When Your Birth Name Is An Assumed Name ~ Mistaken Identity

An elementary school project started me on pride in who I was and where I came from. 

I wrote up my family tree to my grandparents on both sides.

I learned the Robertson family motto "Glory is the reward of valour" 1

The Latin phrase Virtutis gloria merces at the top means, “Glory is the reward of valor.”
The Gaelic phrase Garg ‘n Uair Dhuisgear at the bottom means “fierce when roused.” 2

AND made the Clan Robertson War Cry mine "Fierce when Roused"  3

I begged for a Robertson Clan Kilt

How I wanted to take Highland Dance Classes
Dancing with swords (Oh My!!!)

Developed my list of special treats

Picked my favourite snack - scones & jam

I felt like I knew exactly who I was. 

The name on my birth certificate was easy to research & learn about. 

I took pride in knowing I came from a long line of highlanders who fought fiercely in the Jacobite rising!

AND at age 29 (pregnant with my second child) I discovered I wasn't a Robertson... 

I was Ukrainian on my paternal side - my grandfather had changed his name and decided Robertson was the one he wanted. 

A random name on my birth certificate.

My identity was rocked when I lost the Robertson name. 

I had grown up believing I was 75% Scottish & 25% English.

By 30 years of age I realized that I had no idea who I was or where I came from and my journey to find where exactly I fit in my own genealogical story began.

DNA testing let me know my heritage.  

Ancestry DNA report

23 & Me DNA report

23 & Me DNA Timeline report

Finding out who you really are!   

This is why I search - 

Cause ... 

You can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family you know!

***Any errors are my own. Please send me any updates or corrections via the comments at the bottom of this blog post***

Footnotes:

1 Robertson Clan, Scots Connection. Retrieved June 30th 2022 from
https://www.scotsconnection.com/clan_crests/robertson.htm

2 The Robertsons, Clan Donnachaidh of Athol, Visible Procrastinations. Retrieved June 30th 2022 from 
https://visibleprocrastinations.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/the-robertsons/

3 Our History, Clan Donnachaidh Society. Retrieved June 30th 2022 from
http://www.donnachaidh.org/our-history/

Photos:

Candy, Jam. Personal photos

Clan Donnachaidh Arms. The Robertsons, Clan Donnachaidh of Athol, Visible Procrastinations. Retrieved June 30th 2022 from 
https://visibleprocrastinations.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/the-robertsons/

DNA. Screenclips. Retrieved from Ancestry and 23 & Me personal account.

Highland Dancers (cropped). John Haslam from Dornoch, Scotland - Highland Dancing Competition - Dornoch Highland Gathering 2007, Retrieved July 1st 2022 from  ttps://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=39436370 

Robertson Kilt. Athletic Lass Package. Retrieved July 1st 2022 from
https://sportkilt.com/product/athletic-lass-package/

Sources:

Clan Donnachaidh Society. Retrieved June 30th 2022 from
http://www.donnachaidh.org/our-history/

Robertson Clan, Scots Connection. Retrieved June 30th 2022 from
https://www.scotsconnection.com/clan_crests/robertson.htm

The Robertsons, Clan Donnachaidh of Athol, Visible Procrastinations. Retrieved June 30th 2022 from 
https://visibleprocrastinations.wordpress.com/2008/05/24/the-robertsons/

Links:

Amy Johnson Crow, 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge
https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks/

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