www.clanlivingstone.info

With my hopes up that various standardization issues will start to slow down now that FT DNA and DNA FP are finally starting to merge their data, I have made a long-awaited first attempt at updating some of the public webpages. I guess this will seem very late (it does to me!) but even now there is a big chance some of what I am putting up will now have to be re-done. Well, in fact I am sure it will happen. Please everyone remember that this is not "my project" but ours, so please pitch in and check your information both in the data tables and the text pages. The main places to look are: http://users.skynet.be/lancaster/MacLea ... 0Other.htm http://users.skynet.be/lancaster/Maclea ... %20R1b.htm Regards Andrew

Andrew, If in fact the DNA project is "our" project then I suggest lets bring it back under "clan control" perhaps even under the direction of a Livingstone clan based board of directors appointed by the Young Bachuil. If there are problems with the project then they should openly discussed and solutions found. In recent months a list of concerns has been generated in regards to the DNA project and it lack of transparency.I for one have found this lack of openness frustrating and have found it impossible to get any direction or assistance with my own Canadian Livingstone DNA project. To be clear I am not doing this for myself but to help those Livingstones here in Canada, I am in communication with, who have expressed an interest in Livingstone DNA project establish a possible family connection with the Bachuil Livingstones. I have no intention of leaving these people in further confusion. Donald (Livingstone) Clink

Dear Donald When I used the word "our" I was referring to the participants of the project, which includes the chief of the clan. But not everyone in the project feels part of the clan, so this suggestion of creating a clan council raises the question of what such a council would in fact do. If it is advice and assistance they would be offering, this would be great. However it would not seem appropriate (or necessary) to give some participants power "over" others? I am extremely surprised by your second paragraph. I am aware of no outstanding questions or lists of concerns from you or others, but if you have any then please write to me. It seems wrong to me that you write about "a list of concerns" and a "lack of transparency" on a public website before ever having once written to the DNA project. I would absolutely welcome any input, and indeed I wish I received more: I used the word "our" to remind participants that I am just one participant. I did not know that there was a Canadian Livingstone DNA project. Again, I have received no information about it, and feel strange to be hearing about in this way for the first time. Obviously it would make sense that if you are going to have such a project, it should coordinate with the larger DNA project (and members should also be members of the larger project)? Obviously DNA study increases in value with the number of participants. I am very unsure what to make of your last sentence! I very much hope that you are not discouraging people about the project based upon what appears to be a misunderstanding. Donald, if you are interested in getting deeper into DNA project work please give me more information about your ideas. There is certainly work to be done, and if you feel certain information is not getting spread energetically enough, then this is exactly the sort of role you might be able to help in most easily. Tell me more! Best Regards Andrew

Andrew, The Canadian Dr. David Livingstone DNA project which I am involved I believe is well known enough or should be. Perhaps we did not contact you in person because I thought I had made it clear this Canadian project was to be under your direction from the beginning. I regret if that information did not reach you, but I don't see how that could have happened quite frankly. It was announced to all or so I thought that I located a significant DNA source regarding Dr. Livingstone. I dont know what to say about this. Information was submitted earlier on to Niall and was directed to you. From this site I also made an effort to pass this project into your hands. As this is the official MacLea Livingstone site you should be aware of what is going on here. Unless you have not been in contact with Niall over the last year I don't know how this information did not reach you. As the Livingstone Petition Committee only recognises the Young Bachuil's website as the official MacLea Livingstone information source I don't know what to say about other Livingstone websites. sincerely yours, D

Hello Donald, Can you tell me a little bit about the Livingstone Petition Committee. I know you mentioned it prior in a thread to Kyle, who is moving to a new house somewhere on the east coast, but I would like to know some more about it. Is it a committee created to keep alive the gaelic culture, as well as the historical aspects of the Clearance or does it go deeper than that. I am truly interested in hearing more about this commitee please. Thank You. David

Dear Andrew, I appreciate your letter and what you are saying but as stated

Hello Donald, I believe that a committee should be formed to help reconcile what I feel are probably just small communication break down between members, as well as the truly large issues that plague any Clan. If Hamish McLea, or anyone who can be that bridge builder, who is open minded and a good listener, who would like to step into that position I personally am 100% behind the forming of the committee. Best Regards, David

Hi David, Thank-you for asking. (See my most recent letter to Andrew.) The Livingstone Committee or Livingstone Petition Committee if you like was originally conceived as a democratic way to address concerns and to in the end produce a list of concerns in the form a petition with the goal of protecting our clan as a small, obscure Western Argyll based, gaelic speaking clan that until 250 years ago or thereabouts went by the name McLea or Maconlea and before that McDunsliebhe. That from the perspective of the Committee is the absolute truth backed by historic documents. It was a growing distortion of clan information bordering on the ridiculous in some cases that made the rather regretable formation of this committee a unfortunate neccessity if people like myself were to remain a part of this clan. Some of this information I grant you came out of ignorance I do accept that ignorance is an excuse in many cases, but when people like myself who believe in the original Isle of Lismore/Movern/Appin McDunsliebhes to be part of the family of St. Molaug and the principal family as it were it is annoying frankly to see so much resources go into families whose connection to the Isle of Lismore Livingstones is frankly questionable. We cannot in all honesty David support those who go to such absurd lengths to forge links between clans or families who in all fairness to them likely have little or no connection to Clan MCLea or Highland Clan Livingstone. All the Committee asks from you or any other clan members who may disagree with the goals of the committee is to listen fairly to our reasonable concerns and consider some sort of compromise. There is much work before the COmmittee but one of the issues we discussed was the importance of Canada as the original settlement point of so many of the earliest Livingstone settlers. The Committee in consideration of this issue

Thank you Donald for that information. I look forward to the findingsconcerns of the committee as well as the hopeful establishment of a Rconciliation Committee. If you wish to talk more offline, as you have offered to Kyle please feel free to email me at: v_1dlivi -at hotmail -dot com I would welcome it. Best Regards, David

David, I am glad that you support the suggestion of a Reconciliation Committee but it should have the support of others before the wheels are in motion so to speak. I am sorry but I must disagree with you on one point. It is more than a communication breakdown. I regret to say it is a fundamentally different understanding of what Highland Maclea Livingstone represents and what it should be that has generated opposing points of view. I wish it were that simple. I think you need to digest what I have briefly stated and consider it more thoughtfully. What we are discussing are profound philosophical differences regarding the nature of what it is to be a MacLea Livingstone clan member. As anyone of the Jewish faith will tell you only a Jew can truly be Jewish, so it is with a Highland McLea/Livingstone. Like the descendants of David, we as a people know who were are and who are gaelic ancestors were. And sufice to say one cannot be what one is not. I think if this was taken to heart it would truly clear up alot of confusion and misunderstanding about Clan McLea Livingstone right here and now. regards D