Dhomhnail
Gu brath
"Donald Forever"
Why You should Join Clan Donald
Rexford C. Alexander
I have known for many years that my Alexander heritage was both Scottish and Irish. The spelling of my surname alone is a good indicator. Although families talked little about their ancestors; many did not even know from whence they came. The surname spelling, Alexander, is almost certainly English, Irish, and Scottish; it was brought to these areas by Queen Margaret atheling upon her marriage to Malcolm Caennmor in the year 1068. The origin of the name is Alexander, the Great. It only became a surname much later; we began as MacAlisters who were descendants of Donald. We were part of the Macalister and Macdonald Scottish Clans.
After thirty-four years of research, I discovered more and more evidence that we were indeed Ulster-Scot. Finding my roots anciently embedded there was exciting. I joined the National Geographic “Genographic” Project which conducted thousands and thousands of Y-DNA tests and projected origins paths of the haplogroups. That led me right back to Scotland and Ireland. I submitted my DNA markers to the Macdonald DNA Project and have several 25 marker matches-all leading to Scotland and Ireland. I became a student of the history of Scotland and North Ireland; the more I learned, the more enthusiastic I became.
Upon further investigation, I learned that the Scottish influence is very strong is every facet of the USA. I subscribed to “The Highlander,” a magazine that is very informative of the history of my home land. I could hardly wait for the next issue. The magazine lists state Scottish Festivals and Highland Games. My wife and I decided to attend the 2003 Tennessee Scottish Festival and Highland games in Triune, TN (near Murfreesboro) just to see what the games were like. Knowing my surname was connected to the Macdonald Clan I located the Clan Donald tent. The folks were courteous and I got an application but I must admit that I am skeptical of any association that interests me.
I cautiously observed the Clan Donald folks; my appraisal was not all positive but that was unfair. I am 98% deaf in my right ear, and only have 15% of one frequency in my left ear; I have had four mini-strokes, have had to learn to write, type, drive, and live with some imparities. At times, I encounter difficulties in oral communication because of a brain trauma so I say as little as possible; my mind just doesn’t work as rapidly as it once did. It is difficult to accept that I was once an excellent public speaker but now have trouble thinking of one little word. I will not bore you with more of my problems because I am fortunate and blessed to just be alive. However, some of my problems have earned me the title of being arrogant and even “unapproachable.” Perhaps some of those Clan Donald folks have some of my problems; see how wrong we can be? Or, is it because that’s just the way we Scots are, staunch and serious?
I became a member of Clan Donald USA in 2003 and as a student of all things Scottish and Irish I try to learn every detail about our Clan and my personal heritage. I subscribe to other Scot and Irish magazines and learn from each one. After 39 years of genealogy research, I have my family tree traced back, generation by generation; through four genealogical lines back to the 7th century and even a connection to Ireland in 125 AD. I am a life Member of the Armadale Castle Land trust on Scotland’s western Isle of Skye and I am now becoming a Life member of Clan Donald USA.
Because of my membership in Clan Donald my wife and I look forward to the next Scottish Festival and Highland games. Not only do we enjoy the games, we look forward to seeing our Clan Donald family. I have found something unexpected - I have my family. Clan Donald is different than your local family, organization, and even the church. I have been and am a member of many outstanding organizations, several of the military since I am a retired military man. I have been honored to hold some high positions in some of the societies. I spent twenty-three years in the military (three of them in combat) and we have a brotherhood. I am a member of the Masons, OES, church, VFW, DAV, and several other organizations - all good ones - but none of the brotherhoods have felt like family - except this one. Now that I’m older and feel the effects of many physical problems I am unable to contribute physically and mentally as I did before; I’m not a social climber and never attempt to “impress’ anyone. I have a good sense of humor (I suppose that comes from the Irish) but no one treads on me (now, that has to be my Scottish blood).
Clan Donald USA-Midsouth has shown more genuine personal concern than I have felt in most of my relatives. Last October, we attended the games at Triune again. Both my wife and I were fighting some pains so we decided to retire to our motel room. To our surprise, Clan Donald USA Midsouth Commissioner Carlisle Simon called our room to check on us,, and Past Midsouth Commissioner John Scarborough wrote us a note. We were overwhelmed! It seemed we hardly knew them but they “cared”- because, as they said, “We are Family”. Clan Donald is family.
There are so many aspects of being Scottish that I can’t enumerate them but our ancient history and our Clan association (by blood) is rewarding. You want to know more and more about who you are from whence you came; you are surrounded by family. If you qualify, become a Clan Donald member today; join us and you will be part of the greatest people you have ever met-your relatives.
If you consider becoming a member of our family, I urge you to do so now. We are associated by blood and it is a celebration of meeting those who have common ancestors 400-800 years ago. I also urge you to contact “Family DNA.com” and have your Y-DNA analyzed for the Clan Donald DNA Project. Once you learn who and what you are, you may find yourself wearing Scottish regalia; I’m talking “K-I-L-T”, enjoying the bagpipes, highland dancing, and the games. Marching in front of the viewers behind the banner of Clan Donald-USA to the beat of the drums and dirge of the pipes instills pure pride-even if you are marching in four inches of mud (which we did last May). I have become so immersed in my Scottish heritage the last time I had blood drawn at the lab, it was “plaid”- just like my tartan.
Many Clan Donald members find that they are not only Scots but also Irish. We have a long and interesting history and most of us are Scot-Irish or Ulster-Scots. I am proud of both origins. The Irish have ‘blarney’ and we Scots give it to you straight and to the point. For example, the Irish can tell you to go to hell and make you look forward to the trip. Scots will give you the directions and then dispatch you straight to that destination. The more we learn of our heritage the more we understand ourselves.
I wish all who think they have origins in Scotland and Ireland to investigate; get on the internet and find which Clan you are eligible to join - hopefully it will be Clan Donald. Find who you are and become a member. We are all just unique human beings following different careers; have different financial status, somewhat different religious beliefs, and live in different parts of the world - but we of Clan Donald - are FAMILY-A PROUD FAMILY. We are the Macdonald Clan, one of the largest in the world; if you qualify - BECOME ONE.
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