Greetings to the all Grahams worldwide.
It’s my pleasure, as the North American Chieftain of Clan Graham to welcome you to this website. By way of instruction, allow me to introduce myself. His Grace, the 8th Duke of Montrose and Chief of the Clan Graham appointed me to be his Chieftain in North America as did his late father the 7th Duke of Montrose before he passed away in the early 90’s. Back then, I’m proud to say that, the Lord Lyon King of Arms in Scotland also granted me my own personal Armorial Bearing.
It’s been a while since I have been able to send a message but it gives me much pleasure to do so now. Clan Graham is in good shape with its Society officers each keeping up with various assignments and which Society President, David Graham, will no doubt let you know about. They meet via a teleconference call on a regular schedule.
My wife Kate and I had been busy making arrangements for the Clan Graham Society Annual General Meeting (AGM) trip to Scotland in 2020 but that has all been postponed until 2021 because of the worldwide virus pandemic. Drastic changes have been made that involve postponing the AGM trip details in Scotland this year but duplicating them in 2021. On both sides of the Atlantic we seem to be doing all we can to offset its effects but we cannot avoid being very concerned with how it affects our Clan in particular. Our AGM trip to Scotland in 2021 is likely to be scheduled starting July 27th and ending August 7th. 
We are optimistic that travel around those dates will be normal and possible depending upon international conditions at that time.
As some of you will know, the 2021 AGM trip is expected to include Mugdock Castle, the Preschal Gardens and our Chiefs seat at Buchan Castle. We also plan on visiting the Orkney Islands which are off the far North coast of Scotland. Neither Kate nor I have been there ourselves but those we know that have been there have been enchanted and are ready to go again. We will visit places of particular interest to Grahams since Grahams have had considerable influence in the Orkneys, a fact that has encouraged us to go to these remote islands. Orkney includes Neolithic sites older than Stonehenge in England. I do hope that many of you will join us on this trip at the end of July 2021.
Kate and I have also been to New Zealand and back early this year to join Scots, and in particular, Grahams at two Highland Gatherings and Balls on the North and South islands of New Zealand. We were warmly welcomed by Lady Lilias Bell (nee Graham) who organized the whole thing. Other Grahams from various parts of the world were there to join us too.
I look forward to seeing many of you soon and I pray that you will be safe from the virus pandemic that is all around us.
aye,
Richard Graham
ARTICLE LINKS
DOCUMENTS (DOWNLOADABLE WORD FILES)
ARTICLE DOWNLOADS
- The Debatable Armstrongs and Their Graham Relations by John G. Armstrong (PDF reprinted with permission by the Armstong Clan Association News; A4 format paper size per UK standards)
- “House GRAHAM: From the Antonine Wall to the Temple of Hymen,” a book by Dr. Lloyd D. Graham which surveys the mythos and history of the Grahams through the ages.
LINKS
- The Scottish Association of Family History Societies
- LDS Family Search Site
- UK & Ireland Genealogical Information Services
- Cyndi’s List
- RootsWeb
- 22,000 Online Biographies
- The U.S. Bureau of Land Management(BLM) Federal Land Records
- Your Personal Family History: Learning About Genealogy
- Genealogy Resources by Veritas Prep (suggested by the Genealogy Club at the Charlotte Library)
ANCESTRY.COM
- http://trees.ancestry.co.uk/ (family tree creator)
- http://www.ancestry.co.uk/learn/facts (last name research tool)
- http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/group/1881uki (1881 UK census)
- 1881 UK census
ARTICLE ARCHIVE
Scholarship for Scottish Arts 2021
The officers of the Clan Graham Society have established a special scholarship to encourage and promote Scottish arts and culture. Members of the Clan Graham Society and their relatives will be considered first to receive the scholarship funds, but the funds are not restricted to Clan Graham Society members. [...]
Grahams walk “The Way” of St. James and Sir Patrick de Graham
Clan Graham Society Past President Larry M. Nichols and Past Treasurer Joel Warren went on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela during the fall 2012. Read their travelogue in the Spring 2013 edition of The Clan Graham News (downloadable from the Members Only archives).RecipesPULPO A LA GALLEGA (GALICIAN-STYLE OCTOPUS) • Adapted from Spanish Food Pulpo a la gallega—Galician [...]
