57 PM

Derek,

Allow me to clear up some confusion regarding the MacLeas/Livingstones and the Stewarts... I can provide a LOT more detail if you'd like, just PM me.

The MacLeas are listed as "septs" of the Stewarts of Appin for one reason only--because they fell in their sphere of influence, were friends, and because they fought with them in the '45 in the Appin Regiment.

They are NOT septs in terms of followers, but are in fact a much older clan found in the area...

Conley is a PLAUSIBLE variant of MacLea/McOnlea/etc. Other variants included McOnley, McLay, etc. However, Conley could very well have OTHER derivations as well, so I have grave doubt telling you that we are definitely the clan that any ancestors may have been a part of...

As others have said, genealogy is the only way to establish that.

The highland Livingstones (MacLeas) use the same tartans as the lowland Livingstons... Livingston Modern (WR1003) is the most common.

I am co-admin for our DNA project, which you would also be most welcome to join if you're interested!

Anyway, PM me for more details! I have a lot more I can tell you.

All best,

Kyle MacLea

kilted wearer of Livingston Modern 1003, among others
co-admin Livingston/MacLea DNA project
Clan McLea forum member

**george7** · 11th November 08, 08:50 PM

You can do what I do when people ask what your heritage is... give them a confused look and tell them you're American.

**Downix** · 11th November 08, 08:51 PM

Hear hear! We are Mutts and Mutts we are all!

**Derek Conley** · 11th November 08, 10:57 PM

Mutts indeed!

Kyle, thank you very much. I'll take you up on that offer.

**EagleJCS** · 12th November 08, 02:40 PM

Sometimes researching the family tree will only take you so far...

My Scott line goes back to the late 1700's in Virginia. Before that, we (my 2nd cousin & I) have not been able to determine because many of the records for that time/area have been destroyed by the various wars and natural disasters that have passed through.

Since my last name is Scott, I am a member of the Clan Scott Society (but not necessarily a member of the actual - Scottish - Clan Scott). There are three different Scott 'families' - Scottish, Irish and English people whose surname is Scott - that are unrelated. I would love to be able to determine for sure where my family actually hailed from, but it may not ever be possible.

Derek, best of luck in determining your own heritage. On the SAR front, I imagine if you can document a connection to a previous/deceased documented SAR member, you can matriculate a membership off of him. Just a guess... The SAR would probably be willing to help.

**Derek Conley** · 12th November 08, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by EagleJCS

Derek, best of luck in determining your own heritage. On the SAR front, I imagine if you can document a connection to a previous/deceased documented SAR member, you can matriculate a membership off of him. Just a guess... The SAR would probably be willing to help.

I just read that and had a total "D'OH!!!" moment. I simply cannot believe I didn't think of that very thing.

Thanks a ton!

**gilmore** · 12th November 08, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by EagleJCS

Sometimes researching the family tree will only take you so far...

Since my last name is Scott, I am a member of the Clan Scott Society (but not necessarily a member of the actual - Scottish - Clan Scott). There are three different Scott 'families' - Scottish, Irish and English people whose surname is Scott - that are unrelated. I would love to be able to determine for sure where my family actually hailed from, but it may not ever be possible.

...

It should be realtively simple to determine which of the three Scott groupings you descend from through Y chromosome DNA testing. See the post on this above in this thread, or go to the FAQ at www.familytreedna.com. I see that the Scotts have a surname project here: http://www.familytreedna.com/public/ScottDNAproject

**kmaclea** · 13th November 08, 08:53 PM

Yes -- DNA testing as long as you are a male with the surname, (or similar documented adoption connection) from a Scott family, or can test a direct male relative from such a family....

Definitely recommended!

Although keep in mind that the Scotts of Scotland alone I'm SURE represent not just one paternal line, but several. Even my own clan has many different paternal lines in it, for a much smaller clan.

Kyle=

**SteveB** · 13th November 08, 10:11 PM

Derek,
On the SAR work, try and contact your state society. Florida has a new member helper of Ray Lantz who can be emailed at NSSAR@bellsouth.net. Please prepare a basic line form that lists the linebearer on the left and the spouse on the right, from the revolutionary ancestor down to you. If any of your ancestry is in Massachusetts, I can help you a lot. Please PM or email, if there is anything I can help with.

WARNING...Genealogy is as addictive as kilts. See my addiction below..

Steve Brown
Member of the Massachusetts Society, Sons of the American Revolution,
Member of the Mayflower Society
President of the National Society of Old Plymouth Colony Descendants,
President of the Piscataqua Pioneers,
Treasurer General, Society of the Descendants of the Colonial Clergy
Member of the New England Historic Genealogical Society
Research genealogist at the Massachusetts State Archives.