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Origins · Celtic Heritage
Two Waves: Ulster Scots and Irish, Two Centuries of Flight
1637–1832 · Scotland & Ireland
The Celtic story in this collection unfolds in two distinct waves separated by nearly a century—yet driven by remarkably similar forces. The first wave (1637-1741) brought Ulster Scots and Scottish Presbyterians fleeing religious persecution and economic hardship in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The second wave (1830-1832) brought Irish families escaping the poverty and land pressures that would culminate in the catastrophic Potato Famine of 1845-1852.
Eight Celtic immigrants across three grandparents—Lenore Arnett Young (4),L.B. “Brad” McMichael (2), and James Doby Young (2)— creating a rich tapestry of Scottish and Irish heritage that spans from colonial frontier settlement to 19th-century industrial America.
1637–1741 · Colonial Era
Scottish and Northern Irish Presbyterians fleeing religious persecution, economic hardship, and restrictive land policies. Over 100,000 Ulster Scots emigrated to American colonies 1717-1775, settling primarily on the Appalachian frontier.
6 immigrants in this collection
Connected to: Lenore (4), Brad (2)
Destinations: Virginia, Carolinas, Pennsylvania frontier
1830–1832 · Pre-Famine
Irish families fleeing poverty, land consolidation, and the subsistence crisis that would explode into the Great Famine (1845-1852). These 1830s emigrants anticipated the catastrophe—leaving before the potato blight but driven by the same pressures.
2 immigrants in this collection
Connected to: James (2)
Destinations: Industrial cities, canal/railroad work
The Ulster Scots (also called Scots-Irish in America) were descendants of Scottish Lowlanders who settled in Northern Ireland (Ulster) during the Ulster Plantation (1609 onwards). England encouraged Scottish Presbyterians to colonize Ulster as a buffer against the native Irish Catholic population.
But by the early 1700s, these Ulster Scots faced severe challenges: Anglican religious discrimination (they were Presbyterian, not Anglican), economic hardship from rack-renting landlords, crop failures, and restrictive trade policies. Between 1717 and 1775, over 100,000 Ulster Scots emigrated to American colonies, becoming the largest immigrant group of the colonial era.
1637–1691 · Scotland → USA
The earliest Celtic immigrant in this collection, John Munro (also spelled Monroe) was born in Scotland in 1637 during the tumultuous reign of Charles I, whose attempts to impose Anglican worship on Presbyterian Scotland sparked the Bishops’ Wars (1639-1640) and contributed to the English Civil War.
John emigrated to the American colonies, likely settling in Virginia or Maryland. His descendants spread across the Southern frontier, carrying Presbyterian faith and Scottish cultural traditions into Appalachia. His line connects to Lenore Arnett Young’s family tree.
1694–1783 · Scotland → USA
Born in Scotland in 1694, William Chesney (sometimes recorded as McChesney, reflecting Scottish clan naming patterns) emigrated during the early wave of Ulster Scots migration. He arrived before the massive exodus of 1717-1775 but for similar reasons: Presbyterian persecution, economic hardship, and the promise of land in America.
William lived through the American Revolution, dying in 1783—the same year the Treaty of Paris officially ended the war and recognized American independence. His line connects to Lenore Arnett Young.
1706–1774 · Northern Ireland → USA
Born in Northern Ireland (Ulster) in 1706, Richard Fulton represents the classic Ulster Scots story: Presbyterian family in Northern Ireland facing Anglican discrimination and rack-renting landlords. He emigrated to America during the peak period of Ulster Scots migration (1717-1775).
Richard died in 1774, just one year before the Revolutionary War began at Lexington and Concord. His descendants would fight in that war, including Revolutionary War patriot ancestors in Lenore’s line. His Presbyterian faith and frontier settlement patterns were typical of Ulster Scots communities.
1741–1834 · Scotland → USA
Born in Scotland in 1741, Jean Urie represents the final Ulster Scots immigrant in Lenore’s line. She emigrated during the late colonial period, arriving in America in time to experience the Revolutionary War (1775-1783) and live through the early Republic era.
Jean’s remarkable longevity (she lived to 1834, age 93) meant she witnessed the entire transformation of America from British colonies to independent nation to expanding republic. Her line connects to Lenore Arnett Young.
1734–1817 · Northern Ireland → USA
Born in Northern Ireland in 1734, James McBride’s nickname “Irishman” distinguished him in America—likely because most colonists thought of him as Irish rather than Scottish, not understanding the complex Ulster Scots identity.
James lived through the Revolutionary War era and died in 1817, having witnessed American independence and the War of 1812. His line connects to L.B. “Brad” McMichael’s family tree.
?–1773 · Ireland → USA
Elizabeth Ross’s birth year is not recorded, but she was born in Ireland and emigrated to the American colonies, dying in 1773—just two years before the Revolutionary War began. The Ross surname is common among Ulster Scots families.