Graham ancestors are connected to the development of Johnstown, Pennsylvania
We in the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, area, even though we are descendants of Daniel Graham, have to tell about his father. Patrick Graham came to America from County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1747, where he settled in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. There he married Elizabeth McKee. Later he traveled to Butler County, Pennsylvania (then known as the [...]
Joseph H. Graham history includes the Haight family
Clan Graham Society member Barrett in South Carolina contacted me and wanted to know if I could help him. His grandfather’s name was Joseph Graham and lived in New York City. He knew that his wife’s name was Juliet S. Norton, and that she had been adopted. And from there the story unravels. Joseph and [...]
Member-at-Large Annette Graham Jones traces her roots to founders of Pennsylvania town, Armagh, and further back to Scotland
The following article was compiled and written by Ron Jones on behalf of his wife, Annette Graham Jones, Member-at-Large in the Clan Graham Society. This was originally published in the Spring 2012 edition of The Clan Graham News. JOHN GRAHAM ANNETTE'S GRANDFATHER WILLIAM GRAHAM ANNETTE'S FATHER RON [...]
Society member has an “unexpected find” of royal ties in his genealogy research
During my recent trip to Northern Ireland, Scotland and England, I had the opportunity to visit the birthplace of my great great grandfather at Pencarrow House, Egloshayle, Cornwall, England. I had forgotten how much fun it was to work on my family genealogy. With this and other visits to sites [...]
BOOK REVIEWS
The following books have been reviewed by members of the Society as possible resources for clan and heritage information and genealogical references.
The Knights Templar and Scotland
"The Knights Templar and Scotland" by Robert Ferguson A newly published book by Robert Ferguson started out as a question in the author’s mind and has ended up as an extensive study of the Knights Templar in Scotland. The question was “Is the phrase ‘Scotland-The Unbroken Templar Link’ true?” This [...]
The Hunt for Rob Roy: The Man and the Myths
"The Hunt for Rob Roy: The Man and the Myths" by David Stevenson The Duke of Montrose addressed the Annual General Meeting of the Clan Graham Society this past August (2005). He discussed a recently published book entitled "The Hunt for Rob Roy: The Man and the Myths" written by the [...]
Contemporary Images of James Graham, Fifth Earl and the First Marquis of Montrose
"Contemporary Images of James Graham, Fifth Earl and the First Marquis of Montrose" by Phinella Henderson I have just completed a review of a new booklet published at the expense of an admirer of the Great Marquis of Montrose, Phinella Henderson of London, England. It is entitled “Contemporary Images of James Graham, Fifth [...]
PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
This is the multimedia section of our website featuring photo albums and video galleries of the Grahams at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and various games and gatherings in the United States, Canada and Scotland. Click on the photos to see the entire album set. Click on the video stills to start watching the clips.
2014 AGM
Fair Hill, Maryland (Delaware)
Click on the link above to see a slideshow on the 2014 AGM webpage.
Photos contributed by R & E Parkinson
2013 AGM
Las Vegas, Nevada
Click on the link above to see a slideshow on the 2013 AGM webpage.
Photos contributed by R & E Parkinson and Joyce Nethery
2012 AGM
Maryville, Tennessee, USA
Click on the link above to see a slideshow on the 2012 AGM webpage.
Photos contributed by R & E Parkinson, Shirley Cartman, Kiersten Graham Dick and Kathleen Wheeless
2011 AGM
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Log in to the Members Only site to see the entire album.
Photos contributed by Ivan Graham, Ekena B. Parkinson and Bill Richardson
2010 AGM
Northern Ireland and Scotland
Log in to the Members Only site to see the entire album.
