COSCA
Scottish Harp Scholarship announces 2003 winner...
Congratulations to Cynthia Cathcart!
Cynthia Cathcart of Silver Springs, Maryland has been awarded the 2003 Ethel K. MacNeal Scholarship for the Scottish harp. The annual award is sponsored and funded by the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations, Inc. (COSCA).
The award was announced during the 2003 Tenth annual Loch Norman Highland Games, Huntersville, North Carolina.
The $400.00 annual scholarship will be used by Ms. Cathcart in private study of harp music. She has been a keen student of the Scottish harp for nine years and also plays the piano. Cathcart has won the National harp title twice, once in Texas and once at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games.
Ms. Cathcart is very active in the Scottish Harp Society of America, Inc., and is affiliated with Clan Ogilvie and a close friend of Clans Fraser, Hamilton and Lamont.
The Scottish Harp was often a hereditary office and harpers were many times seen with their clan chief in battle.
Royce Neil McNeill, administrator for the Ethel K. MacNeal Scottish Harp Scholarship is now accepting applications for the 2004 scholarship until April 1, 2004. Applications may be obtained by contacting: COSCA-Ethel K. MacNeal Scottish Harp Scholarship, 1824 Stoneyridge Drive, Charlotte, NC 28214-8341.

Scotstown Music presents new CD of Burns music
A program of fifteen of Robert Burns' songs, some old favorites and some unknown, and instrumental pieces composed or known during Burns' lifetime, in authentic settings, this CD will quickly become one of your favorites.
All the lyrics are printed with translations where necessary. There is also an extensive historical background essay, with newly discovered facts, by Dr. David Johnson, leading authority on eighteenth century Scots music.
Other titles available through Scotstown Music include Songs of the Sephardim, A Song of David, Scots on the Fiddle and many more.
For more information about The Art of Robert Burns by The Musicians of Edinburgh under the direction of David Johnson, Artistic Director, visit website <www.scotstown.com> or e-mail Scotstown Music at aneta@scotstown.com. Phone numbers are 303-343-1326 or +44-131-667-5762.

Are you a youngster and interested in piping or dumming?
The Detroit, Michigan St. Andrew's Society Pipe Band is looking for young people interested in piping or drumming. The lessons are FREE. Do you have a son, daughter, nephew, niece, grandchild, godchild or student that you think may be interested?
If so, give Dave Martin a call at 734-464-0468 or e-mail him at <davemartin@standrewspipeband.com>.
From The Highland Fling Newsletter, 5940 Pontiac Trail, Orchard Lake, Michigan 48323.

My branch of the LESLIE family has lived in Nova Scotia for the last 250+ years. In the late 1800s one of the family moved to southern Saskatchewan leaving a few adult children there, continued on to British Columbia. Descendants of this fellow and his children migrated into the American Pacific states. If you by chance are descended from Leslies from Canada, can you help me add on to the family tree? Thanks for any help you can give. Contact Peter J. Leslie, Halifax, Nova Scotia at pleslie@justice.gc.ca

Electronic volunteers wanted
Dr. Gordon Barclay, Society of Antiquaries of Scotland's Proceedings Editor, is taking forward the next stage of the acclaimed scanning project - the task of putting the electronic Proceedings onto sets of CDs.
Volunteers are needed to check through the online Proceedings for omissions and other errors. Even if you can only undertake to cover a limited number of volumes, it would still be of great help.
If you are interested in helping, please contact Gordon by e-mail on proceedingseditor@socantscot.org

