September 2005 Edition From the Clan Secretary From the President Many people have been writing in and asking how they can print off the website, or pages of the website. As the website is now, you cannot just print the website. Depending on the browser you use, there are various ways. The easiest would be to just highlight everything and copy it into a document, then print the document. However, I am working on a document form of the website, that will be in PDF, just like our newsletters, so that it is printable. I ll send out a notice when it s ready. In the meantime, feel free to email me and let me know what you want a copy of, muirheadclansociety@gmail.com. Also, the website is best viewed in 1024x768 resolution on your monitor. Sandie Clan Secretary In light of the events and aftermath of Katrina and Rita, I have elected to make this newsletter shorter than normal as I know many of us have our thoughts, hearts and prayers going out to all those who s lives have been devastated by this crisis. Please also keep you re prayers going out to all those in the great recovery effort. I can only imagine all the families affected by this and the great turmoil and suffering it has caused for so many. It is not for us to point fingers and find fault at this point, but as families we should if we are able to lend a helping hand to those in need. I am not able to physically help myself but I can, have and will give what I can in financial support to those who can. I hope you can and will do the same for if I have learned anything from genealogy it is that we are all part of a greater national and international family.
Saint Andrew's Day St. Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland and his feast day is on November 30 th. Important to all of Scottish blood regardless of religion because that day stands alone representing the birth date of the National Flag of Scotland and, as I and many others believe the Scottish National Flag is the oldest flag in Europe, worth making it a national holiday. Long over due!! THE ORIGINS OF THE FESTIVAL Saint Andrew was one of Jesus' original disciples, the brother of Simon Peter and a fisherman by trade, who lived in Bethsaida in Galilee (in present-day Israel.) He was originally a follower of St. John the Baptist until he was called to follow Jesus. After Jesus' crucifixion and subsequent resurrection, Andrew traveled widely in Greece and Asia Minor, preaching as he went and making converts to the new Christian religion. Eventually he fell foul of the Roman authorities who were trying to stamp out the new religion, which refused to worship the Emperor as a god, and he was crucified on a diagonal cross in Patras, in southern Greece and buried there. 300 years after his death the Emperor Constantine decided to remove the Saint's bones to Constantinople, but according to legend, the monk St. Regulus was warned in a dream by an angel, who told him to remove as many bones as he could to the "ends of the earth" to keep them safe. As far as the Greeks and Romans were concerned, Scotland was as near to the world's end as you could get, so some of his remains were taken to Scotland. St. Regulus brought the relics ashore at what is now St Andrews (some versions say he was shipwrecked there) and a chapel was built to house the bones, followed in 1160 by a cathedral. St Andrews was the religious capital of Scotland and an important place of pilgrimage. A more plausible version of how the Saint's bones found their way to Scotland is that Acca, Bishop of Hexham, who was a renowned collector of religious relics, actually bought the bones quite legitimately and took them there in 733 AD. Unfortunately the bones have now disappeared, probably destroyed during the Reformation when anything connected with "Catholic idolatry" was removed without trace. The site where the relics had been is now marked by a plaque in the ruins of the Cathedral in St Andrews. Not all of St. Andrew's bones were originally sent to Scotland, the rest were stolen from Constantinople by the Crusaders in around 1204 and taken to Amalfi in Italy, from where some fragments were sent in 1879 to Scotland, and in 1969 Pope Paul VI gave some further relics to the Catholic church in Scotland during a visit there and these are now displayed in a reliquary in St. Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral in Edinburgh. The cross St. Andrew was crucified on has been adopted as the national flag of Scotland, later incorporated into the Union Flag. One old legend says that in 832 AD an army of Scots led by King Angus was facing an army from the kingdom of Northumbria under Athelstan. The Scottish king prayed to St Andrew for help, and the saltire of St Andrew (the diagonal cross) appeared above them against the background of a clear blue sky. This encouraged the Scots and the battle was duly fought and won, and the saltire is now the national flag (reputedly the oldest national flag in Europe).
