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McIntosh

(Australia)
(146)

Added 19/04/2025

The enquirer has some McIntosh lineage. He cannot find a link between a John McIntosh (1655-1720) and his supposed father, John Ian Mohr McIntosh. On Ancestry.com it appears everyone has accepted this as fact, but there doesn't seem to be any evidence. For reference, John supposedly married Margaret Farquharson and they had Donald McIntosh. He would greatly appreciate any information.

R

Sennachie advised that the surname McIntosh is not one of the septs of the Clan MacThomas. Although it is associated with the early Clan Chiefs because the first Chief of Clan MacThomas was said to be a grandson of a McIntosh Chief.
John the 7th Chief (1607-1674) of the Clan MacThomas was known by the surname McComie and was also known as McComie Mor. He married Elizabeth Campbell and their first born son in 1637 was named John. He was killed in a skirmish in 1673. He had not married and had no known children. That alone indicates that John McIntosh, born 1655, was not a son of John 7th.
Around 1670s there are a number of sasines and deeds concerning John 7th and his family. There is no mention of a son, John, born in 1655. In fact one deed states that the son of John 7th, Angus, born in 1645, was the youngest.
Also in those days females were only fertile till about 45 years old. By 1655 Elizabeth would have been well over 45 years old. See the Chief’s tree - https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/genealogytreesearlychiefsnew.html/.
And there is a very old document, known as the Latta manuscript, held by our present Chief, and accepted by the Lord Lyon as genuine, that names the children of John 7th and it does not include a John born 1655.
Sennachie does know anything about a John McIntosh marrying a Margaret Farquharson.

McComas

(USA)
(145)

Added 06/08/2024

The enquirer’s mother, Emogene McComas, died in 1982. Her father was James McComas. The family story was that McComas was a small “clan” belonging to the Gunn clan. Her mother was so proud of our Scottish heritage. They had kilts, scarves, caps, and the enquirer still has the crest on her wall that she bought in Scotland years ago.
Before a trip to Scotland, she did some research and discovered MacThomas and Glenshee and its connection to McComas.
Her first question is "how come it is wrong that we are Gunn"? She asks if she join the Society even though her surname is not McComas? She is not aware of any family members researching the McComas side and would appreciate any information.

R

Sennachie can understand the enquirer's confusion about how the surname McComas fits into the Clan “system”.
Both Clans had a lengthy period of inactivity and became active again some 60 to 70 years ago. Both have a Clan Society website. For Clan Gunn their recognised “territory" in the north eastern counties of the highlands of Scotland with a Viking connection. The Clan MacThomas “territory” is in the the eastern highland counties with a base at Glenshee in Perthshire. MacThomas has an ancient connection to the Clan MacIntosh in the Inverness area.
It is not unusual for more than one Clan to list the same surname as a Sept, or to limit a sept to a defined area of Scotland. However our Chief considers that anyone with the surname McComas, or with an ancestor with that surname, has a connection to the Clan MacThomas. There is a section on the Clan MacThomas website that explains the background of our septs - here is a link to that.
Clan Gunn does not provide any comment about the septs listed on their website. Our Society has been unable to find out why the sept McComas is included. Our Chief accepts that anyone with the name McComas in their family tree has a connection to the Clan MacThomas and can join our Clan Society as a full member by clicking here.
Sennachie may be help to take the enquirer's McComas line back further. He asks if she knows the name of the wife of her grandfather James McComas? Also is it known where James was born and when and where he died?
Another way of establishing the ethnicity of the enquirer's ancestors would be to undertake a DNA test as, for example in this case, such a test should clearly indicate if there is a possible Viking connection. Here is a link to a website about DNA.

Thomas

(Germany)
(144)

Added 06/08/2024

An enquirer has had little contact with his father and his family. His mother spoke of a family connection to Great Britain, without being able to give any further details.Having found the Clan MacThomas website he asks if the Society has any knowledge of any Thomas people who migrated from Scotland and settled in the Bad Langensalza - Gotha (Thuringia) area of Germany? He would appreciate any information.

R

Sennachie advised that the Clan MacThomas Society is not aware of any Thomas family who emigrated to Germany. He explained that Thomas is a very popular surname and to give some idea of the challenge of finding out where the enquirer's Thomas ancestors came from, he provided the numbers of Thomas entries on the website familysearch.org:

Thoms

(New Zealand)
(143)

Added 06/08/2024

An enquirer is a descendant of Kenneth Bruce Thoms from Marlborough, New Zealand. His grandfather was George Florence Smeaton Bisset Thoms who came to New Zealand as a deckhand on the vessel 'Fairy Queen' in 1873. George's parents were Alexander Thoms (an engineer) from Arbrouth and Helen Wilson. The enquirer is trying to find out more about where Alexander's line of Thoms stems from and whether there is a connection to the Clan MacThomas.

R

Sennachie indicated that having a Thoms ancestor from the eastern counties of Scotland, the enquirer has a connection to the Clan MacThomas.
He suggested for research, the following website pages may be of interest:
https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/thoms/94/.
https://www.myheritage.com/names/john_thoms.
https://www.myheritage.com/names/joseph_thoms.
For searching Scottish records the best two sites are Scotlandpeople and familysearch.org. Sennachie asks if the enquirer has already used these sites. If not she will first need to open a free account.
On familysearch there is an Alexander Thoms said to have been born in 1818 and died in 1848. That means the next step is to search church records held on scotlandspeople, to hopefully confirm these years. It also means Alexander, his wife Helen and son George should appear on the 1841 Census with probably other family members. Hopefully using the church records on Scotlandspeople the enquirer may be able to go further back in time.
Sennachie suggested joining our Society via this link and offered to answer any further any questions that the enquirer may have.

McCombie

(UK)
(142)

Added 31/12/2023

An enquirer was wondering what was the best way to trace family history. His father was from Skene born 1933, Alexander Angus McCombie and married his mother June McRobbie from Alford. He asks what the best way to go about it is.

R

Sennachie advised as the enquirer's surname is McCombie, it means our Chief accepts that he has a connection to the Clan MacThomas. If you join our Clan Society then you would have access to genealogical advice during the period of your membership. Otherwise, on this occasion there is limited general advice. To apply for membership please click here.
The following pages of this original website give you some general research advice:
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/genealogyfhgr.html
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/genealogyarticlesgtbfh.html
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/genealogyarticlesgtfhrbdm.html
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/genealogyarticlessnp.html
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/genealogyarticlesgtdnatalk.html
Sennachie suggested that first step is to see what relatives know, for example talk to parents, uncles and aunts or close cousins. There may be someone in the family has already done some research. Second see if a local public library has any “how to” books to borrow.
For Scotland, the most useful website is the government’s ScotlandsPeople. Registration is required to get access to their free indexes, and there are fees to purchase original records. Another useful free website is FamilySearch. Again registration is needed.
There are lots of other records available, but just using the above advice should result in setting up a family tree. Another useful site is Genuki as this will give guidance of available websites for UK research. Sennachie suggests not joining websites such as Ancestry at this stage.
Also appreciate that having DNA tested is just another tool to use. Some people think it could be the only thing to do. Sennachie recommends not using DNA until a tree back about five generations has been prepared.

MacCone

(USA)
(141)

Added 31/12/2023

The enquirer asks if her seven times great grandfather, who went as an indentured man in 1652 to Boston, USA at the age of 27 and whose name was probably MacCone in Scotland, is part of the Thomas clan. Another spelling of his name was MacCombe. He changed it or it got changed to Cone in the USA. It is thought that he fought and was captured in the Battle of Worcester, and was sent to the USA on a ship called the John and Sara.

R

The Sennachie reported that there were two ships carrying prisoners of war from England to the American Colonies in 1650 and 1651. Much has been written about these two ships and the men who possibility sailed in them. A man named John McCoon is said to have arrived in New England on a ship called the Unity in December 1650 carrying prisoners from the Battle of Dunbar.
The John and Sara transported Scottish POW's from the Battle of Worcester to New England in 1651, and lists of men on board are said to include John and David MacHo[l]me. Sennachie does not believe John MacHolme and John MacCoon are the same person. Please see the following three links:
https://spows.org/battle-of-dunbar/battle-of-dunbar-prisoners-of-war/battle-of-dunbar-prisoner-profiles/john-maccoon/
https://spows.org/battle-of-dunbar/battle-of-dunbar-prisoners-of-war/battle-of-dunbar-prisoner-profiles/dunbar-prisoners-of-war-all/
John and David MacHo(l)me on the John and Sara Passenger List (1651)
With regard to the surname M[a]cCoon[e] and MacCone, Sennacie looked at census records in the U.S. National Archives and found that the name seems to comes from Ireland. Although one source about John MacCoone above also states that he was probably born in Scotland.
The Earl/Marquess of Montrose led the Royalist army in Scotland during the English Civil War; our Clan chief at the time, McComie Mor, joined forces with him in 1644. This army was not only made up of Scots; there were Irishmen as well. Fast forward to Worcester and Dunbar five/six years later, it is likely there were still Irishmen fighting for the Royalist cause with the Scots - please see these links:
M[a]cCoon[e]- U.S. National Archives- Census Record
James Graham, 5th Earl/1st Marquess of Montrose
Also a search for the name M(a)cCoone or MacCone on the website ScotlandsPeople did not reveal any early Scotsfolk named MacCoone (or variations). While a search for the name McCoon on the website FamilySearch does reveal results for McCoon(e) in Ireland.
The position of the Clan MacThomas at this time is that MacCone/McCoon etc is probably Irish and is not connected to our Clan. Of course there is a possibility that some time in the future this may change.
Sennachie notes that McCoone may be connected to the Clan McEwan. Reading about their clan history, the MacEwens have Irish roots (like some other clans) and apparently the clan genealogy can be hard to trace. See these page:
Clan MacEwen Sept Names- Clan MacEwen Society
Brief History: Clan MacEwen
Perhaps DNA testing may assist in sorting out who was who on these two ships. There is a group on familytreeDNA called the Scottish Prisoners of the Civil Wars (Dunbar and Worcester). This group looks at the yDNA results of living men who appear to have surnames linked to the surnames of men on these two ships. Do you have a close male relative with the surname Macone or Cone (or variations) that you could ask to have the yDNA test by familytreeDNA. Please see this web-page:
https://www.familytreedna.com/public/ScottishPoWs/default.aspx?section=yresults
It is suggested that the enquirer might also like to see results for the Clan MacThomas DNA Group:
https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/clan-mac-thomas-project/about
https://www.familytreedna.com

Thomson

(Not known)
(140)

Added 31/12/2023

The enquirer is looking into his step-father James Thomson’s family history. James was born in Scotland and up until a few months ago the family thought that he was linked to the Campbells. However, after a little more research they know differently and as such the enquirer is wondering if there is more information other than Glenshee, and Argyl etc. He asks if there is an actual place, ruin, meeting place can be visited? He notes that there is a meeting every 3 years and asks if this at Glenshee? Also how is it possible for him to attend?.

R

Sennachie explained that a person with the surname Thomson or who has an ancestor with the surname Thomson is considered to have a connection to the Clan MacThomas where it is found that they have a Thomson ancestor who was born in the Scottish eastern highland counties, see link below.
Also see the Clan MacTavish website link below. So the question for the enquirer is, does his research of his step-father James Thomson’s ancestors show a link to the eastern highland counties? If it does then he would be welcomed to join the Clan MacThomas Society.
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/septthomson.html
https://clanmactavish.org/scottish-thompson-name-mactavish
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/societymembership.html
All the enquirer's questions about our Clan and the Society can be answered by reading our original website. With regard to Glenshee and the Clan MacThomas site, the Cockstane, please use the links below. Anyone can visit the Cockstane area, on the A93 road just south of Glenshee.
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/glenshee.html
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/thecockstane.html
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/macthomaslinks2.html
The most recent Clan MacThomas gathering was held in August 2023, based on a hotel at Blairgowie, Perthshire. Our next Gathering is expected to be held in August 2026.

Thomas

(USA)
(139)

Added 17/04/23

The enquirer has been researching his family history and,by using DNA matching results, is back to about his fifth great grandparent, surname Thomas. He asks if these Thomas ancestors connected to the Clan MacThomas.

R

Sennachie advised that using DNA so far back is difficult. To be connected to our Clan, having the name Thomas, the enquirer would need to find a connection to the Eastern highland counties of Scotland - such as Aberdeen, Fife, Perth and Angus. Once that is established then he could become a full member of our Society. Click here to read more about our septs and here for information about our Society.
Research based on DNA results needs to be part of standard research using online websites such as ScotlandsPeople and familysearch.org and supported by research at facilities such as libraries, archives and specialist services such as family history societies.
Thomas is a common surname, more so in Wales and England. The enquirer later confirmed a likely Welsh connection.

Tams

(England)
(138)

Added 17/04/23

An enquirer has been told that the Tams clansfolk left Scotland about 1600's to travel south and maybe to England. A tartan shop suggested a link to the Clan MacThomas. He asks if he is part of the extended family of our Clan.

R

Sennachie advised that Tam/Tams is a less common surname in the history of the Clan MacThomas. Only one enquiry from someone with this surname has been received since 2010; please see entry No 40 on this page.
There is a dedicated page regarding the name Tam on this website.
It was suggested that the enquirer needs to carry out standard family history research along your Tams line to see if it you can establish a connection to the eastern highland counties of Scotland, such as Perthshire, Aberdeenshire or Fife. Sennachie carried out a search of the trees on the website Ancestry for Tams and discovered that there there are a number. He provided images of some. One thing that the enquirer could do is contact the "owners" of these trees using the Ancestry message facility.
If the Tams line dates back to the 1500s in England then it may be difficult to find a link into Scotland, due to lack of records such as baptism registers. An interesting large free website to use is familysearch.org.
This website includes some useful Staffordshire records which may be of interest.
Another approach is to take a DNA test. If you are just interested in your surname you could undertake the y-DNA test by Family Tree DNA. This is called a Paternal Test. Companies such as AncestryDNA, 23andMe DNA, MyHeritage DNA do not provide this test. The reason for using this type of test is that the results will apply to all your Tams male ancestors. Part of the result will be an estimated ethnic mix. If you take this test and the ethnic mix indicates a strong link to Scotland then our Clan Society would consider you have a connection to the Clan MacThomas.

