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My first question to myself in undertaking this particular course of study is why? Why do I want to go far away from my known family and friends and study somewhere I have never been? When I received my undergraduate degree I was primarily fascinated with World War II and the Holocaust with little thought of changing my direction for a Master’s Program.

Yet I did appreciate my classes and readings for History of England and Medieval European History, but not until after graduation from the University of Wyoming did I earnestly begin to explore my familial roots and understand where many of my ancestors originated. Being an American with primarily a Scotch and English heritage, over the years the idea of studying and contributing to the history of the Scottish clans has been rattling around in the back of my brain. After careful study of both my parent’s family trees I determined that my father’s lineage traces back to the Murray Clan and the Stewart Clan and mother’s family was descended from the Ogilivy Clan. I began to read historical narratives and engage in media that centered on Scotland and the clan system. It was at this time that my daughter started exploring her options for post-secondary education. Being raised by example to choose intelligent media such as “A Brief History of Time” and “Connections” and encouraged to play violin since elementary school, it is not surprising that Lauren wants to be either a cosmologist or an astro-geophysicist. My father, Lieutenant Commander Allan R. Smelley, USN (dec.) had been a nuclear physicist, USNA Class of 1963. Lauren is determined to receive a nomination to and also attend the United States Naval Academy where she hopes to parlay her military career into work with NASA as an astronaut. Since she has not yet received an appointment, she will be attending the Colorado School of Mines in the interim. I feel that my job here is nearly complete and the goal I set myself when I graduated from university - to provide my undivided love, guidance and support in order to raise an excellent child with superior morals and goals - has been accomplished.

It is now time for me to move on to my next goal – one that I have long anticipated. I have desired to return to study for my post-graduate degrees in History for many years. Now is my opportunity and, given my determination and success in achieving goals, I feel that I can contribute through my excellent research talents, a greater understanding of the last stages of the old clan structure and it’s demise from society’s modernization. In answer to my initial question of why I wish to travel to Scotland for my studies, what better place to learn about the clans than where their history happened?