The Tartan Apple gives history of Scots in New York City
A 60-minute digital video by Harlan Douglas Whatley, The Tartan Apple: the Scots in New York City tells the under examined story of the people who emigrated from Scotland to New York City from the 17th century to the present. The story is told chronologically, beginning with Captain William Kidd, who is stereotyped as a pirate more so than a successful privateer.
Thousands of Scots put their lives on the line to leave their precious homeland for a better life. Many were forced to leave as their wealthy landlords, who often shared the same surname, determined that sheep were worth more than people. Others arrived as indentured servants or mercenaries.
Three signers of the Declaration of Independence were members of New York's oldest charity, the Saint Andrew's Society of the State of New York. Men of Scottish descent founded early New York City newspapers such as The New York Post and the Herald Tribune.
In the civil War, the 79th NYSVM "Highlanders" served New York City and the Union proud. The regiment was comprised of members of the New York Caledonian Club.
Andrew Carnegie was an active businessman and philanthropist in New York City. Baseball legend Bobby Thomson, born in Glasgow, hit his "shot heard round the world," as a New York Giant.
Scottish country dancing groups can be found all throughout the city, as well as Scottish football supporters.
Tartan Day is celebrated on April 6th in Central Park and November 30th is St. Andrew's Day.
The Tartan Apple intercuts dramatic re-creation scenes of the American Revolution and the American Civil War with narration, interviews and archival material that include parade footage of the New York Caledonian Club in Central Park from the late 1800's and several carte de viste portrait photographs. Music for the project includes Scottish fiddle, bagpipes, harp, and vocalists. Dr. Karen Bonthrone and John Forrest do narration of the story. The documentary includes interviews of pillars of the Scottish-American and historical community in New York City.
For more information, please contact Harlan Douglas Whatley, 192 East 75th Street, New York, NY 10021; telephone 212-737-8004; or visit website www.skyefilms.com

From the pen of Liz Curtis Higgs comes her second Scottish historical novel
The second of two books in a four-part series, Fair is the Rose once again transports readers to the Scottish Lowlands of the eighteenth century, the breathtaking setting for the number one Christian historical fiction best-seller, Thorn in My Heart.
Liz Curtis Higgs tells the story of the McBride sisters - quiet, gentle, Leana and bonny, spirited Rose - who are caught in a desperate situation. Both women have given their hearts to the same handsome cousin, Jamie McKie of Glentrool, a young man in search of honor and faith in a household where secrets hold sway.
When a child, wee Ian, is added to the household, the relationship between Leana and Rose is strained to the breaking point. Soon the two sisters find their lives painfully interwoven in a pattern as intricate as any tartan. Each woman longs for the same happy ending - a true and lasting love of her own, and a quiver full of children. Yet, for both sisters, the cost will be far beyond counting.
Liz Curtis Higgs is blessed to have two Lowland families - Walkers and Crawfords - in her family history, and she's had the joy of visiting Scotland on six occasions. Many readers say Liz Curtis Higgs knows Scotland well and can tell her stories with great intrigue.
For more details about Liz Curtis Higgs' books, visit the website <www.LizCurtisHiggs.com> or contact her at PO Box 43577, Louisville, Kentucky 40253, phone 502-254-5454.

Researching in New England???
Are you doing New England research? Are you already a member of NEGHS (New England Genealogy and Historical Society)? Do you need to belong to that organization?
Go to http://www.newenglandancestors.org/research/database/default.asp to view the databases that members access online. FREE.

