clan maclennan worldwide - from the president...newsletter no. 98 fall/winter 2017 clan maclennan...

NEWSLETTER NO. 98 Fall/Winter 2017

Clan MacLennan Canada Web Site:www.clanmaclennan.ca International Clan Web Site:www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com Email:[email protected]

Dum Spiro Spero While I breathe, I hope.

From the PresidentGreetings Clansfolk and Happy 150th Canada,

I hope each of you and your families are celebrating Canada150 in special ways. The Noteworthy choir, of which I am a member, started its celebrations

in January by practicing Canadian Connection music for our May concert. Our director picked music that had been written by Canadians including a beautiful aboriginal song, “This is my Home”. Among other songs we sang were “Four Strong Winds” by Ian Tyson; “Halleluiah” by Leonard Cohen; “My Way” by Paul Anka; “The Hockey Song” by Tom Connors and a tribute to Paul Anka and Ann Murray with the audience joining in the singing of many of their songs. Spectacular Pictures of various parts of Canada, provided by the members, were shown on a large screen during the concert. On May 6, I was happy to share this day with many of my family, including my 97 yr old cousin, Muriel.

Please send in your stories on how you and your family celebrated Canada’s Birthday and we will include them in our next newsletter. Clan MacLennan Canada had our spring executive meeting on April 22 at Melanie and Andy McLennan’s home in Guelph-eight being present with some via Skype. It was decided that Clan Maclennan would be officially represented at Cobourg, Kincardine, Cambridge, Glengarry, and Fergus Scottish Festivals and Highland Games. Melanie and Andy were also hosting the “Doors Open Guelph” that day presented by the Guelph Arts Council, so after the meeting John and I enjoyed a guided tour of their beautiful home, London House which was built in 1893 and has been Andy and Melanie’s home since 1985 when they restored it to its present beauty as a Bed and Breakfast.

COBURG:

On Friday, June 16th John and I went to Cobourg, my

home area, and set up the MacLennan tent in the area marked off for the Avenue of the Clans in Victoria Park. Cobourg Beach had been flooded earlier in the spring right to the wall and board walk. There was some concern that the underground wiring was not working for all outlets due to the flooding but all went quite smoothly. We enjoyed the tattoo that evening with “The Madman’s Window” a local band playing and singing traditional Scottish and Irish tunes and East Coast folk songs. On Saturday there were seven other clans who joined us in the Avenue of the Clans. We were sorry to hear that Terry Myles, Clans Representative of the Cobourg Highland Games Society had an injury to his eye and was not able to be at the Games. He is recovering well and hopes to be at Cambridge and Fergus with the MacNeil Clan tent. The Games were opened with the Clan Parade, Massed Pipes and Drums and a Massed Highland Fling. Ken Shaw, the 2017 Chieftain of the Games declared them open. We were visited at our tent by Robert MacDonald from Maxville, whose daughters, Bailey and Kenera were competing for Glengarry in Pipe Bands. Kyle McIntosh from BC was a hit, dressed in authentic Jacobite dress, presenting a historical account of the Jacobite Rising in Scotland in 1745, detailing food, clothing and weapons in an authentic camp. We saw Kyle again at the Fergus Highland Games where he was part of a re-enactment group, demonstrating activities which would have been done at a typical Jacobite camp. They were giving talks also on the history of events leading up to the horrific battle of Culloden and events that followed including the fact that no Scot betrayed Bonnie Prince Charlie while he was in hiding, even though there was a huge price on his head.

KINCARDINE:

Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games were on July 6-7. Ross McLennan reports that



there were only 2 Clans in the parade and no clans represented in the Avenue of the Clans. Why is this in an area known to have had a large Scottish immigrant population? We congratulate Ross McLennan on recently joining the Kincardine Pipe Band which took part in two parades for the games in Kincardine. On July 15 John and I represented Clan MacLennan at the Cambridge Scottish Festival. There was 13 Clans represented in the Avenue to the Clans. Our tent had been given to a clan that hadn’t registered but it was all sorted out by the Festival Staff and we were given the tent brought by the unregistered clan. Donald Watt was there when we arrived and he updated us with family news. His nephew, who has the original McLennan family farm in Stormont, was being married this summer. He also said that they had started construction on the children’s playground in Manitoba but it wouldn’t be ready this year for the dedication in memory of his uncle, Finlay McLennan. Terry Miles, representing the MacNeil Clan entertained the youth with demonstrations of his medieval sword and shield. A large Heritage tent was set up at the far end of the Avenue of the Clans where Christine Woodcock, guest genealogist, spoke 3 times during the day and helped many people with their genealogy search. The Clan Parade was led onto the field by a pipe band and the Clan Donald Chieftain; Nathan MacDonald spoke and officially opened the Games. Sandwiches were served to the Clans after the Opening Ceremonies. It was a beautiful sunny day and many visited our tent. We heard that the Friday night concert, held at the city centre had been well attended and enjoyed.

