Long before plastic pumpkins and bags of candy, the last night of October meant something different in the Highlands and Islands. It was the hinge of the year, the end of the harvest and the start of winter. On that night, the world of the living and the otherworld drew uncomfortably close. Our ancestors called
Summer’s End – The Gaelic Roots of Halloween Read More »
Culture, Scottish History
Labor Day weekend has become one of those markers on the American calendar that means several things at once. It is the unofficial end of summer, a three-day weekend, perhaps one last trip or cookout before September begins in earnest. But underneath all of that is something we rarely stop to think about: the idea
The MacNeil Who Helped Change the American Workday Read More »
Clan History, Genealogy, Heritage, History
Some opportunities come from inside Clan MacNeil USA. Others find us. Andrew Simpson, a doctoral candidate in Modern History at the University of St Andrews, reached out to CMAA looking for volunteers to help with two Scottish-history databases he is building. One focuses on people connected with the Jacobite risings from 1689 to 1746. The
Scottish History With a Side of Detective Work Read More »
History, Participation & Opportunities, Scottish History
Joseph McNeil carries the McNeil name with honor through a remarkable life of service and courage. Born in 1942 in Wilmington, North Carolina, Joseph Alfred McNeil became a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement. As a college freshman, he helped spark nationwide change as one of the “Greensboro Four,” the group of African
Echoes of the Clan: Joseph Alfred McNeil’s Stand for Civil Rights Read More »
Clan History, Heritage, History
The Macneil (and McNeill) name has traveled far beyond the shores of Barra, Colonsay, and Gigha. Today, descendants can be found across North America, Australia, and beyond. But how did they get there—and how can we track those movements? Thanks to centuries of preserved records, we can piece together the migratory paths of our ancestors
Tracking Macneil and McNeill Family Migrations Through Historical Records Read More »
Clan History, Genealogy, History
In the early 1600s, the British Crown launched the Plantation of Ulster—one of the most transformative episodes in Irish and Scottish history. Aimed at securing the region after Irish resistance collapsed, King James I moved to settle Ulster with loyal Protestant colonists from England and Scotland. Gaelic Irish lands were confiscated, and new British communities
The Plantation of Ulster and the McNeill Legacy Read More »
Clan History, Genealogy, Heritage, History, Scottish History
In this month’s Echoes of the Clan feature, we remember two remarkable individuals whose legacy lives on through education, civic leadership, and enduring service: Mae Allegra Carstensen Nelson and her husband, Dr. Randall Hylman Nelson. 🧕 Mae Allegra Nelson: A Life Devoted to Public Service Born in Curtice, Ohio, in 1921, Mae Allegra Carstensen Nelson
Echoes of the Clan: Mae Allegra Carstensen Nelson & Dr. Randall Hylman Nelson Read More »
Clan History, Heritage, History
While many are familiar with the Macneils of Barra, there exists another vital chapter in our clan’s history—one rooted in the islands of Gigha and Colonsay. These McNeills form a distinct lineage, both historically and genetically, and their story is essential to understanding the full scope of Clan Macneil’s heritage. 🏝️ Where Are Gigha and
The McNeills of Gigha and Colonsay: Their Role in Scottish and Irish History Read More »
Clan History, Genealogy, Heritage, History, Scottish History
Migration has long been a defining aspect of Scottish and Irish history, and the clan families were no exception. Across centuries, waves of migration carried these families from their homelands to new regions, shaping the cultural identities of communities worldwide. Influenced by war, famine, British policies, and economic opportunities, these movements contributed to the spread
The Scottish and Irish Migration Connection: How Clan Families Settled in New Lands Read More »
Clan History, Genealogy, History, Scottish History
Louise McNeill Pease (1911–1993) was a distinguished Appalachian poet, historian, and educator from West Virginia. Born on January 9, 1911, in Buckeye, Pocahontas County, she grew up on a family farm established in 1769. Her father, G.D. McNeill, was also a writer, authoring The Last Forest, which chronicled the decline of wilderness in Pocahontas County.
Introduction The shared history between Scotland and Ireland is deeply intertwined, with centuries of migration, cultural exchange, and family connections. For genealogists researching their Scottish and Irish heritage, understanding the historical movements of people between these two regions is essential. This blog post explores the geographic, historical, and genealogical ties that connect Scotland and Ireland,
Scottish and Irish Genealogical Connections: Tracing Your Ancestry Across the Isles Read More »
Genealogy, Heritage, History
We very excited to share the first episode of our new podcast, The Clan Niall Chronicles! Alissa Nolan hosts a conversation with the living CMAA Presidents! Let us know how you love it!
The Clan Niall Chronicles: The Living Presidents of Clan Macneil USA Read More »
Clan History, Heritage, History
“What’s in a name, a rose by any other name, a rose is a rose;” pick your cliché, but in the case of MacNeil or McNeill there is more than a wee bit of difference and it may be comparing a rose to a carnation. While there are a great number of variations, the two
Guy Fawkes Night, also known as Bonfire Night, Fireworks Night, or simply by the date- the 5th of November, is a Britain-wide celebration remembering the treasonous act attempted by Guy Fawkes and his co-conspirators. Born in England in 1570, conspirator Guy Fawkes was executed in 1606 for attempting to blow up the English Parliament building
Remember, remember, the fifth of November… Read More »
Culture, History, Scottish History
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 »
Clan History, Culture, History