Clan MacLeod Society USA

Genealogy Page

Introduction

Ancestral research has become a very popular pastime. We hope to help Clan MacLeod members get a head start by giving members access to resources, information and links needed to research ties to their ancient Scottish highland clan.

The Migration Project is the name given to the many activities supported by the Clan MacLeod. There are Migration Projects which are world wide in scope (maintained by ACMS) and Projects at a National Society level.

If you have any comments or suggestions for the genealogy section of this web site, please use the following links to e-mail the Migration Director of Clan MacLeod USA, Brenda-Joyce Fletcher ( e- mail: dunvegan@hotmail.com ) or Internet Editor, William G. MacLeod ( e-mail: WMac1076@aol.com )

Objective

Clan MacLeod Society USA embodies a desire to preserve and perpetuate the traditions and heritage of Americans of Scottish ancestry (principally MacLeods and Septs of MacLeods). The Migration Project is dedicated to tracing the movements of our ancestors.   We do not research for an individual, but can provide direction.  All work done on the Migration Projects are by volunteers. We hope members find these resources helpful.

Who May Find This Genealogy Page Helpful?

All MacLeods, regardless of the spelling (“M”, “Mc”, and “Mac”) will find this genealogy page helpful.  For a complete list of MacLeod spelling variations click here. This list also includes Clan MacLeod Septs. A Sept is a name (family) associated with the Clan MacLeod. Even if your name is not MacLeod, you may be part of the Clan. To look at a complete list of Septs of Clan MacLeod click here.

Migration Projects Activities

• World wide Clan MacLeod internet database (www.macleodgenealogy.com) called the Associated Clan MacLeod Societies Genealogical Resources Center is a database collected by MacLeods and Septs of the Clan MacLeod. The information to support this database is primarily supplied by the membership and other interested parties.  After researching their ancestors, individuals submit their research to the database to help other Clan members in their research. This site is supported by Jim Ayers ( e-mail: jimayars@aol.com ) who is the ACMS genealogist and who primarily works with Scottish records and Brenda-Joyce Fletcher Clan MacLeod USA Migration Director ( e-mail dunvegan@hotmail.com ).

• Clan MacLeod USA family history database uses the same server (www.macleodgenealogy.com), as the ACMS database. This is the same for the other National Clan MacLeod Societies.  The USA database has over 24,000 records (over 350 family groups). The information submitted is not researched by the Clan and seldom contain documentation. So we do not guarantee accuracy. Those interested in further information on a records or family should contact sources directly. This database is supported by Clan MacLeod USA Migration Director, Brenda-Joyce Fletcher (e-mail: dunvegan@hotmail.com  ). To submit information to the Migration Project fill out the " Questionnaire/Form " and send it to directly to Brenda-Joyce Fletcher.
  
   

• A data base on the internet of U.S. census from 1790 thru 1860, immigration records and miscellaneous records concerning MacLeods and Septs of MacLeod. These records have been edited by Marilyn Blanck and Dixie McCaskill Lewis, FSA Scot of Clan MacLeod USA, to include only MacLeods and Septs of MacLeod. This data base is a an excellent resource tool for genealogists and can be assessed on  www.macleodgenealogy.org

• Clan MacLeod USA documentation resources
   
  • Taos New Mexico library, Clan MacLeod Society, USA rare book collection. Books and periodicals relevant to the history of the Clan. Books about genealogy, military, songs, history, locations in the highlands, clans and far more. This is a lending library service. Proper lending library service procedure is to request the books through your local library, which will then be requested from the Taos Public Library. Books will be mailed to the local library. The local library will then check them out to the person requesting the service. This way the Taos Public Library will have records that the books were received and the local library can track the individual for return. The curator of the rare book collection for the Clan MacLeod is Elizabeth McCaskill Bell ( e-mail: macleodrarebooks@bellcasa.com ).

Direct all requests for lending library service to:
For more information on how to borrow a book click here .

Judith Bronner, Interlibrary Loan Librarian Taos Public Library 402 Camino de la Placita Taos, New Mexico 87571 (505) 758-3063 (505) 737-2587 Fax E-mail: library@taoslibrary.org web site:  www.taoslibrary .org

For an inventory list and more information about the collection ,as of April, 2006 click here .

• Old Dominion University Library ( http://www.lib.odu.edu/special/manuscripts/clan-macleod.htm ). Includes minutes, proceedings, genealogical and business papers for the Clan MacLeod USA. The University urges all potential researchers to telephone, write or e-mail before visiting the Special Collection. This enables the University to better meet your research needs. University contacts:

Old Dominion University

The Perry Library Special Collections

Norfolk, Virginia 23529-0256

Tel. (757) 683-4483 Fax (757) 683-5954 e-mail: special@libstaff.lib.odu.edu

Web site: www.lib.odu.edu/aboutlib/spccol/clan-macleod.shtml

                      Click Here for a list of other Genealogical Libraries.

·        Associated Clan Macleod Societies (ACMS) sponsored a world wide genetics study in conjunction with researchers at University College London. The study was designed to answer two questions: could individuals with the surname MacLeod be traced to a common ancestor who lived about  the time of Leod, and was the tradition of a Viking origin of Clan MacLeod correct. Over 500 MacLeods throughout the world participated in the study, which closed in January 2003.  To read the report on the results of the study written by Julia Abernethy from University College London click here. 

·        Following the University College London study, a new genetics study was started through the commercial firm FamilyTreeDNA ( www.familytreedna.com ), and was eventually split into two projects: the MacLeod Surname Study for male MacLeods (however spelled) and the MacLeod Septs Surname Study for males with any of the Sept surnames.  Both of these studies are continuing, and welcome new participants.  Information on the two studies may be found at http://www.familytreedna.com/public/ACMS_MacLeod/default.aspx for MacLeod surname participants and at http://www.familytreedna.com/public/MacLeodSepts/default.aspx for Sept surname participants.  In addition to general information, both sites show current DNA results and have a link (REQUEST TO JOIN THIS GROUP)  that will allow you to join the study and order tests at a reduced group rate.

·        Publication of books about the Clan. A trilogy of volumes have been sponsored by the Clan MacLeod as part of the Migration Project. To view the complete list  click here.

Resources Available to Support Genealogy Research

To support our membership, we have compiled the following resources to help with your ancestral research.

• Bibliography of helpful genealogy reference books,  click here for access.
• List of major Genealogical Libraries, click here for access.
• Links to helpful genealogy related web sites, click here for access.
• “How To Find Your Roots”, by Dixie McCaskill Lewis, FSA Scot, Clan MacLeod USA, Past Migration Director
• "List of Frequently Asked Genealogy Questions" by Dixie McCaskill Lewis, FSA Scot Clan MacLeod USA, Past Migration Director
• "History & Geography Notes" by Dixie McCaskill Lewis, Clan MacLeod USA, FSA Scot Past Migration Director
• For genealogy guidance, contact :  Clan MacLeod USA, Migration Director. Brenda-Joyce Fletcher ( e-mail: dunvegan@hotmail.com )