GLENGARRY: (Marilyn MacLennan Lawlor)

Clan MacLennan Canada at the 70th Glengarry Highland Games on Aug 4&5/2017 Marilyn MacLennan Lawlor reports: Each morning sunny, warm weather greeted the several thousand attending the Glengarry Games but later in the evening there would be rain!

The Friday night Tattoo had to be closed down due to heavy rain and thunderstorm to everyone’s disappointment as we didn’t get to see the headliners perform.

On Saturday the final massed bands were cut short to ensure awards could be given before it changed from a shower to rain. The rain didn’t come and the Sun returned! Many of the very large crowd attending the games visited the Clan Buildings and had interesting questions about their MacLennan ancestry and signed our guest book.

We were part of the Clan Parade of about 40 Clans with John MacLennan and Beverly MacLennan carrying the MacLennan Banner. The Games were officially opened by Bill Livingston of the 78th Fraser Highlander Pipe Band, which was the first non-Scottish band to win the

Marilyn MacLennan Lawlor outside the Glengarry Heritage tent.

John MacLennan, Beverly MacLennan, Marilyn MacLennan Lawlor and daughters at the Glengarry Clan Parade.

Beverly MacLennan is the toddler on the left, 1948.

Beverly MacLennan with his picture at 1st Games.



World Championship 30 years ago.

During the opening special recognition was made of those who had attended the first Glengarry Highland Games in 1948. Later in the afternoon they attended a reception and were given a certificate and pin celebrating 70 years. Beverly MacLennan and I were part of this event. Beverly shared his photo from 1948

standing proudly in his kilt with Pipe Major Johnny Stewart (Marilyn’s grandfather’s brother) of the SDG Highlanders Pipe Band.

A large Heritage Village tent attracted many visitors Friday and Saturday with displays, talks by about 15 groups including Historical Societies and Archives, Museums, Fairs, and the Historical Militias of SDG.

An informal presentation on July 29th of the needlepoint Glengarry Highland Games Tartan brick, made by Lorna McLennan, was made to Lindsay MacCulloch as a token of appreciation for his determination and effort displayed when Chair of the Clans. Lorna, with roots in 3rd Concession Lancaster Township in Glengarry, was taught how to make the brick by Elizabeth MacLennan Prebble. Lindsay appreciated Lorna’s talented needle work and kind note.

Special thanks to Barb and John MacLennan, Beverly MacLennan, Lindsay MacCulloch, Cali MacCulloch and my daughters Leslie, Kristin and Erin.

FERGUS: (Adele McLennan)

On Aug. 11 & 12 Clan MacLennan Canada was represented at the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games by Adele and Rob McLennan and John and Barbara MacLennan. Friday - August 11: We arrived at the grounds about

3 PM. In previous years we’d always arrived about that same time and went right in. This time, they didn’t allow us to park and were told that the gates wouldn’t open till 5. We opted for an early dinner at the Breadalbane Inn. We returned at 5 and were faced with a very long lineup for the tickets. Never have we seen such confusion for purchasing tickets. We think there was a problem with the debit machine, but not certain of that.

When we finally entered the grounds, we placed our chairs to be ready for the Tattoo, then started walking around. Speaking to a few vendors, they said they were told to be set up by noon and they all wondered where everyone was. I’m sure they weren’t happy about that situation.

Close to the time for the Tattoo we made our way to our chairs all the while watching some very dark clouds coming in our direction. Before it even started, the rain drops came down. We both had a bad feeling and

decided to leave, making it to the car just as the storm began. In the end, the Tattoo had to be cancelled, as well as the concert by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, because of the storm which seemed to go on for a couple of hours.

Saturday – August 12: John and Barbara were there bright and early to set up the clan tent. When we arrived about 10 AM it was already bustling. In the years since we’ve been helping, this was the busiest we’d ever seen. The passports were a big hit, as we had a continual line of children waiting to get theirs stamped. There was a great deal of interest in the clan photos and also the clan map. There were a number of questions regarding the location of the clans plus interest in researching family

A re-enactment of a Jacobite encampment; Fergus Games.



