Wendy,
The Chief of the Clan Campbell, MacCailein Mor, has said that anyone who
wants to be a member of his clan can do so their personal desire and by
acknowledging him as the Chief of the Clan. This is an historical view as
well since in the power days of the clans, anyone could come under the
protection of a clan by swearing fealty to the chief and also saying that
they would "come to arms" at the chief's call.
In those days, by virtue of where a person lived, he was required to swear
fealty to the Chief who governed the area, especially where the Chief was
powerful as in the case of Campbell. Even though the power of the Clan
Chiefs was curtailed after the Rising of 1745, the hereditary title of Clan
Chief persisted. I feel confident that the Duke of Argyll would have
welcomed James Smylie into his Clan. (FYI This was the tiem of the
construction of Inveraray Castle.)
In recognition of this fact, the Clan Campbell Society (North America) will
accept all who want to be a Campbell and will recognize our Chief as the
Chief of Clan Campbell. (Please note the difference between the Clan
Campbell and the Clan Campbell Society) Check out the Membership
application at
http://www.ccsna.org/newmember/app.htm and you will see
membership categories of
Clan Campbell (Campbell descendant/member of a Campbell Sept)
Scottish Affiliate (Not a Campbell, but of Scottish descent and welcome as
a Clan Campbell Society member)
Affiliate (Not of Scottish descent, but interested in the heritage, and
welcome as a Clan Campbell Society member)
Rights and priviledges are the same for all. The membership card will show
you as a member of the CCSNA without the above distinctions.
Yours Aye!
Joe McD. Campbell
Past President, CCSNA
President, CCEA
At 03:55 PM 09/22/1999 -0500, you wrote:
My mother has traced our roots to a Scot named James Smylie who
emigrated
to America in 1776. We believe that he worked on the Duke of Argyll's lands
prior to emigrating. I have been unable to trace it past him (he was born
in Kintyre in 1745 and so was his wife, Jane Watson). I am wondering if his
having worked Campbell lands makes him a member of Clan Campbell??! Being
an American and relatively ignorant of Scottish history (although I am
learning as fast as I can!) I think that may be a silly question but can
anyone tell me how I can find out if I have a connection to Clan Campbell?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Wendy L. Burdette
wburdette(a)shelton.org
2108 English Drive
Garland Texas 75041
USA