Making Sense of the Plantation of Ulster Stumped? Here Are the Basic Facts of a Pivotal Event —Zoe Von Ende Lappin
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! Volume'16,'Number'4' Denver,'Colorado' October,'November,'December'2015' ' ! Making Sense of the Plantation of Ulster Stumped? Here are the Basic Facts of a Pivotal Event —Zoe von Ende Lappin ! The Plantation of Ulster – how often you have heard about it in your genealogical travels! But what, ex- actly, was it? How do your Irish, Scots, English and even Welsh ancestors fit into that scheme of the early 17th century? It’s a difficult subject, indeed, complicated by the usual shortage of records pertaining to ordinary people, by conflicts of class and religion, archaic language and a ten- dency for even the esteemed modern writ- ers to become bogged down in details, frustrating the most determined researcher. Even the term plantation can be mislead- ing. In this context, it means a colony or new settlement initiated not by the settlers but by an outside agency – the British government. The clearest explanation I’ve come upon is William J. Roulston’s description in his guide, Researching Scots-Irish Ancestors; The Essential Genea- logical Guide to Early Modern Ulster, 1600-1800, (2005 and later). It’s not too strong to state that every- one working in this area, and in the migration of the Scots-Irish to America in the 18th century, should have this book. Combining Roulston’s descriptions with those of others writing on the subject, here are some points to consider as you wade into the subject. First, a definition of Ulster: It is one of the four historic provinces of Ireland, occupying the northeast corner of the island. Most of it today is Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom. In 1603, the British government –led by King James VI and I – embarked on the scheme to populate six of the nine counties in the province with English and Scottish settlers. It lasted until 1625 roughly; some sources put the end in the early 1640s. It was motivated by the perceived need to establish a British colo- ny (Protestant, mainly) as a defense against the Catholic Spanish and prevent rebellion as well as to prop- agate Protestant beliefs and subjugate the so-called barbarian Irish. —Continued on page 50 www.wise&fhs.org, W.I.S.E. Words 48 !! October, November, December 2015 opportunity to influence positive change in a fami- ly history organization that is already well respect- ed on a local and national basis. Although I have a President’s Message lot of ideas on how to improve our administrative procedures and programs, etc., I quickly learned that I couldn’t rush the process! You’d think that after all my years as a manager and I hope you had a wonderful summer filled administrator, I would know better than to expect with opportunities for vacations and family get- my fellow board members to eat the entire cake togethers. W.I.S.E. members were busy during the in one sitting, rather than one slice at a time. I third quarter, providing volunteer support for the also recognize that it’s important to include our Colorado Irish Festival, held in Clement Park, membership in the process, so as not to make deci- Littleton, on July 10-12, 2015. And, we held sions and changes that impact them without their our summer Welsh Seminar in the Denver Public input and approval. Library (DPL) Conference Center, featuring nationally known speaker, Bert J. Rawlins, Our next W.I.S.E. Family History Society Annual on July 25, 2015. General Meeting is scheduled on Saturday, January 23, 2016. I would like to use it as an op- As we head into the fall, we are preparing for the portunity for our members to provide input on holiday season and an abbreviated return to our whether they are satisfied with our current pro- monthly membership meeting schedule. I say ab- grams and activities, or are there things we could breviated, because there is no meeting in Novem- do to improve them? I realize that it’s not possible, ber since our preferred monthly meeting date or practical, for our entire membership to attend always conflicts with the Thanksgiving holiday. the annual meeting in order to share their thoughts And, of course, there is no meeting in December and ideas. So, if you can’t be there, I encourage because of Christmas, opting instead to once again you to share them with me in an email, preferably hold our annual W.I.S.E. holiday social, which this in advance of our annual meeting. We are also year will be on December 5, 2015. exploring the possibility of soliciting your In the previous paragraph I mentioned the thoughts and ideas in an on-line survey. If we can Thanksgiving holiday. Did you know that the na- bring everything together to do that in a timely tional Thanksgiving holiday in North America, manner, we will notify everyone by email as to including Canada, has its roots in English tradi- where the survey can be accessed for you to pro- tions dating from the Protestant Reformation and vide your structured input. the Harvest Festival, which in the United Kingdom So, all that remains is for me to wish you all a is traditionally held on or near the Sunday of the wonderful holiday season and continued good Harvest Moon? It’s also interesting to note health and prosperity. that the Thanksgiving holiday celebrated in —Allan M. Turner! North America is now being adopted in the United Kingdom, with turkey sales increasing by 95 per- cent in 2014 as a result of its popularity. Thanks- Membership Report giving is also the time of year when we —Sandy Breed traditionally gather together as families, with many of our family members joining us from Welcome to those who joined W.I.S.E. Family throughout the United States. As such, this would History Society recently: be an ideal opportunity for you to engage those May 2015 family members in discussions about family histo- ry and genealogy, both to increase their awareness Stephanie Hayward and to advance your research. Jim and Sheryl Johnson Sandy Kline Ever since I was elected as president of W.I.S.E. Donna Lynden in January, I have been excited about having this Mark, Angela, Brandon and Brittany Wells ! ! W.I.S.E. Words 49 !! October, November, December 2015 Distribution Coordinator ................................... Sue Clasen W.I.S.E. Family History Society Country Editors W.I.S.E. Family History Society is dedicated to research in Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England, the Wales ........................................................ Nancy McCurdy Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Attention is also Ireland .......................................................... Thyria Wilson directed to the emigration and immigration of these peoples as well as heraldry and one-name studies. Scotland ...................................................... Diane Barbour Monthly meetings are generally held the fourth England .................................................................... Vacant Saturday of most months at the Central Denver Public Library, 7th Floor. Membership is open to anyone with In This Issue interest in family history and genealogy. Membership dues for the calendar year are $12 for an individual or Making Sense of the Plantation of Ulster .............. 47 $15 for a family living at the same address. The W.I.S.E. Family History Society publishes W.I.S.E. Words four times per year, and a subscription is in- President’s Message ................................................ 48 cluded with membership dues. Add $5 to the dues if you Membership Report ................................................ 48 want a printed copy of the newsletter mailed to you. © 2000-2015, W.I.S.E. Family History Society, Treasurer’s Report .................................................. 49 P.O. Box 40658, Denver, CO 80204-0658 All rights reserved. Correction to Program Schedule in Last Issue ..... 50 Visit our website at www.wise-fhs.org. New Volunteers on Board ...................................... 51 Help Wanted ............................................................ 51 Officers and Board Members CCGS Delegate Report ........................................... 51 ................................................................................. 38 Colorado Springs Field Trip .................................. 52 President ......................................................... Allan Turner ............................................................ [email protected]! Welsh Research –Tricky but Worthwhile .............. 52 Vice President ..................................... Sylvia Tracy-Doolos W.I.S.E. Booth at the Colorado Irish Festival a Success ................................................................... 53 Secretary ........................................................... Milly Jones Get your English On! ............................................. 54 Treasurer ...................................................... Laurie Ramos ! Tech Talk ................................................................ 55 Past President .................................... Barbara Fines Price! The Great Hunger ................................................... 56 Membership .................................................... Sandy Breed! Members’ Interests Coordinator .............. Megan Koepsell! Scottish Clearances ................................................. 58 Publicity Coordinator ............................ JoAnn DeFilippo! Book Reviews .......................................................... 60 Archivist ....................................................... Elaine Osborn Member Profiles ...................................................... 63 CCGS Delegate ...............................................