MacCoone

(USA)
(137)

Added 17/04/23

An enquirer advised that his Scottish ancestor was a veteran of the Battle of Dunbar and was later transported to Boston on the ship John and Sara in 1651. The manifest lists his name as John MackHolme (spelled phonetically by the British). The enquirer have read that Clan MacThomas have identified him as one of their four Clan members on the ship. His original Scottish surname may have been McColm. In America he is known as John MacCoone. He may have had a brother named David MackHolme on the same ship. The enquirer asks if we can provide any information on this?

R

Sennachie advised that it is likely John MacCoone has no connection to the Clan MacThomas.
There was a John MacCoon[e] who fought at Dunbar and arrived in New England on the Unity in 1650. A year later, John and David MacHo[l]me both arrived in New England on board the John and Sara after fighting at Worcester in late 1651. Due to this, we don't believe John MacHolme and John MacCoone are the same person. Please see these links:
John MacCoone on the Unity (1650).
John and David MacHo(l)me on the John and Sara Passenger List (1651).
With regard to the surname M[a]cCoon[e], the census records in the U.S. National Archives show that the name seems to comes from Ireland. The source provided on John MacCoone above also states that he was probably born in Scotland.
The Earl/Marquess of Montrose led the Royalist army in Scotland during the English Civil War and our Clan chief at that time, McComie Mor, joined forces with him in 1644. His army was not only made up of Scots; there were Irishmen as well. That means it is likely there were still Irishmen fighting for the Royalist cause with the Scots at Dunbar six years later. The following links provide further information:
M[a]cCoon[e]- U.S. National Archives- Census Record.
James Graham, 5th Earl/1st Marquess of Montrose.
Furthermore a search for the name M(a)cCoone on the website ScotlandsPeople does not reveal any early Scotsfolk named MacCoone (or variations). While a search for the name McCoone on the website FamilySearch does reveal results for McCoone in Ireland.
  Finally it is noted that McCoone may be connected to the Clan McEwan. Reading about this clan history, the MacEwens have Irish roots (like some other clans) and apparently the clan genealogy can be hard to trace. These links may be helpful: Clan MacEwen Sept Names- Clan MacEwen Society
Brief History of Clan MacEwen

Thomson

(USA)
(136)

Added 17/04/23

A member has researched his family tree back to Mary Thomson who married George Rae in Monimail, Fife on 25 January 1724. He asks if there is any possibility of finding anything more, especially about her family.

R

Sennachie explained that at time spelling variations are quite common. So dont assume that Thomson must always be correct. Plus the lack of details in the old parish registers makes this task that much more difficult. Another factor that may be present is in relation to the naming of children, see this page.
The baptism of nine children of George Rae and Mary Thomson was found on familysearch.org with one baptised in Monimail, Fife and the others in the parish of Crese, Fife. Mary Thomson could have been christened Mary Thom or Thoms. The following baptism is of particular interest - Mary Thom christened 31 October 1697, Monimail, Fife, father David Thom, mother Mary Gilmour. There appears not to be a marriage of a Mary Thom in the early 1700s in Fife.
It is noted that Mary Thomson appears to have been pregnant when she married, Perhaps, for that reason she changed her surname slightly when she married. Also of interest is that women at that time generally ceased falling pregnant around 45 years old. Assuming Agnes born late in 1742 is their last child, then it is likely Mary was born about 1697.
There are many trees for George Rae and Mary Thomson on Ancestry with many saying Mary was born about 1711, making her about 13 when married, A marriage at that age is a bit suspect, especially in the light of the comment in previous paragraph.
Our Clan Chief accepts there is a connection to the Clan if a member is satisfied that Mary Thomson came from Fife. It is generally impossible to make an absolute connection to a Clan. However at about the same time the Chiefly family were living in the area of Monimail; please refer to this page and this page on this website.

McCombie

(USA)
(135)

Added 16/04/23

An enquirer in the USA is trying to link his earliest ancestors to their origin in the UK and Ireland. The enquiry relates to his ancestor, Mary McComb, possibly born about 1715 in Ireland, married James C. Young, Augusta, Virginia, USA.

R

Sennachie responded that this was a difficult challenge that may not be solved. Check websites such as Ancestry, myheritage, familysearch for any family trees relating to this couple, to see if anyone has solved this; ie, the parents of Mary McComb. If there are trees and none reveal her parents, this in an indication other researchers have also reached this “brickwall”. Consider if there is a possible name change for McComb, such as McCombie. Consider the possibility of hard to find records in Augusta that may reveal Mary’s birthplace, such a newspapers. A good website to check is the wiki section of familysearch.org. Contact the Augusta County Historical Society. Search the website for the USA National Archives.
Sennachie prefers to use free genealogy websites. For Scotland these are mainly familysearch and ScotlandsPeople, with support from local sites where needed.

McCommie

(USA)
(134)

Added 14/08/22

A new member advises that he is the great, great, great grandson of William McCommie of Alves, Morayshire, Scotland. Records show he christened his son there in 1798 and his daughter in 1801. He asks if there a connection to the Clan MacThomas and what the Sennachie’s thoughts are about his McCommie ancestors.

R

Sennachie welcomed the enquirer to the Society and explained that his role is to try to help the member with his research. His assistance is free to members.
Sennachie prefers to use free genealogy websites. For Scotland these are mainly familysearch.org and ScotlandsPeople, with support from local sites where needed.
It was noted that the member’s research has taken him back into the 18th century. This means that the records being researched have limitations. For example, entries in parish register for baptisms, marriages, and burials give limited information compared to later years. Information from newspapers is limited. Many people could not read or write. Changes occurred to the spelling of names. Not all parish registers are extant.
A search of familysearch of the member’s ancestors revealed:-
George McCommie baptised 27 May 1798, father William McCommie, mother Anne McAdam, Alves, Morayshire, Scotland.
Anne McCommie, baptised 21 March 1801, born 18 March 1801, father William McCommie, mother Anne McAdam, Alves, Morayshire, Scotland.
William Mc Commie baptised 14 November 1795, born 8 November 1795, father William Mc Commie, mother Anne Mc Adam, at Drainie, Morayshire, Scotland.
Christian Mc Komie, (female) baptised 15 March 1794, born 12 March 1794, father William Mc Komie, mother Ann Mc Adam, Drainie, Morayshire, Scotland.
William McHomas, married Ann McAdams, 25 May 1793, Draine, Morayshire, Scotland
A tree on familysearch states William McCommie died on 17 July 1828. It does not indicate the source. One source could be from a headstone in a local cemetery where he was living. Sennachie suggested contacting the relevant family history society - http://www.morayandnairnfhs.co.uk.
A very useful part of familysearch is its Wiki section where searches can be done for general information; for example, searching for Drainie, Scotland brings up this page: https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Drainie,_Moray,_Scotland_Genealogy.
Sennachie suggested having a DNA test. It is a tool within the genealogy tool box to be used in conjunction with record research. More advice on DNA can be provided.
As to having a connection to the Clan MacThomas, as your ancestor in Moray has the surname McCommie and variations, that is a sufficient connection to our Clan. It is quite usual for members not achieving a connection to the Clan using records, but achieving a connection based on the traditional history of the Clan, through a link to Scotland related to a sept of the Clan.

Thom

(USA)
(133)

Added 25/06/22

A new member advised that her great grandmother was Maragaret Thom (maiden name) born in Scotland in 1890. Her AncestryDNA results indicated 48% Scottish with ancestry in North East Scotland and the Northern Isles. She requested further information.

R

Sennachie found the following entries on the ScotlandsPeople website that may relate to the enquirer's Thom ancestors:
Birth: Thom ~ Margaret ~ F ~ 1890 ~ 583/ 11 ~ Coylton
Census: Thom ~ Margaret ~ 1891 ~ F ~ 1 {Age} ~ 583/ 4/ 2 ~ Coylton ~ Ayr
It would seem Margaret’s parents were John Thom (born c 1846) and Margaret (born c 1848). Margaret is probably Margaret Speir who married John Thom in 1871 at Ochiltree, Ayrshire.
With regard to the DNA test with ancestry, the member might like to join the Clan MacThomas DNA Group on the website familytreeDNA. She can do this by downloading from ancestry the raw data created by your test and uploading it to familytrreeDNA - see the following links: https://www.familytreedna.com/autosomal-transfer https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/clan-mac-thomas-project/about Sennachie offered more help if it is needed.

Thompson

(USA)
(132)

Added 25/06/22

The enquirer recently found out about his Scottish ancestry through DNA, and read that Thompson is from the MacTavish clan. But then he discovered that it is from MacThomas. He asked which is correct as his DNA result according to Ancestry shows 50 percent Scottish. Also a “p” could have just been added very easily.

R

Senachie advised that based on evidence and traditional references the name Thompson has no connection to the Clan MacThomas. The only circumstance that someone with the surname Thompson has a connection to our Clan is where there is reasonable proof that back in time there had been a spelling variation. Even then if you can obtain proof that your surname was once Thomson, to be connected to our Clan your Thompson/Thomson name would need to have a connection to the eastern highland counties in Scotland, ie, Perthshire, Angus, Aberdeenshire and Fife. This is because we know that MacThomas clansfolk living in those counties many years ago did change their surnames to Thomson, but not to Thompson.
The following link explains of our Clan Chief's view regarding Thomson: https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/septthomson.html/.
The enquirer cannot depend on DNA results alone to conclude that because a DNA test shows links to Scotland then your Thompson surname must be Scottish. DNA is just one tool to use in researching family history. That means DNA evidence needs to be part of standard genealogy research. Sennachie suggested research needs to be carried out on his Thompson line to see where in the UK that the Thompsons lived.
As for Clan MacTavish claiming Thompson as having a connection to their Clan, that is up to the MacTavish Chief to determine.

Holmes

(USA)
(131)

Added 25/06/22

The enquirer’s family has long held their Scottish heritage with great pride and are aware that their ancestors came from the Highlands. They may have been sent to America during the highland clearances but their exact origins are unclear. Sources indicate that Holmes might be a anglicised version of MacThomas. Any information regarding this suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

R

Sennachie advised that the Chief of the Clan McThomas considers the name Holmes has no connection to the Clan MacThomas. Holmes is considered generally to be English with a possible connection to the Scottish Lowlands. The MacThomas Clan was based in the Scottish Highlands in Perthshire. Sennachie is not aware of any example where research has indicated that Holmes is a variation of MacThomas.
The enquirer needs to carry out some research to see where their Holmes ancestors came from. Another possible option is having a DNA test as this should generally provide a broad ethnic indication.
As an indication of the spread of the name Holmes, using the website familysearch.org a search using the exact spelling of Holmes in the UK resulted in 1.1 million for England and nearly 10,000 entries for Scotland.

Thom

(USA)
(130)

Added 25/06/22

Thom is the enquirer’s first name, but it is his mother's maiden name. Both sides of his mother's family (The Thoms and Sanfords) are from Scotland. Great great grandfather John Thom was a blacksmith who immigrated from Scotland and settled in Sandusky, Ohio US around 1850. A visit to Scotland is planned in August 2022 partly to celebrate his mother’s 80th birthday. The family would very much like to visit parts of the country where their family is from. Any advice of places to visit would be very welcome.

R

Sennachie explained that just on the amount of information given it is difficult to say where John Thom was born and lived in Scotland. He asked if the enquirer has John’s death certificate as this should say how old he was when he died. It may even say where he was born in Scotland? Also is his wife’s name known?
John’s ancestors may have come from the area where the Clan MacThomas was based in Glenshee, Perthshire, Scotland. Clansfolk moved away from Glenshee in the 1600s and early 1700s to other parts of Scotland and even to Ireland. The Sennachie suggested looking at the following pages on the Clan website and elsewhere.
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/clanhistory.html
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/membersusefulinformation.html
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/thecockstane_throughtheseasons_201804.html
https://www.discoverglenshee.co.uk
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/septthom.html
It is likely that genealogy research may not be able to establish where John’s ancestors lived, but it is reasonable to assume one of them came from the Glenshee area some time ago. Using Sennachie’s tree as an example, his Thom line is from Australia to Old Monkland in Lanarkshire, east of Glasgow, in the late 1800s. They lived in that area back several generations to the mid 1700s. That is the end of the trail, but it is reasonable to assume they are connected to the Clan and Glenshee.

Thom

(USA)
(129)

Added 11/01/22

The enquirer provided her Thom family tree indicating that her ancestors were William Thom who married Elisabeth McLintock in 1785 at Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland and that William’s parents could be Joseph Thom and Isobel Rob. There is uncertainty about the Thom/Rob marriage and some advice is therefore needed.

R

Sennachie advised that getting back into 18th century could be as far back as you can go. A general search of the internet found no other researchers interested William and Elisabeth, except there was one tree on Ancestry that stopped at this couple. For Scottish research the two main websites are the official government site ScotlandsPeople and familysearch.org. Joseph Thom and Isobel Rob may not be William’s parents as there is at least another possible couple, namely John Thom and Euphame Law who had a son William baptised on 23 May 1763 in Cambusnetham, Lanarkshire.

Thom

(Australia)
(128)

Added 10/01/22

A member enquired about researching his grandfather’s ancestry in Scotland. James Thom was born Glasgow in 1876, the son of James Thom and Mary Ann Ritchie.

