Issue Papers
The Organization of the Scottish Diaspora in America
A Quick Overview
by John King Bellassai, President, Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA)
Understanding how the Scottish Diaspora in the United States is organized and operates is easily understood, when viewed through the heritage-oriented organizations in America. The article provides an overview of the larger Scottish organizations in the United States.
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Finally! Real Partnering Around Scots Heritage
Under Way on Both Sides of the Pond
by John King Bellassai, President, Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA)
There are more persons of Scottish descent living in America than there are Scots back home in Scotland. There is an enormous amount of good will that Scotland enjoys from America and a new spirit of partnership is forming on both sides of the pond. As a younger generation is taking control, a new style of participation is emerging.
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We Scots Are All Immigrants – And Cousins to Boot!
by John King Bellassai, President, Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA)
DNA analysis over the past decade has been able to shine a bright light on the modern markers we all carry from the past. Genetic research has proved that 80% of the DNA of most modern British people, Scots included, was passed down from a few thousand Neolithic hunter-gatherers resident on the island after the last Ice Age. The rest of their DNA comes from various groups of subsequent incomers who arrived by sea in Britain from elsewhere in Europe during more recent times—the Picts, Britons, Saxons, Scots, and Vikings, arriving in that order.
This article looks at the evolving world of DNA research and ancestry, focusing on Scottish heritage.
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The Scottish Origins of Washington, DC
by John King Bellassai, President, Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA)
From the early days of Georgetown, which was set up by Scottish merchants in 1745 as a tobacco port town, to the farms of David Burnes and Samuel Davidson, which became the foundations of “Washington City”, this article looks at the Scottish immigrants, their property and influence that would build what was to become one of the world’s most powerful cities.
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Two Declarations With A Common Purpose: The Link Between 1320 and 1776
by John King Bellassai, President, Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA)
Tartan Day in the United States is April 6th, which is also the anniversary of the signing of the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath. The significance of this date is the striking similarities in phrasing and intent between the Declaration of Arbroath and the Declaration of Independence.
A key to understanding this link is the fact that the American Revolution came right on the heels of the Scottish Enlightenment. While Scottish immigrants were a small part of the general colonial population, their influence on the worldview held by the educated segment of the colonial population, most notably Thomas Jefferson was very influential.
Several other key events including the fact that Jefferson’s mother’s family were of Scottish decent of one of the signers of the Declaration of Arbroath and his Scottish William & Mary professor William Small, whom Jefferson described as his mentor, most notably also played a role in the creation of the Declaration of Independence.
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The True Meaning of Tartan Day
by John King Bellassai, President, Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA)
In May of 1998, Tartan Day was formally created by US Senate Resolution 155 as a way to understand and celebrate the many contributions made by Scots, and Scottish-Americans to the founding and building of the United States. A virtually identical version was passed by the US House of Representatives in May of 2005.
This article looks at some of the most of the most prominent Scots and Scottish-Americans, like James Monroe, Alexander Hamilton, John Witherspoon, William Small, James Wilson who helped to not only build but to shape the character of the United States of America.
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American Political Leaders of Scottish Descent
by John King Bellassai, President, Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA)
In the 2018 US Presidential Election, the two main candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Donald J Trump both have Scottish roots. The two candidates represent a common pattern among Americans of Scottish descent – those with very recent immigrant antecedents and those whose Scottish roots go back many generations. Scottish ancestry for American presidential candidates is commonplace, and 26 of the 44 Presidents of the United States have been of Scottish, or Ulster Scot, descent.
This article looks at the many candidates and Presidents who can claim Scottish ancestry.
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The 18th Century Scottish Origins of Washington DC
Early Scots in Georgetown and Washington City
by John King Bellassai, President, Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA)
The history of the Scottish origins of Alexandria, Virginia as a tobacco port town originally called “Belle Haven” are commonly known to many Caledonophile. The history of the Scottish Origins of the District of Columbia are far less heralded and known. From Alexandria’s commercial rival – Georgetown to founding and layout of Washington City this article provides a deep dive into the Scottish origins, the Scottish characters and heritage that helped to create not only the Capital City of the United States of America but it’s cultural fabric as well.
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What Do American Scots Really Want
From Their Cousins Back Home in Scotland?
by John King Bellassai, President, Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA)
For too many years, American Scots and native Scots have been talking past each other when it comes to Diaspora matters. Most native Scots, have taken a left-brain approach that stresses the economic benefits of Diaspora engagement. Diaspora Scots have taken a markedly right-brain approach that stresses an emotional attachment to Scotland, its culture and heritage.
This emotional attachment to the land of one’s origins is standard fare for immigrants, regardless of where they came from. But more than most other immigrant groups, American Scots tend to relate most strongly to their surname—something which continues to drive membership in the many clan and family societies which are active in America today, and to drive genealogical research. Where is the balance?
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