Chapman Family holds reunion in Missouri
The Chapman Family Association will hold its Fourth Annual Convention and Reunion May 14-16, 2004 at the Kansas City Missouri Airport Hilton. The convention will consist of a family business meeting, a variety of workshops and research sessions and local tours. Individuals need not be a member to attend the sessions but registration is required and advance registration is highly recommended. Further information is available by contacting one of the following: Chapman Family Association Data Central, P.O. Box 1586, Florissant, Missouri 63031; or Gil Alford, CFA Corresponding Secretary at 314-831-8648; or the website www.chapmanfamilies.org.

Ashley County Genealogical Society presents a beginners' workshop
A beginners' workshop for family research will be presented by the Ashley County Genealogical Society on Saturday, February 28, 2004, at the Crossett Public Library Community Room in Crossett, Arkansas. Registration is from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Sessions will be held 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Bring a sack lunch. Drinks and snacks will be served.
Topics will include: Why Do I Do This and How Do I Begin?, Genealogical Websites and Their Use, Genealogy by Mail, Finding Military Records, Soundex Search Methods, How to Take Notes and Saving Them for Future Use, and Ways to Present Your Genealogical Information to Others.
The cost will be $20 before January 15th and $25 thereafter. Cost will cover printing of handout material.
To pre-register send your name, address, city, state and zip, along with your check to ACGS, P.O. Drawer R, Crossett, Arkansas 71635.
For additional information contact William C. Finch, 407 East Third Avenue, Crossett, Arkansas 71635-3014.

International Hunter and Muirhead Clan Gathering will be held at Hunterston Castle
News regarding the Hunter and Muirhead Clan Gathering at Hunterston Castle has been received from Madam Pauline Hunter, Chief of Clan Hunter. The Gathering will be held August 6-8, 2004 and booking is needed in advance. Charges will beper person for the weekend,for children ten and under. Registration will be Friday, August 6th, with the Opening Ceremony to be held that evening. Christine Scouller is the Gathering coordinator and may be contacted by post: Hunterston Castle, West Kilbride, Ayrshire, KA23 9QG; Scotland, United Kingdom. Call 011 44 01294-82.

Festival plans are announced by Slighe nan Gaidheal
Feis Shiatail 2004 (FAYSH he- AT-ul), an internationally recognized celebration of Scottish Gaelic and the arts of Scotland, will be held June 15-20 at Fort Worden Conference Center, Port Townsend, Washington.
Hosted by Slighe nan Gaidheal (SHLEE-ul num GAY-ul), the Seattle's Gaelic language and cultural society, Feis brings participants together with leading tradition bearers in language and arts. Drawing enthusiasts from throughout North America and the United Kingdom, the gathering allows everyone from beginner to native expert to "focus deeply Scottish Gaelic language, music, culture and community," said Kathryn Cole, Feis co-chair.
In addition to language classes at all levels, attendees will be able to participate in seminars covering piping, singing, weaving, harping, fiddling, and step dancing, as well as history and folklore.
"As a Feis participant myself, I treasure the time to spend with my Scottish Gaelic family, welcome newcomers and share their discovery of their heritage," Cole said.
Presenters at the biennial event are a veritable "Who's Who" of the Scottish Gaelic world. They include: Catriona Niclomhair Parsons, associate professor of Celtic studies, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, Nova Scotia; Catriona Chaimbeul, editor, Speaking Our Language, a member of the Gaelic Broadcasting committee and former head of Grampian Television's Gaelic news service; Muriel Fisher, founder, Tucson Gaelic Institute and University of Arizona instructor; Catherina Ann MacPhee, award-winning Gaelic singer and recording artist; Rona MacDonald Lightfoot, internationally recognized bagpiper whose family archives include one of the most extensive collections of Gaelic song; Wendy MacIsaac, Cape Breton fiddler and step dancer; Dr. Michael Newton, director, Gaelic studies program, University of Richmond, Virginia; and, Norman Kennedy, weaver and singer, former master weaver at Colonial Williamsburg.
Feis Shiatail is sponsored in part by the Dunvegan Foundation, an organization dedicated to educational, cultural and informational activities in both the United States and Scotland. The Dunvegan Foundation supports such activities as workshops in History, Gaelic and Tartan, provides for musical scholarships in harp, fiddle and bagpipe, and strives to enrich the knowledge of Americans in things Scottish and Scottish-American.
For further information and registration, visit Slighe nan Gaidheal's website at www.slighe.com or phone 206-903-9452.

Looking for a dictionary of surnames currently used in Poland?
In the early 1990s, a Polish professor compiled from official government records a list of every surname then used in Poland along with the number of individuals bearing the surname. It was published in a 10-volume set of books. It is now online at http://www.herby.com.pl/herby/indexslo.html.
If you believe there is a remnant of your family let in Poland, or have an unusual surname that permits a generic search, it might be worthwhile to use the database. If there is a hit, you are given the surname, each province in which the name appeared, and the total number of persons with the surname in the particular province.
Read a description of the database on JewishGen at http://www.jewishgen.org/jri-pl/slownik.htm before using it. You will be navigated through the Polish descriptions at the search site and given insight as to how it was compiled and its potential shortcomings.
Source: Previously published in NU? What's New? Volume 4, Number 6, April 13, 2003. Also, WAGS Newsletter, Volume 23, Number 7, Whittier Area Genealogical Society, PO Box 4367, Whittier, California 90607-4367.

