My Grandmother's Family Tartan - Chisholm, imporoper to wear?

[CollinMacD]

Seeking the proper advice from membership, as I am sure, I am not the first to have asked this question. So I am soliciting the advice from those who know such formalities and traditions of the Scottish Heritage and matters of the tartan.

My father's mother was from the Chisholm Family, Archibald (Ban) Chisholm, of West River, Antigonish, Nova Scotia. She passed away very young and I never meet her, on of about 8 children. Her ancestors arrived the same time that my MacDonald (MacBride) ancestors arrived in 1790 at Cape Bretton, and together, my fifth Great Grandfather, and a Chisholm settled and cleared the land at Marydale, off of the Manchester Road, know known as St. Andrew, NS. Since then our families have married, etc. I have not done as much family research, but do know these Chisholm's were from Strathglass, Scotland, very Roman Catholic, and direct decendants of an Alexander Chisholm, they stole livestock, and fought with MacDonald during the uprising in 1745, this has been passed down through the family, I really don't know much more.

My question is this, it is unusual to wear the tartan of your Grandmother's side of your Scottish Ancestors. I know you can wear what you wish, etc., in today's world. However, I would really like to know what is proper etiquette and would it be considered in bad taste, or improper for me, the grandson, who is MacDonald Clanranald, to wear the Chisholm Tartan, on occasion, in honor of your Grandmother's side. FYI...from my family research, appears that my MacDonald side was very close and married off and on between the Chisholm's and MacIntosh families through the years in Nova Scotia. Would appreciate to your views on this, wearing the tartan from your Grandmothers Clan, accepted or not? Traditional or considered offensive?

[Holcombe Thomas]

As I understand it, Highlanders typically, but not necessarily always, wear their father's tartan, though most have, of course, any number of ancestors with tartans.

Those in the diaspora can pretty much wear what they please, with a very few exceptions. The Balmoral tartan is reserved for the royal family or those to whom the Queen has given permission. I don't think you can get that tartan anyway; the mills will not sell it to the public. I would not, personally, wear any of the regimental tartans unless I had served in that regiment.

Given that this is a family tartan, I think you can wear it. Most important, I think, is that you know what it is and why you are wearing it.

I have had people ask what my tartan is (fairly often), but never my authority to wear it.

But, as we keep noting, there aren't really any kilt kops. Wear what you like.

Holcombe

[Mike S]

I would not, personally, wear any of the regimental tartans unless I had served in that regiment.

Most of the so-called regimental tartans are in point of fact derived from clan tartans, such as Gordon, MacKenzie, Leslie, Cameron of Erracht etc. Even Black Watch is worn by Clans Sutherland, Campbell and a few others as a clan tartan.

[The Wizard of BC]

The best piece of advice I have ever heard about Tartans is to remember - That while Tartans do have names - (We have to call them something) - The name is far less important than - Where do your people come from.

Let's take the name Chisolm as an example.

The Scottish Register Of Tartans lists 9 Tartans under that one name.

The Chisolm Tartan, no. 638 was designd by the brothers Sobieski/Stuart and published in their Vestiarium Scoticum in 1842. It is generally recognized that they made many of these up in the fevor of the time to name Tartan designs and assign them to Highland Clans, Septs and families.

The Scottish Tartans Authority has some very good articles on the Vestiarium Scoticum and the brothers Sobieski -

http://www.tartansauthority.com/tart...rium-scoticum/

There is also Chisolm #2 - no. 639. The Register has this to say -

"Although the Vestiarium has been discredited as an authentic source, many of the tartans appear to be based on genuine older setts. In this case the 'Black Watch'. There is a specimen of both Chisholm and Chisholm Hunting in the collection of the Highland Society of London, sealed and marked "Presented by Lt. Col. Chisholm Batten, 1907"

Then there is Chisolm Colonial - no. 5756

This design is dated 2009 and designed by Kat Morre of Kansas who is a twelfth generation Chisholm of her American-Scots line. "Approved(September 2008) by Chief Hamish Chisholm of Chishom. Woven by D C Dalgliesh, and organised through Duncan Chisholm & Sons Ltd, of Inverness."

