Scots Set Sail For A Better Life In The New World
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- čas přidán 29. 04. 2020
- Watch this video to see the effect the failed Jacobite rebellions had on Scottish emigration to the New World, and also to get an understanding of the other issues that impacted on emigration to America and Canada.
I wtraced my fifth great grandfather back to Aberdeenshire Scotland. He was a Jacobite captured at Culloden then jailed for two years in England and then sent to the colonies to the area in what is now known as Maryland. He died in 1777 in Pennsylvania. You can’t fault the British for their record keeping. My family eventually settled in North and South Carolina.
Thanks very much for this interesting information. Great that you were able to trace them! Kind regards, Gordon
Being a Pennsylvanian with predominantly Scots-Irish surnames and dna, I would imagine there’s a large amount of us over here that would love hearing about reasons for Scots to Ulster and Scots to colonies in 17-18th centuries.
We don’t have much surviving records and rely on a North American perspective on figuring out when our families hit the continent.
Thanks for your content.
Loving all your videos!
One of my Scots ancestors Henry Mitchell from Clan Innes arrived in the United States in 1650! First to Pennsylvania then to Virginia. Can’t find out why he left Scotland! He fought on the side of the American colonists as did many other Scots.
Also many Scottish fur traders settled in the Southern states snd many married into the Native American tribes. One of them was my 7th great Grandfather John Stewart in North Carolina. There are Many Native Americans in the Southern states with Scottish names as well as other people.
Thank you for other perspectives and knowledge many of us don’t know about Scotland!
With respect!
Thanks very much for this information, Homer! Kind regards, Gordon
Thank you!
I attended many of the local Highland Games as a representative of Clan Donald. On one of those occasions I had the pleasure of meeting a French Canadian descendant of the 78th Fraser Highlanders. Very interesting!
That’s great to hear, Ian. Kind regards, Gordon
Excellent work, Gordon. I descend from several lines of Scots, many of them captured within the circumstances you described. Alexander MacDonald was one of them. My 5th great grandfather. Fought in the War of the Austrian Succession with Loudon's troops, then off to America for the 7 years war, half pensioned on Staten Island in 1763, reactivated with the outbreak of hostilities in 1775, served mostly in Halifax in the Revolutionary War, left with 5 children at war's end after his wife had died in 1778.
Other Scots in my tree as well. Taylor (Moray), Gilliss, Dickson (Dumfries) and others. Very proud of my heritage and can't wait to visit again. Great videos!
Glad you enjoy them, Brett! You are rightly proud of your heritage! Kind regards, Gordon
You do a great job. Thank you. My ancestor left Scotland in 1669 for Boston. In 1800 his great..etc..grandson moved to Canada. The migration was continual.
Very much the way of it, John. Kind regards, Gordon
The ancestor that moved to Canada would be a Late Loyalist, I guess. This video makes me wonder if my great=grandmother's Scottish family moved to northern New Brunswick from the U.S. She was born in the 1830's so it is possible. My Grandmother's family were planters who moved to the Isthmus of Chignecto region from R.I. after the Acadians were expelled from the area. They were of Irish Protestant descent, but the ancestor who moved from R.I. was born there. Not quite Loyalists, but close.
As a Fraser (maiden name)I have done my DNA it appears my ancestry takes me to Ross and Clomarty as well as Aberdeenshire Scotland
Thank you for information on the two clan Frasers was very enlightening. I Would like to know more about emigration to Australia though as my great grandfather emigrated here from Scotland in 1800’s I think
I’m hoping to do a separate video about Scottish links to Australia, Barbara, so that may help you! Kind regards, Gordon
Related to Frasers that came to South Africa. Love Scotland.
Absolutely wonderful. I am descended from Canadian Scots, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador area. I also have a line that is from Glengarry, Ontario. I never knew Glengarry was a place also in Scotland! Great information. Thank you so much.
There's a lovely road journey from Invergarry up Glen Garry with a great viewpoint at the top! I love it, have travelled that route many times on my way to the Isle of Skye! Kind regards, Gordon
There's lots of Scottish place names in the Canada, I guess. Perth. New Glasgow. Inverness. Glenburnie. Lanark. Aberdeen Street. I can't think of any more just now, but there must be plenty.
Just love your bits of history of Scotland that are difficult to find anywhere else. I for one am very grateful the Scottish immigrated to the Americas. I am trying to back date to find just when they came over but from everything learned from family and research it appears mid 1700’s is when my direct daily line came. This gives me a little insight into what and why and I really appreciate it.
Glad you found it interesting, Monisa! Kind regards, Gordon
My 4th great grandfather was Richard Wallace. Nova Scotia about 1769 when he was 16yo. He became green mountain boy, sergeant in Revolutionary War. I can't connect him back to Scotland. 😢
Thank you! I am doing some light research on my family background on Ancestry, and recently found Donald Fraser as my 7th Great Grandfather on my fathers side. That is the furthest back in the Fraser line I have reached. My father is French Canadian from Eastern Quebec. This video was very helpful. :)
Glad you enjoyed it! If you haven't already done so, have a look at my video about Fraser Highlanders fighting in Canada. Many Frasers stayed on in Canada and married local French speaking wives, and eventually became French Canadians themselves! Kind regards, Gordon
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@@gordonsscotland8441 Thank you! I will. My sister took ownership of a local motel here a few years ago called Fraser Motel. The previous owners are Frasers.