CLAN GATHERING 2018

Welcome to the programme for the International Clan MacLennan Gathering 2018. A Warm Welcome is extended to one and all. We will once again be using The Beaufort Hotel in Inverness as our base.

THE BEAUFORT HOTEL 11 Culduthie Road Inverness IV2 4AG. Telephone +44 (0) 1463 222897 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.beauforthotelinverness.com

Rooms are available at the hotel at a discounted rate. Please contact the hotel directly, and mention that you are part of the MacLennan Clan to secure a room.

If anyone is interested in visiting Eilean Donan Castle or indeed any other parts of the Highlands/Moray before or after our gathering Our Chairman Alistair MacLennan is happy to offer additional excursions/tours. Please contact him directly on [email protected].

If anyone has any questions on any of the events taking place or any other questions please contact our Secretary at [email protected].

If you have questions about how to get there, where to stay, what else to do etc, please join the discussions on the Clan MacLennan Scotland Facebook page which you can connect to from

www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com/scotland

history. We made a couple of sales, including signing up a new member.

One of our visitors was a woman from Chicago who had attended The Scottish North American Leadership Conference that had been hosted by the University of Guelph over this weekend.

John, Barbara and Rob took part in the clan parade and I’m happy to report that the sun shone brightly, unlike last year when they had to march during a monsoon.

We want to send a hearty Congratulations to Clan Logan for winning the 2017 Best Clan Award. The young man who manned that tent came to visit us and we visited his as well. We were unaware that he had won till it was announced on the website.

Next year is the Clan MacLennan’s Worldwide Gathering in Inverness, Scotland from 4-8 July 2018 and we hope to see many of our Canadian Clan there as well as meet or become reacquainted with Mac/McLennans from many other countries. The gathering will mark the 40th Anniversary of the formation of our modern day Clan, marking when Ronald was inaugurated as Chief of the Clan at a ceremony held in Inverness in 1978, The full itinerary is included in this newsletter and a booking form can be obtained by going to www.clanmaclennan-worldwide.com/2018gathering Book now for your trip of a lifetime!

We hope you are enjoying many events this year to celebrate Canada150!

Cheers,

Barbara

Town of Dores on Loch Ness, Scotland. Clan Gathering 2014. Photo by Gael Colleguet 2014.

A Warm Welcome to our newest members:

John McLennan, Lindsay, ON

Robert & Salima MacLennan, Kitchener, ON

Andrew MacLennan, Calgary, AB



SCHEDULEWednesday July 4th Genealogy Day 9:30 am- 4:00 pm Beaufort Hotel: Hosted by Bruce McLennan

Keynote Speaker: Neil D R McLennan FRSA FSA Scot MYAS, University of Aberdeen.

Topics include: Using Clan research resources, Gairloch, Strathconon, Nova Scotia, Clan analysis.

For further details regarding this event please contact Bruce directly at [email protected].

Morning and afternoon teas and coffees will be provided. Lunch will be at your own cost.

Thursday July 5th

Highland Archives Tour: 10:00am-12:00pm TBC For those who wish to further their ancestry research The Highland Archives have set aside a morning tour to show what the archives have to offer. There will be relevant material to be viewed in the archive searchroom. The Highland Archive Centre is in a fairly central location and is an attractive 15-20 minute walk from the Beaufort Hotel. The address is Bught Road , Inverness IV3 5SS

In the afternoon from approx 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm we have booked a room there for anyone who wishes a One-on-One session with Clan Geneaogists to help “Unblock your family research”. There may be a small fee to be advised depending on the numbers interested).

Registration Open: 5:00 pm Beaufort Hotel

An opportunity to collect your name badge, confirm bookings, pay for any of the events if you have not already done so. (All events must be paid in advance of event) Tickets can be collected at this time. Browse our clan shop which will be set up for the next few days and of course receive a Very Warm Welcome from the Scottish Committee. A bar/dinner is available at the Hotel at your own cost.

7:30pm Informal Quiz

Friday July 6th

Clan Parliament 10:00 am - 12:30 pm Inverness Town House Civil

Reception 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm Free afternoon

Ceilidh at Dores Village Hall 6:00 pm - 11:30 pm

6:00 pm - Bus Departs Beaufort Hotel for Dores stopping at Tesco’s supermarket for anyone wishing to purchase refreshments. No drink will be sold at the hall.

6:30 pm - Dores Inn for photo shoot and drinks (at own cost) Walk up to Dores Hall.

7:30 pm: Ceilidh in Dores Hall.