Photos contributed by Don and Astrid Graham, Gary and Sylvia Graham, Richard Graham, Lee Graham and Ron Wood
IRISH GRAHAMS
Watch Angela Graham, Scots-Irish heritage expert, talk about finding one’s Irish roots on The Daily Buzz as she is interviewed by reporter Rachel Kay at the Stone Mountain Highland Games in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2011. The segment was produced and provided by Kelleigh Lewis, Executive Brand Integration Producer, for the nationally syndicated morning show. MPEG-4 file is nearly 9MB. Please enable your browser’s plugin to view the video below.
>>> DOWNLOAD HERE <<<
2009 AGM
Ann Belanger recorded these short clips at the 2009 AGM in Estes Park, Colorado. Featured below are videos of the Marine Band and drum corps performing at the Long’s Peak Tattoo in September 2009.
LINKS OF INTEREST
The following links (in alphabetical order) will lead to a wider world of Scottish interests. To be listed here, websites must be approved by Society executives.
1st MARQUIS OF MONTROSE SOCIETY
http://www.montrose-society.org.uk/
Learn more about our Graham ancestor, The Great Montrose, at this site. Membership is welcome.
ANCESTRY.COM
http://www.ancestry.com
Discover your family history and start your family tree. Try free and access billions of genealogy records including census, SSDI and military records.
ARDOCH HOLIDAY COTTAGE
http://www.holiday-cottage-scotland.co.uk
The Wing of Orchil Castle was a Graham Family Estate. For more information on the history, genealogy, Scottish clans and families associated with Orchil, click on this link: http://www.holiday-cottage-scotland.co.uk/geneology.html
BOOKS FROM SCOTLAND
http://www.booksfromscotland.com/
Book lovers will enjoy the many resources available from this site. BooksfromScotland.com, based in Edinburgh, Scotland, was no ordinary bookseller. Set up to showcase and sell Scottish-interest books, the site combined bookselling and interesting, newsy content. With readers from Paisley to Prague, and contributions from academics, authors, publishers and customers, BooksfromScotland.com remains the comprehensive e-portal for Scottish books, literature and writing.
BRITISH SOCIAL NEWS
http://www.britishsocialnews.org
This website serves the British and Irisn communities in the USA by providing information about social events, theatre and shows, bands and music, food, beer and wine, sports, organizations and contacts, games and festivals, Shakespeare and Remembrance Poppy locations. Its homepage shows the day’s history of events.
CLAN GRAHAM OF TEXAS
http://www.clangraham.com
This group is a genealogical and reunion association for the descendants of John and Mary Graham. The annual reunion is held deep in the heart of Central Texas, typically in Salado, Killeen or Gatesville, Texas, USA, during June. Check out their website for more information, annual reunion news, family groups, newsletters and scholarship applications.
CLANS AND SCOTTISH SOCIETIES OF CANADA (CASSOC)
http://www.cassoc.ca
The Clan Graham Society is a member of CASSOC. CASSOC is an organization for organizations. They are the link between various Clans and Scottish Societies. They encourage the celebration of our Scottish cultural heritage and the promotion of this Scottish culture in all its aspects. They seek to be the assembly of all groups who are pursuing Scottish interests. CASSOC encourages research into our heritage, both cultural and linguistic. They embrace history, music, dance, poetry, song, legend, sports, military tradition, costume, custom, culinary art, tale telling and the family structure that has come down to us from Scotland—both Highland and Lowland. Recreationally, they support family outings centred around Scottish traditions and the Clan structure.
COUNCIL OF SCOTTISH CLANS AND ASSOCIATIONS, INC. (COSCA)
http://www.cosca.scot
The Clan Graham Society is a member of COSCA. COSCA is a registered IRS Section 501c3 public charity incorporated in the state of Delaware, USA. The organization was founded in 1976 by Dr. Herbert MacNeal and a handful of other dedicated volunteers for the purpose of supporting Scottish Clan organizations and preserving Scottish heritage. The initial meeting was held at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in Linville, North Carolina, and we continue to honor this tradition by gathering on the mountain annually. Today COSCA welcomes all kinds of Scottish American organizations as well as interested individuals to join us in our work to strengthen and energize the Scottish American diaspora and to preserve our Scottish heritage. COSCA’s goal includes: strengthening the Scottish American community by bringing individuals together with their Scottish clans and families; supporting our member Scottish organizations with training and resources to help them meet their own missions; providing education and learning opportunities in Scottish fields; and building relationships with Scotland and the global diaspora. And as always no control of the individual Clan Societies is planned.