@@gordonsscotland8441 They didn't become French-Canadians themselves, but their kids were French speakers. The father of one of my French teachers who couldn't even pronounce his family name the way an Anglophone does and it was Irish in the mid-1970s was from Belleville, Ontario. If you are living in a French-speaking town like Riviere du Loup and you're the father, your kids won't likely speak English, although with media these days, they are more likely to speak their father's tongue, if an effort is made to keep English alive. My father's family name is French, but, except for me, nobody in my family speaks French because it was our great-Grandfather who was French-Canadian. We are also Anglican, not Roman Catholic.
I'm just exploring my Scottish Heritage through the Duncan side of my family. I've gotten all the way back to William Duncan who lived in the Spartanburg, South Carolina area in the 1700's before the American Revolution.
Very impressive, Justin, well done! Duncan is a very ancient name in Scotland. King Duncan I reigned from 1034 to 1040. He is the historical basis for the 'King Duncan' character in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'. Kind regards, Gordon
Both my husband I are proud Canadians with Scottish heritage
That's lovely, Janet. I am aware that there is such a strong Scottish link with Canada! Kind regards, Gordon
Just discovered your channel. Loving it so far.
That’s great! Kind regards, Gordon
My maiden name is Shaw and my paternal side of the family came to the colonies in or around 1650 and were known as shipping entrepreneurs. I’m reconnecting with those from the homeland. Enjoyed listening to your podcast. ❤
We enjoyed every piece of your series on Scotland. Our daughter married a Scot and now lives in Edinburgh. Thank you for letting us know more about her new home.
Glad you both enjoyed the video, Michael. Your daughter resides in a very fine city! Kind regards, Gordon
I always enjoy your videos! I count myself as a Scottish descendant though I have not located the ship yet. When I was a child my father looked me in the eyes and said " Our Kennedy's came from Scotland" like it was very important for me to know that. I asked how he knew and he said his father told him. I feel that this was a fact being handed down generation to generation so that no one forgot. I have had DNA tests and they confirm my heritage though I know some do not put much stock in the tests. In any event, it adds a little "evidence" to his statement until I can locate the "rest of the story" as they say.
Donna Hedrick .....your hendrick surname is scottish too :)
@@geoffdundee Family research says my husbands family came from Germany but I have not looked into it at all. I will have to consider your information when I begin on his side of the family.
Kennedy certainly is a well known name in Scotland, Donna. Very much from the south west of Scotland. Kind regards, Gordon
Harriett Kennedy is my 5xgrandmother. Wife of Duncan Ban MacMillan
Right! My f-i-l when I was dating my husband told me very seriously. "There's a lot of Scotch in us." The name is Inkster and it comes from the Orkney Islands. My husband's great-great-grandfather worked from the Hudson Bay Company and came to Ontario in the 1820s after the HBC and the Northwest Co. combined. Much loss of unemployment at that time. However, this emigrant ancestor married an Irish Protestant named O'Donnell from Co. Fermanagh and his youngest son married another Irish Protestant named Cullen and his only surviving child married someone named Archer (English). And his youngest son married someone named Parks (English). So there isn't much Scotch in us, I guess. LOLOL!
My McKay family has been traced back to 1749 when they came to South Carolina. They had land grants. I always wondered why would they have been given land grants. I am enjoying your videos.
Thanks, Marsha. I think land grants were awarded by the British Crown as a way of encouraging immigration, especially from poor Europeans, to stimulate investment in the colony, and to gain revenues from the new tenants. Kind regards, Gordon
Very interesting! My Duncan family has been traced back to that time period as well in the Spartanburg, SC area. Maybe our families knew each other.
I watched Outlander and that gave me a much more accurate idea of what happened. Also why my ancestors moved to the new colonies in the mid 1600s.
Yes, Sirena, Outlander explains that aspect very well. Kind regards. Gordon
Hi. I just came across your channel yesterday. Thanks for sharing. I acquired information about my mother’s side of the family - Ramsay - who would be from the Lowlands. Prince Edward Island has a database “The PEI Ships Arrival/Departures Database” that has ships coming across from Scotland and found out that my ancestors were on the Annabella! In July, 1770 (the database has links to the individual ships and their manifests of who was on board. Some distant relative of mine did this research already). In the case of the Annabella!, it sounds like the first American Thanksgiving but the Canadian version of it! Also did research online and found out about the Lowland Clearances on Wikipedia. For those somewhat interested, sixty families (200 people) were on the Annabella! and names included were Allanby, Carr, English, Inglis, MacKendrick, MacNeill, MacMillan, MacIntosh, MacArthur, MacDougall, MacGougan, MacKay, MacKenzie, Murphy, Montgomery, Ramsay, Sinclair, Steward, Smith, Taylor and Woodside - just for information sake. They set sail from Campbelltown, Argyll, Scotland July 1770.