11:30 pm: Bus departs Dores to return to Beaufort Hotel.

Dress Code: Tartan informal.

Cost for Ceilidh and Supper £30.00 per Adult £15.00 Child (under 18).

Saturday July 7th 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

10:00 am Bus departs for Highland Folk Museum Newtonmore Special tour of Blackhouse Village featured in Outlander £25.00 Adult £10.00 Child (under 18)

Formal Dinner Beaufort Hotel 7.00pm- 11.00pm

An Evening of Piping, Speeches, Entertainment, delicious food and friendship.

Dress Code: Black Tie

Cost Adult £50.00 Child £25.00 (under 18)

Sunday July 8th

11:00 am -1:00 pm - Church Service. Ness Bank Church followed by Tea and Coffee downstairs.

1.:30 pm - 3:00 pm - Farewell Speeches at Beaufort Hotel followed by Buffet Lunch. Last opportunity to purchase from the Clan Shop



From the EditorMelanie McLennan

Kilt Skate: http://www.kiltskate.com/

Yes, you read that right! Skating with others and everyone is wearing a kilt! I heard about this at the Scottish North

American Leadership Conference that I attended in June.

Even if you don’t want to put on a pair of skates or go out into the cold, it’s an interesting read to follow the itinerary of Kilt Skates happening across Canada.

In 2018, there will be Kilt Skates being held in:

Montreal – January 20th Ottawa – January 20th Saskatoon – January 27th Toronto – January 28th North Glengarry – February 3rd Calgary – February 11th Winnipeg – TBA

They are looking for more participants in the coming seasons, so if you and your organization would like to be a part of a nationwide event with a Scots-Canadian flare, then email organizer and Skater-in-Chief Don Cummer at [email protected].

Scottish North American Leadership Conference – Melanie McLennanThis past August 10th – 12th, the North American Leadership Conference was held for the first time in Canada at the University of Guelph and it was timed to coincide with the Fergus Scottish Festival so many of the attendees had the opportunity to participate in the Festival at the conclusion of the Conference.

The 2017 SNAL Conference Canada was the 16th Annual Scottish North American Leadership Conference. The Conference has taken place over the years in Chicago - Detroit - New York - Edinburgh and in 2017 for the first time this year in Canada. Founded by The Chicago Scots and American Scottish Foundation, it is organized by The Chicago Scots, ASF, Detroit St Andrews Society, COSCA, and CASSOC.

At the 2015 SNAL Conference, Canadian Christine

Woodcock (Genealogy Tours of Scotland) suggested that in honor of Canada’s 150th we should bring SNALC up to Canada in 2017 - and she would take the lead. Everyone embraced the idea of coming up to Canada and Christine took up the mantle in conjunction with CASSOC.

I attended the conference representing Clan MacLennan Canada. What a wonderful opportunity this conference provided for everyone; for discussion, lecture, brainstorming and fellowship with many Scottish associated groups sharing ideas and challenges facing their organization. It is always rewarding to meet with others who are facing the same challenges and to learn of the many interesting opportunities that are upcoming.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Engaging our Youth”. It seems this is a common challenge for many organizations. To lend a voice of authenticity, a number of youth were the speakers throughout the conference and it was very good to hear from them, rather than sitting around speculating on what the issues were.

If I was to sum up what we heard from the younger generation it was that introducing our young people from an early age is very important if we want them to develop an appetite for the interests we are keen about. If we wait until children show an interest in their later years it is less likely to appeal or to be on their radar in this age of competing interests and activities. The key years for taking your kids (or grandchildren) to events, telling them stories, and engaging them is between the ages of 6 and 16. So as a grandparent, it was a wake-up call to realize that we simply need to get out and about our business and take our grandchildren with us. Spend time with them, introduce them to and talk about the things that are important to us. We won’t always be here to do that. Don’t let any more time slip away!

Scottish Enterprise VideoOne of the participating groups at the Scottish North American Leadership Conference was About Scotland. The following link is a short video that was produced by the Scottish Enterprise for their About Scotland Facebook page for Canada Day, outlining some of the links between Scotland and Canada. This was really just intended to showcase a couple of high level stats



and facts, but has since been viewed 275,000 times! Do please check it out and again share the link. The comments of people weighing in on the topic are

interesting in themselves. https://en-gb.facebook.com/AboutScotland/videos/10155602693593689/

A group photo of the participants in the Scottish North American Leadership Conference held in Guelph Ontario, August 10-12th, 2017.

