Did Your Ancestors Land at Ellis Island? Introducing Your New Family Tartan

NEW YORK, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the 10th National Tartan Day (April 6), a very special tartan has been designed to honor Scots-Americans who ended their long journey to America in New York: The Ellis Island Tartan.  And for their more than 12 million descendants still living in the US -- who know a brief history, but not the details of their family lineage -- this new tartan offers a new way to express their Scottish pride and celebrate their ancestral roots.  

Robert Currie, President of the Clan Currie Society in New York and originator of the new tartan initiative said, "The Ellis Island Tartan will appeal to relatives of the half a million Scots immigrants who landed There."  He added, "It'll be exciting for these families to have the right to wear this bespoke tartan as their own.  Something else they can add to their family legacy."

The tartan's interlaced colors (below) tell the story of the Ellis Island immigrants and their American experience.  Blue for the ocean they crossed. Copper-green for the Statue f Liberty they arrived at. Red for the bricks of the Ellis Island buildings where they took their first steps on American soil.  And gold for the golden opportunities their new lives would offer.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110407/NY79611 )

Remarking on the "birth" of the new tartan, US Congressman Leonard Lance said, "This tartan is the definitive symbol of Scotland. No other fabric or pattern is so steeped in tradition.  I ask all my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating the Clan Currie Society for the unveiling of this American tartan."

Working with the Scottish Government, VisitScotland and the General Records Office are making it easier for people to explore their family roots with a special online offer during Scotland Week.  The ancestral promotion, available across North America, can be found on www.ancestralscotland.com/scotlandspeople from now through April 10. Visitors to the site can claim 30 FREE search credits for use on www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk (a value of approx $10) to jumpstart their ancestral search.

For additional tourism information, contact Fiona Stewart, VisitScotland at +44 7917213302 or [email protected], or visit www.cometoscotland.com.

For additional information, releases and photos on Ellis Island contact Robert Currie, +1-908-803-4043, [email protected], or visit www.tartandayonellisisland.com

SOURCE VisitScotland