ELECTRIC SCOTLAND
http://www.electricscotland.com/
Take a virtual visit to Electric Scotland at and see a web page listing some resources and information about the Clan Graham. A link to our Society’s website is included, and select/sample issues of The Clan Graham News are archived on that site. The direct link to the Clan Graham page on Electric Scotland is at: http://www.electricscotland.com Electric Scotland was created in 1996 and is maintained by Alastair McIntyre, GOTJ, FSA Scot. Besides clans and families information, the website has a news feed about the Scots diaspora and features articles and photos about Scottish agriculture and wildlife; books; business; children’s stories; culture and language; famous Scots; food (including haggis) and drink; games; genealogy; health; history and historic places; humor; music; poetry; religion; Robert Burns; Scots-Irish; Scots regiments; tartans; trivia; travel and much more. The Clan Graham Society website also utilizes the news feed from Electric Scotland. And our ad is featured on Beth’s Newfangled Family Tree newsletter at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft/.
GRAEME OF INCHBRAKIE
http://www.inchbrakie.com/
Dedicated to the Graemes of the House of Inchbrakie, the site aims to build an online museum with photos and other resources for this branch of the Graham family. Of interest is information about the Grahams in Jamaica and those involved with the 42nd (Black Watch) in the U.S. War of Independence.
GRAHAM HIGHLANDERS PIPE BAND
http://www.stjohnsburyacademy.org/page.cfm?p=69
The Saint Johnsbury Academy Graham Highlanders Pipe Band was founded in November 1998 to be of service to the school community and Caledonia County in New England and to assist in educating the youth of the area in remembering and preserving Scottish tradition. The high school band wears the Graham of Montrose tartan and proudly promotes Celtic Arts.
GRAHAM LOWLANDERS
http://www.grahamlowlanders.com
This Holland-based pipes and drums band wears the Graham kilt in their international performances. Also check out their Facebook page for more information and photos at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Graham-Lowlanders-Pipes-and-Drums.
GRAHAM-PAIGE
http://www.graham-paige.com
The Graham Owner’s Club-International, established in 1971, is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of all Graham-built vehicles and to the bringing together, in good fellowship, all those who admire them. If you have an interest in Graham Brothers Trucks, Graham, Paige or Graham-Paige Motor Cars or any other “Graham” manufactured product, visit this site to be connected with others with the same interests.
HERALDRY SOCIETY OF SCOTLAND
http://www.heraldry-scotland.co.uk/
Learn more about the proper use of heraldry from this site. The Heraldry Society of Scotland, founded in 1977, accepts membership and encourages people to learn more about coats or arms and heraldic arts.
HOW TO BUY A KILT
http://www.scotweb.co.uk/kiltsandtartan
Dr. Nicholas J. Fiddes, Governor of the Scottish Tartans Authority, has written a free guide to why you should wear a kilt and what kind of kilt to get; how to source true quality and avoid the swindlers; find your own tartans and get the best materials; know the outfit for any occasion and understand accessories. It’s all available in a downloadable PDF format (1.5MB). All views and information are the personal views of the author but he has a lot of experience and background. It’s written in non-technical language to be as clear and easy to read as possible and serves as a helpful guide to the national dress.
