Royal Bloodline of the House of Forbes

The royal bloodline of the House of Forbes is rooted in both the ancient kings of the Picts who controlled northeastern Scotland and the royal house of Dalriada which dominated the western highlands and islands. These two dynasties of the Pictland and Dalriada were united when Fergusia, daughter of Angus II, married Eocha of the Royal House of Dalriada. Their son Alpin gave birth to Kenneth MacAlpin in about 810 A.D. He united the tribes against the incursions of the Norsemen and was recognized as the first King of the Scots from 843 A.D. until his death in 858. For over five generations (848 – 1034), the House of MacAlpin maintain its control over the monarchy. When Malcom II died without a male heir, his grandson Duncan I (through his eldest daughter Bethóc) assumed the throne as the first of the House of Dunkeld. This ended with his descendent Alexander III died in 1286 A.D. This led to a chaotic 20-year period which was eventually resolved with the claim of Robert the Bruce in 1306, who ruled as Robert I. In 1421, Alexander Forbes, 1st Lord Forbes, married Elizabeth, the granddaughter of John Stewart, who reigned as Robert III. Stewart was the son of Robert II, a grandson of Robert I by the latter's daughter, Marjorie.  

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

Forbes and the Pilgrims

The son of an outspoken critic of the Church of England who fled to Holland, John Forbes (1608 – 1661) followed the Pilgrims to the Plymouth Colony and was the progenitor of generations of Forbes in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Starting in about 1607, many Puritans moved to Leyden, Holland, to create their own religious community. Among them was the Reverend John Forbes (1568 – 1634), brother of Patrick Forbes (1635 – 1635), 5th Laird of Corse and Bishop of Aberdeen. His son John was born in Leyden, South Holland, United Netherlands Republic. Starting in 1620 with the Mayflower, several ships sailed from England and Holland with members of the Puritans seeking the relief from religious persecution. In 1629, then 19-year-old John Forbes likely joined them on the Talbot, one of Isaac Allerton’s ships that sailed from England 24 April, 1629. In 1637, Forbes married Constant Mitchell (1614 - 1690?), the daughter of Thomas Mitchell and Margaret Vochin. In 1645, Forbes became one of the 54 original proprietors or founders of the “Bridgewaters” (Bridgewater), then still a part of Duxbury. In 1651, Forbes was appointed constable of Duxbury. John and Constant Forbes had seven children and established an American Forbes legacy that today includes over 180 people named “Fobes” and “Forbes” in the Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut area alone.

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

My Forbes Ancestors in the United States Civil War

The Forbes clan is no stranger to the pains of war. From the far-flung battlefields of the Jacobite cause to clan rivalries with the Gordons, the strong convictions of the Forbeses have often led them to opposing sides of a conflict. This was no different in the United States Civil War. Among those who answered the call for freedom were two ancestors of Society member Jim Forbes: Elijah H. Forbes (1839-1923) and his brother John Forbes who enlisted at Bronson, Michigan on August 15, 1862 and joined the Union cause. Mustered into service August 20, 1862 and left the state of Michigan to join the Army of the Potomac on December 4, 1862. The unit was ordered to join General Sherman’s “March to the Sea Campaign”. Elijah and John both survived the war and were finally mustered out of service on July 14, 1865. They returned home and finally settled in Northern Indiana and lived the rest of their lives as peaceful farmers.

Learn more here: https://www.clan-forbes.org/post/my-forbes-ancestors-in-the-united-states-civil-war  

2022 Elections Are Underway!

All Active, Patron, and Legacy Life Members should have received their ballots via e-mail to vote in the 2022 Clan Forbes Society Elections. If you haven’t received your ballot yet, please check your membership status by contacting Bart Forbes at membership@clan-forbes.org. You will be required to enter your Member Number, printed on your membership certificate. You are eligible to vote for three officers, which constitute the Board of Directors: President, Vice President for Operations, and Vice President for Conveners. Since we have received no additional expressions of interest, the current nominees are:

• President: Barry Robert (Bart) Forbes 
• Vice President for Operations: James G. Forbes II
• Vice President for Conveners: Conveners

Voting will be closed at 5:00 PM Eastern U.S.A. time on Friday, December 17, 2021.

For more information, please see the Bylaws in the “Society Business” page of the Members section of the website. Please read the profiles of the nominees in the Members section of the website. You have the option to propose a “write-in” candidate for each position. 

We are using this opportunity to gauge interest in convening an in-person Clan Forbes Gathering in 2022 or 2023. The ballot includes questions regarding a possible location, events, and resources. Please let us know what you think! Thank you.

Your Year-end Contributions are Tax-Deductible

If you appreciate the work and the services of the Clan Forbes Society, please consider a contribution before the end of the year. The Society greatly appreciates the contributions so far this year that made the publication of House of Forbes for Kids possible and that extended our Forbes DNA Project. The Society is a tax-exempt non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code with an Employee Identification Number (EIN) of 83-2816169. As our thanks for your support, Active Members may receive a copy of the book Castles & Mansion Houses of the House of Forbes for a donation of US$60. The fair market value is US$40. You may receive a Clan Forbes Society Challenge Coin for a donation of US$25and its fair market value is US$10. For Affiliate Members, please add your US$25 membership fee so your total payment would be US$85 for the book and US$50 for the coin. 

Welcome Members!

Please welcome our new Active Members for November 2021:

• Ms. Kelly Forbes Stacy, Virginia, USA
• Ms. Donna Forbes Steiner, Pennsylvania, USA
• Ms. Sharon Forbis Strain, Texas, USA
• Ms. Alissa Carson Hodges, Tennessee, USA
• Mr. James Forbes, Queensland, Australia

Please welcome our Renewing Active Members for November 2021: 

• Ms. Cathy D. Forbes, Tennessee, USA
• Mr. Larry Evans Tune, Georgia, 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 $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. Thanks to all our 2020 members – and now it’s time to renew your support for 2021!

Renew your membership here. 

Patron Members

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 $600. 

Highland Games & Festivals

Some of the 2022 Highland Games and Scottish Festivals are being rescheduled. If you would like to host a tent at your local event, download our Clan Convener Guide and contact VP for Conveners Leslie Furbish at leslieingramx6@msn.com. Please check the Clan Forbes Society website for the latest announcements: https://www.clan-forbes.org/games 

United States

Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk

December 4, 2021; Old Town Alexandria, Virginia

Clan Forbes Convener: Ron Pearson

Central Florida Scottish Highland Games
January 15-16, 2022; Central Winds Park, Winter Springs, Florida
Clan Forbes Convener: Ann Forbes

 Mount Dora Scottish Highland Festival 

February 19 & 20, 2022; Mount Dora, Florida

​

Sarasota Highland Games & Celtic Festival

February 25, 2022; Sarasota Fairgrounds, Sarasota, Florida

​

Loch Norman Highland Games

April 9 - 10, 2022; Huntersville, North Carolina

​

Savannah Scottish Games

May 7, 2022: Bethesda Academy, Savannah, Georgia

​

Monterey Scottish Games & Festival

July 16 & 17, 2022; Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey, California

​

Columbus (Indiana) Scottish Festival

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

Stone Mountain Highland Games and Scottish Festival

October 14 - 16, 2022; Stone Mountain Park, Stone Mountain, Georgia
Clan Forbes Convener: Joshua Fordyce