New Forbes DNA Study Details the Origins of the Clan and Chief

Genealogy and biology have combined to provide more details about the origin of Clan Forbes and the connections between many of our current members and Clan Chief Malcolm, Lord Forbes. Mr. Philip Stead has just completed his dissertation on Forbes DNA as part of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science (MSc) in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies at the University of Strathclyde in Scotland. The Clan Forbes Society has received an advance of his report, title “Clan Forbes Family History Project: What Can yDNA and Autosomal DNA Analysis Conclude on the Degree of Relatedness among Clan Members and the Ancient Origins of the Chiefly Lineage?”

Mr. Stead discovered a significant yDNA haplogroup diversity among the Forbes project participants, most of whom have Bell Beaker origins from the Bronze Age, entering the British Isles during the Iron Age with the Romans. Another finding was that most are likely descended from Germanic, Anglo-Saxon, Norse-Viking, and Norman populations. Mr. Stead reports that “the earliest period that the Forbes Chieftain lineage could have entered the British Isle was during the Early Bronze Age with the Bell Beaker people that likely migrated from France.” While the most accepted belief is that chiefs were descended from the Picts, Mr. Stead notes that “The lack of ancient Pictish DNA makes it difficult to confirm or disregard the Pictish origin myth.”

Mr. Stead plans to publish his study in September 2022 and the Clan Forbes Society will make this available to all current Active Members at that time. He is also writing a summary of the main findings for an article which will be published in September issue of “History Scotland” magazine.

Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/dna-study-2022

House of Forbes in the National Gallery of Scotland

The House of Forbes is well represented in the prints, portraits, and photographs displayed and archived at the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh! 

See some of the examples here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/national-gallery

Learn More About Scottish History from the Clan Forbes Reference Library

The Society maintains a fascinating collection of non-copyrighted historical publications from the 15th to 19th century! The Library incudes such primary sources as Rerum Scoticarum Historia (1582, translated from the Latin in 1827); Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland, 1473 - 1546; Ancient Criminal Trials in Scotland, 1488 - 1624; and Genealogical Collections Concerning Families in Scotland. This is only available to current Active Members. 

Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/library

Welcome Members!

Please welcome our new Active Members for July 2022: 

• Ms. Sandra Sue Shoup Forbes, Georgia, USA
• Mr. Gregor MacAlpine Berry, Florida, USA
• James C. Forbes, Jr., Louisiana, USA 
• Ms. Virginia Diane Watts Copas 
• Norman M Forbes, III, Texas, USA
• Mr. Burl Forbes, Oklahoma, USA
• Mrs. Gayle Peppeard Alcala, Colorado, USA
• Mr. Joseph Alcala, Colorado, USA

Please welcome our Renewing Active Members  for July 2022: 

• Mr. Jeffrey Robert Forbes, Virginia, USA
• Ms. Joanne R. Forbes, North Carolina, USA
• Stephen M. Berry, Florida, USA
• Ms. Connie Harlow Branch, Virginia, USA

Become an Active Member or Renew Now!

If you haven’t already supported the Society financially, please consider becoming a paid member! Active Membership is US$25 annually will help the Society research the history and heritage of the House of Forbes; develop resources for tracing your genealogy with your cousins around the world; connect with other members in the Clan Forbes Community; and encourage more members to join us in events, tours and gatherings. If you don’t want the bother of renewing your membership every year, consider becoming a Patron Member for lifetime membership at the level of US$600. 

• Become a New Active Member here.
• Renew your Active Membership here. 
• Become a Patron Member here. 

