Comments on: A Very Merry to You!

By: jaclyn

jaclyn — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:57:29 +0000

You should check out Hunter Parrish. He stars in Weeds..Would make an awsome!! Jamie Fraser as a young man..Awsome..

By: Kathleen Mary - for Barbara J Finnan

Kathleen Mary - for Barbara J Finnan — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:36:08 +0000

Dear Barbara,

To put the record straight; and I am sorry to have to disillusion you.

Your father-in-law’s father, (Lawrence Finnan),was the only child of that family ‘born’ in Dundee. The Finnan family had emigrated to Dundee from Co. Longford in Southern Ireland – and were poverty stricken!! The occupation they had in Dundee were as ‘Hand Loom Weavers’ and also undertook casual ‘Stone-Masonary’ work; they operated the ‘Hand-Loom’ in the front room of their 2 roomed house!!

Your father-inlaw’s father went away to the Seminary to ‘try’ for the Priesthood where he was taught Latin and Music. All of the Finnan family were musical including my grandfather …. it is a Celtic Gift. In those days it was considered “shameful” when a young man went away to study for the Priesthood and did not complete the course – - they were considered “Failed Priests” ….. that is why many of them sailed off to Australia, Canada and America! Also, many a ‘cunning’ young man would ‘opt’ to study for the Priesthood to get a GOOD and FREE education – - then QUIT – - – which I am sure was the case with your father-in-law’s father. He left Dundee with another “Failed Priest” for Paris and from there they both left for America …… with a considerable amount of money from Lawrence’s father, (where this was acquired from is a great mystery – although it was said that ‘OLD PADDY’ spent a ‘Bucket-Load’ of his money on ‘that’ son). His father, (known as ‘OLD PADDY FINNAN’), nor anyone else in the family, ever heard from Lawrence again!!! Not a note – - – - NOTHING!!

Lawrence Finnan then proceeded to Baltimore where I understand he took a post teaching Latin and Music – thanks to his Seminary …… !!

The Family Crest you mention was given to your father-in-law by my father as a gift – my father having acquired it from Dublin Castle on your father-in-law’s behalf.

The place “Glen Finnan” , located near Fort William, has nothing whatsoever to do with “my” “our” decendants ……. nothing whatsoever – - – this is just ‘fancifullness’ and should cease!!

The Whiskey with the “Finnan” Label is a marketing gimmick! Anyone can make arrangements for their Family Name to be placed on a bottle! If my memory serves me correctly your father-in-law purchased the “Finnan Whiskey” from a company in San Francisco, who having imported the whiskey then stuck a label on the bottle. It is all nonsense!

If you wish to trace the Finnan Line – you would be well advised to contact the Genealogy Department at Dublin Castle, Eire.

Lawrence Finnan who left for America was my great-grandmother’s brother!

Trust this helps!

Kathleen (your distant Anglo/Irish/Scottish cousin-in-law)

By: Barbara J. Finnan

Barbara J. Finnan — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:22:16 +0000

Many thanks, Diana, for replying. By “close” I meant my inability to obtain info via web contact. However, will definitely try the site you’ve suggested! Scotland IS awash with history and I intend to try to find as much as possible about my sons Scots antecedents as possible. My impression has been that one would need to actually travel to Scotland and do on site researching, that little would be available through web search. So, hopefully the site you’ve generously provided will prove that wrong. Will let you know how things go. Meanwhile, enjoyed the Scottish Prisoner tremendously. Knew about the oath and the attempt to erase history for the Uprisers and the relocating of many to Canada – often with basically nothing, leaving their wonderful dogs behind. I have a book of Scots history that gives lots of info without drama. The drama is, however, very much there nevertheless.

By: gisela krack

gisela krack — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 05:18:24 +0000

i am so in love with your books i have reread outlander already three times reread dragenfly in amber and voyagerbecause after reading the seventh book i forgot some off the important points from the beginning ican hardly wait for the next book .but oh well patiance is a virtue and the prize so much sweeter thank u so much

By: Debbie

Debbie — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 15:15:33 +0000

I, too, love this passage. My heart aches for Jamie. Will he ever have all the people he loves with him at the same time, Claire, Brianna, and William? I hope so.

By: Diana

Diana — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:54:09 +0000

Dear Jo-Ann–

I seem to recall that it was a Chilean sauvignon blanc, but I’m afraid I don’t recall the name.

–Diana

By: Jo-Ann

Jo-Ann — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:41:45 +0000

What is that wine that you’re drinking in the picture on your blog. Looks yummy.

By: Diana

Diana — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:07:42 +0000

Dear Barbara–

Well, congratulations on your fortunate heritage! [g] I’m not sure what you mean about the Scots being “very close with their history.” I don’t know where you’d find a country more awash with history–and there’s _tons_ of it all over the web, as well as in libraries. Have you looked at http://www.electricScotland.com? Good luck with your digging!

By: Barbara J. Finnan

Barbara J. Finnan — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:21:53 +0000

Diana,
While not of Scots descent, my ex-husband’s father’s family very much was. I always wanted to be at least part Scots so I sort of got my wish there! Anyway, I’m reading the Scottish Prisoner at the moment (have read the others as well) and this time, because I’m now involved in family research made particular note on pg. 99 of the reference to Glenfinnan, spelled all as one word. Papa’s surname is Finnan, one of my sons is named Glenn Finnan, after the wonderful Scotch Papa used to have imported, and I have found pictures of Glen Finnan, spelled as two words, on the net. Papa traveled a lot as part of his job and did a lot of research to include a family shield so I have good places to begin. So, I was wondering if in your research you might have found that the Finnans, who also have an Irish branch, by the way, supported Bonnie Prince Charlie (a real mess of a royal, but then so many were)? Papa’s father immigrated from Dundee, and I would like in my digging to track much further back, but the Scots seem very close with their history so the research will be difficult as I can’t afford to travel there now that I’m retired. There may be a lot of embarassment over the Clearance – as well there should be. I was totally shocked when I discovered that! I do hope to hear from you although I know you are extremely busy.
I am enjoying the read, and like Jamie tremendously – my kind of man.
Barbara Finnan

By: Marie Payne

Marie Payne — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:44:22 +0000

Diana,
Nearly finished “The Scotttish Prisoner” and starting to feel sad(?) as I have to wait at least to the end of 2012 for the next episode of Jamie and Claire! I am in Oz and just wanted to join in with everyone else to say “Congratulations”. Your books are so absorbing and interesting and transport one back so easily to another time.

Thanks, and please stay well!
Marie