Top 2003 Cameron Prize for Poetry goes to Barbara McPhail!
The Clan Cameron Association and the Cameron of Lochiel family are pleased to announce the winners of the 2003 Cameron Prize for Poetry.
Entries were received from six countries and encompassed a variety of subjects, mostly related to the Clan Cameron and Lochaber. Upon review by an international panel of judges, a tie for top honours occurred. The winning entries were: By Spean Bridge, a striking tribute to the heroic men of Lochaber written by Barbara McPhail and The People of 'The Blenheim,' the heart-felt story of Highlanders immigrating to New Zealand by John Grant. Honourable mention for third place also went to Barbara McPhail for her poignant work entitled The Disgruntled Wife. Mr. Grant and Ms. McPhail both hail from Wanganui, New Zealand.
Of the results, Donald A. Cameron, Younger of Lochiel, Lord Lieutenant of Inverness-shire related the following:
"The Lochiel family was delighted with the response to the idea of a Cameron Poetry Prize and amazed by the quality of the entries, all of which were of a very high standard. Choosing the best three was a hard task but we think the result is fair, and I offer warmest congratulations to John Grant and Barbara McPhail (is it something in the New Zealand air that inspires poets down under?) whose poems will be preserved for posterity in the Cameron Archives. . .This year we will hold another competition but for a short story rather than a poem - details to follow later. I hope clansfolk find these competitions fun - either as a participant or as an onlooker - as I believe that they add a modern dimension to being a member of the clan."
As aforementioned, the three honoured poems have been entered into the Clan Cameron Archives www.clan-cameron.org/archives.html with an associated page listing the author's biographies www.clan-cameron.org/prize.htms Ms. McPhail and Mr. Grant also received certificates of recognition from Colonel Sir Donald H. Cameron of Lochiel, K.T., XXVI Chief of Clan Cameron.
The 2004 Cameron Prize will be for best original short story. Guidelines are much the same as the 2003 competition, namely the topic must relate directly to the Camerons of Lochiel, Clan Cameron in general or other directly associated subjects, past or present, historic or fictional. Further details are available at Clan Cameron Online. A length of 500 to 1,500 words is recommended for all short stories. Entries may be submitted (one per person, maximum) prior to November 1, 2004 to Clan Cameron Online, PO Box 745, Plainfield, Illinois 60544 USA.

A tale of three sisters
Raymond Hunter, (Yes, he is Mel's cousin!)
In the early part of the 1800s, there were three families  who lived first in Cherokee County, North Carolina, then subsequently in Union County, Georgia. Solomon Chapman, born March 19, 1814, had five sons and five daughters, among whom were Susannah (born in 1849), Lavina (born January 9, 1852), and Arminta (born September 21, 1864). Reuben Deaver, born January 9, 1811, married first to a Lydia (maiden name unknown), who was born April 27, 1813, died October 27, 1870. Reuben offered a deal to Susannah Chapman, who was for a reason lost in the mists of time considered unmarriageable - perhaps she was harelipped, or had a disfiguring facial birthmark, or had a severe speech impediment. Being unmarriageable in those years was a severe liability; she faced a future of dependence on various family members for her upkeep.
Reuben Deaver proposed to marry her (they were in fact married on December 18, 1970 in Union County), with the arrangement that she would take care of him in his senior years, and that on his death he would will to her all of his estate, providing for her financial security. He did in fact do so; his will is found in the Union County wills, probated in August 1888. Susannah did more than keep house for Reuben; they produced five sons.
In the meantime, the son of the third family, one William W. Welch, had married a daughter of Reuben Deaver and his first wife, Lydia - marrying Elvira Deaver, who was born 1842, died 1879. William was thus the son-in-law to Reuben Deaver. One of the offspring to that marriage was Lou Ella (or Ellen, as most documents list her) Welch, born in 1870. She married Grant Rhodes, and from that union came James McKinley Rhodes, the grandfather to Mel Gay, husband to your editor, Beth.
A son to that marriage was Thomas Reuben Welch, who was born August 28, 1861. He married in 1884 to Arminta Chapman. His daughter was Margaret Caledonia Welch, who married John Start Hunter; from that union came a grandson. . .well, me.
William Welch's wife, Elvira Deaver, then died, and William married a second time to Lavina Chapman on September 30, 1880. From that union came six children. So between 1884, when Reuben Welch married Arminta Chapman, and 1888, when Reuben Deaver died, there were three generations (Reuben Deaver; his son-in-law, William Welch; and his grandson, Thomas Reuben Welch) who were married to three sisters.
To you family history buffs who can work out any kind of degree of kinship, a challenge: develop a complete chart giving all of the family relationships of the three Chapman sisters and their offspring.
Thanks from the Family Tree to Raymond Hunter of Kilbrae Farm and Gardens, 2739 Freeman Road, Royston, Georgia 30662, phone 706-245-5682.