There are five arrows, which arrow are you?

[Cameronian]

There are five arrows, which arrow are you…

From another place Ailean Glas has made the suggestion that we examine and discuss these lines of Clan Cameron into which we connect, whether it be geographically, loyally, or even heridarily, there is history aplenty in these arrows perhaps we can explore some of the information passed down to us regarding these lines and connect it into the personal knowledge we may have been fortunate to have received from our Seanamhairs which we believe to be part of our Cameron History.

Starting with Erracht
I was looking up a reference to answer a Glencoe tartan question, when I remembered a quote that I had read about our troublesome Sir Allan, and it so betrays the man that it is worthy of further discussion by all of us who have no trouble in identifying with these very positive personalities exhibited by our Clansmen sinnsearean.
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The story goes that in 1795 when the strength of the Cameron Highlanders was ordered to be completed to 1000 men, in preparation for despatch to India. Orders were received from the Horse Guards that directions had been given to draft the Cameron Highlanders into four other regiments. A direct violation of the conditions under which the regiment had been formed.
This roused Erracht's wrath. He sought and obtained an interview with the Commander-in-chief, The Duke of York, wherein Erracht plainly told the Duke. "To draft the 79th is more than you or your Royal father dare do".
The Duke is said to have replied: "The King, my father, will certainly send the regiment to the West Indies" Erracht, there-upon loosing his temper, responded "You may tell the King. Your father from me, that he may send us to H…. if he likes, and I'll go at the head of them, but he daurna draft us!" The argument had the desired effect and the identity of the Cameron Highlanders was preserved.
Erracht was an anti-Jacobite. Never forgave the family of Lochiel. Believed till his death that he should have become Chief. And we will not even mention at the moment the red headed beauty that almost ruined his life and cost the life of his fellow Clansman.

So who stands beside Erracht?

[Ailean Glas]

I am not of erracht but I have ancestry connected with the Clunes family, Clan Martin and the MacSorleys of Glen Nevis some of whom took the Cameron name. Lochaber is the land of nearly half my ancestors. I have been priviledged to visit it once and I still dream about it. I hope to reconnect in the not too distant future perhaps in the company of my good friend Andy Morrison.
I know I have 2 arrows and possibly three?

[Thomas Cameron]

Alas, I don't know which "arrow" I hail from!

My Camerons are stuck up in Urquhart Parish, near the Black Isle, in the later 18th century. So far no Lochaber connection, but one can hold out hope...someday! When I do find out, and if it's Erracht, I'd make the best of it, though initialy I might not be to pleased! I'm hoping for one of the other four!

[NancyMorse]

I need to do some research. All I know is that my great-great grandfather was born in Scotland in 1818, but I don't know where, nor do I know his father's name.

[Cameronian]

Nancy, the usual response given to this, is, start from “what you know” and move backwards, your Birth Certificate, to your Parents Marriage Certificate, then their Birth Certificates and so on..

But if impatience rules the day you could try looking in the Old Parish Records of Scotland which give you a separate list for Surname and Christian names. Try for an entry there. The Mormon Church Family History Centres have most of the Scottish Parish Registers filmed and getting these in on loan allows you to check each Parish where you find the name of your g-g-grandfather listed.

Of course if you are very lucky like most of us you will find that you are researching a Donald or Allan or Alexander, John, or Archibald Cameron and they are sprouting everywhere all marrying Jean, Christian, Mary, Margaret or Katherine ~~~~ but, you’re a Cameron and you’ve heard it before. “A Cameron never can yield” so up to the Genealogy message posts, put the details on line and we will all help as best we can……Val.

[NancyMorse]

Thanks, Val, I'll do that. His name was Archibald, as a matter of fact, but I also have his middle name, McMillan, so that should help some.

[Alans]

" A Clan of the Mind"

Does the arrow matter when the heart knows its true home on earth?
Lochaber! Lochaber! Land of bright snow, heather, fine mountains and sparkling streams,
And even those of us not in Alba feel and see you in our softer dreams.
Bones can be made anywhere humans call their place of birth,
But Loch Arkaig and Loch Lochy mark the deepest waters of my soul,
Cleansing me enough to remove dark thoughts and make me whole,
These roots of Cameron spirit cannot be exactly defined,
But they rest so easily inside a faithful exiles mind.

[SherbrookeJacobite]

What a beautiful poem! It captures so much of how I feel.