Nancy, thanks very much for this very useful information. Will be a great help to others. Kind regards, Gordon
My immigrant grandfather came to the colonies in 1686... so I have been wondering what was going on in Scotland at that time that compelled him to come here.
Hard to say exactly, Atholl.
As I said in my video, research shows that most Scots emigrated because they wanted a better life for themselves and their families. So it could be economics. Scotland was struggling economically towards the end of the 17th century, in fact it's often felt the economic problems Scotland was facing were a major driver in the Union with England which came about in 1707.
However, this period was also one of religious disruption. King James VII had converted to Catholicism which had not gone down well in Protestant Scotland. The Covenanters, a religious and political movement who supported a Presbyterian Church of Scotland, had been in conflict with the King and many of their members were persecuted leading to several armed rebellions. There was a period from 1679 to 1688 which became known as "The Killing Time".
So it could have been either, or both (or neither!).
Hope this helps a wee bit!
Kind regards, Gordon
your response is most helpful.... and greatly appreciated... it gives me some insight as to what was going on in Scotland at the time my immigrant grandfather came to the colonies...
Im a Bogle, my ancestors were importers of fine tobacco. Until the French stole our ship. The Consort of Glasgow. We immigrated to the United States in the 1690's. Before it was the United States. My uncle Joseph Bogle fought the English in the Revolutionary war.
Thanks, Kurt, very interesting! Kind regards, Gordon
Thank you . You explain well . You don’t go too fast .
Glad you enjoy the videos, Rita! Kind regards, Gordon
Just found your channel! Enjoying it. Researching my Lindsay heritage. Thank you for posting your videos.
My pleasure, Debra. Glad you're enjoying them! Kind regards, Gordon
Just discovered you this week Gordon, really enjoying your chats! I was born a MacLeod in Nova Scotia and had been wondering about my Cape Breton and Prince Edward Island ancestors, thank you!!
My pleasure, Pam, glad you found it interesting! Kind regards, Gordon
My mother’s ancestors came over from Scotland in1772 to PEI on the ship Alexander from Moidart and Locharbor.
Glad I found your channel Thank you, very interesting 😊❤️
Glad you’re enjoying it, Barbara! Kind regards, Gordon
I always believe you are where you came from, it's in the blood. McLellan's from Nova-Scotia, not sure if we were before the battle of Tatamagough, or after the expulsion of the Acadian. Family history is not easy to find for us migraters, good on you for doing these video's
Thanks, James! Kind regards, Gordon
Very unlikely prior to the Battle of Tatamagouche (1745) as the only non-Acadian settlements were Annapolis Royal and Canso. These two settlements were very small with just a few hundred people. The primary migrations of Scots into Nova Scotia commenced in the 1770s.
@@EdinburghFive Thanks for that information. I know we had one born in 1799, in Great village, and then moved to New Annan, which is roughly 5 km outside Tatamagough.
Recently discovered your channel and am really enjoying it. I'm Canadian of Scottish descent on both my father and mother's side. It must have been a difficult time for people regardless of how they came to Canada. Our family knows some details regarding where we came from in Scotland but we are still piecing together how other ancestors arrived here.
Absolutely, Kevin. Regardless of whether they chose voluntarily to emigrate (as many did) or were forced to, the journey would have been harsh, as would their strivings to make a life for themselves in their adopted country. But that highlights the great spirit of all the Scots who left for foreign shores. Good luck with your research, Kind regards. Gordon
I’ve been told by older folks that my family migrated to Western NC from the Scott Irish from Northern Ireland. Can’t seem to pin them down on history and it makes me think that there was something that they don’t want to come out
Hi Audie. Many of the Scotch-Irish who left Ulster for America had originally come from the Scottish Borders. They tended to be Presbyterian, and went to Ulster to become farmers in what was called the Ulster Plantations. This was land that had been seized from local clan chiefs (mostly Catholic) who had fled Ireland to Spain, seeking help from the King of Spain after they were defeated in what is called the Nine Year War. Kind regards, Gordon
@@gordonsscotland8441 Thank you, for replying and keep the knowledge coming.
I love your video’s. I too just found you and you have answered so many of my fathers family history on his mother’s side . She died when he was very young and he never knew her heritage. We finally found that she was from Nova Scotia from dearth cert. Her mother was mcginnis and her father Dorman. I will continue to watch your videos and try to learn more. Thank you very much.❤️🙏✝️❤️
Pleased to have helped, Louise. That's good you found out more about your family! Kind regards, Gordon
I was told that my ancestor left Scotland in 1775 and settled in central Virginia. I enjoyed your video and history . I understand now why he might have left because of your information and thank you. I have very little information on him and you have helped me find out why he left.
Glad to have been of assistance, Mike! Kind regards, Gordon
My family came to avoid the starvation, the government and elite planed and executed, for the sake of greed. My family arrived from Sky to the maritime provences. They were so malnutrished that 2 of my great great greats , children were so ill and malnourished they were close to death when they finally arrived on the North American continant . There were many that came with them . Many left for this reason , their choice being stay and starve or leave and live . So not sure that can be called a choice .
Thanks, Maggie.
Famines happened in many countries at that time, and I'm not sure they were actually planned by those in control, rather more they were incapable of rectifying the situations.