R

Sennachie provided details of this family from the 1881 Census of Scotland found on Ancestry, and advised that the next step was to use the website ScotlandsPeople to obtain a copy of the original 1881 Census return and also the marriage certificate for James Thom and Mary Ann Ritchie, who married in 1870 in the district of Bridgeton, Glasgow. More advice to follow after receiving these documents.

McComb

(USA)
(127)

Added 10/01/22

Great great grandmother Eliza McComb was born in 1843 in Ireland, possibly Co Derry and married James Mawhinney. Her death certificate states her father, Robert McComb was born in Scotland. The enquirer would appreciate any advice on researching this family in Ireland and Scotland.

R

Sennachie advised that the website familysearch has the record of the death of Eliza Mawhinniey on 29 February 1908 in Boston USA aged 62 years. Her father, Robert McComb may have been born in Scotland (as stated) in about 1800 to 1830. Using this period, a search on the website familysearch.org results in only one baptism of a Robert McComb, son of James McComb and Jean Houston on 17 July 1825 in the parish of Neilston (near Glasgow).
  To confirm that James and John are ancestors, the enquirer needs to see if some record relating to Robert reveals his parents names, such as Robert’s death certificate. The 1841 Census for Scotland may reveal an entry for this family. Having a DNA autosomal test may find a match to someone who has already researched this family.  Note that having a McComb ancestor means the enquirer has a connection to the Clan MacThomas and therefore can join the Clan MacThomas Society.

Tomassini

(Italy)
(126)

Added 10/01/22

An associate member enquired about the possibility that his surname may have a connection to Scotland and the Clan MacThomas, as Tomassini means “son of Thomas” and DNA results indicate Scottish ancestry. 

R

Sennachie advised that there may be no connection to a Clan MacThomas sept just based on a DNA result. DNA testing is just another research avenue and needs to be supported by documentary research showing which ancestor has a connection to Scotland. If the connection is based on surnames Thomas or Thomson then further research would be necessary to establish a connection to the eastern highland counties, such as Perthshire,   Angus and Aberdeenshire. Also to a large extent it depends upon which type of test was carried out - autosomal, y-DNA or mt-DNA.

Thom

(Switzerland)
(125)

Added 10/01/22

Two Thom brothers immigrated from France to Switzerland in about 1730. A living descendant is interested in knowing if it is possible that the ancestors of the brothers came from Scotland. Interest in asking for advice was encouraged during a tour of Scotland in 2020 when a stop was made at the Spittal where information about the Clan McThomas was read. 

R

 Sennachie advised that a search of the website familysearch.org for the name Thom in France results in a number of possibilities and four examples were sent. Also general history of links between France and Scotland during the 17th century revealed strong connections. The enquirer was encouraged to carry out further basic genealogy research and consider the possibility of having a DNA test. The Clan MacThomas considers that people with the surname Thom do have a connection to the Clan and therefore the enquirer would be welcome to join our Clan Society.

Thom

(Canada)
(124)

Added 11/01/22

Enquirer has recently started researching his Scottish ancestors and has found that his great great grandparents were Alexander Thom and Anne Anderson who married in Boharm, Banffshire on 20 June 1856. Information was found on Ancestry. He asks what else can be done and whether he qualifies for membership?

R

Sennachie recommended that more research could be carried out using the websites familysearch.org and ScotlandsPeople, such as searching the census returns. Because his grandmother’s maiden name was Thom the enquirer has a connection to Clan MacThomas and he can join the Clan MacThomas Society. The Sennachie offered further assistance if needed.

McUmber

(USA)
(123)

Added 10/01/22

An enquirer would like to know about where his father’s ancestors originated.

R

Sennachie advised that McUmber is not a name associated with the Clan MacThomas. Nor is it likely to be Scottish. It is more likely to have originated from the southern English surname Maycumber, see a relevant article here.

Thomas

(USA)
(122)

Added 18/07/21

An enquirer asked if his DNA test showed 50% Scottish, does that mean his ancestor Truman Thomas and his son Danford Thomas (1897-1920) could be connected to the Clan MacThomas.

R

Sennachie advised that it is not possible to say from a DNA test showing 50% Scottish (or any country and percentage) which ancestors this relates to. So the surname Thomas could be related to the other 50%. Also the ethnic mix is just a guide and therefore cannot be taken as an absolute indicator. This means more research of documented records needs to be done, especially in establishing the origins of the Thomas ancestors. Brief searches on Ancestry, Familysearch and Google did not find any relevant results based on the limited information proveded by the enquirer.

Thom

(USA)
(121)

Added 30/05/21

A member enquired about his father Nicholas Glen Thom born 1904 in or near Baldwin, Illinois. He had two brothers, Fred and Roland, and two sisters, Helen and Beulah . Their father was Jesse A Thom who died before 1951, wife was Mary Elizabeth Blank. He would appreciate guidance in researching further.

R

Sennachie referred to pages on the Clan’s website regarding research. Copies of a relevant tree on ancestry were provided with the warning that the facts stated needed to be confirmed by research. Also advice was provided about DNA testing and the opportunity to join the Clan MacThomas Group on familytreeDNA website.

McComb

(USA)
(120)

Added 05/04/21

An enquirer sought assistance in establishing their McComb connection to Scotland. Father McComb and sons James, John, Robert (ancestor), and William emigrated from County Antrim, Ireland to the USA prior to 1732.

R

Sennachie advised that several Clan MacThomas members are related to this family, with research indicating that finding records in Ireland and then to Scotland, is very difficult, if not impossible, mainly due to the lack of records. For example, there are very few records on passengers moving from Scotland to Ireland back in the 1600s and 1700s. The best option is to engage a local professional researcher in Ireland. But in doing this, without knowing the town or district in Co Antrim will make research difficult. Please see an article on the Clan MacThomas Society website by clicking here.

Thomsson

(Sweden)
(119)

Added 05/04/21

An enquirer asked if the Society had any record linking their Scottish ancestor to the Thomsson family in Sweden. Colonel Tomas Thomsson was born in Scotland and came to Sweden in 1595. He was the son of Henrik Thomsson - Williamsson born about 1540.

R

Sennachie advised that the surname Thomsson was very rare in Scotland. In the 1500s the use of surnames in Scotland was developing and the name Thomsson in Sweden could have come from Thomson, Thom, Thomas and even McComie, an early name used by the Clan MacThomas. Church records prior to the early 1600s in Scotland are very limited and no record could be found for a Henry Thomson or father William Thomson. Even if a record could be found, proving a connection to someone in Sweden would be very difficult.

Thomson

(Scotland)
(118)

Added 05/04/21

The enquirer has researched his Thomson ancestors back to the Rev Patrick Thomson who died aged 84 years in 1792 in Tillyfour, Aberdeenshire. He attended Marischal College in Aberdeen. He asks it there is there a link between Patrick and the Clan MacThomas.

R

Sennachie responded saying that generally speaking a connection to the Clan MacThomas is based on the surname of a person born in Scotland, especially, in the case of Thomson. A Thomson family of the eastern highland counties of Scotland, including Aberdeenshire, means the Clan MacThomas would welcome you as a member of the Clan MacThomas Society. In relation to your ancestor Patrick Thomson, there is one relevant tree on the website familysearch.org. But no parents are listed. A general search for a Patrick Thomson born about 1708 in Aberdeenshire revealed a number of results which makes it difficult to establish if one relates to your Patrick. Being educated indicates his parents may have been middle class, so read some general history of the area and time looking for mention of a Thomson family in the late 1600s and early 1700s. .

McCombie

(USA)
(117)

Added 05/04/21

The writer is the great great grandson of Robert Jacob McCombie mentioned in Hamish McCombie’s excellent article “McCombie - a One-Name Study”. Records found include the ship’s manifest for the Cornumia arriving Ellis Island in 1836, and his enlistment record showing he, together with his brother William, fought in the US civil war, and other family details.

Thom

(England)
(116)

Added 05/04/21

A member asked for assistance in researching his Thom ancestors. Great grandparents were John and Caroline Thom (nee Smith). His grandfather Sidney was born in 1897 in Alverstoke, Hampshire, England. Father, John, was a Regimental Sergeant Major in the Royal Engineers, so the family lived in various localities. John was born in Largs, Ayrshire in about 1855.

R

Sennachie recommended the use of websites Scotlandspeople, Familysearch, and Freebdm. Other websites, such as Ancestry and myHeritage can be useful but should be used as a guide to search for original records such as births, deaths and marriages and census records. Using these websites Sennachie was able to find details of his Thom ancestors back to the 18th century in Ayrshire.

McComb

(USA)
(115)

Added 18/10/20

An enquirer asked if there are any details of the McComb migration from Scotland to Ireland. The Society's migration map indicates a move for southern Scotland to Ireland but it appears there are no family links to support the move.

R

Sennachie advised that one of the biggest challenges is finding movements of your Scottish ancestors from Scotland to Ireland. In 1600s to the 1800s (and before) there was no requirement or need to keep records of people travelling from Great Britain to Ireland and the reverse. In those days there were no such thing as passports as we know today. It was simply the same as going across the River Thames, anyone could do it and there were no laws concerning such movements. The recording of general history tells us such movements happened but no details, except perhaps the movements of people of the upper class.

McComb

(USA)
(114)

Added 01/08/20

An enquirer sent to the Society details of her McComb ancestors, Andrew McComb and his wife Agnes (Nancy) Penney, with some photographs. Andrew was born in the Parish of Carnmoney in County Antrim, Ireland in 1812 and Agnes was born in the Parish of Ballylinny, Antrim in 1818. They arrived in the USA in 1874 on the ship Parthis, and settled in Manchester, New Hampshire. They had twelve children including Andrew who married Mary Ann Braine and lived in Pennsylvania. The other siblings lived in New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Massachustetts.

R

Sennachie thanked the enquirer for the photographs and information about her McComb ancestors. The Society had not received this information before and it will be filed in the Society’s records. Information was provided about joining the Society.

MacCombie

(USA)
(113)

Added 06/06/20

A new member sought advice on how to research their family history, especially their MacCombie ancestors. Great grandfather is John Spinks MacCombie who married Mary Dorward Ewing in Indiana, USA in 1901. He is said to have been born in Scotland in about 1868.

R

Sennachie advised that there is what appears to be a well researched tree on ancestry.com but questioned its accuracy as research found no reference to John Spinks McCombie on either of the following sites. Sennachie questioned the use of the second given surname Spinks. He has observed that in America that there is a tendency for Americans to add a surname later in life as a second given name. That means the member's John Spinks McCombie may have been baptised as John McCombie.
Sennachie suggested that the member could do further research on scotlandspeople and familysearch.org. Indexes on scotlandspeople are free to search, but there is a cost to obtain copies of original documents. Familysearch is a free website. Researchers need to register first.

Thoms

(Australia)
(112)

Added 16/01/20

The enquirer has been using Scotlanspeople with a good deal of success. Great great grandfather William Thoms parents were John Thoms and Helen Warden who married in Glenisla on 4 January 1793. He needs advice on finding John Thoms' birth and details about his parents.

R

Sennachie advised that the name Thoms appears to have first been used in Dundee in the mid 1700s, click here. This was a result of a name change, probably from Thomas or Thom. A good example of this is the chiefly line, click here. A problem at that time was that some parish records have not survived. For this check the wiki section of familysearch.org. On this site I found a possible baptism for John, click here (It may be necessary to log in to use this link).
Having a Thoms ancestor means that you might like to consider joining the Clan MacThomas Society.

McComas

(USA)
(111)

Added 11/01/20

A Society member has enquired about information on ancestor David McComas born about 1767, who married Chloe Bailey. There are indications that David’s parents were John McComas and Catherine Burke who may come to America in about the mid 1700s. Was John born in Ireland or maybe England.

R

Sennachie advised that there are many trees on the internet relating to David McComas, with some having as his parents John and Catherine Burke. There is doubt as to when and where David was born. And the same goes for his father John. Many trees on sites such as ancestry, myheritage, genealogy, familytreecircles, and rootsweb indicate how confusing is the research. Maybe there is a need to go through all the McComas trees that are online, and look for references to original documents. Then review against what you have already found. Click here and here to read two interesting assessments.
Add to all that, it is difficult to undertake research in Ireland looking for information in the 1600s and 1700s. Have a read of the familysearch.org article on Ireland here.

McComas

(USA)
(110)

Added 08/01/20

The enquirer came across the Clan MacThomas web page while doing research for an upcoming trip to Scotland. Researching back to Daniel McComas, who emigrated to the US from Scotland in the 1600s. She had always been told that McComas was a sept of the Clan Gunn. She asks if the Clan MacThomas point to something that would explain why two clans would both want to claim McComas as a sept? She is planning a trip to Scotland to visit important McComas places. One tree on the internet states that Daniel's father was a Donald who was from Kenmore. She would welcome suggestions of places to visit.

R

Sennachie advised that there are many trees on the internet relating to Daniel McComas but it appears that no one, with proof, has been able to say where and when Daniel was born. Those who have stated where and when he was born are speculating. As to the Clan Gunn stating that McComas is a sept of that Clan, their reason for this claim is not known. Our Chief is definite that McComas is a sept of the Clan MacThomas as McComas is the Gaelic translation of MacThomas, with “Th” pronounced as “C” in days gone by. Kenmore is in Clan MacThomas territory while the Clan Gunn is based in the northern Scottish counties. As the enquirer is female and the last of her family, DNA will probably not help unless the autosomal test reveals a link to a male relative. The Society’s website has information on the McComas sept, click here. Our website contains a lot of information about Clan MacThomas significant sites. Sennachie suggests that she should consider joining our Society.

