A Proud Border Reiving Family

The

Thom(p)sons

were

one

of

the

Reiving

families

of

the

lawless

Anglo-Scottish

borderlands.

For

the

best

part

of

300 years,

the

Border

Reivers

raided

on

both

sides

of

the

border

from

Dumfriesshire

to

the

high

wastes

of

East

Cumbria,

from

Roxburghshire

to

Redesdale,

and

from

the

lonely

valley

of

Liddesdale,

to

the

fortress

city

of

Carlisle

and east to Edinburgh.

During

the

Lowland

Clearances,

Clan

Thomson

was

decimated

by

removals

to

America,

Australian

penal

colonies,

England's

armies,

Ireland

and

elsewhere.

The

women

married

into

other

names

and

the

fact

that

Thomsons

had

BEEN

a

clan/family

was

largely

forgotten.

For

a

period

of

more

than

40 years,

there

are

no

recorded

Thomson

births

in the region and the clan disappeared from view and history.

However,

research

begun

in

2008

revealed

Thomsons

had

been

a

clan

in

the

Borders

at

least

as

early

as

the

1400s

and

had

been

specifically

included

by

name

in

two

separate

Acts

of

the

Scottish

Parliament.

In

2012,

Lord

Lyon

recognized

Clan

Thompson

International

(Clan

Thom(p)son

Society)

as

the

only

clan/society

representing Thom(p)sons worldwide.

Thom(p)sons,

although

claimed

as

septs

by

numerous

clans,

are,

and always have been, an independent clan.

Lord

Lyon

also

determined

the

spelling

of

the

name

would

include

the

"p"

as

being

more

common

in

the

diaspora

-

both

names

are

the

same

Join

us

as

we

continue

to

make

discoveries

about

our

past

and

help

other Thom(p)sons find theirs.

The Thom(p)sons were one of the Reiving

families of the lawless Anglo-Scottish

borderlands. For the best part of 300 years, the

Border Reivers raided on both sides of the

border from Dumfriesshire to the high wastes of

East Cumbria, from Roxburghshire to Redesdale,

and from the lonely

valley of Liddesdale, to

the fortress city of

Carlisle and east to

Edinburgh.

During the Lowland

Clearances, Clan Thomson was decimated by

removals to America, Australian penal colonies,

England's armies, Ireland and elsewhere. The

women married into other clans and the fact

that Thomsons had BEEN a clan was largely

forgotten. For a period of more than 40 years,

there are no recorded Thomson births in the

region and the clan disappeared from view and

history.

However, research begun in 2008 revealed

Thomsons had been a clan in the Borders at

least as early as the 1400s and had been

specifically included by name in two separate

Acts of the Scottish Parliament. In 2012, Lord

Lyon recognized Clan Thompson International

(Clan Thom(p)son Society) as the only

clan/society representing Thom(p)sons

worldwide.

Thom(p)sons,

although claimed as

septs by numerous

clans, are and

always have been

an independent

clan.

Lord Lyon also determined the spelling of

the name would include the "p" as being more

common in the diaspora - both names are the

same

Join us as we continue to make discoveries

about our past and help other Thom(p)sons find

theirs.

A Proud Border Reiving Family

JOIN US! You can be a member of the best (we think) Scottish Clan Society in the world. As a member, you are helping to support and grow your society. Although we are one of the oldest clans, we are also one of the youngest clan societies (matriculated society arms in 2012). Other clans/societies have been in full operation, building their membership base, outreach, games participation, etc. for many years. We’re still catching up and your membership dues are our primary source of income. Join the only clan or society recognized by Lyon Court as THOMSON / THOMPSON worldwide. You will receive copies of our Veritas newsletter (published quarterly).We are also one of the few clans who have their own genealogist to help you with your family research. What can all clans and societies offer to their members? It’s called a “Name of Their Own.” That means that your surname is confirmed by Lord Lyon of Scotland to ONE and ONLY ONE clan/society and you have a ‘home’ within. No other clan can claim to have your name or be your clan. If your surname, or an ancestor’s surname, is one of the many Thom(p)son spelling variations, there is only one place you belong. Here.

