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Archiver > SCT-ISLAY > 2005-05 > 1115418182


From: John Conley <>
Subject: Re: [SCT-ISLAY] Scottish Clans DNA program ISLAY SCOTLAND MCEACHANand varients WELCOME
Date: Fri, 06 May 2005 18:23:02 -0400
References: <BEA10413.41BC%beads@aspi.net>
In-Reply-To: <BEA10413.41BC%beads@aspi.net>


I'm hoping one of my spence relatives will clear up a mystery for me.
Is the Spence name really Spence or as most first Males were Called
Donald are they Clan Donald, MacDonald?

The problem is back far enought, Spens in Gaelic meant keeper of the
larder, or storesman. Thus at a time when one had that job did one take
that as his name?

Or is Spens a sept of the Clan MacDuff as claimed?

What there is no dispute is that Donald Spence married Anne Hay Storrie
of both of Islay and had children there, then came to Canada and lived
in Islay just outside Glenarm.

Following some version of scottish naming traditions my grandfather was
Kennedy Storrie Spence, the Kennedy's from Glengarry, a relative from
Skye, and Spence and Storrie of Islay. Sir Spence and Sir James Storrie
did live in the area, given lands in the islands.

Perhaps the DNA projects will solve the myriad of questions.

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