Here's a message to you from Iraq!!!
"The proud warriors of Baker company wanted to do something to pay tribute to our fallen comrades. So since we are part of the only Marine Infantry Battalion left in Iraq, the one way that we could think of doing that is by taking a picture of Baker Company saying the way we feel. It would be awesome if you could find a way to share this with our fellow countrymen. I was wondering if there was any way to get this into your papers to let the world know that WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN and are proud to serve our country. Semper Fi." Signed 1st Sgt. Dave Jobe.

Cherokee leaders visit New Mexico
The Cherokee Nation's Principal Chief Chad Smith and Deputy Chief Joe Grayson visited the tribe's members in Albuquerque, New Mexico on the first weekend of November. The visit was to meet with followers to celebrate National Native American Heritage Month, as well as to give a message and share gifts.
During the gathering's feast, including traditionally Cherokee "Kanuchi" and other foods, Ralph Stevenson, Jr. KTJ, presented the leaders each with scarves made from the State of New Mexico Tartan and documentation. The red threads in the New Mexico Tartan represents Native Americans as the "Original Cultural Providers" and the gift also bears meaning as John Ross, the Principal Chief for 40 years in the mid-1800s, was of Scottish ancestry.
Thanks to Steven Burns, IFP, for this article.
Chief Chad Smith, R. L. Stevenson, Jr. KTJ, and Deputy Chief Joe Grayson display the New Mexico Tartan at the Township Meeting November 8, 2003.

It is with extreme sadness we inform you that Suzanne McGrath Dale, Lifetime Member, Convener and former Brieve for The Clan Morrison Society of North America, died suddenly on October 25, 2003 in Sacred Heart Hospital, Cumberland, Maryland. This was after her only son Hospitalman First Class Shaun Lachlan Dale, U.S. Navy, was lost at sea in May 2003 while returning from the Persian Gulf.
Shaun Dale was the second sailor who went missing (lost at sea) as the U.S.S. Nassau returned to port in S.E. Virginia from its duty in the Middle East. The Navy had declared him officially missing on June 3rd, and the family held a service for him in 29 Palms, California.
Suzanne is survived by her husband, Roger Dale, former Treasurer for the Society and her daughter-in-law, Alma Dale. Suzanne and Roger were active in Clan members in the western end of the panhandle and in the Arlington/Alexandria region for Clans Morrison and MacLaughlin. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Please remember Roger Dale in your prayers as he passes through this very difficult time.

Dr. W. Jeffrey Scott, M.B., Ch.B., FRCGP, passed away in 2003. Born in 1924, he was a well respected General Practitioner from 1950 onwards. He was a much respected member of his community and was secretary of the Community Council, chairman of the Investment Club, chairman of the Church Congregational Board and an active member of the Burns and Probus Clubs. He also found time to be a very active member of the Friends of Loch Lomond as a Council member and as vice-chairman. He had a special interest in planning and a passionate zeal to defend Gartocharn from changes such as increased activity by walkers.

Mrs. Emily Galbraith passed away in 2003. Born in 1895, Emily's life spanned 108 years and five reigns. She witnessed the Sydney Street siege, met David Lloyd George and Ernest Shackleton, the explorer, and watched Queen Victoria drive by. Emily trained as a teacher and learned to fly a Gipsy Moth in East Lothian. She married a Scottish sea captain and visited the USA. Emily received birthday greetings from US Presidents Clinton and Bush. She taught as a headmistress until she was 75 in 1970. From her Penicuick home, she then began a new career as a television star relating history in two films Married Love and Pocket Full of Posies ending in 2002 at age 107. She also contributed to the Channel 4 book All Quiet on The Home Front which was recently published. What a woman!

Norrie C. MacPhee died in Nashua, New Hampshire on December 16, 2003. He was 81 years old. A memorial service was held at The George R. Rivet Funeral Home in Merrimack on Saturday, December 20th. Our condolences to his family and friends.

Find the fawn!
A family in Oregon found this fawn on their front steps a few weeks ago and took this photo. The white spots on the steps are apple blossom petals. As you know, deer hide their fawns and go away for a while. The fawns have no odor yet, and naturally stay absolutely still.  The fawn stayed there all morning (they live in Bend, Oregon), and the mama came to get it after 4-5 hours. Kudos to the people for leaving the fawn alone, knowing mom would come back.

William James and James William Bruce of Plainfield, Illinois visit the grave of their ancestor William Bruce (1718-1795) in Aberdour Kirkyard, Aberdeenshire in May of 2003.