Famines and war were often, as they still are today regrettably, the stimulus for emigration.
For example, The Highland and Island Emigration Society was a charitable society formed to promote and assist emigration as a solution to the Highland Potato Famine in the 1800s.
Of course, for the emigrants these were terrible times, and their journeys to the New Worlds was arduous with many of them not surviving the voyages.
Very hard times.
Kind regards, Gordon
Famine is frequently planned to starve people out and bring them into subjection, governments and those in power have an end goal and the patients to wait it out over generations , if necessary, by policy , because we know those in control lack for nothing, and Wars don't end with cease fires, they end with subjection of the populations , if it can be argued they end at all.
The potatoe Famine was not because there was no food but because the landlords supported and encouraged by the government demanded all grain crops to be exported,. They couldn't export rotting potatoes. If any man kept a measure of grain for himself he was severely punished including exile. Though it's not as talked about as the Irish potato famine the same was happening in Scotland .
Crofters were removed from their land , clan chiefs were imprisoned , executed or complied, and English Lords and elites were granted large potions of land while the people that lived there for centuries were put on small plots not much bigger then a yard and told to farm that. A man cannot feed a family on a tiny plot of ground beside the sea that couldn't grow a crop for more then a season or two before it became infertile. Landlords wouldn't allow grazing of cattle on the places cattle had grazed before, that was reserved for their sheep and their hunting parties.. Stay and starve or leave and live.
There are documents , to that affect..
Don't forget what was done to the Native American , Indian Agents litterly let food rot or sold to settlers while natives starved or became ill from malnutrition , they gave the men whiskey to stave their hungerand make them lazy drunks. It's documented .
Seiges have always been an effective way to defeat a defiant population , or enemy in wars and tyrannical take overs. To be convinced that the British crown was not in the buisness of eliminating any decent by tyrannical means after Culloden, or in its colonization world wide is nieve . The English crown began its colonization close to home with Irland and Scotland. I rland and Scotland were after all countries unto themselves.
Stalin starved and imprisoned and exiled several millions his own people that disagreed with him as I recall.
Hitler used starvation and removal to demoralize and kill 6.milion Jews and 3million Christians .
Control the food you Control the man. Henry Kissinger.
One of the Scots who was recruited by Flora MacDonald's husband was the Rev. John Bethune. Like him, he was taken prisoner. He was exchanged in Halifax, and decided to move to Montreal, where he founded the first Presbyterian congregation in Lower Canada. Some years later he moved to Williamstown in what was then Upper Canada to take up a generous compensatory land grant, and founded the first Presbyterian congregation in that province. One of his descendants is Norman Bethune, history's most famous Canadian and, some say, most famous doctor. Name recognition among 1.4 billion Chinese, helped greatly by a passage all were required to memorize in Mao's little red book. My grandmother used to baby sit him. She and I are also descendants of the Rev. John.
Fascinating, David. Thanks so much for sharing this important information. I didn't know the story of Norman Bethune, fascinating! His eulogy is inspiring. Your family must be very proud of him. Kind regards, Gordon
Thank You
Thanks, Michael! Kind regards, Gordon
Thank you for the video. Great job!
Thanks very much, John, glad you found it interesting. Kind regards, Gordon
This was very interesting. My paternal grandfather's family settled in the US in 1733 (coming from Fife) and my paternal grandmother's family settled in the US sometime before 1792 (from Argyll).
You've certainly been there a while! Glad you enjoyed the video! Kind regards, Gordon
My Highlander ancestors fought in the American army against the crown.
As many others did! Kind regards, Gordon
I was helping my uncle do genealogy research into his mother's Sutherland line (from the Highlands) and turns out several of them went to Canada first (as the ship passage was cheaper to go to Canada then directly to the U.S.). They had to stay there for 2 years before they could come into the U.S.
Thanks for covering this topic - the high immigration numbers of Scot's to America always surprises me. Thankfully they were industrious and hard working and they helped make America into a great country back then (too bad it is on a downhill slide now)!
Yes, Shawn, I think all of us with Scots blood in us should be proud of the impact that Scots made in North America and also in Australia, New Zealand and other parts of the world! Kind regards, Gordon
Well done.
Thanks very much, Ron. Glad you enjoyed it. Kind regards, Gordon
First record I have found of my Andrew family is a marriage record in MD in 1671. Have been told that my family actually came here from England, although we are Scottish, so possibly we were kicked off our land earlier. Appears you had nowhere to go if the redcoats kicked you off your land but England.
I think the surname Andrew is initially recorded from the very north of Scotland, mostly Caithness, Kathy. Reasons for emigration were many, and often families did move to other parts of Scotland or England before leaving for the New World. Kind regards, Gordon
Enjoyed . Please do more.
Glad you enjoyed it, Coni! Kind regards, Gordon
Mc Curdy here
my 9th great grandfather CPT Robert Ellyson was from Lanarkshire Scotland! Definitely want to visit one day!
Try your best to do so. I am sure you will love it! Kind regards, Gordon
Thank you for your great videos ....a wealth of knowledge you have to share. I’m looking into ancestry of surname Gordon buried in Elgin Cathedral. I’m trying to see why my ancestor John and George Gordon came to America and stayed for awhile in Massachusetts area. George may have formed Georgetown
Good luck with your research. A lot of Gordons from up there! Kind regards, Gordon
Were you able to find more info?
