Saturday, August 20, 2011

New England Scots Irish Study

Are you of Scots Irish descent?  Many of the vocal voices of Scots Irish immigrants are from the Southern American States, but an Irish researcher is reaching out to interview descendants of Ulster Presbyterians who stayed in New England.  If this sounds like your family tree, then please continue reading!

Professor Roe of Seattle Pacific University sent this message to the Londonderry Historical Society  “For the past ten years or so, I have been studying present day Scots-Irish, and currently I am in the midst of a study focused on the Scots-Irish in the New England/Northeastern states. The Scots-Irish story has been dominated by Southern voices (like Barry’s), and I am trying to provide a means for learning about the New England/Northeastern Scots-Irish experience.

This study is designed to “listen” to personal and family stories of Scots-Irish. I am looking for men and women, 18 years of age or older, to participate who are (1) of Scots-Irish ancestry rooted in the Northeastern U.S., (2) consider themselves to be Scots-Irish, (3) are interested in their Scots-Irish history and family stories, and (4) are willing to describe their experiences—to be storytellers in fine Scots-Irish tradition.

Participants will be responding in writing to a series of questions about their family roots and their present day activities, opinions and identity as Scots-Irish. Confidentiality, of course, will be maintained. The entire experience should take no more than one hour, although all are encouraged to write in as much detail as possible, so some may decide to spend more than an hour on their responses. Feedback from past participants indicates that most enjoyed describing their Scots-Irish roots, and so our expectation is that this study too will be a motivating and enjoyable experience for all.”

Michael D. Roe, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Dean, School of Psychology, Family, and Community
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle, WA 98119 U.S.A.
Phone: (206) 281-2252
Fax: (206) 281-2695
Email: mroe@spu.edu

http://www.spu.edu/depts/spfc/undergradpsych/faculty-staff/michael-roe.asp

3 comments:

  1. I would be interested in getting my Scotch -Irish (Harvey/Harvie and O'Briens) involved.

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  2. he is utterly and completely wrong in making reference to the Scottish Immigrants in this context of the population as "Scots or Scotch-Irish" and maybe he needs to go back to school and learn a bit more on the subject. I can say this without a doubt because I am from Scottish Immigrants on both my Mother's and Father's side of my family that came here during the Scottish migration between the late 1680's and early 1800's with different branches of my family coming at different times. I have done extensive Genealogy work as my family's appointed Historian and Genealogist and have traced one of my lines back through Scotland to way before it was ever Scotland.
    There are several things Prof. Burns needs to understand about the term “Scots-Irish” or Scotch-Irish” being in error is that it was first used to describe the "Ulster" Scots that had moved into Northern Ireland and was intended as an insult. This was used by several individuals such as Sir. Thomas Laurence in June of 1695 making reference to the Scottish people and how they dressed. In September 1723 the Reverend George
    Ross of Delaware made reference to the Scottish in that term, berating them for their Anti-Church of England stance. Another Church of England Clergy from Delaware in 1723 called them “great numbers of Irish who usually call themselves “Scotch-Irish” have transplanted themselves and their families from the North of Ireland.” There were earlier uses of the term in a letter dated 14 April 1573 by Queen Elizabeth I of England but what can you expect from the Brits. Another early reference came from an affidavit drawn in Maryland1689. Sometimes this reference is made in innocent ignorance and other times it was used as an insulting slur because the user knew it would ruffle feathers.
    The Oxford Dictionary says the first use of the term in America came in 1744 in Pennsylvania in the Journal of Witham Marsh, 21 June 1744. He was just making the same mistake that others have made before him
    and the term “Scots-Irish” or “Scotch-Irish” is an erroneous terminology and even today is considered and insult to anyone Scottish and living in Scotland. The correct term is “Ulster Scots”. Not “Scotch” either and
    here’s why.
    Something else he needs to understand. I was informed of this from numerous cousins in Scotland that are well informed on the subject of the “Ulster-Scots” as I sought clarity about my ancestors' journeys
    before coming to America. There is absolutely NO SUCH thing as BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP there. Neither during the time period of the settlement of my Scottish ancestors into Ulster, Northern Ireland between 1607 and 1697, or in todays world.
    Any children born in Ulster were NEVER considered Irish because they were born there. They were Scottish…Pure an simple. My 7th Great Grandfather, Alexander Lecky (Leckie), migrated to Londonderry,
    Ulster, Northern Ireland around 1680 and my family stayed in Ulster for 3 more generations raising there families. ALL the children born in those three generations were Scottish by birth and citizenship and NOT
    Irish. It was my 5th Great Grandfather, William Leckie, Sr. who left for America with his family around 1763. Pushed out by further religious persecution from the Church of England and pressure to leave their Presbyterian beliefs.
    One last statement about what I have learned about the relationships during the time my ancestors were living in Ulster. The Scottish living there did NOT like the Irish, they did NOT communicate with the Irish
    socially or religiously or any any form or fashion. If they were to marry any Irish they were ostracized by the Clan and sent packing, never to return. One of my Scottish cousins commented to me…”If an Irish happened to get on board one of the many ships transporting the migrating Scottish Clansmen and their families to America, that Irish would probably never have made it to America, more than likely being thrown overboard.

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