New Issue of the Donegal E-zine Available

Welcome to the Donegal in Touch e-zine.  This e-zine is part of the Donegal Diaspora Project. Through this project Donegal is reaching out and connecting with people in all parts of the world who have a connection to or interest in Donegal.  This e-zine is sent to people in all parts of the world. 

Please feel free to pass this e-zine on to others that you feel might be interested in it. Any views, comments or contributions to the e-zine are very welcome.  The latest edition of the e-zine can be viewed or downloaded via the Donegal County Development Board website - http://www.donegalcdb.ie/ using the following link:

http://www.donegalcdb.ie/media/wwwdonegalcdbie/content/cdbphotos/Ezine%20Issue%2015.pdf

For further information on Donegal or on the Donegal Diaspora Project, please contact Roisin McBride at rmcbride@donegalcoco.ie.

Fáilte go ríomhiris Dún na nGall i dTeagmháil. Tá an ríomhiris seo ina pháirt de Thionscnamh Diaspóra Dhún na nGall. Tá Dún na nGall ag síneadh amach agus ag nascú le daoine ar fud an domhain a bhfuil gaol nó suim acu leis an chondae. Cuirtear an ríomhiris seo chuig daoine i ngach cearn den domhan.

Seol an ríomhiris seo chuig duine ar bith a mbeadh suim acu ann, le do thoil. Beidh fáilte roimh thuairimí, ráitis nó eolas don ríomhiris. Tá an eagrán is deireannaí don e-iris le fáil le léamh nó íoslodáil ó suíomh idirlín Bord Forbartha Chontae Dhún na nGall - http://www.donegalcdb.ie/ ag an nasc seo a leanas:

http://www.donegalcdb.ie/media/wwwdonegalcdbie/content/cdbphotos/Ezine%20Issue%2015.pdf

Chun tuilleadh eolais ar Chontae Dhún na nGall nó ar Tionscnamh Diaspóra Dhún na nGall, dean teagmháil le Maria Nic Fheargusa ag maria.ferguson@donegalcoco.ie nó le Róisín Nic Giolla Bhríde ag rmcbride@donegalcoco.ie.

With kind regards

The Donegal - community in touch / Dún na nGall - pobail i d'teagmháil Publication Team

Ulster Irish Migration Studies Reunion Lecture

The Eleventh Annual Irish Migration Studies Reunion Lecture will be given in the Centre on Saturday 28 January 2012 at 11.00 am by Professor Liam Kennedy of Queen’s University, Belfast.

More detail about the content of the lecture, ‘The Planter and the Gael’, can now be found at:

http://www.qub.ac.uk/cms/events/Reunion_Lecture_2012/Reunion_Lecture2012_programme.html.

A merit award will be presented to Liam Corry, one of the last students of the old MSSc course in Irish Migration Studies, for graduating with distinction.

As usual we look forward to welcoming friends of the Centre, old and new – and not least our past students.

Brian Lambkin

Gaelic Language In Nova Scotia

Gaelic is alive and well in Nova Scotia despite decades of negative pressure from government officials in the past.  Nova Scotia is one of the few areas in the New World with an indigenous Gaelic speaking population.  30% of Nova Scotians are of Gaelic ancestry and interest in the language is growing now.  The Gaelic there is Scots' Gaidhlig, which shares many characteristics with Ulster Gaelic.  Gaelic in Ulster is influenced by the historical ties between the Hebrides and Argyll and Ulster.   For centuries many west Highland and Hebridean families migrated to Ulster.  Link to news story:  Nova Scotia Gaelic

The Northern Lights Come To Ulster

Across the north of Ireland the sublimely beautiful Northern Lights make their appearance.  Link to the Irish Times article here:  The Northern Lights in Ireland.

Hance Hamilton, Scots-Irish Icon and Mystery

Hance Hamilton was the quintessential Scots-Irish man.  Colonial history books tell of his many accomplishments and exploits.  He is a well documented figure that left behind many letters and official reports and he is mentioned in many Crown records.  Yet, his origins and early life are a mystery.

Hance Hamilton was the de facto leader of the Ulster settlement at Marsh Creek, which is where present day Gettysburg stands.  In the late 1740s and early 1750s he served as sheriff of the Adams County.  He also served as a magistrate for Adams County.   He was a captain of the militia and later rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  He was a leader in French and Indian War and participated the famous Kittaning Expedition against the Delawares.  He fought in many very brutal battles, of a nature common on the frontier,  and in these he exhibited great bravery and leadership.  He was well educated, a Latin speaker, his peer circle include the likes of George Washington, he was a man of his age that did extremely well.

The mysteries about him concern with his date and father.   Hance Hamilton was born in Ireland, probably in northwest Tyrone or east Donegal.  Most histories of him state he was born in 1721, however that date is too late to explain his oldest son Thomas being made deputy sheriff in the early 1750s.  The current tombstone on his grave was placed there in the late 1800s, the original one was broken and very hard to read.  There is the distinct possibility that the 'birth' date on the replaced tombstone is incorrect given the math of his older son's life.

The father of Hance Hamilton is often listed as Hance Hamilton Sr who led a fleet contain 140 families that landed at New Castle, Delaware in 1729, but there is no record of this fleet or any record of an older Hance Hamilton.  Such a large influx of settlers would certainly have been noticed and it would have taken several ships to carry so many people, but Colonial records do not record the event.  However, it is possible that Hance Hamilton arrived on a ship that came into New Castle, Delaware in 1729.    But he very well could have already been living in the PA Colony.

It is known he had at least two brothers, James Hamilton who died in 1748 and John Hamilton who took care of Hance Hamilton's will.

Scots-Irish soldiers 1750s

There are several researchers trying to unravel the true story of this remarkable Scots-Irish man.  If anyone has any primary sources concerning Lt Col Hance Hamilton of the Marsh Creek settlement, please send a note to the Ulster Heritage Magazine and we will forward it to the interested parties.

Seven Wonders of Northern Ireland

Link to Belfast Telegraph article on the Seven Wonders of Northern Ireland.

Ulster Heritage DNA Test Sale

Holiday Promotion extended to January 7, 2012

Due to popular demand Family Tree DNA extended its Holiday Promotion, which encompasses the widest rage of tests, from new kits to upgrades. Here are the details of the promotion:

New Kits	Current Group Price	SALE PRICE
Y-DNA 37	$149	$119
Y-DNA 67	$239	$199
mtFullSequence	$299	$239
SuperDNA (Y-DNA67 and FMS)	$518	$438
Family Finder	$289	$199
Family Finder + mtPlus	$438	$318
Family Finder + FMS	$559	$439
Family Finder+ Y-DNA37	$438	$318
Comprehensive (FF + FMS + Y-67)	$797	$627
Upgrades
12-25 Marker	$49	$35
12-37 Marker	$99	$69
12-67 Marker	$189	$148
25-37 Marker	$49	$35
25-67 Marker	$148	$114
37-67 Marker	$99	$79
Family Finder	$289	$199
mtHVR1toMega	$269	$229
mtHVR2toMega	$239	$209

Orders must be placed and paid for by January 7, 2012 to receive this offer.
IMPORTANT: This promotion will not be extended beyond January 7, 2012.

Link to Join:  Ulster Heritage DNA Project

Storms Batter Northern Ireland

Strong storms across the north of Ireland, link:  Northern Irish Storms