Good lesson.thanks
My pleasure, Tyrone! Kind regards, Gordon
A proud MacLennan (and Murray) who accepted a land grant in Nova Scotia in approx. 1801 still know as MacLennans Mt.
How interesting, Lynne! Thanks for this. Kind regards, Gordon
My family came from
Scotland 💗 still lots of research to do. -Gilchrist
That's great, Michele, keep researching. If you haven't yet been to Scotland, you should come. If you have, come back and visit again! Kind regards, Gordon
If it wasn't for you and Diana Gabaldon, I wouldn't have known anything about Scotland. Where does Scotland stand today 2021, for independence from UK?? THANKS
I think Diana has done a far better job than me, Doreen!
I prefer not to discuss politics on my channel as it's far too divisive.
Kind regards, Gordon
We visited tge Oeace arivercarea and Ibgadcread that is where the first battle was fought between Flira MacDonald’s Family’s troops and the long rifles of the army of Independence.
The result was tragic with the highlanders making tge last recorded charge.
I understand it was after this test Flora and her family left for home.
I would be interested in your comments.
We live in Toronto after leaving Glasgow in 1973 and have travelled to many locations down the East Coast where Scot’s had and still live.
Kind Regards
Charlie
Yes, Charlie, she had to leave the Carolinas after that battle. Her house and lands were plundered by Patriot soldiers. She and her husband first went to Nova Scotia and from there back to Skye. Kind regards, Gordon
Thanks Gordon, we often travel down to the States and I am always on the look out for a Scottish connection. While in Tampa at the beginning of the year I found a plaque commemorating the founder of the city. A Scottish sea Captain , James McKay settled there in July 1846 with his family
@@charlie1872 that’s interesting, Charlie. I’ve been in Tampa but didn’t know that! Kind regards, Gordon
Thank you Gordon, I've enjoyed your CZcamss - they are very lucid, and brilliantly explanatory. In your "Scots Set Sail...", you speak of Highlanders setting off in the 1700s. I'm well versed with my Roxburghshire namesakes heading to Canada from 1824 onwards, but you now have me wondering if Lowlanders migrated to North America pre 1824. Do you have any thoughts on this possibility? Frank Whillans, Australia.
Hi Frank, thanks for this and sorry for the delay in replying but I've been a bit busy! Following the Union of the Crowns in 1603, King James VI & I was able to crack down hard on the reiving problem on both sides of the border. Many Borders families in the years that followed chose to emigrate, many going to be farmers in the new plantations in Ulster. A substantial number of these subsequently found their way to North America.
In addition from 1707 onwards many Borderers would have been joining the ranks of the British Army and serving abroad. So, yes, I'm pretty sure there were many Scottish Borderers prior to 1824 who had chosen to leave Scotland for other shores! Kind regards, Gordon
I am a descended from a man named Campbell of the Fraser Highlanders that remained in Quebec and married a french woman
I think there's quite a lot of descendants similar to yourself, Tara! Kind regards, Gordon
I'm lead to believe (so far) my ancestors may have been "asked" to leave Scotland in James time for Northern Ireland. There were Reiver families and Covenanters asked to leave around then as well as many who were just inconvenient to have around as the Britain project got underway. Maybe they could no longer make a living in Scotland for whatever reason. Many of those who were resettled in Northern Ireland went on to the American colonies including my ancestors and they did participate in the French and Indian wars and the Revolution.
Scots had been migrating to Ulster (Northern Ireland) for many centuries before King James VI of Scotland (also King James I of England) sought to encourage more Scots settlers by offering them free land. Ulster at that time was a largely underpopulated region, with no notable towns, and its Irish gaelic-speaking population largely lived a nomadic life, following their herds of cattle. Whilst it is often said the Scots displaced the Irish, in practice this very rarely happened. The Scots established towns and villages with the Irish often living around them.
As you said many of the Scots went on to migrate to the American colonies, where they are known as the Scotch-Irish, and became a major force in establishing the country of the United States of America.
Kind regards, Gordon
@@gordonsscotland8441 Yes, I've seen one document which says they were in the same social circles as the Boones and the Lincoln's (before Abraham was born) but it was one document and the Boones and Lincoln's were not wealthy or important then and folks had to stick together to survive so everyone in the area was probably "in the same social circle".
Great video.
I do find it odd, as previously mentioned in Fiona Saunders comment, that the Clearances are not referred to directly. Although it is correct that the vast majority of Scots left for the New World to seek a better life, the Clearances were an important driving force in the acceleration in immigration and the number of people who chose to abandon Scotland for the New World.
Scotland had always been a region of marginal farms and thus the populace suffered famine and destitution frequently. Growing populations exacerbated the situation. Under the Clearances, the landowner forced the people out unto even more marginal lands, or into villages and cities. Industry in the villages and cities could not accommodate the burgeoning population and thus poverty increased. Fortunately for many, the New World beckoned. The period of the Clearances closely correlates to the main periods of mass emigration from Scotland.
