Posted on 10/03/2004 10:04:28 AM PDT by LNewman
One of the most powerful cultural forces shaping America, they've produced great Presidents, soldiers, inventors, actors and writers. But, as a group, they've remained unvisible. The time has come to change that, says the author.
snip ...
The Scots-Irish are a fiercely independent, individualist people. It goes against their grain to think collectively. But, as America rushes forward into yet another redefinition of itself, the contributions of the Scots-Irish are too great to remain invisible. My culture needs to reclaim itself-stop letting others define, mock and even use it-and is so doing regain its power to shape the direction of America
Because our country needs us.
(Excerpt) Read more at parade.com ...
You are so right about Clinton, plus he left out one of the real Scots Irish presidents besides. (James Buchanan, an ancestor of my husband's even though he was a "Copperhead.")
As I understand it, it began with the Scots coming to
Northern Ireland. After about 400 years, or so, it
became considered a stand alone nationality unto itself
From that point on there were Scots, and Irish and
Scots-Irish. My father used to say that we were Scots-
Irish and I thought he meant a parent of each, but
have since learned that was not what he meant.
When my son was about three he heard that St.Patricks day
was coming up and he thought it was in honor of him.
Well, you have to have a parent or a grandparent born in Ireland, then you have to prove it. The Irish Consulate has a packet and forms and all kinds of stuff. I had to get my grandmother's birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate, then my father's birth and marriage certificate and all my ID, also have to provide photos, a sign off from a lawyer, and everything has to be notarized and all that muck. Throw in $180 bucks and wait 10 months or so and you get entered into the register of foreign births. Once that is complete, you can file for an Irish passport, and then you are good.
I made sure to talk with the US State department before I did it (I was hired by them, but on a list to be deployed, till the war started and my security clearance ran out), its not a problem to have a dual citizen ship, it is a good thing to have if you want to work, or own property or business in the EU.
One of the reason that the Scots-Irish in this country have not been given much of their due is that the novelist Dixon, who was enormously popular at the beginning of the last century, lionized them for their achievements in settling and building America in a series of novels that also lionized the Klan. This was at the time of the Klan's greatest political power in the South and Midwest.
One of his novels became the basis for D.W. Griffith's "Birth of a Nation." In the wake of the enormous popularity a reaction set in in the intellectual centers which made it unfashionable in such circles to even notice the Scots-Irish and their considerable contribution.
For example, the majority of the Mountain Men who settled the West were Scots-Irish. The Redford movie "Jeramiah Johnson," is based on the true story of one such. He was, by all accounts, less politically correct in his language than portrayed in the movie.
"(James Buchanan, an ancestor of my husband's even though he was a "Copperhead.")"
lol could you explain where and what about the "Copperhead"?
Thanks for the suggestion! Will definitely check it out. I'm the amateur family historian of my immediate clan. It's been an on and off effort for decades but, what can I say, I'm hooked!
Scot-Irish-German: the make up of my children and they are a very hearty fine result, but I am prejudice. My German husband says he married me for hybrid vigor!
No doubt Monroe T. (for trouble) DNA.
Kidding ... somewhat. Know whereof the AF speaks. :) Take care.
That rings true, x, as far as I know. I have a few ancestors who fought in Dunmore's War. I'm no expert on this by any means. My main effort in this journey was to land each line on shore and have some idea why they made that journey.
WAAY back when, I thought it might take, oh, say, 5 years. HA!
Still searchin' ... and wishin' I had you're catchy user name. ;)
Quaker blood on Mom's side ... bad mix for sure!
I'm not "orthodox" genealogy-wise, but some of those that are take offense at the label "Scotch Irish." Scotch is a beverage, after all, or so they say. ;)
Hey there Bluegrass! I "think" mine started out in Augusta County, VA. By any account, I covet your user name. :D
Bless you!
You know, I wear the family blinders. BUT, I have seen Albion's Seed repeatedly through my labors as amateur family historian. I know I must get to this to have a larger picture of their times and their life.
The Copperheads were Northerners who sympathized with the South during the Civil War...I assume they were called after the snakes (poisonous vipers like rattlesnakes but without rattles so they don't give warning).
"President James Buchanan never married so I doubt that he is the direct ancestor of anyone alive today. He is the only President from Pennsylvania, a state where a lot of Scots-Irish settled in colonial times.
The Copperheads were Northerners who sympathized with the South during the Civil War...I assume they were called after the snakes (poisonous vipers like rattlesnakes but without rattles so they don't give warning)."
Thanks...
Haven't found any of mine in PA, seems they left VA and went to KY prior to 1800.
The other bunch seems to have a N or S Carolina entry, but not even sure of that just that the oldest one I can document fought with Washington at Braddock's Defeat and then was in N&S Carolina, offspring went West via TN on to MO.
"Copperheads" sounds like what my grandmother would name some.
It's almost said like Scotch-Irish though, I thought it was that in fact, hearing it only like a Scottish Irish person which fits the description well of a Scotsman moving to Ireland.
I've got to toss in is another similarity, when they did it I don't know, but my Irish comes from Irish people who settled in France. I would not know if that was to escape the famous potatoe famine or for some other reason.
Very good post, maybe some day, Free Republic will have that Friday celebration be to salute the Scots Irish and I think, it is usually pronounced as if one were saying "Scotch" Irish like Scotch tape.
Clan McRae here plus a little Irish, German or French whichever had Alsace-Lorraine in early 1700's, and a little Native American. We can not find the tribe my mother's grandmother was. Genealogy is a very interesting hobby.
BTW, Stonewall Jackson I believe hailed from Virginia but maybe it was from one of these other states if I do not correctly remember.
The other bunch seems to have a N or S Carolina entry, but not even sure of that just that the oldest one I can document fought with Washington at Braddock's Defeat and then was in N&S Carolina, offspring went West via TN on to MO
There is a big piece of Scott=Irish in me. Sowell spoke about the Scotts in one of his Civ books. He maintained that the Irish civilized the Highland Scott.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.