The Changing Stages of Life Melanie McLennan

As a few of you know, my husband, Andy and I entered a new chapter of life this past autumn. After nearly 32 years we sold our home on London Road West in Guelph and have moved 20 minutes northeast to a twenty acre property in Guelph-Eramosa Township with trees and bees.

We are enjoying our new property and working to making it feel like home. Our children and grandchildren love to explore the woods and are learning about the honeybees and pond life. Andy is carrying on with his business Cartographics Mapping & Design Inc. and I will be working as a genealogist. Hopefully I’ll have more time for Clan history and genealogy as well.

The selling and moving of our family home was significant in itself, but the biggest challenge was selling our Bed & Breakfast, London House, in our 30th year. We were very pleased to find new owners for our home and business - Sheila Trask and David Coccia are doing an admirable job of carrying the torch forward.

I have found myself somewhat wistful thinking over the years and all of the wonderful people who entered our home, staying for a night or a few, eating at our table and becoming part of the tapestry of our family life. Many returned again and again, and some even became a part

of our inner circle of friends and relatives. In serving others, I also now realize how these people have affected and influenced who I have become, how those we have known throughout our years have grown into a part of who we are and will yet be.

This holds true of family and friends, to no one’s surprise. But how often do we consider the influence of those with whom we have served on committees and boards, in our workplace, our church, neighbourhoods and the circle of influence we have in our communities?

I think of the work we do on the Clan executive and the greater Clan MacLennan community, both domestic and international, as it continues to develop through gatherings and social media. I think of how I felt the first time we went overseas in 2009 for the Clan Gathering and how we knew almost no one. Now as we get ready for the Clan MacLennan Gathering this upcoming July, we know not only names and faces but we eagerly await meeting up with friends.

If I had any wisdom at this stage of my life to pass on, it would be to get involved in your family, your community, your church, your clan. It will cost you some time and effort, however the richness in relationships and the sense of well-being that results will become the fruit of a life well-lived.



Clan MacLennan Canada BusinessStatement of Receipts and Disbursements ReceiptsBank Balance October 31, 2016 2,008.64Members’ dues - 830.00PayPal 175.10 less charges 7.61 95.88G.I.C. plus interest 2,2025.00Clan Sales 60.00Bank interest .11U.S. exchange 7.48 3.018.47 5,027.11DisbursementsNewsletters – printing 368.15 – postage 215.41 583.56Clans & Scottish Society of Canada 2016 50.00Scottish N.A. Leadership Conference 20.00Vancouver mail out 118.72G.I.C. renewal 2,000.00Fergus Avenue of the Clans 50.00Sale Items 10.00Service charges 10.00 2,842.28Bank Balance September 30, 2017 2,184.83RBC G.I.C. 2,000.00Branch total 4,184.83

From the PastThe Story of Finlay McLennan By Adele McLennan

Finlay McLennan was my husband’s (Rob McLennan) father. He was born in Coatbridge, Scotland in 1902 to John and Jeanie McLennan. Of the five children born to them between 1902 and 1907, only Finlay and his sister Bessie survived. John, who was an iron shingler by trade, died of tuberculosis in his early 30s. At 6 years old Finlay helped to support the family, working in the coal mine caring for the pit ponies. He escaped the coal mines when he went to live in Portobello, a community east of Edinburgh, first finding work cleaning the decks of ships arriving at nearby Leith, then later becoming a blacksmith’s hammerman. He married, started his family, and in 1928 followed his sister Bessie and her husband Bill Bryson to Canada, landing in Windsor, Ontario. He found work at the local Chrysler Plant then crossed the border to work at the Ford Rouge Plant in Dearborn, Michigan.

In recent years one of his grandsons discovered the above photo online. We all recognized Finlay immediately. He stands between the 2 men on the left side, looking toward the camera. This picture was taken in 1936 at the Ford Rouge Plant in Dearborn, Michigan)

While Bessie and Bill did return briefly to Scotland, they returned to Canada, settling their family in London, Ontario.

Finlay, however, never returned to his homeland. He raised his family in Windsor, eventually crossing the river to work at Ford Canada. He began by performing the most

menial of tasks – sweeping floors, painting the stacks of the Ford Power Plant – he eventually worked his way through the company’s ranks to become General Foreman of Plants 1, 2, and 5 (the foundry).

Finlay, on the left, giving his son John and friends a tour of the Ford plant in Windsor.



