I thought I was ready for the next phase and was wondering how my DNA and Genealogy findings would connect. I sent my Haplogroup information to the McLachlan Project. Boy was I surprised when they said they could not find any matches, and suggested I check out the Cameron Project

The Cameron Project did find DNA matches and sent me through their findings. My most recent common ancestors R-FT104321 was a Cameron circa 1550. It is very possible to Identify the person as Donald Cameron the illegitimate son of Ewan Cameron and the daughter of Clan Chief MacDougall. Ewan was taken prisoner when he refused to marry her. Ewan died in 1553 when he was stabbed during his clan’s rescue. Ewan’s brother became the 15th Clan chief. Ewan’s illegitimate son Donald was raised by the McLachlan’s of Coruanan’ 4 miles south of Fort William.

After the 1745 Revolution, and in particular the 1746 battle of Culloden where the Jacobite’s were defeated it was known that the McLachlan’s of Coruanan were the Cameron Standard barriers. And in 1747 the government forces threw them off of Coruanan, confiscated their cattle and burned down their home and barn. Clearly they were an early part of the Highland Clearance.

So what do I Know?

My Big Y DNA has found I am part of the Cameron Clan.

My Genealogy research, with primary records confirmation has my direct family McLaughlan, as it is now.

My Grandfather was born in Glasgow Scotland as McLaughlin, why did he deliberately change the spelling. My view is that my grandfather who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, thought McLaughlan sounded more Scottish than McLaughlin.

What don’t I know?

Where my DNA and my Genealogy come together? When did my family move from Scotland to Ireland? Did a Cameron change their name to McLaughlin? Was a Cameron adopted by a McLaughlin family? Did a Cameron have a son with a McLaughlin out of wedlock?

My investigation continues and when I can give an update I surely will.

I have decided to write down an overview of what I know so far. The family history has been thoroughly researched by Linda, my wife. To giver her title, Dr Linda McLaughlan.

Added to Linda’s research are some maps, shown immediately below, from My Autosomal DNA test, this test analysis your 46 chromosomes, 23 each from both parents. As a result of this test I am 65% Irish and 35% Scottish.

I have also taken the Big Y700 DNA test and am part of the R1b group Haplo R-M269. The Big Y results look very complex and I will make comments in the future when I have more understanding of how it all works.

From the Genealogy side. I only intend doing an overview of my family tree and some information about their lives as I know and will add as I gain more information. Again I have to thank Linda for the hundreds of hours research she has put into my family tree. I am much newer on board but am keen to learn.

The maps below show My Ancestry Autosomal DNA results. and the text is from Primary sourced records.

All my immediate Grandparents were born in or very close to Glasgow, Scotland between 1902 and 1910. Below I will do each branch of my family by their birthplaces and by date, going as far back as I have information for. NOTE: at this time I am only laying out my father’s and mother’s, father’s line. I have a much fuller family members history in my tree.

Many birth and death records in Ireland were destroyed and makes research very hard. Other records which help come from a number of sectors, ie. Griffith’s Land Valuation, the Flax Growers List, some censuses and the web site irishgenealogy.ir.

Continue reading My Genealogy, followed by my DNA Story. →