Posted: 9:29 PM - Sep 25, 1999
During the nineteenth century there were numerous genealogies published on different families (or surnames) that "established" a connection to some noble family in Europe.
With these genealogies people were presented with a "Coat of Arms" for "their family" in which they displayed these things on their tables in their houses with pride for others to see so that they can see what kind of distinguished heritage they have.
Well, that would be fine and dandy if all of that were true but unfortunately it isn't in many cases.
Many of these "connections" were made without any kind of proof whatsoever. Usually it was simply "well we've heard that so and so came from this place in Europe and here's 'the so and so family' mansion therefore this has to be where he came from" and voila the connection was made.
There was even a scam back during the nineteenth century mentioned in "Ellen Payne Odom's Genealogy Library" where this man would, for a fee, establish your family history back to someone in Europe. It is said that much of this man's "work" still haunts modern day genealogists who are trying to uncover the truth about their ancestors.
Junior McKay posted some messages with regards to an alleged Hugh Mackay connection with our Robert Mackay in order to help me draw this issue out into the open which I'm grateful to him for doing that.
I had been wanting to discuss this particular issue because I do believe it will cause problems in the future for those of us who are trying to research our family.
What do we gain by accepting invented history? What do we have to be proud of?
I'd rather be proud of my ancestors being simple farmers and laborers than I would be proud of some lie told about their being aristocrats and nobles.
For because they lived, I live. These are MY people. These are THEIR stories and THEIR histories. I'm proud of them simply because of that and not because of some invented connection which ties them in to something they may or may not be a part of.
Lies do me no good when it comes to my family and heritage.
With these genealogies people were presented with a "Coat of Arms" for "their family" in which they displayed these things on their tables in their houses with pride for others to see so that they can see what kind of distinguished heritage they have.
Well, that would be fine and dandy if all of that were true but unfortunately it isn't in many cases.
Many of these "connections" were made without any kind of proof whatsoever. Usually it was simply "well we've heard that so and so came from this place in Europe and here's 'the so and so family' mansion therefore this has to be where he came from" and voila the connection was made.
There was even a scam back during the nineteenth century mentioned in "Ellen Payne Odom's Genealogy Library" where this man would, for a fee, establish your family history back to someone in Europe. It is said that much of this man's "work" still haunts modern day genealogists who are trying to uncover the truth about their ancestors.
Junior McKay posted some messages with regards to an alleged Hugh Mackay connection with our Robert Mackay in order to help me draw this issue out into the open which I'm grateful to him for doing that.
I had been wanting to discuss this particular issue because I do believe it will cause problems in the future for those of us who are trying to research our family.
What do we gain by accepting invented history? What do we have to be proud of?
I'd rather be proud of my ancestors being simple farmers and laborers than I would be proud of some lie told about their being aristocrats and nobles.
For because they lived, I live. These are MY people. These are THEIR stories and THEIR histories. I'm proud of them simply because of that and not because of some invented connection which ties them in to something they may or may not be a part of.
Lies do me no good when it comes to my family and heritage.