Elizabeth’s line connects to L.B. “Brad” McMichael. Her death in 1773 means she just missed witnessing the American Revolution, though her descendants likely participated.
William Langran (1830) and Margaret Carmody (1832) arrived in America before the Great Famine (1845-1852), but they fled the same conditions that would soon devastate Ireland: over-reliance on potato monoculture, land consolidation that displaced tenant farmers, and a subsistence economy on the brink of collapse.
Between 1845 and 1852, a potato blight (Phytophthora infestans) destroyed Ireland’s staple crop, killing approximately 1 million people and forcing over 2 million to emigrate— reducing Ireland’s population by 20-25%. The Famine became a watershed moment in Irish history, permanently changing Irish society and Irish-American identity.
William and Margaret were what historians call “pre-Famine emigrants”—people who left in the 1820s-1840s before the catastrophe but for the same underlying reasons. They had the resources to leave; those who stayed often couldn’t afford passage until destitution forced them onto “coffin ships” during the Famine years.
1830–1871 · Ireland → USA
Born in Ireland in 1830, William Langran emigrated during the pre-Famine period, likely in the 1840s or early 1850s. He arrived in an America undergoing rapid industrialization—canals, railroads, and factories creating unprecedented demand for labor.
William died in 1871, having lived through the Civil War era (1861-1865) and the early Reconstruction period. His relatively short life (41 years) was typical of the era—industrial work was dangerous, and life expectancy was low. His line connects to James Doby Young.
1832–1866 · Ireland → USA
Born in Ireland in 1832, Margaret Carmody left during the same pre-Famine period as William Langran. Irish women often emigrated alone or with siblings, working as domestic servants in American cities—one of the few respectable occupations available to unmarried Irish women.
Margaret died in 1866, just one year after the Civil War ended. Her short life (34 years) reflects the hardships faced by Irish immigrants, particularly women in domestic service. Her line also connects to James Doby Young.
Unlike the other origin narratives (French, Dutch, Prussian-German) which connect primarily to one or two grandparents, Celtic migrations touched three of the four grandparents: Lenore, Brad, and James. This cross-grandparent pattern reflects how widespread Ulster Scots and Irish immigration was—these weren’t isolated family stories but part of massive migration waves that shaped colonial and 19th-century America.
4 Ulster Scots immigrants (1637-1741)
2 Ulster Scots immigrants (1734, ?-1773)
2 Irish immigrants (1830-1832)
For Ulster Scots: Land ownership, religious freedom (Presbyterian churches thrived), frontier opportunities, political rights unavailable in Ireland.
For Irish immigrants: Industrial jobs (canals, railroads, factories), higher wages than Ireland, escape from subsistence farming, chain migration (following relatives).
Ulster Scots immigrants gravitated toward the frontier—western Pennsylvania, the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the Carolina backcountry. They sought land ownership (impossible for most in Ireland) and religious freedom to practice Presbyterian worship.
Their frontier settlement created a distinct cultural zone: Presbyterian churches, Scots-Irish folkways, whiskey distilling (often illegally), fierce independence, and a fighting tradition that contributed significantly to the Revolutionary War. Many Revolutionary War soldiers came from Scots-Irish communities—including patriot ancestors in this collection.
By contrast, 19th-century Irish immigrants (like William Langran and Margaret Carmody) settled primarily in industrial cities—Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and inland canal/ railroad towns. Most lacked capital to buy farmland and took wage labor: men in construction, factories, docks; women in domestic service.
Irish-American communities formed in urban neighborhoods, centered around Catholic parishes. Unlike Ulster Scots (who were Protestant), most Irish immigrants were Catholic, facing discrimination from nativist Protestant Americans. The Irish gradually built political power through Democratic Party machines in major cities.
The eight Celtic immigrants in this collection—spanning Ulster Scots and Irish, frontier settlers and industrial workers, colonial era and 19th century—represent two of the most significant migration streams in American history. Their descendants shaped American culture, politics, religion, and regional identity in profound ways.
From the Appalachian frontier to industrial cities, from Presbyterian meetinghouses to Catholic parishes, from Revolutionary War service to canal construction, Celtic immigrants and their descendants built America—often facing discrimination, always working hard, gradually achieving the land ownership, religious freedom, and economic opportunity denied them in Ireland and Scotland.
“Ulster Scots” (British/Irish term) and “Scots-Irish” (American term) refer to the same group. This narrative uses “Ulster Scots” for historical accuracy, though descendants in America typically identify as “Scots-Irish” or simply “Irish.”
Wave 1 (Ulster Scots) immigrants were predominantly Presbyterian. Wave 2 (Irish Famine-era) immigrants were predominantly Catholic, though some Ulster Protestants also emigrated during this period. The religious difference created distinct settlement patterns and social experiences in America.
Specific immigration dates and ports of entry are not documented for most of these immigrants. Colonial-era immigration records are incomplete, and many Ulster Scots arrived through Philadelphia, Charleston, or smaller ports without detailed documentation.