The MacDougall/McCallum Heritage Foundation in the USA has been a generous and continuing support to the Comann Eachdraidh Lios Mor for many years.
It started with Margaret MacDougall Carasik who first came to Oban from Minnesota for the MacDougall gathering in 2004 and so began her family’s close links with the area. She knew from her sister Ruth’s researches, that their great grandfather had been born at Balimakillichan on Lismore in 1803, but when the family visited her, her nephew Mark McCartin became so enthused about his origins he persuaded them to start a foundation and in Margaret’s words to begin ‘supporting their heritage’.
Margaret Carasik 2007
Margaret Carasik 2007
Archaeological dig. Margaret Carasik at work in the Nave, July 2017
Margaret has visited Oban and Lismore every year since 2004 and in 2007 she helped with the setting up of the new heritage building at Ionad Naomh Moluag in preparation for its official opening on 17 March 2007 and its opening to the public on 2 April. She also took an active part in the archaeological Nave dig in 2017.
Lismore is the birth place of many MacDougalls and McCallums and thanks is due to the generosity of the foundation’s donors who have:
- Provided funding for a Datalogger for the museum which measures the temperature and humidity in the rooms where artifacts are displayed and stored.
- Funded a video recorder used to record and preserve the fast disappearing “Oral Traditions” of the islanders. This includes stories of past such as the three Lismore seaman who used to sail the ” smacks” that were so important in travel between the islands. This project is also supported by the Foundation in providing John S. Carasik Scholarship recipients to do field work to collect these stories.
- Provided $12,000 to the new Museum to install etched glass windows made from pictures drawn by present day Lismore school children.
- Financed an Exhibit and Banner Board to display correspondence from Lismore from John MacDougall (weaver) to his son John who had just emigrated to America.
- Donated for resale “My Dear Son” Margaret A Miller ‘s book about John McDougall, the last weaver on the Isle of Lismore. As his eight children passed away or left Lismore for other parts of Scotland and America, McDougall began writing letters to his adult son, John, who emigrated to Minnesota.
- Assisted in the cost of replacement of Heating Unit.
- Donated for several Archaeological Digs.
The first research scholars in 2007 were twins Darleen Weisz and Diane McDowell who answered an advertisement in the MacDougall Society newsletter in their native USA offering a 2 week scholarship working on the collection in the museum.
Darleen Weisz and Diane McDowell MacDougall McCallum researchers with Catherine Gillies 2006
Darleen Weisz and Diane McDowell MacDougall McCallum researchers 2006
As keen and regular visitors to Oban and Argyll they were thrilled when they won the funding. The scholarship was for two weeks but being two they came for one. Their visit coincided with the launch of the Mapping Scotland’s Rural Past project in Lismore and they were able to do preliminary research into that and to hear Dr Tertia Barnett introduce the project to the island.
The 2008 John S Carasik Scholarship went to Thomas King and this is what he said of his experience.
I saved the best for last, and that was the time I spent on the Isle of Lismore. There is something special for me about Lismore, some connection that I cannot explain, but did it ever feel so right. I was able to do some survey work there and I got to stay around the Heritage Center. Talk about a wonder, this place is absolutely a “must see”! You walk in it and automatically you feel the love and care that went into the place, like a set of arms embracing. The museum there is grand and you find yourself lost in time, entranced with the people of yesteryear. There is a gift shop with extraordinary things and great books to dive into and also a wonderful cafe that has the best “boot YOU in the bum” coffee I’ve ever tasted! Don’t forget to check out the crofter’s house next to the museum and take a good look at the etched glass … marvelous!
I was able to do some fantastic sightseeing thanks to Mr. Mike Robertson. Mike took the time to show me Dunstaffnage Castle, Ardchattan Priory, the Appin territory, the mouth of Glencoe and Kilmartin. Thank you Mike, it meant a lot to me and I will never forget your kindness. Also Archie MacColl, who gave me the grand tour of Lismore. Blessing to you and Ina, my friends.
Read more about the research scholars here:
https://www.macdougallmccallumheritagefoundation.com/new-page
Victorian Bibles
In 1841, Gilbert (25) was one of three joiner brothers, living in Balure, Lismore, with their widowed mother, Ann McCallum. In the 1840s, Ann took her family to the USA, and the bible must have accompanied them. They eventually settled in Minnesota.
An 1826 edition SCPK Gaelic bible. Inscribed Gilbert McCallum Balure Lismore In the Year 1841.
John McDugald (MacDougall), hand loom weaver in Balimakillichan, Lismore, had, for 30 years, been supervisor of the Sunday School held in the Congregational Meeting House at Achuran. His son, also John, emigrated to the USA in the early 1870s, joining his McCallum relations in Minnesota in 1874. John married his cousin, Isabel McCallum, founding a highly successful dynasty.
Gaelic bible. Rebound. a gift from the “Auchuran Sunday School scholars” in 1868 to John McDugald.
Comann Eachdriadh Lios Mor is very grateful to the McCallum MacDougall Foundation, for repatriating these bibles to Lismore, and donated them to the museum.