Greetings from your Clan Hope Commissioner for Southeastern United States

     Hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Last weekend the June weather was fabulous for the Blairsville Scottish Festival. This was our second year in attendance and as you can see by the pictures from this year out tent display has matured with time. This is one of the friendliest games I have ever attended. I was kept busy by the numerous folks from other clans inquiring about Clan Hope and our history. Sue Johnstone Joiner and her husband Pete came by the tent. Sue is actually a Hope Johnstone. I asked her to sit down with me and share her history with us. It is always fun to learn how others got interested in their family's genealogy and history.

     Sue got started when some of her relatives told her about her great great grandparents that had lived several miles south of Edinburgh. It was around 1980 when she took a trip across the pond to Penicuik, Scotland and was able to step inside the actual house in which her great great grandparents had lived and visited their gravesite. She was hooked! Sue is happy to share some of her Hope Johnstone ancestors with us.

	GG grandparents		James Johnstone
			Isabella Ormistone Johnstone
			Lived in Penicuik, Scotland
	G grandparents		Robert Johnstone
			He had 10 children,
			3 had Hope as middle name
			Lived in Penicuik, Scotland
	Grandparents		Robert Ormistone Johnstone
			Caroline Balloch
			They came to America through Ellis Island
			Settled in Traverse City,MI because
			it looked a lot like Scotland.
	Father		Robert Balloch Johnstone
	Mother		Darlyne Nepper
	Self		Sue Johnstone Joiner
	Brother		Kirk Robert Johnstone (deceased)

Just a note that Sue is now a member of Clan Hope and we are grateful for her membership!

Sue Johnstone Joiner and husband Pete are new members!

Sue and Pete live very interesting lives. They have a home near Franklin N.C., a home in Florida and a caravan in Lochranza, Scotland on the Isle of Arran. No wonder they travel with the seasons! Sue explained how they love to watch the hills of Lochranza ablaze with yellow flowers in early spring, only to give way to the purple heather later in the season. I could not help but noticed how her eyes sparkled and grew brighter as she talked of the Isle of Arran and her treasured friends that live there. Thanks for sharing your story with us and we are glad you are our newest member and friend.


At the Blairsville Games, I was lucky enough to meet and chat with Clan Nan Con. Translated; it means 'Clan of the Dog'. This clan is a historically accurate representation of the Highland Independent Company of Darien, Ga. This small army of Scottish soldiers was brought to Georgia by Governor James Oglethorpe in 1736. They were composed of an infantry, mounted rangers and sea rangers. Fighting included the Florida campaign of 1740, defending Fort Frederica, Battle of Bloody Marsh and Gully Hole Creek among others... Their purpose was to protect the Georgia coastline and they were active for ten years, beginning in 1736 until 1746. This group of dedicated people contributes a true sense of Scottish history and contribution to the founding of America. If you get a chance, stroll through their meticulous and historically correct military encampment. Their knowledge of events, equipment, culture and sacrifice will amaze you. They attend several games throughout the southeast and would be happy to talk to you.