Family Histories – serie

Originally written for private distribution in 1954, this account of the Closeburn Kirkpatricks was, the author says,"a story that needed to be told." The Kirkpatricks of Closeburn, in Dumfries-shire, Scotland, trace their family back to Ivone, who witnessed a Charter for Robert Brus (or Bruce), first Lord of Annandale.Roger 'mak siccar ' Kirkpatrick was a close associate of the later Robert Bruce, who became King of Scotland.The family's connections extend through the Isle of Wight to France and Spain.

Originally written for private distribution in 1954, this account of the Closeburn Kirkpatricks was, the author says,"a story that needed to be told." The Kirkpatricks of Closeburn, in Dumfries-shire, Scotland, trace their family back to Ivone, who witnessed a Charter for Robert Brus (or Bruce), first Lord of Annandale.Roger 'mak siccar ' Kirkpatrick was a close associate of the later Robert Bruce, who became King of Scotland.The family's connections extend through the Isle of Wight to France and Spain.

The history of many of the great houses and families of Scotland are well documented in literature, and by clan associations and individuals on the Internet. The family of Lundie (Lundy, Lundin, Lundyn) is described, by Sir Robert Douglas in his "Baronage", as one of the most ancient in Scotland; its history however up until now is almost undocumented. Most lists of Scottish Clans and families seem to omit this family. The few books that do include details; with one notable exception, "Lundins of Fife" by G. T. Welsh; provide very little information. In fact, the short paper by Welsh is the only text so far printed that was solely dedicated to this family's history. This lack of documentation of the Lundie family is quite remarkable given, as shall be discussed in full later, the fact that members of this family have occupied many high offices in Scotland; including those of Lord High Treasurer, Chancellor, Chamberlain, Hereditary Doorward (personal body guard to the King), and Member of the Council of Regents of the Kingdom.They have performed duties as hosts, ambassadors and representatives of the Sovereign; voted for Wallace as Protector of Scotland, fighting by his side in Scotland's fight for Independence; and played an important role in the reformation of the church in Scotland.Indeed many of the heads of "Great" families of Scotland, have direct descent from this house through marriage with daughters of the various branches of the Lundie family. By taking what has been written by historians so far, it has really, only been through reading the histories of these other families and noting their intermarriage with Lundies, that one could form an idea of their high social standing and historical importance.

The history of many of the great houses and families of Scotland are well documented in literature, and by clan associations and individuals on the Internet. The family of Lundie (Lundy, Lundin, Lundyn) is described, by Sir Robert Douglas in his Baronage, as one of the most ancient in Scotland; its history however up until now is almost un-documented. Most lists of Scottish Clans and families seem to omit this family. The few books that do include details; with one notable exception, Lundins of Fife, by G. T. Welsh; provide very little information. In fact the short paper by Welsh is the only text so far printed that was solely dedicated to this family's history. This lack of documentation of the Lundie family is quite remarkable given, as shall be discussed in full later, the fact that members of this family have occupied many high offices in Scotland; including those of Lord High Treasurer, Chancellor, Chamberlain, Hereditary Doorward (personal body guard to the King), and Member of the Council of Regents of the Kingdom.They have performed duties as hosts, ambassadors and representatives of the Sovereign; voted for Wallace as Protector of Scotland, fighting by his side in Scotland's fight for Independence; and played an important role in the reformation of the church in Scotland.Indeed many of the heads of "Great" families of Scotland, have direct descent from this house through marriage with daughters of the various branches of the Lundie family. By taking what has been written by historians so far, it has really only been through reading the histories of these other families and noting their intermarriage with Lundies, that one could form an idea of their high social standing and historical importance.

This account of William Kirkpatrick of Malaga reveals for the first time a remarkable man only occasionally mentioned in the numerous biographies of his famous granddaughter, the Empress Eugenie. As United States Consul in Malaga between 1800 and 1817, William Kirkpatrick was a strong advocate of the US Navy's role in combating the Barbary Corsairs. His Consular work, business enterprises and extensive European and American connections are explored using new sources. These show that the Kirkpatricks of Dumfriesshire who settled in Spain in the 1730s were an enterprising family of international merchants. Allied with similar families from across Europe, the Kirkpatricks revolutionised trade and industry in southern Spain and even had a hand in introducing grapevines to Australia. The Kirkpatrick family received wide attention when Eugenie, aided by her mother the formidable Maria Manuela, Countess de Montijo, made a spectacular marriage to Napoleon III and became Empress Regent of France, a confidante of Queen Victoria, and an iconic figure in 19th Century Europe.After a wide-ranging business career in Africa, Colin Carlin now lives in Bath where he is associated with a leading contemporary art gallery.

El presente estudio sobre William Kirkpatrick de Malaga viene a poner de manifiesto y dar a conocer, por vez primera, la figura y obra de un hombre verdaderamente excepcional, mencionado unicamente hasta ahora en las numerosas biografias de su famosa nieta la emperatriz Eugenia. Como consul de los Estados Unidos en Malaga entre 1800 y 1817, William Kirkpatrick paso por ser un firme defensor de la implicacion directa de la marina estadounidense en la lucha contra los corsarios de berberia. Nuevas fuentes historicas profundizan en su labor consular, sus empresas comerciales y sus importantes conexiones europeas y americanas. Lo que vendria a demostrar que los Kirkpatricks de Dumfriesshire, establecidos en Espana en la decada de 1730, conformaron una de las grandes familias pioneras del comercio internacional. Siempre en estrecha relacion con familias similares de todo el Viejo Continente, los Kirkpatricks revolucionaron el comercio y la industria en el sur de Espana, llegando incluso a ser participes en la introduccion de la vid en Australia.La familia Kirkpatrick acaparo toda la atencion del Viejo Continente cuando Eugenia, apoyada por su madre, la singular Maria Manuela, condesa de Montijo, concerto un espectacular matrimonio con Napoleon III para convertirse en emperatriz regente de Francia, confidente de la reina Victoria y figura iconica de la Europa decimononica.