Explore Association news, Clan history, genealogy, Highland Games, member stories, and updates from across CMAA.
In Portola Redwoods State Park in Northern California, a 20-acre grove of redwoods stands as a memorial to Ethel and Herbert MacNeal. Established in April 2008 along the Slate Creek Trail just outside Sunnyvale, the Ethel and Herbert MacNeal Memorial Grove was created for the enjoyment of all, and especially for their Clan MacNeil kin.
Come Visit the Ethel and Herbert MacNeal Memorial Grove Read More »
HeritageIt’s that time of year again! Article submissions for the Fall/Winter 2018 Galley are due September 15th. Please send your stories and photos about Scottish games and events, family history and reunions, major accomplishments, births/deaths/graduations, travels (particularly to Scotland/Ireland), poetry/dance/art, and just fascinating tidbits that remind us of the joy of being alive and connected!
Submit Your Article for The Galley Read More »
CMAA Business
Start With You When building your genealogy, start with yourself and your immediate family. Be sure to capture full names, birth dates and places, marriage dates and places, and death dates and places.. Once you have this information, gather documented proof for each fact. It’s also a good idea to talk to older family members
How to Get Started Tracing Your Roots Read More »
Genealogy
Records and Sources Once you’ve gathered as much information as possible from living family members, it’s time to gather the evidence. With the basic info in hand, expand your research by looking for records such as census records, marriage licenses, and death certificates to verify and add to the information you already have. These records
Genealogy Records to Help You Read More »
GenealogyCalling all CMAA photographers! As announced in The Galley, we are excited to be running our first ever Clan Macneil Association of America (CMAA) photography contest! The theme is #ShowOffYourScottish. There are already some terrific entries – have you sent yours in? The 8/17 deadline is approaching! The contest is open to all CMAA members
Reminder: Show Off Your Scottish Photo Contest! Read More »
CMAA BusinessCommissioner’s blog…(star date, unknown) I am a Macneil via my paternal grandmother, who was Anna Loretta McNeil. (Never ever call her Anna- my goodness she hated that name!) My name is Jamie Ryan. I am a brand-new commissioner and a new member of the Clan Macneil. Maybe that makes me a complete “nube”, but it
Commissioner’s Blog introduction Read More »
Highland GamesCongratulations to our 2018 CMAA Scholarship Recipients!
2018 CMAA Scholarship Recipients Read More »
CMAA Business
Hello Everyone! Alissa, Clan Macneil USA Genealogist, here. In light of the recent news that DNA led to the capture of the Golden State Killer, many have asked if that means their DNA results have been used or compromised. I’m posting to shed light on DNA results. If you don’t already know, if you test
DNA Results and Your Privacy Read More »
DNA Research, GenealogySocial Media, it seems like a simple thing, right? Get on Facebook or Twitter and post something? Yes, absolutely but, like anything, there is a bit more to it. The intent of social media is to provide a way for people to ENGAGE – it may point you to a webpage or other source (an
Clan Macneil and Social Media Read More »
CMAA BusinessClan Macneil has been selected as the Honored Clan for the Northeast Florida Highland Games. We hope as many members as possible will attend so we can show off our Macneil pride together! Put Jacksonville, FL on your itinerary for February 2019. Check out this video for some lovely music and this exciting announcement from
Announcement: Clan Macneil will be Honored Clan at 2019 NEFL Games Read More »
Highland Games
Coming Attraction! Our 2019 Clan Macneil Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held in conjunction with the Las Vegas Highland Games at Floyd Lamb Park, Las Vegas, NV! Nevada Commissioner, Lowell Patton is starting to set things up for our next AGM and hopes you’ll plan to attend!. Consider this your advance notice so you
98th Annual General Meeting, Las Vegas, Nevada Read More »
CMAA BusinessScottish tartan is a patterned cloth made from criss-crossing bands of different colors and widths. Until the middle of the nineteenth century, the highland tartans were only associated with either regions or districts, rather than a particular clan. The colors and designs were made by local artisans using materials and dyes that were available in
MacNeil Tartans and Scottish Flags Read More »
Heritage
What Are Clan Symbols? Scottish clans carry a set of symbols that express identity, history, and allegiance. For Clan MacNeil, those symbols include the coat of arms, the crest badge, and the clan motto. Each branch of the clan — Barra, Colonsay, and Gigha — carries its own distinct versions. The Coat of Arms The
MacNeil Crests, Coats of Arms, and Clan Symbols Read More »
Heritage
Three Islands, One Clan Clan MacNeil did not come from one place. It came from three. Barra, Colonsay, and Gigha are the island homelands of the MacNeils: small, remote, wind-swept places off the western coast of Scotland that shaped the clan’s character as profoundly as its history. One of CMAA’s founding purposes is to support
The Clan Homelands: Barra, Colonsay, and Gigha Read More »
Culture, History
Bagpipes When people think of Scottish music, their minds go to the sound of the bagpipes amidst a military tattoo or the lone piper sharing the sounds across the Highlands. As a musical instrument of war, the first mention of the bagpipes appears to date from 1549 at the Battle of Pinkie, when the pipes
Scottish Music and Dance Read More »
Culture