Annual Memberships (Under age 65)

Individual - $30.00

Couple - $50.00

Annual SENIOR Membership (65 and over)

Individual - $25.00

Couple - $40.00

LIFE Membership

Individual - $160.00

Couple - $300.00

or

Choose Your Membership Type

JOIN US! You can be a member of the best (we think) Scottish Clan Society in the world. As a member, you are helping to support and grow your society. Although we are one of the oldest clans, we are also one of the youngest clan societies (matriculated society arms in 2012). Other clans/societies have been in full operation, building their membership base, outreach, games participation, etc. for many years. We’re still catching up and your membership dues are our primary source of income. Join the only clan or society recognized by Lyon Court as THOMSON / THOMPSON worldwide. You will receive copies of our Veritas newsletter (published quarterly).We are also one of the few clans who have their own genealogist to help you with your family research. What can all clans and societies offer to their members? It’s called a “Name of Their Own.” That means that your surname is confirmed by Lord Lyon of Scotland to ONE and ONLY ONE clan/society and you have a ‘home’ within. No other clan can claim to have your name or be your clan. If your surname, or an ancestor’s surname, is one of the many Thom(p)son spelling variations, there is only one place you belong. Here.

To become a member, please select your preferred membership and join via our secure server with your credit card. Or, complete the membership application and mail it in with your check - we still take checks! :)

A Proud Border Reiving Family

Annual Memberships (Under age 65)

Individual - $30.00

Couple - $50.00

Annual SENIOR Membership (65 and over)

Individual - $25.00

Couple - $40.00

LIFE Membership

Individual - $160.00

Couple - $300.00

Choose Your Membership Type

A Proud Border Reiving Family

We’re here to help!

Clan Secretary / Home of Record

Mary Thompson 1665 Rickman Monterey Hwy Rickman Tennessee 38580 USA t: 931-498-2303 m: 931-239-8156 e: admin@clanthompson.org

Contact

Officers/Directors/Commissioners

President:

Tom Thompson, admin@clanthompson.org

Vice-President:

Cheryll Thompson, cheryll@clanthompson.org

Secretary:

Mary Thompson, admin@clanthompson.org

Membership Secretary:

Sherry Anderson, sherry@clanthompson.org

Treasurer:

Dan “Booner” Thompson, dan@clanthompson.org

International Representative:

Ernest Thompson, aus@clanthompson.org

Genealogist:

Maggie Jones, genealogist@clanthompson.org

Directors:

Thomas B. Thompson, tombo@clanthompson.org Allan Thompson, allan@clanthompson.org Paul Jarnagin, paul@clanthompson.org

Commissioners:

Duke Thompson, Florida, JEEPnGPS@gmail.com Ernest Thompson, Australia/International, aus@clanthompson.org Allan Thompson, Indiana/Mid-west, allan@clanthompson.org Stirling Thompson, New England, stu@clanthompson.org Michael Thompson michaelpt@clanthompson and Maggie Jones genealogist@clanthompson.org, Colorado Cheryll Thompson cheryll@clanthompson.org and Paul Jarnagin paul@clanthompson.org, Texas Tom (and Mary) Thompson, Tennessee, admin@clanthompson.org Sharon Hall, North Carolina, (no email) use admin@clanthompson.org

Membership Secretary

Sherry Lynn Anderson 256 Bee Gum Trail Marshall North Carolina 28753 USA e: sherry@clanthompson.org

A Proud Border Reiving Family

Clan Secretary / Home of Record

Mary Thompson 1665 Rickman Monterey Hwy Rickman Tennessee 38580 USA t: 931-498-2303 m: 931-239-8156 e: admin@clanthompson.org

Contact

Officers: President: Tom Thompson, admin@clanthompson.org Vice-President: Cheryll Thompson, cheryll@clanthompson.org Secretary: Mary Thompson, admin@clanthompson.org Treasurer: Dan “Booner” Thompson, dan@clanthompson.org Directors: International Representative: Ernest Thompson, aus@clanthompson.org Genealogist: Maggie Jones, genealogist@clanthompson.org Thomas B. Thompson, tombo@clanthompson.org Allan Thompson, allan@clanthompson.org Paul Jarnagin, paul@clanthompson.org Commissioners: Ernest Thompson, Australia/International, aus@clanthompson.org Duke Thompson, Florida, JEEPnGPS@gmail.com Allan (and Heidi) Thompson, Indiana/Mid-west, allan@clanthompson.org Stirling (and Dorothy) Thompson, New England, stu@clanthompson.org Michael Thompson michaelpt@clanthompson and Maggie Jones genealogist@clanthompson.org, Colorado Cheryll Thompson cheryll@clanthompson.org and Paul Jarnagin paul@clanthompson.org, Texas, Tom (and Mary) Thompson, Tennessee, admin@clanthompson.org Sharon Hall, North Carolina, (no email) use admin@clanthompson.org

