An Fhéasóg Gheal

 

The New Book

 My new book is finished... finally. A few months late, but done now. It will be out in later winter 2021. It is about the Scots-Irish and their beliefs in the Faeries. The book examines who and what the Faeries are and where those beliefs originated. The tale starts some 5,000 years ago and we follow the story from the Yamnaya migration from the Russian Steppe into Europe, to the Bell Beaker settlement of the Isles (Britain and Ireland), onto the proto Celts, and then the insular Celts. I use ancient DNA results, Gaelic literature and the living folk traditions of Ireland and Scotland to follow this long path to the Faeries. This is done however, with a specific focus on the Scots-Irish. 

The Scots-Irish were an integral part of the indigenous American society created by the early European settlers and it is for this reason I felt like a Scots-Irish perspective was useful.

Placing a Clootie on a Faerie Tree

Topics include the Scots-Irish Faerie beliefs, both in Ireland and the New World. Foremost, are the Faeries of course, better known as the Síthe (said Shee). I also will explore the Second Sight and traditional ritual magic and the elements of the Faerie Faith that still endure.

Chapters include:

1 McCuaig's Bar

2 Scots-Irish Ethnogenesis

3 Reverend Robert Kirk

4 Faeries in Ulster

5 The High Síthe

6 The Lesser Síthe

7 Across the Water

8 Seers and the Second Sight

9 Magic and Ritual

10 Old Faith Survival

 

Until the new book is out, my last book Finding the McCains is available on Amazon and makes a wonderful Christmas and Yule gift.

 

© Barry R McCain 2020 

 

 

The Name John, Gaelic Forms and Anglicised Forms

Knowing the Gaelic form of our surnames is a very helpful in genetic genealogy research.There are many surnames in Ireland and Scotland that include the name that we say in English as "John." However, the etymology of many of the "John" surnames are not from English, but Gaelic, taken from the Latin name Iohannes.

Surnames in the "John" category include Johnson, Johnston, Johnstone, Jones, Jackson, MacCain, MacCane, MacEoin, MacOwen, MacKane, MacKean, MacKeen, MacKeon, MacKeone, MacKeown, and MacShane.  All these surnames come from the Latin Iohannes by one route or another. I discovered this complexity when researching my own surname early in my McCain DNA project.

You would think the etymology of the surname McCain would be simple enough, but it is not.  If you open a standard Irish or Scottish surname book, it normally says McCain is the anglicized form of the Scottish name Mac Iain. This is usually followed by a reference to either the Glencoe or Ardnamurchan Mac Iain families of Scotland. What these books do not tell you is there were several dozen McCain families scattered throughout the Gaelic speaking world.

To complicate matters, there are several Gaelic surnames that have been anglicized as McCain. A list would include the surnames Mac Eáin, Mac Catháin, Mac Aodháin, Mac Caodháin, and Ó Catháin. Notice the surname book version, Mac Iain, is not listed. This is because Iain and Mac Iain are late entries into the Gaelic world.  In the case of my own family, I knew the Gaelic form fortunately, which is Mac Eáin.

Eáin (said Ane) is a variation of the common Gaelic name Eóin (said Owen).  The Eáin form is from Argyll, the southern Hebrides, and Ulster. The surname was introduced into Donegal by Argyll Gaels that settled there in the 1500s.  Eóin appears in early medieval Irish sources and is the Gaelic form of the Latin name Iohannes, or as English speakers know the name, John.  Iohannes is itself a loan word to Latin from the Hebrew Yohanan (in full y'hohanan) meaning “Jehovah has favored.”

Gaelic Lord circa AD 1000-1200

As you read through the Gaelic manuscripts you will not find any evidence of the variant Eáin form of Eóin until 1499 AD.  That year in the Annals of Connacht one writer spelled the name of Eóin Mór Mac Dónaill, King of the Isles, as Eighín Mor Mac Domnaill, with Eighín being a slender vowel form of Eáin.  This Eóin Mór Mac Dónaill was the chief of the McDonalds in Argyll, Islay and north Antrim.  From that time on you can find the name sporadically written to reflect this Eáin form, but Eóin was still the dominant written form in literary Irish regardless if the name was said Eóin or Eáin. Literary Irish was the Gaelic used in both Ireland and Scotland by the educated classes. 

By the mid-1600s, the Mac Eáin variation had its own spelling in literary Irish.  The Scottish Mac Mhuirich family of Islay, historians and tradition keepers for the McDonalds, used several similar spellings of the surname when writing in the mid-1600s.  In their Red Book of Clanranald, they spelled the surname mac Ceaain, Mac Eaain and Mac Ea'ain.  The mac Ceaain spelling is an abbreviated form of the longer Mac Mhic Eaain, a clan surname form meaning “son of (the) son of Eáin.” This form functions much like the Ó does in Gaelic surnames, especially Irish ones.