MUGDOCK CASTLE
http://www.mugdock-country-park.org.uk/
The Mugdock Castle, located 12 miles north of Glasgow, Scotland, was the ancient seat of the Clan Graham between 1372 and 1700. Built around a courtyard, the castle was entered through a gatehouse with a portcullis. The South West Tower has four stories with a single room on each floor. The main entrance to the tower is by external stairs that leads to the Laird’s bedroom. In 1641, the castle was partly destroyed on orders from Parliament, but James Graham lived there until 1644. On the execution of James in 1650, the lands were forfeited to the Marquis of Argyll, Archibald Campbell. In 1655, Mugdock was returned to the Grahams and restored over a two-year period. In 1682, the Grahams bought Buchanan Old House near Drymen, a dwelling more fitting the title of “Marquis” but kept the family official seat at Mugdock for a long period of time. Now, several centuries later, the castle still stands with the Graham heritage intact with a special room housing historical artifacts and documents with valuable clan and Scottish information. The grounds are now a park, which is one of Scotland’s most popular visitor attractions offering a great countryside experience. Tours, cultural events, recreational activities, corporate functions and private celebrations take place at Mugdock. To help preserve this important Graham site, donations and fundraising are necessary. Sales from the Mugdock Collection also help with annual maintenance, restoration and refurbishment efforts.
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND
http://www.nls.uk
The National Library of Scotland is the world’s leading centre for the study of Scotland and the Scots. They are a major European research library, with collections of world-class importance. You can see collection items online, and hundreds more digital resources may be available if you register. Anyone can get a library card to consult material in our reading rooms. The National Library of Scotland is a registered Scottish Charity. Scottish Charity No. SC011086.
NATIONAL RECORD OF SCOTLAND
http://www.nrscotland.gov.uk
National Records of Scotland (NRS) was established on April 1, 2011, following the merger of the General Register Office for Scotland (GROS) and the National Archives of Scotland (NAS). For administrative purposes we sit within the Scottish Government’s Culture and External Affairs portfolio. They have a wide and diverse community of stakeholders and play a central role in the cultural, social and economic life of Scotland, supporting several of the Scottish Government’s key National Outcomes and measuring its Population Purpose Target. They perform the registration and statistical functions of the Registrar General for Scotland, including responsibility for demographic statistics and census, and the archival functions of the Keeper including maintaining the archives as one of Scotland’s five National Collections, and providing a leadership role for Scottish archive and record professionals. They are also responsible for the service for family history provided under the highly successful ScotlandsPeople brand. ScotlandPeople is available online, in our offices in Edinburgh and, increasingly, in Local Family History Centres.
NETHERBY HALL
http://www.netherbyhall.co.uk
Netherby Hall in Longtown Cumbria is an outstanding grade II mansion house. It is steeped in history from Roman times through the reining era to modern day and has a long connection with the Grahams as they lived in the hall for four centuries before they left the estate in the late 1900s. The new owners have acquired the property in 2014 and are doing extensive restoration work. Visit Netherby virtually at http://www.netherbyhall.co.uk.
RAMPART SCOTLAND NEWSLETTER
http://www.rampantscotland.com/letter.htm
The Rampant Scotland Newsletter is your weekly insight into what has been happening in Scotland, snipped from the Scottish media, for Scots in Scotland and abroad, bringing you news, events plus a Scottish magazine section. Printed with 100% recycled electrons, Rampant Scotland Newsletter is also available by e-mail. Just send an e-mail to “Scottie” at scottie@cqm.co.uk with “Subscribe Newsletter” as the subject line and a text version of these free Scottish snippets of news will arrive in your mailbox every weekend!
SCOTLAND.COM
http://www.scotland.com
Scotland Channel presents this official guide for Scotland travel: things to do, hotels, dining, shopping, events and more.
SCOTTISH HERITAGE USA
http://www.scottishheritageusa.org/
An organization based in North Carolina, this group welcomes members to learn more about their roots. Scottish Heritage USA was founded in 1965 by Ward Melville “to recognize and enhance the original bonds of ancestral and national character among the peoples of Scotland and North America; and to disseminate knowledge of their respective cultural heritages; and in furtherance of such purposes to support the preservation of historic sites, the maintenance of centers of artistic and literary endeavor and such other activities as may be appropriate.”
SCOTTISH TARTANS MUSEUM
http://www.scottishtartans.org/gallery.html
The Clan Graham Society donates funds to support the non-profit, volunteer-run Scottish Tartans Museum, the main focus of which is on the history and development of Scottish Highland Dress (namely the tartan and the kilt). Visit the museum in Franklin, North Carolina, or their website by clicking on the link above.