Cumbie

(USA)
(109)

Added 10/10/19

The enquirer was in Scotland to do some family history research, especially relating to Cumbie ancestors and would welcome any advice.

R

Sennachie advised that researching in Scotland for your Cumbie ancestors is difficult without knowing where in Scotland they came from, and also the challenge of a spelling variation. A number of online Cumbie family trees show no link to Scotland. It is reasonably certain Cumbie was not used in Scotland in the period before 1800. It is one of those spelling changes that happened in the US at the time an ancestor arrived there. Hence the use of the surname Cumbie probably originated in the US. Our Society is satisfied that Cumbie is likely to be a spelling variation of the surname Combie which is a sept name within the Clan MacThomas. Even accepting this it will be hard to make the link back to Scotland without knowing where in Scotland your ancestor lived.
One option to consider is having your DNA tested. This may result in finding a link to someone who has used the surname Cumbie or Combie, and may find research back to Scotland. As your DNA test was autosomal only it is suggested you have your y-DNA tested as this test evalutes the origin of your male line only, ie Cumbie line, see article here.
As the Clan MacThomas would be inclined to accept you as a clansman of our Clan please consider joining our Clan Society by submitting details of your Cumbie line with your application, click here.

McComas

(USA)
(108)

Added 30/09/19

The enquiring member is descended from John “David’ McComas and his wife Catherine Burke. John died in Giles County, Virginia around 1799. His parents could be Alexander McComas and Elizabeth Day and his Scottish grandfather Daniel McComas. He needs advice on how to obtain proof about this connection.

R

Sennachie found that there are many trees on websites showing Daniel McComas as their ancestor. First step is to examine these trees closely for new reliable information that is based on original sources. Also consider contacting the “owners” of trees that look well researched. Having been DNA tested, consider joining the Clan McThomas Group on familytreeDNA. Check the Scottish government website Scotlandspeople. Please note the responses to enquiries 31, 34, 61 and 89 below.

McCombs

(USA)
(107)

Added 02/09/19

The enquirer believes his surname McCombs 'traces back to' the Clan MacThomas. There appears to be little history about the name McCombs and most online information does not end in "s", ie McComb. He has established his great great grandfather was Henry McCombs who died 1866 in Illimois having married Ruth Walton. The assumption is that "s" was added when his ancestors came to America. The enquirer asks if this is so and would appreciate any information.

R

Sennachie advised that there are many people in the USA today who have surnames that are slightly different to the name of their ancestor who arrived in America. We accept that someone with the surname McCombs is connected to our Clan. We have had enquiries from people with the name McCombs and comments can be seen by clicking here - look at numbers 23, 37, 66, 77 and 80.
One interesting free website is familysearch.org. This site requires researchers to register before accessing their data. After you register, enter the surname McCombs and the State where they lived in the US so as to see possible ancestors. Click on these links for other information, Schuyler and worldconnect.
Another possible opportunity is to have your DNA tested. If you are keen to explore your McCombs line further then in regards to DNA, you should have your y-DNA tested as this relates to your male line going back in time. Not all DNA testing companies do this test, especially ancestryDNA. In my view the best company for y-DNA is familytreeDNA, click here.
If you are interested in joining our Society, please click here.

MacTavish
Thomson

(England)
(106)

Added 02/09/19

The enquirer’s great great great grandmother was a Mctavish and his grandfather was a Thomson from Lossiemouth in Moray. Having recently visited the Cockstane he is interested to find out if there is a connection to Clan MacThoms on either side of his family ?

R

Sennachie advised that the Clan MacThomas does not have a connection to McTavish despite the Clan MacTavish claiming some Clan MacThomas sept names - click here.
The Clan MacThomas origins are with the Clan MacIntosh in the western highlands back in the 15th century. The surname Thomas as a sept of the Clan MacThomas occurs within the Clan in the 17th century, click here.
If the enquirer's Thomson line can be traced back to the eastern highland counties of Scotland, then he can join our Society as a full member. If not he may like to consider joining as an associate member, click here. The enquirer was asked to contact the Sennachie again if has are further questions, especially in regards to the Thomson research.

McIntosh
McCombie

(USA)
(105)

Added 17/05/19

The enquirer’s 2nd great grandmother is Laura Ann McIntosh, said to be descended from John McIntosh (1662-1729) from Wester Drakies, Inverness-shire whose father was John Iain Mohr McIntosh (1614-1674). She would appreciate more details about this line including the connection to the name McCombie?

R

Sennachie first gave a short explanation about the name McCombie. This is more of a “modern” surname within the Clan MacThomas that is said to stem from McComie when clansfolk emigrated from Perthshire to Aberdeenshire in the late 16th and the 17th century. There is no evidence that the surname McCombie was used by the chiefly family of the Clan MacThomas. Nor is there any evidence of a link between a McCombie and McIntosh. Due to the lack of records that early its not possible to prove such a link. See the following pages on this website:
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/septmccombie.html
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/genealogyarticlesons.html
It also should be appreciated that in pre1700 times some supporters of Clans took up using a surname for the first time by adopting one of the Clan's main surnames, eg McComie, without being a blood relation. That means it cannot be assumed that a person today having a Clan name must be related to the chiefly line some time in the past. Its more likely not so. McIntosh is not a sept of the Clan MacThomas.
In your McIntosh line you have stated that the father of John McIntosh, born 1662, of Wester Drakies in Inverness Shire, was “John Iain Morh McIntosh” This is clearly wrong. John the 7th Chief had six sons, the last being born in 1645. It is highly unlikely that his wife Elizabeth had any more children, certainly not in 1662 - please see this website page:
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/genealogytreesearlychiefsnew.html
From what you have provided your McIntosh line appears to come from Inverness Shire while the Chiefs of the Clan MacThomas lived in Perthshire. In those days the Clan MacThomas had connections to the eastern counties but there is no evidence of links to the north-west.

Thomson

(USA)
(104)

Added 22/04/19

The enquirer has just started trying to compile a family tree. One line goes back to John Thomson who emigrated to the USA from Scotland. John was born in 1730 (either January or April) and was the son of Uzal Thomson. A web search for Uzal found an entry on the Clan's website but just as a reference that Uzal was the father of John. So for now this faimily line seems to end with John and Uzal Thomson. Does your Society know anything further about Uzal and his wife?

R

Sennachie advised that what was found were extracts from a book, and placed on our website to help people who are researching their family history. The fact that the entries from the book are listed on our website, does not necessarily mean there is a connection to our Clan. Also Sennachie is not aware of the source the author used to create his listing, so perhaps it may be useful for the enquirer to have a look at this book. It may be listed in the online catalogue of the Library of Congress.
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/genealogydatadseusa.html
https://openlibrary.org/books/OL5305188M/A_dictionary_of_
Scottish_emigrants_to_the_U.S.A.
As to the surname Thomson having a connection to the Clan MacThomas please read this page on our website:
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/septthomson.html
In regards to a person named Uzal Thomson living in Scotland in the early 1700s, a search of the official Scottish government website Scotlands People did not find any use of the given name Uzal (or variations). This is not a surprise, as Sennachie's reaction to this given name was that it is most likely Uzal Thomson was born in the USA and not Scotland. https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk

McComb

(USA)
(103)

Added 11/04/19

The enquirer’s paternal line is Scottish. Andrew McComb married Christina Bell in mid 1700s and had at least three sons, while living in County Cork, Ireland. He referred to himself as a Scotsman and is said to have been born around Aberdeen in 1740. His son James was born in 1765 and by 1882 he and two brothers had made their way to Augusta County, Virginia, USA. Family history says the McCombs were of the MacKintosh Clan; even using their crest motto. The enquirer asks whether does the Clan know anything of Andrew McComb circa 1740? Also whether the Clan took part in the Battle of Culloden? Any information would be gladly appreciated.

R

Sennachie advised that in relation to the Clan MacIntosh, the surname McComb was only used in Scotland from about the second half of the 1600s, and from the early 1700s in Ireland. In other words after the Clan MacThomas was established in the Glenshee area around 1500. Therefore it is generally accepted by Clans that McComb is a Clan MacThomas sept rather than Clan MacIntosh. Read a brief history of the Clan MacThomas at:
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/septmccomb.html
https://clanmacthomas.uk/pages/clanhistory.html
Was Andrew was born in Scotland? It is doubtful this has been proved by any researcher of this family. On the website worldconnect, there are three relevant trees, of which only one says, without proof, he was born in Scotland. On the website familysearch.org there are again three trees with two, without proof, saying he was born in Scotland. There are probably relevant trees on paid sites such as ancestry and myheritage. There is a possibility he was born in Ireland. This could be difficult to prove as many records were destroyed in Dublin in the Troubles in 1922; see the following link:
https://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/irish-records-burned.html
In relation to Culloden there are no known comprehensive lists of soldiers who took part in the 1746 Battle. Many names of officers are known but not the common soldier. None of the known officers had a Clan MacThomas sept name, and in the history of the Clan there is no mention of any clansfolk taking part in the Battle. But it is possible. If some did then they probably were in the Clan Chattan group, see link below. By the time of Culloden, the Clan MacThomas was well and truely dormant, see Clan history. So it is impossible to say that a McComb family member took part in the Battle.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Culloden
https://www.unknownscottishhistory.com/articlefourteen.php

Thom

(France)
(102)

Added 31/03/19

The member is trying to find information about great grandfather James Thom, and his father John. The only information to hand is that James Thom was born in 1843 or 1844 in Aberdeen (according to Census returns of 1871 and 1881. His marriage certificate states his father was John Thom, a sheriff officer. James Thom married Eliza Root and they had 6 children; James, Robert, Isabella, Emma, Agatha and the enquirer's grandfather Donald Roy.

R

Sennachie advised that the challenge is the change in Scotland from baptisms, marriages, and burials conducted by religious institutions, ie, churches, to the introduction in 1855 in Scotland of civil registration of births, marriages and deaths. This results in there being less information recorded in the earlier parish registers. Also the formal taking of a census did not begin in the UK until 1831, and then every 10 years since. However no personal details have been retained of the 1831 census. As a result census returns for 1841 to 1901 are a valuable link between the civil registration period and the church period for births, deaths and marriage details.
The other major problem is that its easy to come across multiple likely results, say of Thom births/baptisms pre 1856 and its a challenge to establish which is one's ancestor. This is also coupled with spelling variations. For example, a Thom ancestor may have been baptised with the surname Thoms.
As James was likely to have been born in Aberdeen in about 1843/44 and his father’s name is John, check using the website familysearch.org as there is one entry of interest. This baptism can also be found in the church records index on the official website ScotlandsPeople. A good move is to establish the name of James’ mother. Search the census returns for 1851 and 1861 looking for James Thom.

Thomas

(USA)
(101)

Added 31/03/19

The enquirer’s surname is Robinson and his grandmother’s maiden name is Thomas. DNA results indicate a strong link to Scotland. He asks if the Clan's records reveal a Robinson with a link to Thomas? Great Great grandfather was James Henry Thomas, born 1843 in South Carolina, who married Sarah Francis Scott. The enquirer is interested in becoming a Clan Society member if there is a link to the Clan MacThomas. .

R

In the Clan records, Sennachie has found no Robinson/Thomas connection. In order to claim a Thomas link with the Clan MacThomas the enquirer needs to research their Thomas line back in time to see if they come from one of the highland counties in the east of Scotland, such as Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, Fife, and Angus. There are a number of relevant trees on several websites (details provided). None go back to Scotland indicating that is a real challenge. That means the task of trying to link to the Clan MacThomas is difficult unless there is a DNA match to a person who can link to the Clan.

Thoms

(UK)
(100)

Added 22/12/18

A long time member would like to add information to some incomplete branches on his family tree. He wants to establish whether there are any descendents from the siblings of his maternal great grandfather, Thomas Hunter Thoms. He would welcome any information or advice on how to proceed.

R

Sennachie carried out some research using the following websites - scotlandspeople (births, deaths, marriages, and census returns), ancestry.com (deaths, naturalisation, census return for Arizona, USA), findagrave, billiongraves and docplayer.net (monumental inscriptions). Of the enquirer’s six great great uncles and aunts, only one appears to have the possibility of living descendants.
George Duncan Thoms appears to have died in 1863 aged 21 years, unmarried.
James Henry Thoms appears to have died in 1883 aged 41 years, unmarried.
Elizabeth Mitchell Thoms married David Scott Fergusson in 1866; they had three children who all died unmarried.
William Henry Thoms died 1848 aged 7 months.
Patrick Hunter Thoms, died 1870 aged 22 in Brazil.
Alexander Russell Thoms married in 1881 (died 1909 in Arizona) to Mary Buchanan Brown, they had two children, William Brown Thoms who died in 1960 in California, unmarried, and Nellie Chick Thoms, who married Alfred L Rogers and they had at least two children, Veral Rogers born 1904 and Milton Rogers born 1907 who married Alis Quakenbush in 1937 in California.
To see what Californian records are available go to the Wiki Section of the familysearch website.

Mackholmes
MacKolmes
MacCulm
MacCoones

(USA)
(099)

Added 02/12/18

An enquirer on Facebook asked whether the surnames Mackolmes/MacCulm/MacCoones part of the Clan MacThomas?

R

Sennachie advised that there are many spelling variations for some of the sept names, especially in the USA. Some variations such as MacCoones are difficult to connect to a Scottish surname. It is unlikely to be connected to Mackholme. Changes happened as people penning spelt it as it sounded to them. As Mackholme and MacCulm may come from MacColm/McColm which is a sept of the Clan MacThomas, people with these surnames can apply for membership of the Clan MacThomas Society. MacCoones is not connected to Clan MacThomas.