Highland Games & Festivals

On June 4, 2022, Forbes was the Honored Clan at the Old Orchard Beach Scottish Festival in Maine, USA! The clan was well represented by Leslie Furbish, Vice President of the Clan Forbes Society. She bore the greetings from the Clan Chief Malcolm, Lord Forbes, and opened the Games. Great job, Leslie! See the YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAmc_T4om_A

Here is the latest list of Highland Games and Scottish Festivals, as compiled by Leslie Furbish, VP for Conveners. Please check the Clan Forbes Society website for the latest announcements: https://www.clan-forbes.org/games 

Scotland

Lonach Highland Gathering and Games
August 27, 2022; Bellabeg, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire
 

United States

St. Andrew's Society of Detroit Annual Highland Games

August 8-6, 2022; Greenmead Historical Village, Livonia, Michigan

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CNY Scottish Games & Celtic Festival

August 13, 2022; Long Branch Park, Liverpool NY

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Maine Highland Games & Scottish Festival

August 20, 2022; Topsham, Maine

Clan Forbes Conveners: Leslie A. Furbish and Ben Forbus

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Bitterroot Celtic Games & Gathering

August 20-21, 2022; Daly Mansion, Hamilton, Montana

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Douglas County Scottish Highland Games

August 27-28, 2022; Henry Estate Winery, Umpqua, Oregon

Long Island Scottish Festival and Highland Games

August 27, 2022; Old Westbury Gardens, New York

Clan Forbes Convener: Leslie A. Furbish

Wisconsin Highand Games

September 2, 2022; Waukesha, Wisconsin

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Caledonian Club of San Francisco

September 3-4, 2022; Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, California

Clan Forbes Convener: Valerie Edwards

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Virginia Scottish Games & Festival

September 3-4, 2022; Great Meadow, The Plains, Virgnia

Clan Forbes Convener: Ron Pearson

ScotFest Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival

September 9-10, 2022; Estes Park, Colorado
Clan Forbes Convener: Natalie Gates

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Middle Tennessee Highland Games & Celtic Festival

September 10, 2022; Percy Warner Park, Nashville, Tennessee

Columbus (Indiana) Scottish Festival

September 10-11, 2022; Bartholomew County Fairgrounds, Columbus, Indiana

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Kelso Highlander Festival and Scottish Games

September 10-11, 2022; Tam O'Shanter Park, Kelso, Washington

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New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival

September 16-18, 2022; Loon Mountain Resort, Lincoln, New Hampshire

Clan Forbes Convener: Leslie A. Furbish

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Scotfest Oklahoma

September 16-18, 2022; Broken Arrow Event Complex, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

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Fresno Highland Gathering and Games

September 17, 2022; Kearney Park, Fresno, California

Clan Forbes Convener: Valerie Edwards

South East Alabama Highland Games

September 17, 2022; Daleville, Alabama

Maine Celtic Celebration

September 17, 2022; Belfast Commons, Belfast, Maine

Clan Forbes Convener: Leslie A. Furbish

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Central KY Celt Fest & Highland Games

September 17, 2022; Eminence, Kentucky

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Ligonier Highland Games

September 19, 2022; Idlewild Park, Ligonier, Pennsylvania

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Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival

September 23-25, 2022; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

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Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival

September 24, 2022; Dandridge, Tennessee

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Prescott Highland Games & Faire

September 24-25, 2022; Prescott, Arizona

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Swamp Fox Highland Games & Celtic Festival

September 24, 2022; Florence, South Carolina

McMinnville Scottish Festival

October 8-9, 2022; McMinnville, Oregon

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Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival (Edgewood Celtic Festival)

October 15, 2022; Bernalillo, New Mexico

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Stone Mountain Highland Games and Scottish Festival

October 14-15, 2022; Stone Mountain, Georgia

Clan Forbes Convener: Joshua Fordyce

Tyler Scottish Festival & Highland Games

October 22, 2022; Tyler, Texas

CelticFest Mississippi

October 22-23, 2022; Lakeshore Park, Brandon, Mississippi

Scotland CT Scottish Festival

October 9, 2022; Scotland, Connecticut

Clan Forbes Convener: Leslie A. Furbish

Central Valley Highland Games & Celtic Festival

October 16, 2022; Turlock, California

Scotland County Highland Games

October 1, 2022; North Carolina Rural Heritage Center, Laurinburg, North Carolina

Crystal Coast Highland Games

October 22, 2022; Beaufort, North Carolina