Letter to Clan Hunter I have the great pleasure to inform you that a Pacific North West Representative for Clan Hunter has been found. David Hunter of Montlaw, a long time member of Clan Hunter, has volunteered to represent Clan Hunter at games and Scottish festivals for the Pacific North West, Washington State. I have the highest respect for him and feel he will be a great asset to the Clan Hunter from here in the North West. I have received Madam Pauline and Richard Hunter s approval and I will draw up a certificate as I had in the past for Mr. Lyman and copies will be sent out to you all as soon as they become available and signed. Clan Muirhead has represented Clan Hunter in Washington State at the following games and festivals. Clan Hunter USA has graciously offered to help with the costs incurred by Clan Muirhead of which we are most thankful To Richard Hunter President of Clan Hunter USA and the Clan Hunter membership. A Piper s Realm CD Composed and played by Gerald N. Muirhead We have 10 in stock price $17.00 plus $1.50 Post with $3.00 of each sale going to the Clan General Fund. They make GREAT stocking stuffers!! Order From: Muirhead Clan Society CD 6522 194 th Ave E. Bonney Lake, WA. 98390 In Memoriam National Tartan Day of Washington State Festival 2004 and 2005 The Tacoma Highland Games 2004 and 2005 The Seattle Scottish Highland Games 2004 and 2005 David Hunter of Montlaw, the new Clan Hunter Representative for the PNW, Washington State is now in possession of all the Hunter display Items that were in the care of Clan Muirhead. Clan Muirhead looks forward to assist our friends the Hunters whenever called upon. Also, many thanks to our kith and kin of Clan Hunter for, with their help, Clan Muirhead was represented at the Inverness Highland Games, Scotland, 23 July 2005. The clan tent was managed by Bill and Janet Hunter this year who returned the compliment of representing Clan Muirhead at these Scottish Games by flying the Muirhead Clan Flag and fielding questions about Clan Muirhead as well as handing out information flyers for us. Once again many thanks to Clan Hunter for this honor, as we were but one of 27 clans represented at these Scottish Highland games. Muirhead Clan Member Claudia Christine (Pikey) Christopher died at her home on September 16, 2005 due to complications from two strokes she had on August 27, 2005. Memorial Service was Monday Sep 19, 2005 at 7:00 pm Dietrich-Mothershead Chapel, DeSoto MO. Interment Jefferson Barraks National Cemetery.
July-Sept. 2005 Convener Report Pacific North West Scottish Highland Games July 29-31 Clan Muirhead hosted and promoted Clan Hunter, TECA/STA, COSCA, as well as the Ulster Scot Society. Occupying two tents this year; Clan Muirhead and Clan Hunter. Staff in attendance were Charles D. Morehead, Clan VP and his daughter; Yen Chi Morehead, Treasure, as well as myself. Member volunteers/work party for set up and break down included Bushnell family (Eric, Jennifer, Makayla, Haidyn and Emily Bushnell). Kudos for all the help! Clan Muirhead s VP Charles Morehead was honored to be one of two clan representatives to lead all other clans in the Rising of the Clans and Flaming Saltire opening night. We had four families stop and sign our guest book requesting membership forms be sent them. All were posted to them, no replies at this time. Clan Muirhead and Clan Hunter helped over one hundred visitors find Clan/Family connections as well as Tartan information. All in all we had a great games this year in blue skies and temperatures in the 90s. Clan Muir gifted us with a antique post card they purchased of Moorhead Lake The Seattle Scottish Highland Games July 29-30-31 Clan Muirhead President/ Chief Elect donated two of his works of art to be awarded to the Scottish games competitors. The winners were: The Men's Amateur A Winner Sean Langford from Beaumont, Alberta, Canada; and the Aggregate Professional Piping Winner Jack Lee from Surrey, BC, Canada. Both awards were presented by the President of the Seattle Scottish Games Association, Sharon L. McBride Ritelis. Colorado Scottish Festival Report The Colorado Scottish Festival got underway on August 13, 2005, on a cold and rainy morning, much more typical of Scotland than Colorado. Folks scrambled to find tarps to enclose their booths to keep out the rain and that chilling bit of wind that persisted for a time. This year I worked as a volunteer in the merchandise booth for the St. Andrew Society of Colorado of which I am a member. It was cold and wet, but that was overshadowed by the warmth of the people I worked with, and the chance to get better acquainted with other people of Scottish heritage and interest. As I was walking past the Clan booths as voice behind me said, "What tartan is that you are wearing?" I turned and there was Jo Ann Vollmer from Clan Muirhead along with several family members! They were on their way to line up for the Parade of Clans and invited me to join them. The Vollmer and Connie Muirhead Frandson families had come from Nebraska to participate in the festival and games. They have worked hard to make the Clan Muirhead booth a credit to the Clan, having sewn kilts, tartan banner, skirts and scarves along with making attractive displays and a four-foot long wooden sign with Clan badge and "Muirhead Clan" expertly carved in wood. I was really impressed by their dedication to this presentation, and it was heartwarming to see so many family members taking part. Another surprise was the presence of Joe Moyer, a member of Clan Hunter who marched with the Muirheads during the Parade of Clans. Joe's heritage includes his greatgrandfather who was a Hunter, and on the other side of the family, his great-grandmother who was a Morehead! It was great to see family members again, especially those with similar interest. A great time was had by all! Yours Aye, Janice Muirhead
Clan President Raymond Morehead and Clan Vice President Charles D. Morehead at the 2005 Highland Games The Clan Tent