Thomson

(USA)
(098)

Added 02/12/18

The enquirer’s grandfather, John Bruce Thomson, was born in April 1893 in Methil in the District of Buckhaven, Fife. His parents being David Thomson and Margaret White. John emigrated to Canada around 1912 then to USA. She asks if the Sennachie can provide more information.

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Sennachie suggested website scotlandspeople, to access births, deaths, and marriages, census returns and wills. Other general sites that may be useful are familysearch and worldconnect. Buckhaven is in the Parish of Wemyss. Good sites to learn what parish records exist and where they are held (or copies) is the Wiki section of familysearch, and the Genuki section on Fife. Local websites that may be useful include the Buckhaven Library and Museum, Methil Library, Fife County Archives, and the Fife Council Archives. Sennachie also provided were some specific records found on familysearch

Tomé

(UK)
(097)

Added 24/11/18

The enquirer’s family surname is Tomé and this Portuguese name is said to be the equivalent of Thomas. Does the Clan MacThomas have a presence in Portugal and what is the origin of this uncommon surname?

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Sennachie advised that surname probably goes back to the era of when people started to use surnames with a given names. It is said that Tomé is equivalent of Thomas in English. That does not mean it comes from Thomas, perhaps Thomas came from Tomé. We just dont know. It could be that someone in Portugal way back in the 14th century simply started using Tomé as a surname.

Thom

(USA)
(096)

Added 23/11/18

The enquirer’s grandfather, Norman William Thom, was born to John Mollision Thom of Dundee and Mary Ann Crichton Smith of Edinburgh on 19th January 1920 in New York USA. She would like to know if John has a connection to the Clan and something about the history of this Thom line.

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Sennachie advised that as the enquirer's grandfather has the surname Thom and has a connection to Scotland, this means your Thom ancestors have a connection to the Clan MacThomas and that you can become a full member of the Clan MacThomas Society.

Thom

(Canada)
(095)

Added 22/09/18

Enquirer would like to find more information about grandmother, Annie Christie Neil Thom, born in Glasgow in 1895, and her ancestors. Any help to learn where to begin searching would be appreciated.

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Sennachie suggested a visit to the local public library to borrow books on how to research family history, especially one that includes information on Scotland research. Also joining a local family history society, if there is one, as they will help with research.

McColm

(USA)
(094)

Added 31/08/18

A member is interested in researching his McColm ancestors. There are family trees on 'ancestry.com' that show ancestor Malcolm McColm and his father John were born in Strabane, Ireland in 1769 and 1730. Both died in the USA. The challenge is to find missing information such as the birth of John’s father in Scotland.

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Sennachie advised of the need to check the published information in family trees on the internet such as ancestry.com against original sources. There are relevant McColm trees on other web sites such as worldconnect and familysearch.org. Another interesting site is:
https://sites.google.com/site/mccolmfamilyhistory.
One of the main sites for Scottish research is scotlandspeople. Regardless of the challenges, as the member's grandmother’s maiden surname is McColm, he has a connection to our Clan and is most welcome.

McComb

(USA)
(093)

Added 13/08/18

A member asked whether a tree on Ancestry is correct. Her ancestor Jacob James McComb’s father was William McComb and grandfather William Thomas McComb. Both William (b 1710) and William Thomas (b1680) were said to have been born in Ireland. Also the father of William Thomas McComb is stated to be John MMcComb(ie) born 1600 in Crandart, Scotland, (married Elizabeth Campbell) and his father Alexander McCommie, born 1578 Finegand (married to Margaret Small).

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Sennachie advised that this may be an attempt to incorrectly link a McComb family in Ireland with the chiefly tree in Scotland. There are articles in the Genealogy section of the Clan’s web site that clearly indicate such connections are unlikely. First it is difficult to prove a link between Ireland and Scotland - although this is shown on the Clan Migration Map. Second no evidence has been found of members of the chiefly family changing their name to surnames such as McComb, McCombe, McCombie. Third is that its unlikely that a man born in 1600 would have a child born in 1680. This does not mean that members with these sept names are not members of Clan MacThomas.

Thom

(Australia)
(092)

Added 11/06/18

The enquirer has been researching his Thom ancestors and has got back as far as Alexander Thom who married Margaret Gib in 1763 in Rothiemay, County Banff. There is a gap in the baptism records from 1711 to 1747. He requested advice on next research steps and asks if there a connection to Clan MacThomas?

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Sennachie advised that the web sites scotlandspeople and familysearch confirm the gap in the baptism records. A search of the baptism indexes on both these sites for Alexander Thom over the period 1700 to 1750 reveals many entries. Also a search for Thom baptisms in Banff 1658 and 1710 reveal 43 baptisms, all in the parish of St Fergus. Sennachie suggests that this may be where Alexander’s ancestors lived. But because of the gap in the Rothiemay records it is virtually impossible to go back any further. However as the enquirer's Scottish ancestor is named Thom it is accepted that there is a connection to the Clan MacThomas, perhaps by migration from Glenshee to Banff via Aberdeen.

Thomas

(USA)
(091)

Added 11/08/18

The enquirer’s family has always said that they had connections to Ireland and Scotland. His grandfather was Burely McDonald Thomas.

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Sennachie advised that Thomas was a popular surname in the UK and Ireland, especially in England and Wales, and to a lessor extent in Ireland and Scotland. A search of the web sites worldconnect and ancestry revealed a number of relevant trees - Burley’s father is stated as Willis Washington Thomas, his grandfather William Hunsucker Thomas, great grandfather Aaron Obediah Thomas, and great great grandfather Joseph Thomas, all born in the USA. This line may go back to a Hugh Thomas in Maryland in the 1600s. If this is relevant then the most likely connection is to Wales. None of the family trees found has a connection to the UK or Ireland. Sennachie suggests that further research is needed.

Thom

(USA)
(090)

Added 24/02/18

Much research has been carried out on Thom line back to Joseph Thom who was born in the 1740s possibly in Ireland or Scotland. Help is needed to resolve his origin and trip to America.

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Sennachie advised that there are related trees on three web sites and that he has found a variety of data relating to the origins of Joseph Thom said to be born about 1743. Many Americans researching their family history find it difficult, if not impossible, to trace back to where their ancestors came from prior to their arrival in America. And this includes Joseph Thom.

McComas

(USA)
(089)

Added 24/02/18

The enquirer was seeking information about ancestor Daniel McComas, born 1662 in Scotland, who married Elizabeth, and settled in Boston in 1685.

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Sennachie advised that two free web sites provide a variety of data related to the origins of a Daniel McComas, who is said to have been born about 1666. Many Americans doing their family history find it difficult, if not impossible, to trace their ancestors back to where they came from prior to their arrival in America. And this includes Daniel McComas.

Combs/

Comb

(USA)
(088)

*

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*

*

*

*

* 

The enquirer’s Combs ancestors lived in London in the 1700s. DNA testing indicates Welsh, Scottish or Irish heritage. Can the enquirer wear the MacThomas tartan? 

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Sennachie advised that there is no legal restriction to wearing any tartan. However, tradition and etiquette means that wearers of Clan tartans should limit their choice to a tartan that has a connection to a surname of an ancestor. Some tartans have no connection to a Scottish highland Clan.

Combs (or Comb) is a widely spread name in the UK with a majority being English. There is no apparent connection to the Clan MacThomas. However there could be a connection where there has been a spelling variation or where the Combs ancestor in the 1700s came from the Scottish highland counties of Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, Angus or Kincardineshire.

McCoomb

(NK)
(087)

The enquirer asked if the name McCoomb is related to the MacThomas clan. 

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Sennachie advised that McCoomb is not a surname used in Scotland. It appears to have been used only in Canada, USA and Australia to a very limited extent. This is a clear indication this surname is a spelling variation, probably from McComb, which is a sept name of our Clan.

Thomson

(UK)
(086)

The enquirer’s grandparents Stanley Robert Thomson and Jean Clark married in Scotland in 1957 and it is said their Thomson line went back several centuries in Aberdeenshire. DNA results indicate the ancestors came from the NE of Scotland and the central highlands. The enquirer asks if this indicates a link to the Clan MacThomas? 

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Sennachie advised that if Thomson ancestors were born in the counties of Perthshire, Fife, Aberdeenshire and Kincardinshire then it is accepted there is a connection to the Clan MacThomas. Descendants can join our Society. Specific likely information was provided. Dont forget a DNA test by ancestryDNA will give information about all the enquirer's ancestors, not just the Thomson line.

Thom

(New Zealand)
(085)

The enquirer's ancestor, John Thom, was baptised on 2nd February 1740 in Elrick, Aberdeenshire. He married Jean Taylor in Fife on 21st June 1769. She asks if this Thom family is a Sept of the Clan MacThomas? If so, would this mean that our Clan tartan is that of the MacThomas Clan? 

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Sennachie advised that having a Thom ancestor from Aberdeenshire is sufficient to have a connection to the Clan MacThomas. In fact it is enough to have the surname Thom with a Thom ancestor from Scotland.

There is no official register of who belongs to which Clan. It is all based on surnames and its even better to have an ancestor from Scotland. Sometimes with certain surnames, eg Thomson, a connection with an area in Scotland is needed, but not so for Thom. This surname is only associated with the Clan MacThomas.

In regards to tartans, it is as simple as which tartan is recognised by a Chief of the Clan as being the Clan Tartan. There are two MacThomas tartans - the ancient and the modern - for details see the web site - link.

It is very important for the tartan to be as specified at the bottom of the above page. Anyone can wear any tartan but convention usually means that only those associated with a particular Clan, wear that Clan's tartan.

Thoms

(Germany)
(084)

A member asked for assistance in finding more about grandparents Franz and Marie Thoms. They lived in Leba on the Baltic Sea, where their five children were probably born, before World War Two. Today Leba is in Poland. The family probably moved to the Hessen area around WW2 where descendants live today.  

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Sennachie advised that due to World War Two researching German records can be difficult. The first step is to contact relatives to find out what they know about the Thoms family. Read a book on how to research genealogy or look online for research advice, on web sites such as familysearch.org. Visit your local family history society. A good web site for German research is https://www.genealoger.com.    

Thom

(Canada)
(083)

An enquirer was about to visit Scotland for the first time and asked for the Society's assistance in finding where his grandfather James Robertson Thom (born c 1898) lived in Scotland. 

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Sennachie advised that James was born in Gartly, Aberdeenshire during the first quarter of 1898 to Walter Thom and Mina Stephen. Walter and Mina were married in 1896 in Kelvin, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire. In the 1901 Census they are living in Gartly.

Walter was born in Auchindoir, Aberdeenshire in 1870, the son of James Thom and Mary Baxter. James Thom was born in about 1835 in Dunnottar, Kincardineshire, the son of John Thom and Jane (Jean) Savage. John was also born in Dunnottar, Kincardineshire in 1792.

Sennachie provided some links about the above places in case a visit to Aberdeenshire was planned:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gartly 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mary%27s_Kirk,_Auchindoir
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunnottar_Castle

The Clan MacThomas was based in the Glenshee area in Perthshire in the 17th Century and a good number of the Clan migrated to Aberdeen and in the County of Aberdeen.

Thom

(USA)
(082)

A follower has asked for an image of the Thom Family Crest 

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Sennachie advised that when a grant of arms is made it will include a crest. For Scottish names such as Thom, grants are made by the Lord Lyon of Scotland, an appointed government official. Individuals with Scottish ancestry can apply for a grant of arms from the Lord Lyon.

McCumber

McComber
(USA)
(081)

A researcher has been working hard to find his family clan. Georgina McCumber, of Ontario, Canada, was his great grandmother's (Beatrice Verna Raymond) mother, a descendant of Constant Macomber, who fought in the revolutionary war for the U.S. colonies. He has been told that 'Macomber' comes from the Gaelic 'MacThomaidh', which I believe is Clan MacThomas. He asks if this is correct? 

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Sennachie responds that the surname McCumber and McComber are not names connected to the Clan MacThomas, and do not appear to be Scottish. Our Clan has had enquiries before regarding these names and variations - please click here to read an article explaining this.
The only way for the enquirer to find out the origin of his McCumber ancestor is to carry out family history research. Web sites worldconnect and ancestry.com have several McComber/McCumber trees. Please click here to read a relevant Facebook page.

For an explanation about surnames click here.

Added 05/02/17

This member would like to hear from other members with McComb ancestors who have had their DNA tested.  The member has been in contact with several McComb men and formed three small groups based on DNA results. She would like to make contact with other McComb/McCombs who have had their DNA tested or are interested in having their DNA tested, especially members who have researched their family tree.   

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If anyone is interested in this enquiry and would like to make contact with the enquirer, please contact our Sennachie, or the webmaster.

Added 05/02/17

This member wishes to know more about his Thomson ancestors. Some years ago a professional researcher in Edinburgh reported that the member's ancestors James Simpson and Janet Thomson lived in the parish of Madderty, Perthshire in the late 16th century and that their son, James, was born there in about 1797. The member would be appreciate more information about them and their parents . 

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Sennachie searched the parish records for Madderty on both Scotlandspeople and Familysearch and both revealed that an Anne Thomson married James Simpson in 1796 and that this couple then had three children baptised at Madderty - James in 1797, John in 1799 and Anne in 1801. The name Janet was given on the death certificate of son James in 1869 by grandson James. Sennachie considers the evidence now indicates Janet should be Anne Thomson. Sennachie suggests that further research using Familysearch and Scotlandspeople may reveal more.

Added 10/11/16

A member wishes to know more about her McColm ancestors. Thomas McColm is thought to have been born in about 1830 in Londonderry, Ireland, the son of Hugh McColm. Thomas married Mary Jane Burt in 1866 in Wellington, NSW, Australia. Thomas’ son Thomas Edmund McColm died in 1939 at Mosman, NSW. 