Officers/Directors/Commissioners

Membership Secretary

Sherry Lynn Anderson 256 Bee Gum Trail Marshall North Carolina 28753 USA e: sherry@clanthompson.org

We’re here to help!

Genealogy Research is Not Enough…..

A Proud Border Reiving Family

The Thom(p)son families of the Borders and the Lothian areas were removed nearly 400 years ago. They were scattered throughout the entire world and, with that dispersion, most lost their true histories as facts often became mingled with fiction. ManyThoms (collective term) were removed to Ireland (primarily Ulster and Antrim counties), conscripted into the British military, indentured in America and Canada, and sent to Australia and New Zealand penal colonies if convicted of infractions. It is no wonder today why, when Thoms visit our tent or contact us online, they rarely know where their family originated. Genealogy research can help track the family at least through a few generations, but where you live or lived in past generations is not necessarily indicative of where your ancestors originated. And, because the Scottish/English border moved north and south for over 300 years, a father could have been born in ‘England’ and his son in ‘Scotland’ on the same property! DNA research and testing has to be considered a companion tool to genealogy research. In some cases, it can determine relationships, confirm (or disprove) links iand encourage a more scholarly approach to researching your family. Take a look at the Thompson DNA Project! From elementary genetics we know that the Y chromosome passes almost unchanged from father to son. Male ancestors carried their Y-DNA line along their migrations, allowing you to trace your paternal ancestry. Numerous members have used various DNA tests - primarily Family Tree DNA, 23andMe, and Ancestry DNA. While it is sometimes difficult to merge data from one company’s data, it is possible. We feel that FamilyTreeDNA provides the most comprehensive ancestry database in the world. YSearch.org continues to add new DNA test results to their database, contacts those with new matches, and offers ancestry charts (when supplied by member) for research. Share stories and work together to connect the dots on your family tree! Contribute your DNA results to the clan forum - you may find a cousin - it’s happened more than once! The Thompson DNA Project FamilyTreeDNA 23and me AncestryDNA

DNA

Genealogy Research is Not Enough…..

The Thom(p)son families of the Borders and the Lothian areas were removed nearly 400 years ago. They were scattered throughout the entire world and, with that dispersion, most lost their true histories as facts often became mingled with fiction. ManyThoms (collective term) were removed to Ireland (primarily Ulster and Antrim counties), conscripted into the British military, indentured in America and Canada, and sent to Australia and New Zealand penal colonies if convicted of infractions. It is no wonder today why, when Thoms visit our tent or contact us online, they rarely know where their family originated. Genealogy research can help track the family at least through a few generations, but where you live or lived in past generations is not necessarily indicative of where your ancestors originated. And, because the Scottish/English border moved north and south for over 300 years, a father could have been born in ‘England’ and his son in ‘Scotland’ on the same property! DNA research and testing has to be considered a companion tool to genealogy research. In some cases, it can determine relationships, confirm (or disprove) links iand encourage a more scholarly approach to researching your family. Take a look at the Thompson DNA Project! From elementary genetics we know that the Y chromosome passes almost unchanged from father to son. Male ancestors carried their Y-DNA line along their migrations, allowing you to trace your paternal ancestry. Numerous members have used various DNA tests - primarily Family Tree DNA, 23andMe, and Ancestry DNA. While it is sometimes difficult to merge data from one company’s data, it is possible. We feel that FamilyTreeDNA provides the most comprehensive ancestry database in the world. YSearch.org continues to add new DNA test results to their database, contacts those with new matches, and offers ancestry charts (when supplied by member) for research. Share stories and work together to connect the dots on your family tree! Contribute your DNA results to the clan forum - you may find a cousin - it’s happened more than once! The Thompson DNA Project FamilyTreeDNA 23and me AncestryDNA

A Proud Border Reiving Family

DNA