I asked the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, which is the Gaelic college on the Isle of Skye, for the current spelling in Scot’s Gaelic and they gave me Mac Eain, with no accent over the “a.”  Mac Eáin is the modern Ulster Gaelic form.

The Lallans spellings also demonstrate the pronunciation shift from Mac Eóin to Mac Eáin by the 1500s in Argyll.  Lallans spellings of Mac Eáin from that time were McAne, McEan, Makayn, Mcayne, McEan, and McKean.

In my research, I made an interesting discovery. In the 1400s, the northern Spanish and Portuguese form of the Latin Iohannes was Ean.  In the northwest Spanish dialects and Portuguese the surname form of Ean was Eanes and Eannes.  The es suffix functions like the Gaelic Mac. So Eannes means Son of Iohannes as does Mac Eáin. In modern Spanish, you see this surname written Yanes and Yáñes.  It did occur to me there might have been some connection there, perhaps a loan word that had come into use from Portuguese or Spanish to Gaelic due to the increasing contact between Argyll and Spain during that time, but it would be a difficult point to research.

Seaán Ó Neill an Diomais

Mac Eóin itself is anglicised as MacEoin, McKeon, MacKeone, MacKeown, Keon, Keown, and MacOwen.  It can be found from the southern tip of Ireland to the far north of Scotland, everywhere were Gaelic is and was spoken.

Seán came into Gaelic from the French form of the Latin Iohannes which was Jehan and Gaelicized as Seán.  In the northern dialects of Gaelic, Seán is said 'Shane.'  From this we get the surname Mac Seáin.  Some of the descendants of the great Seaán Mór Ó Neill an Diomais use the surname MacShane today, while others have translated their surname and use both Jackson and Johnson.  Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the United Stages, claimed to be a direct descendant of Seaán Ó Neill and some of his descendants took the surname Jackson.

The Johnson and Johnston forms are obvious as they are simple translations. Some families, for reasons unknown, chose Johnston and Johnstone, as the anglicised form of their Gaelic surname. It is a mistranslation as Johnston is from the two words 'John' and 'ton' the latter meaning a town.

When doing family history research it is very helpful know the Gaelic form of your surname and its anglicised forms also.  Some of the non surname DNA matches may turn out to be just another form of your surname. 

© Barry R McCain 2020

Link: Finding the McCains

Mi Dieta Paleo

the Ouachita Mountains © 2018 Barry R McCain

Estoy en la dieta Paleo durante siete días. Estoy haciendo esto como parte de mi projecto Neurogénesis, pero diré, me encanta cómo me hace sentir. Mi pensamiento es muy claro, mi memoria es muy buena. Tengo buenos niveles de energía. Es una buena cosa.  Un efecto secundario, perdí nueve libras en una semana. No tengo sobrepeso cuando comencé el protocolo ... sin embargo, ahora soy más refinado y más pequeño.

The Mountains

when the cities lie at the monster's feet there are left the mountains. 

Robertson Jeffers

Big White Beard Update 30 Dec 2017

30 December 2017

First and foremost... I send a sincere thank you to the many, many, people that have sent me notes of support and prayers.  All very appreciated and to be frank, humbling.  There was even a 'prayer group'  organised for me.  Thank you all from the bottom of my heart. 

Three months ago today, I had my stroke.  Three long months of recovery from a brain injury.  Not a lovely thing to have to do, but there was no avoiding it.  I am still recovering.  Some of the major symptoms have subsided.  The severe headaches have gone away and now I have only low grade versions of them, about a 2 on the pain scale.  I occasionally still have moments where my thinking feels 'fuzzy.'   That is not a medical term I know, but anyone that has had a brain injury knows of what I am speaking.  My vision has not recovered much at all.  This means I still can not drive.  I lost the peripheral vision in my right eye, which damn it, was my 'good' eye.  I have a largish blind spot on my right side and I have trouble syncing my two eyes.  The latter issue makes reading hard and fatiguing.

In December I started to work again, or try to do so.  When the stroke happened I was working on my third book.  I am trying to get back my writer's edge.  I want to make sure I can still write professionally.  The book I am working on is the third in a series on Irish history from the province of Ulster.  The first two books are The Laggan Redshanks and the second is Finding the McCains.  The book I am working on now is on Scots-Irish folklore and is about the Scots-Irish and the Faerie Faith.  The book was supposed to be finished by this time, but the strokes brought a sudden halt to the work.  I hope the book will be out by Spring and I will keep everyone informed of the release date.  