Sennachie suggested that the NSW marriage and death certificates for Thomas should be obtained as they could reveal information about his origins in Ireland and confirm the names of his parents. The 1831 Irish Census on familysearch.org revealed that a Hugh McColm was living in Londonderry. If he lived beyond 1864 then his death should be indexed in the civil records on the web site https://www.irishgenealogy.ie/en/. Irish records are difficult to research because many were destroyed in 1922 “troubles”.

Added 10/11/16

The enquirer's ancestor, Andrew McCombs is said to have been born in Wigtownshire, Scotland. Nothing is known beyond Andrew's birth in about 1740. In early US records his last name was on occasions spelt “MacKooms”. He married Anna Hilts in New York in 1768. She asks if the Society find more. 

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Sennachie noted that there are severals trees on Ancestry.com and none of them have any further information beyond Andrew. Also on familysearch.org there are three Andrew McComb parish entries in Wigtownshire in the 1700's but none that can be linked to the enquirer's Andrew. It would seem that the use of MacKooms is a variation that started to be used only in the US after Andrew’s arrival as this spelling does not appear in old Scottish records, especially on the site ScotlandsPeople. There are a number of options in Scottish records as to the spelling of his surname such as McComb, McCombs, Combe. As the name is a sept of the Clan MacThomas, descendants of Andrew the enquirer is entitled to become a member of the Society.

Added 09/11/16

The enquirer asked whether having a grandmother whose birth name was Thomas qualifies to apply for membership of Clan MacThomas? Her name was Annetta Thomas and she was born in Stansfield, West Yorkshire on 3rd February 1849, father Robert Thomas and mother Mary Stansfield. 

Sennachie advised that as Thomas is also a popular surname across the UK, especially in Wales, there would be a need to have a Thomas connection to the eastern highlands counties of Scotland, especially Aberdeen, Perth, Fife, and Kincardine. A search of census returns on the web site familysearch.org revealed that in 1861 father Robert Thomas, age 49, stated he was born in Rochdale, West Yorkshire. Also this Robert was likely baptised on 30 July 1812, at nearby Todmorden, son of John and Betty Thomas. More research is needed, as there is a possiblity that an earlier Thomas may have come from Scotland, but this will probably be difficult to prove and perhaps unlikely. 

Added 16/08/16

The enquirer recently found the name of one of his ancestors on a death certificate (for her daughter) that has her name written as McChomays.  He could only find that name on www.electricscotland.com where they have it attached to clan McThomas. It could not be found on any reference anywhere else. It is assumed she lived and died in Northern Ireland as her husband Francis Breen was born and died in Northern Ireland, and all her children were born in Northern Ireland. The enquirer asked if Sennachie knows of any background that can help him?

Sennachie responded that it is possible that surname McChomays originated from a Clan sept name, maybe McComie. Sennachie has not come across this name at all before.  That means it is not certain that there is a link to the Clan MacThomas. It is likely that some surname websites try hard to link a Scottish looking surname to a Clan by simply selecting what they think is the most likely.

One of the issues in American research is that of name changes. Many immigrants on arrival could not read or write and the officials recording details for them were usually of English origin and had trouble understanding others, such as people coming from Scotland. So they simply wrote down an interpretation of what they heard. Then this spelling continued to be used or even varied again. Looking at possible variations, the “ay" could be "ie" - McChomie. Then taking a step further it could be Mchomie, and this is an old version within the Clan MacThomas.
It is not possible to say with some certainty that McChomays was Scottish or even if they came from Scotland - “Mac” or “Mc” is not an absolute indicator that they came from Scotland. They could from Ireland or England.

Added 11/08/16

The enquirer's grandfather is Robert McOmish and his wife Margaret Queen. Paternal great-grandfather married a McTaggart, and there is some suggestion of variations McOmish and McComish. They lived in Glasgow and possibly before that in Perthshire. Would like any further information. 

Sennachie suggested searching for McOmish births, marriages and deaths on the official Scottish web site scotlandspeople, then work backwards in time using such records as census returns and wills. Also read the help articles on scotlandspeople and the Clan’s web site. McOmish is generally accepted in the world of Scottish Clans as being a sept of the Clan MacThomas.

Added 11/04/16

A follower of the Clan is trying to trace his ancestry. Father Robert Macleod Combe was born in Linlithgow near Edinburgh and served as a Lance Corporal in the British Commando No. 6 Battalion. His father Robert Combe was the Town Clerk in Linlithgow. The family emigrated to South Africa in 1961. The follower would appreciate any pointers. 

Sennachie responded by explaining that Combe is one of the sept names of the Clan, and that it is accepted if a person named Combe has a link to Scotland then there is a link to the Clan MacThomas. The web site Scotlandspeople is the official Scottish government site where it is recorded your father was born on 4th March 1923 and that his father was Robert Lincoln Combe.  The web site Geni (http://www.geni.com/) states that Robert Lincoln Combe was born on 11th March 1879 and that his father is Thomas Combe.

In relation to middle given names it is common practice in

Scotland for a baby to be baptised with one given name and for the middle name to be added some time later. It is likely that an entry for a Robert Combe in the 1891 Census recorded on the free web site familysearch.org, is relevant so Sennachie suggested obtaining the full family census entry from scotlandspeople.

Further research on these sites is recommended and it may be

useful to contact or even join the West Lothian Family History

Society:- http://www.wlfhs.org.uk

Added 28/02/16

The enquirer would like information about their branch of the family Combie as they are trying to put together the Family history. They wants to find out when and why ancestors Cumbie or Combie came to the USA, as the family has been in the US for a long time, and why the spelling of the name changed. Some members used the name Combie at the time of the Civil War. Research is ongoing. 

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As to where the first Cumbie came from in the UK, assuming it is the UK, the answer will be in US records, if at all. Those researching this name that have recorded their trees on the internet appear not to solve this. It should be noted that another spelling variation is Cambie, especially in England.

Added 18/01/16

A Society member descended from David Comee who died at Sudbury, Massachusetts USA in 1676 asked the Sennachie to comment on his tree, which shows that this David is David McComie, the son of Alexander, the 6th Chief of the Clan MacThomas and his wife Margaret Small. 

Sennachie has carried out extensive research on-line and into published material about the Clan's history and in particular the 6th Chief. As a result an article he has written is now available on this website, which concludes that David Comee, c1635-1676, is not the son of Alexander, 6th Chief, and his wife Margaret Small. The article can be read by clicking here.

*****

However, descendants of David Comee are accepted as clansfolk of the Clan MacThomas.

Added 10/10/15

Prior to visiting Scotland a member from the USA would like to establish sites in Glenshee and Aberdeen where his McComb ancestors could have lived according to information on the Clan's web site 

Sennachie carried out some research on the internet and by establishing that the Society's member's grandfather George A McComb died in 1954 in Pennsylvania, was then able to find trees of free sites such as worldconnect and familysearch that take his ancestors back to General James McComb who was born near Belfast in 1758. It may be difficult to establish a link to Scotland although the Clan is aware that McComb clansfolk did migrate from Glenshee to Aberdeen to Ireland.

Added 31/05/15

The enquirer's Grandfather was Alan Louis Thom, and his father was John Robertson Thom (both born and married in Scotland).  John was born in 1889 in Dundee, parents James Thom and Susan Lindsay Robertson.
She is interested to learn more about what our Society does - such as events or committees.  She also asks how she can become a  member of the Clan Society?

Sennachie advised that Thom is the most common surname amongst members of the Clan Society.  The Clan Gathering was held at Pitlochry, Scotland in late August 2014.  Reports about the Gathering appear on the Clan web site.  The gathering is held every three years.  The Clan Society has three branches: Australia, North America and Europe.  Each Branch has functions from time to time, although it should appreciated that distance is an issue for a small Clan like ours. 
There is a fair bit about activities on our website, although more is revealed to members in the secure areas.  Also  each member receives the Society's magazine and newsletters.

To join the Society, please click here.

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Interestingly Sennachie could not find any reference to John Robertson Thom on free sites on the internet. But this could be his sister Davina's birth in 1891, on

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTFD-4LH 

To find places in Scotland use Google and, for example, search for "Dundee Scotland". Another useful search facility is the wiki page on familysearch so click on the link below and in the search box key in Dundee (or whatever) and click enter

https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Main_Page 

Added 26/04/15

The Society has received a number of enquiries about the following surnames - Comber, Cumber, Macomber, Macumber, Mcomber, Mcumber, McCumber, McCumber, MacComber, MacCumber, MayComber, MayCumber. See previous enquiries Numbers 8, 13, 26, 32, 35, 43, 50. 

Sennachie has again researched this group of names and written an article in which he concludes that not only is there no connection to the Clan, there appears to be no connection to Scotland in available records pre 1855. The possible origin from written records is southern England. To read Sennachie's article please click here.

The enquirer's grandfather on her father's side, Hamilton Wesley Thom, studied geneology, and found out that his relatives were part of Clan MacThomas, and her father still has the clan tartan and coat of arms that was passed on to him. The enquirer hoped to learn a little bit more about the family's past.

Sennachie advised that having the surname Thom means that our Chief accepts that you have a connection with the Clan MacThomas and that you may apply to join the Clan MacThomas Society.

*****

In looking at the information that the enquirer provided, one of the first web sites to use is the free site familysearch.org.  This site reveals details of four generations back from grandfather Hamilton Wesley Thom. Perhaps the enquirer's grandfather's papers will support this. Sennachie suggests looking  further at this site and other sites such as http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com.

*****

One of the challenges experienced by Americans researching back in time is establishing the connection from America to Scotland. Sennachie does not know if this has been done with the enquirer's tree.  Further enquiries may reveal this.  

The enquirer is looking for a Robert McCombs who was born in about 1750; married a Margaret Wishard and lived in Lincoln County, North Carolina, fought in the Revolutionary War, and had a son named William. 

Sennachie advised that a general search on the internet revealed nothing. He noted that others are researching this family and have not been able to establish these details.  There are two trees on www.rootsweb.ancestry.com, and several trees on familysearch at familysearch.org/family-trees. Also there are possible ten trees on ancestry.com showing they had up to seven children.

The enquirer sent his family history as far as he knows back. He asks us to let him know if his grand mother Elizabeth McColm is connected to the Clan MacThomas. 

After looking closely at the family tree Sennachie advised that the surname McColm is a sept of the Clan MacThomas and that anyone with that name and having ancestors born in Scotland can claim to be connected to the Clan MacThomas.
***** 
Sennachie asked if his grandmother, Elizabeth McColm, had been born in Scotland. He asked if her marriage certificate (to George Woskett in 1914) provided details of where they married and the names of their parents. Also her death certificate may have useful information. If they married in Scotland then its likely that both of them will be recorded in the 1901 Scottish Census and the returns for that census could be on the website scotlandspeople. 

The enquirer comes from Catalunya and recently found out about the Comas surname in Scotland. He would like to know more and, in particular, if there is any historical link in the past between Scotland and Catalonia. 

Sennachie considers that it is more than likely that the enquirer's surname has a Spanish background.  However there is a possibility that it is connected to Scotland and the Clan MacThomas.  One of the Clan names, as seen on this web site, is McComas.  There are some instances, but not very many, where this name has been recorded as Comas.  As a test, a surname search on the web site familysearch.org reveals only a few instances of Comas.

*****

The only way to test a connection to Scotland, or to another location, is to carry out a standard family tree research by going back in time from yourself, your father, grandfather etc.  This can be done by obtaining birth, death and marriage details.  Sennachie knows little about researching family history in Spain but you could try a local library and see if they have any books on family history research.  Also on familysearch you will see a section on Spain, go to:

*****

https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Spain_Genealogy (link)

*****

As to a link between Scotland and Spain in the past, Sennachie is sure that back in the 17th and 18th, and even earlier, some Scots did travel to Spain. 

The enquirer is trying to find out which Clan his family is descended from. He can trace back from his grandfather William Walker Thomson to the late 1700's to Alexander Thomson in Lanarkshire. He has completed 111 markers of DNA but has no real answers thus far. He asks if  the Society can help him? 

Sennachie advised that as far as he is aware none of our Thomson members have been tested. Also it is still early days with DNA as there needs to be many more people tested who have also carried out extensive genealogical research. Our Chief will recognise a connection to the Clan MacThomas if a person has an ancestor, say Thomson, who was born in the eastern counties of the Scottish highlands, especially, for example, Perthshire and Aberdeenshire. I note your Thomson ancestors lived in Lanarkshire.
***** 
Civil registration, ie vital statistics, started in Scotland in 1855. Prior to that it was up to the family if they wanted to have their children baptised and in what church. The other key record is a will but usually wills were only prepared for people with property and that meant only a small number. The same can be said of land records. So for the likes of most of our Scottish ancestors, it is usual to come to a dead end in the early 1800s or the mid 1700s, simply because of the difficulty of lack of information and the number of entries for the same name. For example there are probably many babies born around the late 1700s named Alexander Thomson and one is probably your ancestor, but its impossible to say which one.
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A search on the web site familysearch for the baptism of an Alexander Thomson in Scotland between 1780 and 1805 gave over 5000 results. Many will be duplicates but it does show the problem. If the search is restricted to Lanarkshire there are over 800 results. This may be as far as the research can go.

The enquirer can "prove" her ancestry back to David Comee, born about 1635 in Aberdeen, captured by the English and deported to Charlestown, in what is now Masschusetts in 1652. It appears that his parents were Alexander McComie and Margaret Small from Aberdeenshire. From the Clan website, it appears that Alexander was the 6th Chief. Is there any way that she can verify that information, and find out more about the earlier generations in Scotland?