Our Scottish Pioneer Forebears(In reflection of Canada’s sesquicentennial celebration of confederation)Barbara MacLennan,

Most of our MacLennan pioneers were settled in Canada long before Confederation in 1867. They started coming to our beautiful though rugged country in the 18th century. They were used to the severe elements and terrain in Scotland and were suited to the harsh climate and conditions in Canada.

Though most spoke Gaelic, they were usually well educated and could read and write English, thanks to John Knox who decreed that everyone had to be able to read the Bible. By 1750 such progressive education in Scotland resulted

in a literacy rate of 75%. This led to opportunities for even broader education

which in turn gave the Scots the opportunity to become leaders in their new communities.

Many became ministers for the church, such as Rev. John

Maclennan of PEI (ID i1433) (Elizabeth Prebble’s grandfather); Rev.

Duncan Maclennan (and my husband, John’s 2x great uncle); Rev. Donald Mclennan (ID i18788) who farmed as well but later sold his land to his brother; James (ID i18791) in order to become a full time minister. Some became physicians such as Elizabeth’s father, Dr. Sterling MacLennan and Donald Watts’ uncle, Dr. Finlay MacLennan.

Others became teachers while farming their land grants. My husband John’s great grandfather, Kenneth McLennan (ID i18789) taught school, walking 25 miles to Lucknow from Glammis ON, staying in the village all week and then walking home for the weekends. On one occasion, he was surprised to find squatters living in his log cabin and had to walk another 50 miles to Goderich in order to get proof that he owned the property before the squatters would leave.

Many Scots that settled in the Glengarry area were United Empire Loyalists who, being loyal to Britain, left the United States during and after the 1776 American Revolutiony War. Most are operating farms even today. Don Watt’s 2x great grandfather, Rory McLennan was one of these UELs. One of his 3x great grandsons runs the farm today.

Most MacLennan immigrants of the 18th and 19th century were given grants of land which they were expected to clear and build a dwelling on in a reasonable amount of time as part of their

Great Scots! How The Scots Created Canada; Matthew Shaw.



settlement duties. They were content to farm their land, having had no chance to own property in Scotland, and to raise a large family, feeding them from the fish, wildlife, crops and livestock they now owned the rights to. Some were intrigued by more adventures such as Elizabeth’s 2x great uncle, Donald MacLennan (the Java man) who in 1810 joined John Jacob Astor’s Astoria expedition with the Pacific Fur Company, who were in need of voyageurs and clerks, and later the North West Co. before going to Java, Indonesia.

The Hudson Bay Co. as early as 1693 looked to Scotland to recruit men suitable for the rugged life in the wilderness. By 1700 the HBC ships were annually sailing north to the Orkney Islands en route to Hudson and James Bay, stopping at Stromness, an Orkney town, for supplies and to hire workers before crossing the Atlantic. They stayed in Stromness 2 or 3 wks in early June and recruited up to 100 men to work five year contracts at the posts (Clouston 1937). These men were of great importance to the Company as their labour was cheaper and they were considered “hardier and fit for the discomforts and isolation of Hudson’s Bay Life”.

The HBC ships returned each November with men who had chosen to return home. HBC workers were dispersed to fur trading posts across the Arctic and Subarctic. From 1700 – 1904 at Moose Fort (later Moose Factory) HBC ships unloaded their cargoes. Moose Factory Island was traditionally a meeting place for the Cree in the summer months before being established as a trading post in 1673. Trading was done with the Cree with such products

as oatmeal and flour. A few of the Scots stayed in Canada and some married with the Cree, teaching their Scottish customs, fiddling and dances to future generations. While these Cree wives made durable clothing for their husbands from animal hides, the Scotsmen ordered wool tartan cloth (and other items from the homeland) for their women to add to their wardrobe. (The museums for the Hudson Bay and at Fort William archives excellent records of trade)

When the fiddle was adopted by the James Bay Cree, they emulated the tunes they heard being played at the trading posts. Fiddles could be bought in the HBC stores at the posts, and since fiddles were portable they were easily transported to family hunting camps and used with the drum to sing hunting songs. By the late 1800’s the James Bay Cree had developed an identifiable Aboriginal/Métis fiddle tradition.

Life was difficult for our MacLennan pioneers but the skills, tenacity and faith they had been taught in their native Scotland helped them to develop our great country to become the strong and free Dominion of Canada in 1867.

Editor’s Note: ID numbers listed are for the profiles of individuals on the Clan MacLennan Family Sharing Database.The passage of HBC ships between the British Isles and James Bay.

clan maclennan worldwide - from the president...newsletter no. 98 fall/winter 2017 clan maclennan...

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