I have two more books scheduled for 2018.  It is a lot of work, one is a collection of Scots-Irish essays, some of them collected from my talks at the Ulster American History Symposiums, both in County Tyrone and in the USA, over the years.  If you like Irish history, Scots-Irish history, folklore, tales, etc., you will enjoy the book.  It does not have a working title yet.  

Book three on my work list will be my first fiction effort.  Being a non fiction writer is much different than being a fiction writer and I am looking forward to having a go at it.  For those of you not in the writing business, you see fiction books make more money.  It is a math issue and that is the long and short of it.  Fiction sells better, and, I like telling tales, so going into fiction is a natural progression to me.  Now I must decide on a genre, perhaps mixed genres.  Then to decide between contemporary or a historical fiction, etc. 

Ouachita Mountains in western Arkansas

I have been reading and researching the year 1835 in the old southwest, meaning Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, etc.  I am tempted to place a story in that location and time period.  I am reading journals, letters, newspapers, etc., from the mid 1830s, including the correspondence of David Crockett as he travelled through the Arkansas Territory to San Antonio, in Mexican Texas. There was a lot of Irish men in the area and an in-group preference among the Irish on the frontier.  This might provide an interesting canvas for a period fiction work.  Like all my work, there will be an Irish, Scottish, Celtic, connection.  But, I might get a wild hair and do a contemporary book, romance/mystery, and set it in the Ouachita Mountains.  You know that Jan Karon has a good gig going....!!!

The Big White Beard had a couple of inches trimmed off early December.  I did not want to do this, but during the worst days of my stroke recovery I had a difficult time grooming myself.  But, 2018, will be the Year of the Big White Beard.  I plan on letting it grow and flow the entire year. 

the 1978 version of the ole beard, Red as a Ferrari back then

That is my update; beginning to work at writing again, hoping and praying, my vision returns back to normal, and with luck will have out three books in 2018.  I hope all of y'all have a wonderful New Year and wish you all Peace and Prosperity.

 

Christmas Sale... Finding the McCains!!! & New Book News

Finding the McCains

A Christmas Sale! The story of an Irish family that left for the New World in 1718 and one descendant who returned to Ireland reunited the family after three centuries of separation.  A biography, a history, a travelogue, a mystery solved using DNA testing.  In Time For Christmas!!!   Available on Amazon!  

 A postscript of sorts... I am working on the new book now, which is about the Scots-Irish and the Faeries.  I had hoped to have it out this year, but my health issues required me to delay work on the book for a few months.  However, recovery going well, and I am back at my desk, writing.  Looking forward to the New Book coming out. 

Merry Christmas & Happy Yuletide Greetings!!! 

Big White Beard, Christmas 2017

Continuing to recover from the stroke.  Almost, two full months into the recovery now.  I have started writing again.  I am working in Gaelic language again.  I am doing hill hikes in the trails in Oxford... and last night late, walked the Oxford, Mississippi, Square.  I had several Coeds give me 'hugs' and took photographs of me, etc.  They asked me where I was from, I replied, 'the North Pole.'   Interesting, the effect a Big White Beard has on people.  

It was a quiet night in ole Oxford town, as it was a Tuesday.  A number of students were out at the clubs on the Square.  The weather was coolish and nice. 

The Big White Beard

The Big White Beard

Today I had the first visit to the neurologist since the strokes.  That is, the first visit since I left the hospital.  The doctor had examined me in early October while I was in the ICU at the hospital in Memphis.  At this point, recovery is a waiting game, as the doctors do not know when and how the recovery will unfold.  I have regained a small bit of my vision in my right eye, which is a good sign and better than nothing, but I still can not drive and that is frustrating of course.  

I have days where I feel like I can do this, then other days where I feel like I am lost.  Since my strokes, I have communicated with several other stroke survivors.  I realise that I am very fortunate, as many with strokes have more health problems than I do.  I hear their stories of how hard the work at recovery and how patient they are with their struggles.  They have inspired and encouraged me. Patience, recovery is slow.  

I am writing again.  I have several 500 word days done over the last week and I feel like that my skills are coming back.  I was working on a book about the Scots-Irish and the Faeires when the strokes happened.  I was over one half finished with the book. Once, I get into a regular routine of writing I will regain my focus on the topic, I hope that is.  I have also started assembling research notes for the next project, which will also have a Irish theme.  I am drawn to the subject.  