My family come from Ratullochmore, near Glen Gloy, and were originally MacMartins.

I was lucky enough to have visited Lochaber once, and it does indeed haunt my dreams. I hope to be able to return some day.

John

[FoundlingOfDollar]

I would be interested to know if anyone out there could tell me which arrow I am. I am descended from the Sorley family of Dollar, Clackmannshire, Cameron septs. Which arrow has this region been typically associated with?

[SherbrookeJacobite]

The five arrows which represent the five branches of our Clan don't represent regions - they represent the five families or clans that make up the Clan Cameron, they are (in no particular order) the MacMartins, the MacSorlies, the MacGillonies, Cameron of Lochiel, and Cameron of Erracht. Although the arrows don't represent regions per se, each of these families has traditionally been associated with a region; the MacMartins with Letterfinlay (Southern side of Loch Lochy, and east of the Spean), the MacSorlies with Glen Nevis, Cameron of Lochiel with Achnacarry, Fassifern etc., Cameron of Erracht with (of course) Erracht -The historical location of the MacGillonies escapes me for the moment (my apologies to any MacGillonies who may be reading this!).

This list is by no means exhaustive, and I know that many of these families were present in many areas in and around Lochaber, and indeed all Scotland (the Black Isle, Fife, Argyle etc...) Many of the MacMartins, MacSorlies and MacGillonies took the name Cameron (my family were MacMartins). Indeed it is very rare today to come across a MacGillonie or a MacMartin, although MacSorley is not uncommon.

It is probable that your family is descended from MacSorlies in Lochaber, and this is the arrow that your family would be associated with.

Is your James Sorley the son of William Sorley and Alison Miller of Clackmannanshire?

[FoundlingOfDollar]

I have not been able to actually complete a full Genealogy. This much I do know. My last name (Dollar) definitely had its origin in Dollar, Clackmannshire. In the 1720s a well dressed boy was found abandoned in a malt-kiln-loggie in Gateside, Dollar. It is suspected that the child was English, and rumored that he was the illigitamate child of a noble. He was taken in by James Sorley, a weaver of the family for which Sorley's Row in Dollar is named. In keeping with tradition at the time, when he was christened, he was named for the place he was found: Thomas Dollar. After reaching manhood he left the town, the family later re-surfaced in Southern England and later some of them came to the US. I do have evidence that this was my direct ancestor, but we lack a complete family tree. I have been intrigued with this story and have visited Dollar and hope to again. I feel that I owe a debt of gratitude to the family for making mine possible, and therefore (although I do have other Scottish heritage on both sides of the family) I consider Cameron to be my primary heritage.

[SherbrookeJacobite]

That really is fascinating. The James Sorley I came across was born in 1723, so he wouldn't be your James, although he could be related.

Dollar or Sorley - You are a welcome member of our Clan!

Aonaibh Ri Cheile,

John

[kiltarlity]

Help! If my Camerons were in the Parish of Kiltarlity, Inverness (up near Beauly) in the 1790's (haven't gotten further back yet), which branch of the clan do I come from? Earliest record I currently have is Alexander Cameron and wife Mary Urquhart christening son James in Feb 1791. James married Mary McBain in 1812 and moved to Nova Scotia, (in 1815, we think). Any advice would be appreciated.

[lizhwamsley]

I am of Alexander CAMERON born about 1797 Strontian, Argyil, Scotland. Spouse Catherine Maccallum, Bor 1795, Easdale, Kilbrndon, Argyil, Scotland. Son John Cameron 1818 Kilmelford, Argyll, Scotland
marrie Margaret Fairgrieve Born 1818 Fallhills, Peebles, Edingurg Scotland. Their daughter, Catherine Cameron, b. 1847, Glasgow, Lanard, Scotland Married my great-great-grandfather, George Southam, born 1836, Netrop, Oxfordshire, England

[lizhwamsley]

I am of Alexander CAMERON born about 1797 Strontian, Argyil, Scotland. Spouse Catherine Maccallum, Bor 1795, Easdale, Kilbrndon, Argyil, Scotland. Son John Cameron 1818 Kilmelford, Argyll, Scotland
marrie Margaret Fairgrieve Born 1818 Fallhills, Peebles, Edingurg Scotland. Their daughter, Catherine Cameron, b. 1847, Glasgow, Lanard, Scotland Married my great-great-grandfather, George Southam, born 1836, Netrop, Oxfordshire, England I believe that I came from the Clan
at Lochabar.