Sennachie advised that this enquiry is in the area of tradition rather than fact. It is difficult to know what is right and what is wrong. It is not known where son David of Alexander (6th Chief) and Margaret McComie (née Small) was born. It is more likely he was born somewhere around modern day Glenshee, near the Spittal. In that area pre 1650s it is usual to find that the parish records are not extant so there are no baptism, marriage and burial records. This can be checked on sites such as familysearch in their WIKI section for parishes such as Glenisla, Forfar, Aberlemlo etc.

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The main record where information comes from, and you see it in the writings of Roger Pye, are records relating to land, such as sasines and deeds. These can be found at the National Archives of Scotland in Edinburgh (now known as Scotlandspeople). They are quite difficult to use and are not on the internet.
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The formal surname used in the official records such as sasines and deeds, in the early days for the Chief's family was McIntosh (and variations such as MacKintosh). The use of McComie and such was a local custom at that time but slowly came to replace McIntosh in the late 1600s early 1700s.
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As to a connection between the above David and the David deported to the American colonies it is speculation and should not be recorded as fact.

The enquirer wishes to learn more about his family history in the United States and overseas.  

Sennachie suggested that the enquirer provides further details so that some guidance can be provided. For example, has the enquirer done any family history research? What is the full name of his grandfather (or even his great grandfather) McComas and his wife, the year he was born and where, when and where they married. A reasonable "guess" is all that is needed at this stage.
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Having the surname McComas, our Chief accepts that unless the name has been assumed at some time, there is automatically a connection to the Clan McThomas. That is, it is not necessary to prove by research back to Scotland that there is a connection to the Clan.

The enquirer has recently started researching his family history, having been brought up to believe that he is a Scottish Thomas. He has traced the line back to Alexander William Thomas, born Hackney 1792 (approximately), parents possibly Alexander Thomas and Margaret Ogilvy married at St Leonard's Shoreditch 1792, with Alexander born in Perth on 16 October 1765. Are Alexander's roots in the Clan MacThomas, and is he possibly descended from one of those clansmen who relocated in the 17th century? Does the Clan know of an Alexander Thomas who moved to London in the late 17th/early 18th centuries? Any points that you might be able to give would be most gratefully received. 

Sennachie advised he knew of no details of any particular family/person connected with the Clan moving from Clan territory to the London area. Most of the early emigration movements are not detailed but are more about oral history in broad terms. People in those days could move around the British Isles without needing to have "permission" or to even record it. Sometimes such movements are recorded in family records but not very often and then one has to find the record. Perhaps over time and as more comes onto the internet more may be found.
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It is a big leap from London to Perthshire. The enquirer's Alexander Thomas could have been born in Wales or England as a search reveals possible baptism entries there too. Perhaps the assumption that he is Scottish is questionable. However the one thing that just might solve all this is DNA. But even then DNA for family history purposes is in its early stages as many more people need to do it so there is a large data base to compare results.

The enquirer's father's surname was McCombie and he died when the enquirer was young. He would like to know more about his family history. 

Sennachie suggested the enquirer should read the article 'Beginning your family history' on the Clan web site (link) and borrow "how to" books from the local public library. He should also obtain his father's death certificate. If he knows the names of his grandfather McCombie and his wife, where and when they were born, married and died then that is a good point to start. Join the local family history society or historical society as they should be able to help. When the enquirer gets back a few generations he may find that his family has already been researched and their tree recorded on the internet on free sites such as rootsweb and familysearch. 

The enquirer is trying to find relatives of his branch of the Thoms family. Robert Thom was born in Perthshire in 1756, married an Isabel or Isobel Scot, had children, one being a William who married a Martha Hueston or Horton, having a son Louis Broadwell Thoms born in 1841 probably already in the US, who had a son Louis Broadwell Thoms, born in 1901, the enquirer's grandfather of Cincinatti and New York. He has found hints to marriage, births and deaths, the family was somehow linked to Blairgowrie and Rattray. There could be a connection to a William Thoms who died in 1843 and whose sons from the fist marriage changed their names to Thoms. Any information or hints would be appreciated. 

Sennachie observed that the enquirer had data on ancestry.com  and therefore had research experience as also indicated in the enquiry. The following may have already been researched.
Nothing was found amongst available members' records of a connection to Robert Thom and Isobel Scot. As far as research in Scotland is concerned, the free website familysearch.org is very useful, and then the pay site scotlandspeople.gov.uk. Sometimes the free site freecen (census returns) can be useful www.freecen.org.uk/cgi/search.pl.
Always have a look for family trees on sites such as familysearch and rootsweb's worldconnect - wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ .

Here are some other links that may be useful:
archive.org/stream/dartmouthcolleg00unkngoog/

dartmouthcolleg00unkngoog_djvu.txt
www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=dfl&GRid=42625253
boards.ancestry.com.au/surnames.thoms/1.1/mb.ashx

boards.ancestry.co.uk/surnames.thoms/149.1/mb.ashx

(If any of these links fail to work please paste into your browser). 

The enquirer was looking for information about the MacCombie sept. She believed that it was a sept of Clan MacThomas, but found that, according to this website, it is not. She asked for any further information. 

The enquirer's Grandfather, John McCombie, and his family migrated over 50 years ago to Australia. He was from Aberdeenshire and the family tree has been traced to the 7th Century. The grandfather mentioned a family castle "Balfluig" which was sold in the last century. The enquirer would appreciate any information from Scotland.

Thompson/

Thomas
(US)
(055)

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The enquirer's  great grandmother was a Thompson but he is not clear on a connection to the Clan McThomas. Also his great grandfather was a Thomas. He guesses that he  has a lot of studying to do. He would like to learn more.

Sennachie advised that Thompson is an English surname although these days the name can be found in just about any English speaking country, including Scotland. There is no link to the Clan MacThomas. However there are cases where there has been a spelling change from Thomson to Thompson, generally soon after the first generation has settled in America. But this needs to be proved by research.
Turning to Thomas. This is a very popular surname having a strong presence in Wales, England and Scotland. This again means that, as the enquirer has recognised, there needs to be research into the family tree to see the origins of the great grandfather. To have a connection to the Clan MacThomas, his ancestors will need to have lived in the eastern highland counties of Scotland. See elsewhere within the Genealogy Section of this site for advice on researching your family history.

Thomson/

Thompson
(Canada)
(054)

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The enquirer's 3rd great grandfather was Andrew Thomson born in Bosfield, Scotland May 10, 1803. His parents were Thomas Thomson and Agnes Fleming Robertson (as recorded in research done in 1975). The enquirer regrets that he have found no information on them. The family including 7 boys and 2 girls moved to Quebec, Canada in 1821. The birth records for all the children show the surname as Thomson. All future records of marriages or deaths in Canada show the name Thompson. The reason for the name change is not known. The enquirer has been working on genealogy for sometime and decided to see which clan Thomson was part of. He indicates that any insight that the Sennachie could provide would be greatly appreciated. 

Sennachie advised that where there is doubt about records online, then it is essential to examine a copy of the original document, for example, the marriage of Thomas Thomson and Agnes Fleming at East Kilbride, Lanarkshire, in 1799 as this couple appear to be the parents of Andrew baptised in 1803. Also it could be worthwhile looking at the original of Andrew's baptism. It will probably be difficult to connect this family to a Thomson family living earlier in the eastern highland counties, and therefore establish a link to the Clan. The websites to use are familysearch.org and scotlandspeople.

The use of the name Robertson in the 1975 research report is a puzzle. Perhaps it is Agnes' mother's maiden name and added later. Or it simply could be an error?

Thomson
(053)

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Added 18/06/14

The enquirer's earliest known ancestor is John Thomson who married Margaret Constable at Fowlis Easter near Dundee on the 20th of June 1717. Family lore has it that the Thomsons came from Auchterhouse before that. As far as he can work out he would be a 9th generation member of the above John Thomson. He would be very interested to find out if there is a connection to the MacThomas Clan. 

Sennachie commented that getting back to the early 18th century is an excellent result. A check of some web sites, such as familysearch, gencircles and worldconnect, did not reveal any new information or others researching this family. Although familysearch shows what looks like Margaret's baptism, taking John back further looks difficult. It is about that time the parish registers start and the use of surnames become reasonably common. To go further back one needs to link into a landed family so that their names get recorded in such records as deeds.
To prove a link to a Clan family is unusual and it is because of this that our Chief accepts a connection if, in a family tree, there is a sept name, such as 'Thomson', that has a connection to the highland counties in the east of Scotland. Certainly the enquirer would be welcome to join our Society.

Thome
(052)

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Added 03/06/14

The enquirer understands that people of Clan Thomas linage lived in German communities in the 1800's. Her grandmother was Elizabeth Thome, born in August 1875 in Munchen(Munich), a German settlement in South Russia, (Ukraine), daughter of John Thome and Susanna (Hacker Man) Thome. She was told that Thome is a Germanic spelling of Thomas, also spelled Thoma. She asks if there are records of people of Clan Thomas linage living at that time and location? If so, she offers to send additional information and inquire about Clan MacThomas membership. 

Thomson
(US)

(051)

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Added 03/06/14

Q 

The enquirer is researching the family of his maternal grandmother, who kept a family tree made in 1890, dating back to 1700 (with the birth of William Thomson of Glasgow). His son James was of the Thomsons who came to Pennsylvania, then Kentucky, and Indiana. They left from Donegal/Londonderry, Ireland.
He would like to know how he might trace this American family line back to the Thomsons of Ayr or Glasgow and possibly back to Glenshee. He asks if he is right to imagine that there would be hundreds of Thomson lowland connections to the Clan MacThomas?

R 

Sennachie replied that in the 17th century and before the chance of appearing in any records usually depended upon your status.  For example, if your family owned land (and very few people did) then land transactions, deeds and wills are a source to check.  If William was of the lower class then he is probably only recorded in parish registers, and even then that may not have happened. Many parish registers extant start from around this time.  For example the Glenisla parish registers (Clan territory) start in 1719.

Also it was usual for ministers to record in their parish registers only the basic information about the event, be it baptisms, marriages and burials.  So this makes it very difficult to link a person to an earlier generation. Many clansfolk moved from Glenshee, most probably when the Clan became dormant around the late 1600s.  Many would have started using surnames for the first time when they moved to population centres.  There was no requirement to record such movements or use of surnames.

Macumber
(US)

(050)

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Added 21/02/14

Q

A number of enquiries have been received in recent years asking if Macumber is a spelling variation of a Clan name.

R

Sennachie replied that he is not aware Macumber is linked to the Clan, nor for that matter Macomber. The opposite is a strong possibility as both names are recorded in church registers in southern England in the 17th century, even as early as 1615. A search of the following sites reveals that the name does not appear in early Scottish records - scotlandspeople, ancestry and familysearch. A search of family trees on rootsweb and ancestry reveals many people are researching Macumber and Macomber and there are links to England rather than Scotland. Also present in England in many numbers are Cumber and Comber, indicating that the origins of all the above names being in England. Also see number 43 below.

Tomb
(US)

(049)

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Added 15/02/14

Q

In the course of my research the enquirer found an ancestor, Matthew Tomb, who emigrated to the US from County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Some of his cousins spelt their name Thom so can only assume they were pronounced the same. The enquirer asks if Tomb is a variant of Thom, perhaps changed upon settlement in Northern Ireland? He assumes that would then give me a connection to Clan MacThomas. 

R

The Society replied that Ulster (back in the day) did have significantly more Scots than Irish. Most of the Scots that were sent to Ireland by the King were from the lower west coast of Scotland. Surname research validates that Tomb in Scotland is found to be more prevalent in the Scottish Lowlands. 
Clan MacThomas is a centuries-old offshoot of Clan MacIntosh. The Clan founder was a younger son of the MacIntosh Clan chief, Thomas. Upon reaching adulthood, Thomas decided to set off on his own, taking his family and certain followers over the Grampians in Perth. The Clan descendants were historically found east of the Grampians, in Perth, Angus/Forfar and Fife.

At this time the Society is unable to verify a connection to the surname Tomb. Research suggests that your relative most likely hailed from the Scottish Lowlands, and not the eastern Highlands. If a connection can be found to the east side of Scotland then the Sennachie would be willing to assist the enquirer in determining a connection to the Clan.

Thomson
(UK)

(048)

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Added 18/12/13

Q

The enquirer is researching her husband's family tree and is interested in the migration of Thomson and its history throughout Scotland. James Thomson was a teacher from Banffshire, for the Society in Scotland for Propagation of Christian Knowledge. She asks where they would have originally come from?  Also would they be related to the Glenshee Thomsons?  She would welcome any information. 

R

Sennachie advised that Thomson is a very popular name in Scotland. Many Thomsons come from Argyll in the west of Scotland and are likely to be originally MacTavishes, some are from the Borders Region with England and are not affiliated to a Highland Clan. Only those people whose ancestors come from the counties are Perthshire, Angus, Fife, Aberdeen and Kincardineshire, are likely to be MacThomases.  Banff is close to these counties so there is a chance that your James or the generation before could be from one of the above, especially as a teacher tends to move to where needed.

Only research on your Thomson line will reveal earlier locations.  This is especially important for the sept name Thomson in view of its popularity. He asks if the enquirer has used the sites worldconnect and familysearch.org.

Thom
(USA)

(047)

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Added 18/12/13

Q

The enquirer is researching the ancestry of her grandfather, Alexander Mitchell Thom.  His father was James Thom who married Mary Baxter at Auchindoir in 1864, and his grandfather was John Thom who married Jane Barclay.  Her grandfather stayed in Manatoba with a Thom relative who was either a Minister or Missionary who had been to Africa. Since she does not know their given name she has hit a wall on her research. She asks if the Sennachie can suggest some avenues for research. 

