The
Scottish District Families Association
The
Scottish District Families Association
The original Scottish District Families Association (SDFA) was founded in November
of 1988 by James A. Bullman. The SDFA was founded to give those families of
Scotland or Scottish background with no apparent clan connection the same sense
of pride and belonging that comes with “clan membership.” The bulk of Scottish
surnames are not clan connected. This by no means makes them any less Scottish
nor should they have less pride in their Scottish background. In 1997 the SDFA
was turned over to the
Council of Scottish Clans and Associations, Inc. (COSCA). To keep the
Association alive and well, the present SDFA was reorganized under COSCA’s wing
at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in 1997.
District-Tartans.com is not directly affiliated with the SDFA, but we are happy to recommend them as a resource. Their web site states:
The popularity of genealogical research has been increased with the growth of the Internet and the World Wide Web. Paralleling this growth in genealogical research has been the increasing popularity of Scottish Festivals and Highland Games. As this popularity grows, so do the urges of many Americans to learn more about their Scottish Heritage. Many persons assume that since they have Scottish ancestry, their name must surely be among the names of the great Clans of Scotland… Unfortunately, there are also many of Scottish descent wishing to trace their most recent surname's history, only to be frustrated by a lack of information. A study of Scotland shows that approximately seventy percent of all the families of Scotland and their descendants were not affiliated with, or members of, the ancient Highland Clans… The Scottish District Families Association would like to extend a warm welcome to all persons interested in promoting their heritage, as well as the heritage of the families of Scotland… there is a largely untapped potential for an increased awareness and promotion of Scotland and Scottish heritage. This potential lies among the approximately seventy percent of all persons descended from the great families of Scotland that were never affiliated with the Clans… Membership in the SDFA is a must for anyone wishing to help in the establishment and promotion of this exciting organization.