Then Chisolm - no. 740 with an unknown date -

"Possibly the true source of the Vestiarium Scoticum 1829-1842 sett with crimson changed to red. Highland Society of London collection is found in the National Museum, Edinburgh."

And Chisolm Hunting #2 - no. 641 dated 1906.

"This is an example of the process that began during the late Victorian period when the new analine dyes of the 1860s were considered to be too bright. Subtler forms of the tartan were produced, often replacing the red ground with green or brown.' Sample in Scottish Tartans Authority's Scarlett Collections."

The rest of the Tartans which have been given the name Chisolm have dates which vary from 1800 to 1995.

The design named simply "The Chisolm" has this note - "This is without doubt the oldest of the Chisholm tartans, dating from around 1800 and which appears in a portrait of the clan heroine 'Mary Chisholm' of about that date. She was famous for having sided with the clansmen during the clearances. D.C Stewart says it is a variation of one of the MacIntosh setts, said to have been found in a cave at Achnacarry in 1746."

I hope this will give you an idea of where this naming of Tartans comes from. If a Tartan carries you surname or the surname of someone in your ancestry - and you like that design - great.

But name is perhaps less important than - Where do I come from. Not all Scots - especially in the past - would have claimed Highland Clan affiliation. Most Scots are not from the Highlands. And you can carry a name that is the same as a Highland Clan and live somewhere else and not be related to a Highland Clan at all.

Do your research to discover the answer to the question - Where in Scotland do my people come from. A Genealogy is a fasinating and in some csaes, a lifelong process.

[The Wizard of BC]

And if you happen to notice the dates on the Tartan designs above you may have noticed something.

If your people came from Scotland in 1790, then while they may have worn a Tartan, it is very likely that is would not have been one of the designs that we know and call Chishlom today.

[figheadair]

Most of the so-called regimental tartans are in point of fact derived from clan tartans, such as Gordon, MacKenzie, Leslie, Cameron of Erracht etc. Even Black Watch is worn by Clans Sutherland, Campbell and a few others as a clan tartan.

Oh no, quite the reverse! Most so-called regimental tartans were subsequently adopted as clan tartan and there is no evidence of their civilian (clan) use before c1780-90.

[Macman]

Hi, Collin. I get that many people have a feeling of familial pride in their ancestors; I do too. I can understand why some want to wear the tartans of their ancestors and I have no problem with that. I have many clans in my family tree, but my own choice is to wear just one clan tartan, the one of my surname - McIntosh. To wear another clan tartan, even if it was my grandmother's, identifies me as a member of that clan, which I'm not. These are my thoughts, but I have no issue with anyone else wearing what tartan they please.

[ctbuchanan]

My perspective will be somewhat different from the others as I am an American (although my mother was born in Scotland and didn't come to the USA until after WWII) and not an expert in the history of the tartans.

I've attended and participated in Scottish Festivals and Highland Games here in the USA for several decades. I can say I only know a small handful of men who switch between clan tartans. Most settled on their "clan" early on and stick to the one. In my case it is Buchanan although we have Gordons and Grants in the maternal side of the family.

I'm the first to support the freedom to wear what you wish, but I would just add those observations.

[Tarheel]

I feel the need to honor your grandmother is strong and justified. I suggested (in a much earlier thread) one way would be to get a swatch of the Chisholm fabric and incorporate it in your attire. A pocket kerchief is a small and simple example where a vest would be more dramatic show.

I'm reminded of the cockades on caps or ribbons on the front apron giving homage to former regiments engulfed through amalgamation but still approved to complete the uniform and recognize the past history and honor of the prior units. Maybe this would be a good direction for you to consider.

I'm sure there will be discussion on this issue (and welcome the thoughts of others) but am sure you will make a good and informed choice of your own.

[The Wizard of BC]

Personally, if I were one of the proud families who can trace their ancestry in Nova Scotia back to the 1790's I would wear the Nova Scotia Tartan.