The mug, is an almost empty one, of one of my favourite teas, Darjeeling.  I am a tea drinker.  Darjeeling, Russian Caravan, and Prince of Wales, my three favourite teas.  They are soothing.    

One Month Out From Stroke

post stroke, slightly shorter beard, and the ole brain at 80% or so...

It has been one month, one week, and several days since my stroke.  Actually, I had two strokes and the ‘big’ one was on 30 September. 

What does one do for one month while recovering from a stroke?  My vision was damaged during the stroke.  This is a fairly common event in a stroke.   Initially, I could not really read or see well at all.  At one month out, I can read some now, and I am back in the reading and research business.  Some formats, such as Kindle, are more readable to me.  Other formats are difficult to read for me.  My eyes do not ‘team’ well now, which is a reason the reading is a challenge. I lost my peripheral vision on my right side, so no more driving for me until that comes back.

The doctors do not have a clue how much, if any, of my vision shall return.  It is a very individual thing.  Strokes are like that and each case is different.  I may get the vision back tomorrow, or... I may never get it back.  I have talked to many people with strokes now and read testimonies from stroke survivors, and some recover fine, some do not.   So, I am in a wait and see (no pun intended) mode.

The rest of the recovery seems to be going ok.  I still have crashing headaches and a lot of fatigue.  During the day I take several naps.  Of course, I am on meds to insure no more blood clots, which caused the strokes.  I am told, I do not have any obvious ‘triggers’ for a stroke.  I do not have high blood pressure, I am fit, I have normal blood sugar level, do not smoke cigarettes, etc., so the reasons and causes of the stroke are a mystery at present.  I still have more doctor visits, so something in the way of a cause may turn up as they examine me. 

The last month was a blur.  Time had little meaning for me.  A day, a week, a month, it all seemed the same.  I kept my mind busy.  I developed an interest in several topics which  I listened to on my Ipad.  I studied the Desert Fathers of the early church, I studied quantum physics, gravity wave theory, paranormal phenomenon, I listened to medieval chants. In the last week in October I began to read again.  Reading a book was difficult, but I persevered.  The book I read was by Louis L’Amour, one of his Sackett series books, this one called Galloway.  I enjoyed the book.  I do not often read fiction, but the L’Amour book was entertaining and soothing to me.  I suppose just reading anything at this point is good exercise for my wounded eyes.

There is humour in even tragic events sometimes... my stroke happened on 30 September, in Oxford, Mississippi.  I was taken to a hospital in Oxford.  There, it was apparent that the stroke was serious, so there was a decision to place me on a helicopter and fly me to Memphis Tennessee.  Now at the time, I could not talk, I barely knew my name as I had aphasia.   The decision was made to move me to Memphis and as I say, I could not talk, but in the midst of the doctors and family around me I said in a very clear well-spoken voice, ‘I do not want to go to Memphis.’   Despite the grim scene going on around me, this did bring smiles and chuckles. 

One other note to you ALL... learn the symptoms of stroke.   If you think you have any symptoms, immediately get medical help.  If you attend the symptoms in a rapid manner, you can avoid having the stroke and save yourself a tonne of pain, trouble, and problems, not to mention expenses.  Learn the stroke symptoms; get medical help if you have stroke symptoms.  There are new techniques, new drugs, that work miracles, if you get medical help quickly. 

My Stroke Update

Two Strokes, an Update.   Sort of old news now, but as many will know, I had two strokes. The first one came on 28 September.  I just thought I felt bad, took some ibuprofen and rested.  This was a great mistake of course.  Then, late on the night of 30 September, I had another stroke, lost my ability to talk, lost much of my vision, etc.  So, there was a helicopter flight to an ICU in Memphis, a lot of tubes, injections, medical procedures, etc.  To bring the tale up to date, here I am some three weeks and a few days later, and I am in the recovery phase.  I can now talk fairly well.  All in all, I have been blessed I think, as strokes can be very brutal and I seem to have recovered fairly well.  I still have vision problems, and I do not know to what extent my visions will recover.  Too soon to tell.  Writing and reading are linked to vision health.  I am a man of letters, a man who reads much, who does research, who writes, and who has published books.  I am concerned if I can still perform these tasks.  Today, 24 October, I will write some today on my current book project.  This is the book I have been working on concerning Scots-Irish folklore, Faeries, and the Second Sight.  Prior to the strokes, the work was going well.  Today, I begin writing again.  We will see how it goes.

Anyroad, I send you all warm and genuine thanks for the many blessings, prayers, best wishes, for my health and recovery.   These are all greatly appreciated and valued.