Michael is correct in suggesting you do the Mackay DNA test. It will give specific markers that are shared by other Mackays and give you a much broader picture of where your line stems from.
But, I would also urge you to also look into your Genealogy. You know who your immediate family is, and probably who your grandparents are. If they are still living, contact them and find out all you can about their parents. Names, dates and places of birth. Go back as far as you can and then start looking at draft records, church affiliation, craftsmen's guilds, professional associations, court records etc for the generations beyond what you had been given by family.
Once you get into it, it becomes a life long search trying to take it just one more generation back! When you reach a brick wall, turn it in to Ken Bain. He is our historian and has been keeping a record of our member's family trees and has found some common ancestors that help to push the family trees back further and further and helps others who are related to make vital connections to fill in the missing links.
You are eligible to become a Member of Clan Mackay Society of the USA by virtue of carrying the last name Key. Historically, Key's were a Sept (an affiliated family)of the original Clan and were taken in being given the promise of a place to live and farm and protection in exchange of their loyalty to the chief and the promise to take up their sword when the Chief said it was needed. The Clan system ended with the Battle of Culloden as the system was seen by the British crown as an instrument of War,as were the Tartan, the bag pipes and the Harp. No new septs have been added to the rolls since Culloden. Today we have Societies to celebrate and preserve the rich Scottish Heritage and Mackay History in particular.
Joining is easy , check the home page for instructions on How to Join and join either by Pay pal using a credit card or by sending a check to our Treasurer. All our dues are used to support our scholarship program and to set up hospitality tents at the Highland Games across the country. Check us out and please, let's hear from you again soon!
Michelle
Posted on Feb 29, 2012, 12:03 AM from IP address 74.65.148.69