Scotland

Aberdeen Newspaper snippets

 I was also fascinated by old newspaper stories, which is why I extracted some interesting ones of various dates (some taken from books earlier than available newspapers) and posted them on my website at:

> http://www.kinhelp.co.uk/KinHelp/old-news

Have fun reading them!

This Scottish website provides a tutorial in reading old records from 15, 16, 17 and 18 centuries.

http://www.scottishhandwriting.com/

The chequered history of tartans

Chris Paton, genealogist has explained that the concept that everyone with a Scottish surname belongs to a particular clan, and is entitled to wear a particular tartan, is little more than a myth (comparable, perhaps with the belief held by some that having a particular English surname entitles one to a coat of arms?).

Surnames weren't used in the Scottish Highlands until the 17th century, and whilst at that point many clan members adopted the name of the chief, that didn't always happen: sometimes sub-groups would use a different surname, retaining a separate identity whilst remaining under the protection of the chief. To complicate matters still further, the same surname could be held by members of different clans - and that's one reason why the links between surnames and tartans are so tenuous. Another is that modern designs for tartans have largely been derived from a book (Vestiarium Scoticum) that is generally regarded to have been a 19th century forgery by two brothers who falsely claimed descent from Bonnie Prince Charlie.