In a message dated 1/31/99 9:57:11 PM Pacific Standard Time, mcollins@sfths.sft434.k12.ks.us writes: << How would one find if an ancestor did indeed belong to a clan, and what would the benefit have been in 1890-1920 Scotland? >> The Clan system as it was known up until 1746 was well broken up during this period so this ancestor was descendant of a clan just as you are. I would contact the Hume and Douglas Societies to find out exactly how your particular surnames became associated. Families of different surnames became associated with the Clans for many different reasons and not evryone with an associated name is necessarily related to the Clan. In some instances they are but not always. This is why genealogy is so important. For instance the name Miller is a sept of Macfarlane. It is also a trade name that is used throughout the British Isles. Are all Millers MacFarlanes? No. How do some Millers fit into the Macfarlanes? The answer is that the Macfarlane Chief's Miller (a very prestigous trade because he would grind all the grain that the Chiefs tennants gave to the Chief for rent and turned it into cash) married the Chiefs daughter strengthening their business alliance. This Miller then swears loyalty to this Chief and he is granted arms and become Duine Usail (honored person) of Macfarlane. He has his own house, gillies etc. Their Children are now sept of the Clan because thay are just as much related to their grandfather the Chief as the children of the Chiefs eldest son who would succeed him. So, if you are a Miller , can trace your ancestry to Macfarlane Lands and find you are part of this Line. You are a Macfarlane. This is just one example and there are a dozen other ways a name can become associated with a clan. So it is very important to do your research so that you will get the most value out of your genealogy efforts. There are many resources on the Clan Macfarlane website under links that will lead you to Hume and Douglas. The url is: www.macfarlane.org Hope this helps. Le gach deagh dhurachd, Michael MacFarlane, Executive Vice President Clan MacFarlane Society, Inc. http://www.macfarlane.org http://www.celticsoul.com