NB Scottish Web Portal Urgent Appeal to People of Scottish Descent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013-03-31 

 

Dear Fellow supporter of all things Scottish; 

One in every six people in New Brunswick claim Scottish descent, making those of Scots heritage the fourth-largest cultural group in the province.  The Scots who came and settled here have been an integral part of the region’s history and development, but their story has never been told in its entirety – until now. 

The New Brunswick Scottish Portal is a planned online gateway to the history of all things Scottish in New Brunswick.  As a “virtual exhibit,” the New Brunswick Scottish Portal will encompass all the major themes of New Brunswick Scottish history, including such topics as immigration, settlements, censuses, land petitions and land grants, teacher petitions, passenger lists, biographies of individuals and families, cemetery transcriptions, and more.  Perhaps most importantly, however, this Portal project will include an Educational Resource that will allow New Brunswick teachers to have direct access to material for educational units and in-class projects, so that students will learn the story of our Scottish ancestors – a topic not often explored in the classroom due to lack of ready resources.

Already one year in the making, with three phases that will be completed over a three-to-four year period,  the New Brunswick Scottish Portal will once and for all tell the story of the Scots who came to New Brunswick and made the province what it is today.  Although every effort to tap federal and provincial funding will continue to be made, it has become very difficult to secure the necessary funding of $80,000 required to complete this project.   

This is an urgent appeal for financial support.  Without generous contributions from people like you, the New Brunswick Scottish Portal project simply will not exist.  If you believe it is important for us to tell the story of our past to our children and their children, then you must donate to this worthy cause.  Time is of the essence.  Every contribution – be it in the amount of $25, $50, or even $100 or more – will help ensure that the stories of our ancestors will not only survive, but continue to be told for generations to come. 

Please act now.  Spread the word of the New Brunswick Scottish Portal project to your friends and family, and respond as generously as you can.  The stories of our ancestors and the education of our children are relying on you.  Time for this project is simply running out.  It will die withoutfurther financial assistance. 

Thank you in advance for your generous support.  I look forward to hearing from you.  

Sincerely,

 

Daniel Taylor,

Chair,

New Brunswick Scottish Portal Advisory Committee