So, there were two economic decisions that forced the immigration of the poor Scots. In other words, a cause and effect. The Scottish landowners made an economic decision that sheep were more profitable than people. The effects of the removal of the people; a general increase in the impoverishment of the people, forced the secondary economic decision, one of survival, to emigrate.
Thanks for this. I readily accept the Clearances had an impact in encouraging emigration, but everything I have read over the years points to the same driving force for emigration - to create a better life for themselves and their families. Of course there were secondary issues, but these could just as easily have been religious, economic or political. Regrettably I think there is a bit of a romantic notion at the moment to see the Clearances as the sole reason for Scots emigrating. Thanks again for your comment. Kind regards, Gordon
Hi @Gordon's Scotland Great to hear from you. I certainly agree. I think without question it was about "a better life...". By its very nature the decision to seek a better life is always based on economics, politics, religious, or even all of the foregoing reasons. The Clearances were instituted solely for economic reasons and the decision by the Scots who had been cleared from their lands to emigrate was based solely on economic reasons.
Hopefully there are few people who have any romantic notions about the Clearances. There was nothing romantic about being driven into poverty, barred from the lands your family had lived on for centuries, scattered in all directions away from you family, friends, culture, and traditions, and feeling the only way forward was to take a perilous voyage that you may not survive due to disease or sinking, to know you will never return, and then face the backbreaking work of building a new life in an unknown land.
Good Day! Recently discovered your channel about the Scots and specifically the Fraser’s … I’m from Scottish heritage from both Mother & Farther (McBean & Fraser)… I’m looking to travel to Inverness in August 2022 to check-out site that would be specific to both Clans - Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Tommy. Clan Fraser of Lovat's lands were around Inverness and Loch Ness, and Clan McBean is also from the Loch Ness area. So if you're a Fraser of Lovat then definitely base yourself up in Inverness and tour the area.
If however, you're Clan Fraser, then their lands were in Aberdeenshire, and you'd want to visit Castle Fraser.
Have a great trip!
Kind regards, Gordon
Your comment that Scots Highlanders overwhelmingly supported the Crown once relocated to America is not in line with the majority of histories which I've studied over the years. I'm curious as to your reference(s) for such a statement. Not wishing to start a debate but I would be interested in reading that perspective.
Thanks, Scott. That certainly is the impression I have gained over the years, and Flora MacDonald's time in the US would support that. I'll have a look and see if I can unearth any references. Thanks again for the comment. Kind regards, Gordon
I did some gemology research my Great Great Dad's mum was Susannah Macleod her father was Alexander Macleod who was born in 1822 Isle of Raasay Scotland, they started in PEI Canada, still looking to get more information ,
Well done, Brian! Kind regards, Gordon
My 6th great grandma, Margaret Dickson was born at Bowhill, Selkirkshire in 1735 and made it to South Carolina.
She traveled to Northern Ireland before coming to America.
I have more Scots I figure from what dna says so trying to find them.
I also have a good bit of English in me, go figure.
A lot of Scottish Borderers went first to Ulster and then subsequently on to America. The famous ‘Scots Irish’! Kind regards, Gord
Nice to know
Glad you found it interesting! Kind regards, Gordon
My father's people came to America in the 1750s and settled on the Pennsylvania frontier.
Amazing, Scott! Imagine their life then! Thanks for sharing. Kind regards, Gordon
Loved listening to you speak about immigration to the US from Scotland. My McLaren ancestor left Dundee in 1821 and arrived in New York City May 16th 1821. Why do you think he would have left Scotland in that time period?
Hi Heather. Most people who left Scotland for the New World did so for the usual reasons - a better life for them and their family - but sometimes there were other contributory factors. Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, there was an economic depression in Great Britain with many people, especially weavers, suffering from reduced wages, unemployment and high food prices, and in 1816 some 40,000 people demonstrated in Glasgow demanding improvements and better political representation. In 1819 at Peterloo in England, eighteen people were killed when cavalry charged a crowd of 60,000 people demanding reform. People who supported these movements were labelled 'Radicals'. A memorial rally in Paisley to those killed at Peterloo led to a week of rioting and cavalry were used to control around 5,000 Radicals. Protest meetings were later held in Stirling, Airdrie, Renfrewshire, Ayrshire and Fife, mainly in weaving areas. All this culminated in 1820 in what became known as the Scottish Radical War - a week of strikes and unrest throughout Central Scotland. The British government cracked down hard, using troops and cavalry to attempt to maintain order. James Wilson, John Baird and Andrew Hardie were singled out as leaders and executed, and in total 88 persons were charged with treason with twenty being deported to penal colonies. So, as you can see Scotland was in a bit of turmoil in the years before your ancestors left for a new life in America and who knows perhaps this influenced them? Or maybe they just knew someone who had already emigrated to New York who wrote to them saying '...come here for a better life'! Kind regards, Gordon
@@gordonsscotland8441 I can't thank you enough for the reply since you've explained so much around the time in history my ancestors moved to the US. I love exploring my family history and I'm extremely grateful for the choices my ancestors made since without those hard decisions I wouldn't be here.
