Many society websites include one long page of the clan or family history, such as the Armstrong Clan Society, Clan Baird Society worldwide, and Clan Cochrane Society of North America. Others has many pages about different aspects of their history, such as the Clan Campbell Society of North America and the Family of Bruce International.
Posting regular stories online and sharing them through social media can help build your membership. Studies have found that donors who receive frequent updates are more likely to continue supporting the organization. (See “Best Practices for Connecting with Charitable Donors” report, USM Foundation, and “Understanding Donor Behavior: Insights for Increasing Engagement and Charitable Giving,” School of Management, Yale Center for Customer Insights.)
Sharing stories from your clan or family history creates a virtual community where people can discuss, share, and contribute their own stories and memories. These stories can serve as educational resource and help preserve your heritage for future generations. By bringing history into the digital age, societies can foster a deeper connection with their constituents and inspire a new generation of history enthusiasts.
One great way to deepen and broaden your heritage is by delving into books of Scottish history, collections of memoirs and historical documents, and specific family genealogies. Here are a the steps:
Read and Copy: Start by reading the original texts thoroughly. COSCA has compiled a Research Library of over 70 primary resources that can get you started. Simply conduct key word searches for your surname. Then take notes on key events, themes, and interesting facts. Annotate passages that stand out or are particularly relevant.
Identify Your Angle: Decide on the specific angle of your article. Do you want to create a brief biography, explore the history of a specific castle, or share your family’s involvement with a battle? Are you providing an analysis, a summary, or a commentary? Having a clear focus will help structure your writing.
Research: Supplement your knowledge with additional research. Look for secondary sources, such as scholarly articles, to provide context and support your arguments.
Outline: Create an outline to organize your thoughts. This should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. Each section should address a specific point related to your angle.
Write: Begin writing your first draft. Start with a compelling introduction that grabs the reader's attention. Use your notes and annotations to build the body of your article and ensure each paragraph flows logically to the next.
Cite Sources: Always cite your sources, both primary and secondary, to give credit and add credibility to your work. Use a consistent citation style. The two most popular styles are Modern Language Association (MLA) which is widely used in the humanities, particularly in literature, philosophy, and the arts; and the Chicago Style, which is preferred in preferred in history and some social sciences. As non-commercial educational organization, you may use some copyrighted material for which you may have not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. You may be covered under the “fair use” provision of the U.S. Copyright Act, specifically 17 U.S. Code § 107, “Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use.”
Edit and Proofread: Review your draft for clarity, coherence, and accuracy. Check for grammatical errors and ensure that your argument is well-supported. It can be helpful to have someone else review your work as well.
Graphics: If applicable, include images, maps, or other graphics to enhance your article. Ensure they are properly attributed and add value to your content.
Publish: Once you're satisfied with your article, publish it on your blog or platform. Many web site managers offer a “blog” function or you can create a page linked to your “heritage” section. Share a brief version on social media and include a link back to your website.
By following these steps, you can effectively turn original historical documents into engaging and informative articles.
COSCA helps you to get a head start on this process by providing the Members Only COSCA Research Library. Some of the latest additions include:
Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland, by the Four Masters, from the Earlier Period to the Year 1616, Volumes 1 – 7 (1856), Edited by John O’Donovan
The Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland (Middle Irish: Annála Ríoghachta Éireann) or the Annals of the Four Masters (Annála na gCeithre Máistrí) are chronicles of medieval Irish history. The entries span from the Deluge, dated as 2,242 years after creation to AD 1616. They were allegedly compiled between 1632 and 1636.
The Baronial and Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Scotland, Volumes 1 – 4 (1852), by Robert William Billings
Originally published in four volumes between 1845 and 1852, this work describes a selection (“as should combine the spirit of the whole”) of Scotland's historic architecture, each building illustrated with engravings by the architect Robert William Billings (1813–1874).
The Book of MacKay (1906), by Angus MacKay
Historian Angus Mackay in his Book of Mackay (1906) compares two different genealogies of the early chiefs of the Clan Mackay. The first is by Sir Robert Gordon, a 17th-century historian and the second by Alexander Mackay of Blackcastle, an 18th- to 19th-century historian who had access to the charters and historical documents of the Mackay chief's family
Calendar of the Stuart Papers, Volumes 1 – 7, (1902), complied by His Majesty’s Stationery Office
The Stuart Papers were acquired by George IV when he was Prince Regent (1811-1820) following the death of Henry Benedict Stuart, Cardinal York, the final Jacobite heir. Comprising 541 bound volumes with a further eleven boxes of material, the Stuart Papers are an invaluable collection detailing the fortunes of the last Stuarts after the exile of James II in 1688. The majority of these papers concern the period 1713 to 1770, and provide an insight into Jacobite attempts to regain the throne, while later papers concern Cardinal York’s relations with the Vatican until his death in 1807.
Culloden Papers: Comprising an Extensive and Interesting Correspondence from the Year 1625 to 1748 (1815), by Duncan Forbes, 5th Laird of Culloden, and Lord President of the Court of Sessions
The Culloden Papers are an extensive and interesting correspondence from the year 1625 to 1748. Included are numerous letters from Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat, and other distinguished persons of the time, with occasional state papers of much historical importance.
The Darien Papers: Being a Selection of Original Letters and Official Documents Relating to the Establishment of a Colony at Darien by the Company of Scotland Trading to Africa and The Indies. 1695-1700 (1849) Compiled by Thomas Constable
This documents the unsuccessful attempt, backed largely by investors of the Kingdom of Scotland, to gain wealth and influence by establishing New Caledonia, a colony in the Darién Gap on the Isthmus of Panama, in the late 1690s.
Highland Papers, Volume 1 - 3, (1914) Edited By J. R. N. MacPhail
This collection includes a history of the MacDonalds, which has been attributed to Hugh Macdonald, a Skye seannachie, and believed to have been written after 1628. It covers roughly the years 1100 to 1500. Also included is a short history of the McNaughtons or MacNachtanes; a succinct account of the family of Calder, which has been attributed to Lauchlan Shaw (c1685-1777); the murder of the Laird of Calder; a genealogy of the MaCras, which has been attributed to John MacRa, ordained a minister in 1667; papers relating to the MacLeans of Duart, 1670-1680.
History of the Great Civil War 1642 – 1649, Volume 1 - 4, (1910) by Samuel R. Gardiner
The seminal work on "The Great Rebellion" was first published in 1886. Its elegant and lucid writing make it more accessible than almost any modern study. The series includes the beginning of the conflict, establishes the basic narrative of "the Puritan Revolution" with objectivity, meticulous attention to detail, and prodigious learning.
Letters of Mary, Queen of Scots, Volume 1 - 3, (1844) Edited by Agnes Strickland
Compiled and introduced by a renowned historian, these volumes are a treasure trove of letters and documents that reveal the personal and political turmoil faced by Mary, Queen of Scots. The letters, many of which were published for the first time, are presented in chronological order, offering a detailed narrative of her interactions with key figures of the time, including Queen Elizabeth I, Catherine de' Medici, and the Duke of Nemours. The volumes include Mary's heartfelt pleas and strategic communications during her imprisonment; correspondence with powerful figures in European politics, shedding light on the complex alliances and enmities of the period; and personal letters that reveal the human side of a queen often defined by her political struggles.