R

Sennachie noted that several researchers on rootsweb's worldconnect site are researching this family; perhaps they can assist.  Many missionaries and/or ministers of religion, had a university degree.  So she could try searching alumni of UK universities, for example St Andrews, Cambridge, Oxford.  As an example, Arthur Murray Thom graduated from Cambridge, became a missionary, served in Africa, but, it seems, did not go to Canada.  Wikipedia's site List of Christian missionaries, may also be useful. Sennachie suggested that she could use her search engine to see if any missionaries served or lived in Manatoba.

Thomason
(USA)

(046)

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Added 03/11/13

Q

The enquirer has been tracing her family history back from her grandfather Billy Ray Thomason, and was woundering if there were ways to find out more information from clan records. She remembers being told as a youngster about the clan. It seemed like a fairy tale. She is now Billy's oldest living grandchild and wants to trace the family's ancestors for younger generations. She asks how she can go about this. 

R

Sennachie advised that he was unaware that Thomason has a connection to the Clan MacThomas.  Searching the internet reveals the name generally does not appear in the eastern highland counties of Scotland. Note that it is present in England and the Shetland Islands. There is a Rootsweb mailing list for Thomason and that list, over the years, has not raised the possibility of a connection to the Clan MacThomas. The distribution of Thomason is also confirmed by searching the site: http://gbnames.publicprofiler.org/default.aspx

There is some misleading information on the internet relating to the sept names of the Clan. Thomason may originate from the name Thomas which is a sept name of the Clan. However, Thomas is a common name, especially in Wales. To be linked to the Clan, Thomason needs to have origins in the eastern highland counties of Scotland.

Research needs to be conducted along standard lines as advised in any good "how to" book or internet sites such as familysearch. 

Thoms
(Sweden)

(045)

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Added 15/10/13

Q

The enquirer's ancestor is said to be Bertha Thoms; born in 1859 in Grossbetov (?), Scotland; married Ernst Schultz and died in Kreigerwald (?), Germany in 1918.  She would like to know more about Bertha, where she was born and the Thoms family history. 

R

Sennachie advised that the website Scotlandspeople indicates there were no Thoms births in Scotland in 1859. Nor did he find any Bertha Thoms born about 1859, or a Schultz/Thoms marriage, by doing a general search.  That means the enquirer needs to start at the start.  First step would be to read about research generally and in Germany and Scotland in particular; perhaps by going to familysearch.org. Then standard research should lead to obtaining Bertha's marriage and 1918 death certificates from Germany.  These two certificates, hopefully, may clarify her name and place of birth,as there is a possibility her surname may not be Thoms.

For Scottish Place Names go to:

www.scottish-places.info/scotgaz/anyword.html.

For Germany go to: familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Germany_Gazetteers.

Thom
(Canada)

(044)

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Added 13/10/13

Q

The enquirer would like to learn more about his great great grandfather Robert Thom who immigrated from Scotland to Canada sometime before World War I. He mentions that the 1910 Canadian Census reveals six Robert Thom entries with only one coming from Scotland. 

R

Sennachie advised the enquirer to read a basic book (or online) about family history research in Canada as it is not possible to research with the limited information provided. If possible, the enquirer should first establish the names of Robert's parents and the locality where they lived in Scotland from records in Canada, possibly by obtaining his Canadian marriage and death certificates. As an indicator of this challenge, the website ScotlandsPeople revealed that there were 34 births of a Robert Thom from 1890 to 1900. Also the enquirer should speak to his Thom relatives as they may be able to add new information.
If Robert was in the armed forces, his enlistments papers may reveal more, for example, a good website is the Library and Archives Canada page for Soldiers of WWI (Link).

Two websites that may assist are Emigration to Canada (Link) and the Canadian section of Cyndislist (Link).

Macomber
(US)

(043)

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Added 13/10/13

Updated 16/02/13

The enquirer's family name Macomber has been traced to England in the mid 1600's. It seems likely to be of Scottish origin though he can't be sure. He asks if there is any evidence that Macomber is of the MacThomas clan? He is contemplating a DNA test. He advises that he has gone ahead and ordered a kilt in the modern MacThomas tartan and wonders if he has the right to wear it? 

Sennachie advised that as yet there is no indication anyone researching Macomber (and variations such as Macumber) has made a definite connection to Scotland. It could be so, but difficult. On the website worldconnect some trees indicate ancestor John Macomber comes from Inverness. If this is so then there is still no positive link to the Clan MacThomas counties. But please see a discussion on this name at:
members.iphouse.com/jim.smilanich/Family/Sources/

stackpole_name.htm
There are responses below to other Macomber enquiries - numbers 8, 13, 26, 32 and 35. The enquirer's Macomber family in England may have originated from one male who settled in England from Scotland in the 16th or 17th centuries. But then again it may be a surname someone in England started to use.
There are a number of people in the US researching this name, and variations, so using DNA can be useful when a group having a similar name exchange their results.
In relation to wearing a tartan, anyone can wear any tartan they like. The problem occurs when the wearer says with certainty it is his/her clan, when it may not be so.

Thomson

(US)

(042)

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Added 02/09/13 

The enquirer asked if her husband's Thomson ancestors are part of Clan MacThomas. His grandfather emigrated from North Ronaldsay, Orkney, Scotland, and has managed to track his family back to 1776 where they were still in Ronaldsay.

The Sennachie advised that Thomson is a very popular surname in Scotland and elsewhere, both now and in the past. This makes linking a particular Thomson family to the Clan difficult. Our Chief has said that "Thomson is a very popular name in Scotland. Many Thomsons come from Argyll in the west of Scotland and are likely to be originally MacTavishes, some are from the Borders Region with England and are not affiliated to a Highland Clan. Only those people whose ancestors come from the counties in Eastern Scotland mentioned above are likely to be MacThomases" - namely Perthshire and Angus (and later Fife, Aberdeenshire and Kincardineshire).

Thomas

(US)

(041)

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Added 29/04/13

The enquirer asked how it is determined whether the Thomas name is part of MacThomas or not? Her husband has been wearing my tartan, Menzies, but would really like his own. His grandfather sung songs to him in Gaelic as a child, as far as we knew he was Welsh. He has traced his grandfather to the ship that sailed from Scotland to the States. 

Sennachie advised that the surname Thomas is associated with the Clan mainly because a number of the Chiefs used this surname, namely the 10th, 11th and 12th Chiefs - please click here for details.

At that time the use of surnames was becoming the accepted way to identify a person, and many of the Clan followers would also have taken the surname Thomas. The Chief accepts that there is a connection to the Clan if someone with the surname Thomas today, has ancestors who were born in the eastern highlands of Scotland, eg, the counties of Aberdeen, Perth, Fife, Kincardine.  From the 1600's people started moving to live elsewhere in Scotland and for a Thomas who lived other than in the eastern highlands, hopefully research may prove that they were a family who moved from there.

Did the shipping records indicate where grandfather Thomas came from, ie, a place in Scotland?  Did he come with other members of the family?  Are there records in the US that may indicate his birth place, such as his marriage (if occurred in the US), an obituary in a newspaper?  Perhaps cousins may recall something.

 Tam

(NL)

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The enquirer asked whether the Society have any information about his ancestor Jean (Jan) Tam who came to the Netherlands in about 1730; he was a Scottish soldier in the Dutch army?

Sennachie advised that Tam is the most uncommon name within the Society and in Scotland today. A general search of the internet did not reveal anything. Most parish registers in Scotland start after 1730. Websites to research include familysearch.org and scotlandspeople. 

 Thomson(NZ)

(039)

Added 03/02/13

The enquirer is interested in linking his Thomson ancestors to the Clan. He has researched back to 1797 with links to Woodside and the Parish of Old Machar in Aberdeenshire, where they resided until migrating to New Zealand in about 1870. 

Sennachie advised that other than establishing a link to the Chief's ancestors, it is difficult to establish an actual name link to the Clan. Therefore, in the case of Thomson, the Chief accepts a link to the Clan if a Thomson ancestor was born in the eastern highland counties of Scotland. This means that the enquirer would be entitled to join the Society. Sennachie gave some general research advice including checking for Scottish related websites at Cyndislist - www.cyndislist.com/uk/sct.  

Thomas

(US)

(038)

Added 05/12/12

The enquirer's maiden name is Thomas. Her family settled in central Alabama, United States though she does not know when. They have worshipped as Presbyterians for generations. She noticed the notation that stated some Thomas' may not be members of the MacThomas clan. She would like to know if my family is part of the heritage they claim and was wondering if someone could point me in the direction of some good resources. She would like to know if the Thomas's that settled in Alabama are related to the MacThomas clan.  

Sennachie advised that the Society accepts an association with the Clan if one of your Thomas ancestors was born in the highlands of eastern Scotland.  Thomas, of course, is very common in Wales.  First step is to check what records you have as the starting point in going back in time starts with you. Then check with members of your extended family to see what they know and you may even find a cousin who has already done some research.  Construct a family tree based on what you know and have learnt from family members.

To help you learn about researching, there are some articles on the Society's website (link).  Go to your local public library and see what they hold on family history, especially "how to" books.  There are lots of free websites that could have useful data and provide guides to researching, for example: familysearch.  You could join a local family history or historical society.

An interesting site to see where names are located in the UK is

gbnames.publicprofiler.org/Surnames.aspx

McCombs

(NK)

(037)

The enquirer had looked at websites to establish the origins of her surname McCombs, including the Clan Society’s website where she found McComb but not McCombs.  Some sites state that McCombs is part of the Clan MacThomas.  Any information on the origin of her surname would be appreciated. 

Sennachie advised that many sites giving information about the origin of surnames, tend to take the easy way out, because the compilers want to provide simple and short answers.  If you search for McCombs in familysearch.org, you will find that there are very few results indicating a link to Scotland, let alone to the highland's eastern counties.  And a similar result is obtained by searching gbnames.publicprofiler.org (Link)
A spelling variation could be involved. Many names were changed at the time of settling in a new country or soon after arrival. Trace your family tree back from yourself, perhaps concentrating on your McCombs line and see if you can establish where your McCombs ancestor came from. 

Thomas

(NK)

(036)

Added 06/09/12

The enquirer is trying to find out whether he have the right to wear the MacThomas tartan and has no idea where to start. His Grandfather was Scottish and a Thomas. He asked what the correct way to find out would be.

Sennachie advised that the Clan MacThomas will accept a connection to the Clan if a Thomas ancestor was born in one of the highland counties of east Scotland.  There is some good information about researching your family history on the Clan web site, in particular click here.
Write down what you know about your parents in relation to the birth details, and what you know about your grandparents. Then you should talk to other family members that may be able to add information.
If you would like to research your family history further, visit your local public library and borrow a family history research "how to" book and take it from there. Such books will also advise on how best to use the internet. Another useful opportunity is to join a local family history society.

Macomber

(USA)

(035)

The enquirer is trying to determine if his surname 'Macomber' is considered a sept of the Clan MacThomas. He will be travelling to Scotland in August 2012, and would very much like to carry out genealogy research whilst visiting. 

R 

Sennachie advised that it is not possible to link this name to the Clan or even to Scotland. The enquirer's family may have come from England or possibly Ireland. The prefixes Mc or Mac do not automatically indicate a Scottish connection. Please read the three enquiries about this name below.  If this has not already been done, research back to the first settler in the USA, to see what the records says about his origins. The problem is that early USA records are likely not to reveal the necessary information. 

The enquirer is researching his last name but seems to be hitting a wall when it comes to the "origins" of the name and has made a promise to speak the language of his origins but does not know if it is Irish, Scottish or whatever? 

R

Sennachie advised that the Chief will accept a person with the surname McComas as having a past link with the Clan in Scotland.  This name is not associated with any other Scottish Clan. If not already done so, research the family history in America and try to establish the earliest McComas ancestor there and hopefully find out where he came from or where was he born (both may be difficult).  There are a number of websites that show information about the origins of this name. A good site to search is: www.familysearch.org.
It is likely that the country of origin is either Scotland or Ireland.  With Ireland many Scots settled there in the 1500s and 1600s but it is difficult to find specific records proving a particular McComas in Ireland came from Scotland.  However it is usually accepted that this happened. 

The enquirer is researching the 71st Fraser Regiment 1775-1784. There was an exhibition in 1889 where a number of military items of the 71st belonging to Lt Thomas Watt were loaned by Sheriff Thoms. He asked if there was a will of Sheriff Thoms that might show more about these items. 

Sennachie advised that the 15th Chief was Patrick Hunter Thoms and he married Grace Watt. Their first son George McThomas Thoms, Sheriff of Dundee, was the 16th Chief. Their second son was Thomas Watt Thoms.  Lt Thomas Watt was likely to be a relative, possibly Grace's father.  The Chief's tree can be viewed on this website - link.
And a tree for the Watt family on ancestry.com - link.
Wills are indexed on the Scotlandspeople website. An index of Clan names extracted from the wills index can be viewed under Genealogy - MacThomas Data on this website, and while Patrick's will is listed, George does not appear in the index. 

The enquirer is trying to trace the origins of his last name. He has read that Maycumber is a variation of McCombie but the spelling and pronunciation changed after coming to the USA. He asks if the Society have any information about this? 

R

Sennachie has not heard of the surname Maycumber, especially within the Clan.  Maycumber does not appear as a surname outside of the USA, indicating the spelling of the name was probably varied after the enquirer's ancestor arrived in the US.  It could well be a spelling variation of McCombie.  Is there any evidence of where the Maycumber ancestor came from?  Please see the research suggestions mentioned in other enquiries below.

(USA)

(031)

Added 07/01/12

Comee

(USA)

(030)

Added 24/12/11

Q

The enquirer's Grandfather was a Comey and she had long known her family decended from David Comee who came to America in the mid 1600’s. She stumbled upon our website about the McCombie Clan and especially John McComie (7th chief) who she believes was David’s father. Any information would be appreciated.

Thom

(USA)

(029)