@@heatherschaefer6787 My pleasure, Heather, glad you found it interesting. I am in awe at the courage, hard work and determination of the people who emigrated from Scotland to ensure a better life for themselves and their families. Kind regards, Gordon
I have learned my ancestors came to N America in the between colonial wars period you mentioned.
Very interesting, Mitchell, thanks! Kind regards, Gordon
What is the best way to research a possible genealogy connection with the Highlanders who stayed in Canada? My family seems to appear there out of thin air, settling in 1766 in Carlton county New Brunswick, with large land grants. It might help explain why I cannot find any record of them on immigrant passenger ships. The family name is Maskell, but I have found it spelled in a variety of ways, such as: McKaskill, McCaskill, Maskill, Mascale, etc. The land grants are originally in the names of Charles and William. Thank you so much for your fascinating videos and for any guidance/suggestions you can provide. ❤
Glad you enjoy the videos, Dianna! I’m not an expert in searching genealogy records in Canada, but I have an acquaintance who may be able to help. I’ll speak to him and get back to you. Kind regards, Gordon
@@gordonsscotland8441 thank you very much!
Dianna, a couple of interesting pointers for you from my colleague.
1. Try immigration from the US instead of directly from Scotland. The American Revolution was from 1775 to 1783 and 1776 would have been perfect for Loyalists to move north. He knows of a number of New Brunswick families who did the same.
2. Loyalists who received lands in New Brunswick had to swear an oath to the King. There are records of the people who swore oaths and the dates they did.
Hope this helps!
Kind regards, Gordon
@@gordonsscotland8441 Thank you, Gordon, for your thoughtful assist . I will check these out and let you know if I find anything that might be of interest to the group. Please pass along my gratitude to your colleague for me. Warm regards from chilly Vermont, Dianna
I have an ancestry done about my family when another John Scott and his wife Eliza Walker had children and they Left Scotland beginning around 1760 ultimately landing in South Carolina and the American story begins for Scott family.
Very interesting to know, John! Kind regards, Gordon
I traced my ancestors from Midlothian to Virginia and then to North Carolina. Mathew Black Born 1713 in Midlothian
Interesting, Christopher. I lived for most of my life in Midlothian! Kind regards, Gordon
Great insight. I’m wondering what was it about the Scots that made them so savy when it came to business? Specifically the Scots who founded the bank of Montreal, and other Montreal industry leaders of the 1800s. Would love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks, Nill, glad you enjoyed it. I think one of the things that had a major impact on Scots who emigrated was the education they, and probably their parents, had received. The Church of Scotland at that time played a major role in ensuring Scots had an all-round education, allied to a strong work ethic, that combined to give many Scots a good grounding for their life ahead. Philosophy was a key ingredient in Scottish education at that time and is a subject we ignore nowadays at our peril. Gaining an understanding of (or at least discussing) the fundamental questions of life, such as those about reason, existence, knowledge and values, I think helped create these Scottish 'giants' who made such an impact in so many countries around the globe. Kind regards, Gordon
Yes, Nill, I'm trying to get some more Canadian ones written! I am aware of the huge impact Scots made in Canada, not least because I have family there myself! Kind regards, Gordon
The first Prime Minister of Canada was Sir John Alexander McDonald. He was born in Scotland & immigrated to Canada as a child.
Thanks for this. Yes, we Scots played an important role in the development of the wonderful country of Canada! Kind regards, Gordon
I'm trying to find out where my Miller ancestors came from before ending in Quebec city. I've never got more information on a whole family than them before, yet, I CAN'T trace them anywhere before Quebec in 1782!!! Pretty sure they came from Scotland but I can't find them (protestant did not write the parents names in the wedding registers :( ) or their wife/husbands. I supposed they came with the army but after the war, they settled as millers, farmers, taylors, breeches maker, public house tennant, etc. Can't believe I've been working on them for months and didn't figure them out while I can go back to 1400-ish for most of my ancestors. 1782 is too soon for me to let go!
Keep trying! Kind regards, Gordon
MacCulloch line started to show up in 1698 in Maryland. Ross in Virginia Lists some 600 Scottish rebel prisoners transported to the American colonies in 1716. He married a McGregor that wasn't allowed to use her name. And there is a McGregor that is using the name Mack/Mark Gregory born in N. Ireland in 1747. All of these families fought in the American Revolution.
Thanks so much for this information! Kind regards, Gordon
I have two connections to Scottish lineage. First is with the Pinkertons, a sept of Clan Campbell. The second connection is when a Fraser ancestor married into my Sample family line. I would like to find out more about my ancestor, John Pinkerton, who came to Pennsylvania from Ireland. Why was my Scottish ancestor living in Ireland back in the early 1700s?
Hi Christine. A lot of Scots, especially from the Borders of Scotland, emigrated to Ulster in Ireland (today's Northern Ireland) where they were granted land to farm. Many of those people subsequently emigrated to America where they were often called Scotch-Irish.
You may know that Allan Pinkerton (of the Pinkerton Detective Agency) was Scottish, born in Glasgow in 1819. Kind regards, Gordon
@Gordon's Scotland Yes, I had heard of Allan Pinkerton and his detective agency. Supposedly, someone in his agency accidentally shot Jesse James' mother while on a stake out looking for the outlaw. I can not unfortunately find a connection to this Pinkerton.
