Western States Clan MacNicol

 ARIZONA EVENTS

An Inspirational Account from Kevan Taylor-Perry

S’ mise Caoibhean MacNeacail!

 I just introduced myself in the language of my ancestors, Gaidhlig. What’s more, I introduced myself with the name I had at birth in the Gaidhlig. My name now is Kevan Taylor-Perry. My name at birth was Kevan Nichols.

You see, I am an adoptee. My name at birth was Kevan Nichols; it still is on my original birth certificate. It was at the Celtic Festival here in Flagstaff almost two years ago now that I wanted to finally know the answer to the question: Who am I? Well, I happened to know my birth mother’s name. Her maiden name was Nichols. So, I knew her father’s name was Nichols. I discovered quickly that this name was Scottish. I right away asked to join Clan MacNicol. To have this link to my ancestors was very important to me. I didn’t even know at that time how valuable this would become.  I continued my search for my roots and my ancestors. In time, I obtained my birth mother’s birth certificate and had the names of my maternal grandparents. I posted these names on the Clan MacNicol email discussion list that Carolyn Nichols-Williams started. A fellow Clansman and member of the email discussion list, Dale Nicoll, did some genealogy and found my Nichols ancestors. Wow! I was astounded! To have my ancestors, finally, after all these years! But it didn’t stop there. Dale found a post by my aunt on Rootsweb and she was looking for one of my uncles. Now that was REALLY a huge WOW! Her email had changed and so my email to her bounced back. I did a Yahoo People Search and came up with 23 names. My aunt’s contact information was in the middle of the second page of names I had. I can’t explain why, but hers was the first I picked and called. It was a very emotional, joyous reunion. My Aunt Marion and I have grown very close. And for that, I will always be deeply grateful to my fellow Clansman, Dale Nicoll. And I always be grateful to Clanswoman Carolyn Nichols-Williams for starting the email discussion list that made it possible. I also now have my Aunt Katie, Uncle Bobby, Aunt Beverly, Cousins Sheryl and JoAnne. I even recently found a Cousin Joan in another branch of the family! I met my Cousin Sheryl on November 9th, 2007---my first blood relative I ever met! What a wonderful experience! I found my birth family through Clan MacNicol. And when something like that happens, you begin to understand the deeper meaning of the word: Clann. It’s a Gaidhlig word, that. It means “children”. We’re all children of the original MacNeacail. But there’s more to it that that. We share a common ancestor and ancestors. Our roots are deep in the soil of Eilean Sgitheanach; the Isle of Skye. It’s deeply appropriate that I should find my own roots through my Clann. It is for this reason, being of Clan MacNicol has a deep reverence for me. It’s part of who I am, a big part. And my fellow Clansmen and Clanswomen have given me a gift that is without price. They helped me find my family. In the Gaidhlig, the word is teaghlach. Family. Everything is connected.

Postscript: I hired an adoption search specialist to find my birth mother. I Overnighted a letter and photos to her. Included in the photos, was one of me in a kilt with the MacNicol Hunting tartan fly plaid on my shoulder. She phoned right away, on Saturday night, November 10th, 2007. It is a very, very joyous reunion for us both. She is a wonderful, sweet, very special lady I am proud to call my mother. We are moving forward into a family relationship and are growing very close. She asked me about the photo I sent of me in my kilt. I told her I was wearing Our Tartan, the MacNicol Tartan. She was deeply moved by that. It has been a long journey. I am home.

Sgorra Bhreac,

Caoibhean MacNeacail

Flagstaff, AZ Updated Monday, September 06, 2010 8:56 AM Mostly Sunny 70°F High: 76°F Low: 50°F Wind: 7 mph Humidity: 37% Tuesday 73° / 50° Wednesday 69° / 45° Thursday 66° / 41° Friday 69° / 39° MSN Weather Data provided by iMap