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Our Scottish History (NEW) 12-31-2003
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The New McBrayer Family Home Page hosted by Carl B. McBrayer "In Defiance is the registered trademark of Carl B. McBrayer" |
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A HISTORY OF OUR FAMILY RESEARCH The late Carl Henry "Skipper" McBrayer, a recognized authority on the McBrayer family in America, began a lifelong quest in 1926 into the lineage of his family. It was in that year that a 'lineage' book of the family was printed. It contained many errors, which Skipper endeavored to correct. From 1926 until his death in 1974 Skipper was persistent in his search, writing untold letters, making countless telephone calls and visiting family members in every state of the nation. He gathered everything, making notes, producing files, and collecting pictures. He was well known by many of the 'oldtimers' of the family and was welcomed into every home he visited. In the mid 1970s I began my personal search into my line of the McBrayer family. You see, my father had died when I was only 9 years old and I was raised to know only my mother's side of the family. I only knew my grandmother McBrayer. All my dad's brothers and sisters had moved from our area by the time I was old enough to understand 'kinship'. Some had already passed on. I set upon my endeavors by contacting the surviving relatives on my father's side, searching the old census records and others records in the historical society library in downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Before long not only had I begun to find my particular line of the family, but also other names and other lines. My files began to grow. My appetite for knowledge into our family history was off and running - full bore. I knew of Skipper - since I was named for him and he was my Dad's cousin - and I knew of his work. I thought he might be able to help me. I attempted to contact him only to learn he had died just a short year before. But luck was with me. My letter to Skipper reached his son Carl Theron McBrayer in Seattle, Washington. He responded, but not with the information I had sought. Skipper was gone! However, a few short months later I received another letter from Carl T. He informed me that he had discussed with his mom, Dutch, and his sister, Vera, what should be done with Skipper's material. A decision was made. They would donate those invaluable records to me - that I could carry on with Skipper's work. Shortly thereafter I received two large cartons or boxes. I excitedly open them only to find stacks upon stacks of single sheets of paper and notes. I earnestly began the task of compiling all this 'notes', bits and pieces of information, and the few actual records into a system that could be used to keep track of each member of the family. This chore required just over two years, but, when completed, was accepted as a task well worth the time and effort. Thus began my enormous files of the McBrayer family in America. Those files have since continued to grow and now contain over 57,000 names, copies of many old documents, and hundreds of pictures. Now it's time to share these files with everyone. SO.... within these pages and in links to other sites (some of which are still under construction), I am posting some of the early generations of the family files for all to enjoy. Have fun! I have attempted to be as accurate in all information as possible, but I know, even with the extreme diligence I utilized to assure correctness, there will inevitably be some mistakes. This is where each of you can help! When an error/mistake is noted, please, please, let me know so corrections can be made AND if you find areas that you can help with (new information/lines, etc.), please let me know. I can only be as complete with the data as each of you will allow (with your help). Thanks! Carl B. McBrayer Email: carl5@cox.net
The MacBraire Family Dress Tartan
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"IN DEFIANCE"® the Newsletter In early 1979, after con- tacting numerous family members, it was decided a newsletter was needed to keep everyone informed of various events, deaths, births, and new genealogical data. I published the first edition in June of that year and gave it our family motto "IN DEFIANCE"® . Those first issues were stencil-cut and mimeographed by hand. NO COMPUTERS IN THOSE DAYS....... I continued to publish the newsletter for several years. It is now being published by Bob McBrayer. _______ The
McBrayer family have their own tartan. In 1980 some members of the McBrayer family visiting Scotland talked with Mrs May Roberts living in Lochmaben, near Dumfries and the family lands of Almagil, about having their own tartan. It was decided to ‘adopt’ an ancient tartan rather than design a new one, and she started to research in the old tartan books, and found one that was called the border tartan. This was such a lovely tartan that it was woven on a hand loom width, with the ‘border’ and matching ‘blanket’ sett in the ancient colours, dyed with vegetable dyes to get the authentic colouring. Mrs. Roberts approached the Tartan Society for advice on registration, and was told only a recognized chief could register a tartan with Lyon Court, but if approved by a panel of experts, it would be listed with all the other tartans. Finally approval came, and a sample was sent to the archives of the Society, but only for the blanket sett to conform to present day styles, which have warp and weft reading the same. (The few lucky people who bought from the original hand loom width piece have a unique piece of tartan history.) The
tartan that is now being woven is a double width (54 inches wide) and in
the finest quality worsted wool in a medium weight 12oz – 130z per
yard. There
is a renewed interest in the tartan and Mrs. McKerrell is prepared to have it woven
again. As it has to be woven in large quantities she will order it when
she has orders with cheques for 20 yards, though the cheques will not be
cashed until the tartan is ready to send. For further information or a price list. Send an e-mail to: mckerrellofhillhouse@ukonline.co.uk Or
write to Madam McKerrell of Hillhouse, Magdalene House, Lochmaben,
Dumfries DG11 1PD Scotland. The
material
can be supplied by the yard or made up into a sash, a kilt, or cap.
There is also a hunting McBrayer tartan with a moss brown background in
place of the cream, but the original is by far the most popular. We
now have a start of 6 1/2 yards from
Canada .... only 13
1/2 yards to go and the tartan will be on the weave! Note: Mrs. McKerrell is the only source for the tartan. She has the actual thread count, the actual, muted colours, the connections in Great Britain to have the material woven, and has been a tremendous assistance to the McBrayer family for many years. It is therefore highly suggested that we allow her to maintain this sole source distinction.
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3rd Generation ------ Fourth Generations |
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