Do you know anything about the Broughton family in Scotland or England
👍 Good vid! / I’m trying to find an historical treatment of the Scots emigrating (circa 1803) from (embarkation) the Isle of Skye to Prince Edward Island, specifically those who settled under Selkirk’s purchases in Queens County, PEI. (Family line: Stewart & McPherson.) / Just putting this out there in case you might refer me elsewhere. Aloha!
No problem, we'll leave it here and see if anyone picks up on it. The Clan Donald Centre on the Isle of Skye have a lot of info on people emigrating from Skye, and may be able to help. Kind regards, Gordon
@@gordonsscotland8441 “The Clan Donald Centre” seems a good tip! I hadn’t heard of it previously. Thank you.
I’m a caudill I’ve always grew up being told it’s a Scottish name
I think Caudill is a sept of Clan Campbell, so yes, definitely Scottish!
Kind regards, Gordon
A few of my scottish ancestors arrived to the United States through New Orleans
Interesting, Cindy, thanks! Kind regards, Gordon
Which boat?
@@blueskies6475 I'm not sure
Im not sure when my ancestors came over. I guess 1650's or 1700's. I have scottish ancestry on both sides. The names are Kirk, Bell and Hall
Very well known Scottish names. Bell is a Borders family, mostly from Dumfriesshire. Kind regards, Gordon
My ancestor came over on the Brig Alexander in 1772
Excellent! Kind regards, Gordon
What about the Highland Scotsmans who took ownership of plantations in the Caribbean like Grenada 🇬🇩
Indeed! There’s a whole story about Scots in the Caribbean that I want to tell one day. It had a huge impact not only on those islands but also back in Scotland! Thanks for reminding me! Kind regards, Gordon
@@gordonsscotland8441 I know I have scottish ancestors here in Grenada and I've been trying to find the link I know Davidson is farthest surname I've gotten so far besides my own which is Findley
I have discovered ancestors from Orkney and Inverness who left in 1700s
Sounds interesting, Janice! Kind regards, Gordon
Is last name Gordon Scottish?
However most of Scot’s/Irish were very much on the American side in the war for independence. One of the first American victories in the American Revolutionary War was won by the Overmountain Men in the Battle of Kings Mountain. Early mountain men in the Appalachian Mountains. Most of them were Scot’s/Irish ironically defeated a British force led by a Scots officer named Ferguson.
Thanks very much for this! Kind regards, Gordon
Ancestry DNA helps solve all of this.
My family left in 1649
Just wanted to note. The rebellion against England in general wasn’t a fail....many emigrated into America, later organized into the Union army specifically with the goal of taking down England here...for what they did to family and we succeeded to do so. They ripped the cotton industry from under England. (The Irish and others afflicted by England joined)
I’m half Scottish dna, I have numerous death records of family from Skye Isle 1746. Only one survived (one Macdonald, one McKinney, had a son) and he fled and married Irish here.
By "set sail", do you mean slaughtered and chained and thrown onto slave ships by the British Army and sent to work for their freedom in the New World?
My family was brought to Massachussetts, as slaves from Scotland. On the prisoner ship Unity, and the John and Sarah.
My greatX uncle died on the way over, from starvation, unfavourable conditions, and lack of medicine.
We are Colquhoun
That it very sad, and obviously some people were brought against their will, but the evidence shows that most Scots left voluntarily to try and improve their lives and the lives of their family. Kind regards, Gordon
This is the time frame when my 7th great grandparents-Alexander and Isabelle (Duff) MackIntosh left Scotland and came to America. I found where he enlisted and fought in the Battle of Culloden. He died in Virginia around 1750. They had 20 children, so no doubt the land grants were appealing with so many mouths to feed. But they were also from old families and the Clan system was changing. Thanks for the video!
Too many 'ehms' and 'ers'. Good content, shame about the presentation skills.
Fionnah Mac Gregor , you sound like a English apologist, not once did you mention the word, Clearances. Find that extraordinarily disrespectful. A skillful evasion of the facts , shame on you. Your Gordon ancestors would be ashamed of you.
Thanks for this, Fiona. As a Scotsman born and raised, I’ve never been called an ‘English Apologist’ before, so thanks for that! I realise we live in a ‘post truth’ society now, where logic and reason don’t often apply, but almost all the serious histories will show that in the period I was talking about, the Scots who left their homeland did so for the very same reason that most emigrants worldwide, over many centuries, have done so - to make a better life for them and their families. Thanks for commenting! Gordon
PS As my first name is Gordon, you no doubt realise that I am not a member of the Gordon clan, hence my ancestors can sleep safely!
He is McDonald I think he said in another video. I am a Gordon and respect this man's knowledge and thank him for sharing it with us.
Fiona Saunders I too was thrown to think his surname was Gordon then I caught on he was a McDonald. I have ancestors with the surname Gordon and I’m quite intrigued with Scottish history. I’m looking into the House of Huntly to see if my ancestors are related to this clan.
If you have nothing good to say.... well you know the rest.
Well done Gordon. Keep yer heid up. Once again very informative.
Best wishes for future videos.
Tioraidh.
6:14 worse marital combination ever