© 2007-2014 Clan Thompson

David Sellar, FRHistS, FSA (Scot)

Lord Lyon King of Arms

H.M. New Register House

Edinburgh EH1 3Yt

Scotland          

Re: your letter of 30 July 2008.       

Honorable Sir:

   I have considered your letter of 30th July and agree that it is very problematic that we would ever find a lineal head of the Thomson surname in Scotland. Therefore, the Scottish Thomson descendants continue to strive for a restoration of our distinct and historic identity through corporate means. This lack of official recognition by Lyon Court is precluding our acceptance at Scottish Games and Festivals. This, in turn, limits our efforts to educate, celebrate and preserve our Scottish heritage.

        

    Acting on the June 2008 advice of David Irvine, 26th Baron of Drum and Chief of the Clan Irvine: Chief Irvine recommended that that the proper course of action would be to “simply, formally declare to Lord Lyon that Thomson is an Honorable Community and, if there are legal reasons precluding such a designation, that he (Chief Irvine) was not aware of, Lord Lyon would be the final determining authority.”

    Therefore, as president of the Thompson Society, with support of members from around the world, I am declaring to you that our family group, sharing the surnames of Thomson, Thompson and less common variations, is an Honorable Community.  The following rational for such a declaration is presented for your consideration:

· First and most importantly, the Thomson surname family was included in the Roll of Clans by the Parliament of Scotland in the 1587 Act and again in the Act of 1594.  This formal recognition has not been retracted nor diminished in over 400 years.

· Secondly, as the Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the Records pointed out in her letter of 14th March 2008,  Lord Lyon only becomes involved in such matters when Armorial Bearing are concerned.

     I have been tasked to investigate the possibility of achieving arms for Clan Thompson International, Inc. It is my considered opinion that the best way to restore our distinct and historic identity is to Petition Lyon Court for Armorial Bearings as a clan society representing the entire Thomson surname. Based upon your response, the final decision to proceed will be subject to approval by both the Board of Directors and members of the society. The petitions information leaflet you enclosed stated the fee on lodging a petition is non-refundable. I am asking for your advice on whether the documentation described below would be sufficient to support the Petition for arms.

   Nearly all organizations go through several stages of growth over the years and Clan Thompson International, Inc. (Clan Thompson Society) is no different. I have listed below a thumbnail review of our history for your consideration and solicit your suggestions. Our organization has been in existence since 1996 under various corporate names, but always the same organization with a continuing mandate to support our Scottish heritage:

· Dunardry Heritage Association was formed on May 19, 1996 as an unincorporated, not for profit, organization with a constitution, by-laws and six directors, including a President, Treasurer and a Secretary, and supporting both names MacTavish and Thom(p)son.

·  May 26 1997 -  Office of Record was established as 164 Morse Rd, Manchester NH 03104.

· September 2005 -  Office of Record was changed to 1665 Rickman-Monterey Hwy, Rickman TN 38580.

· October 18, 2005 -  Dunardry Heritage Association began doing business as Clan MacTavish, Clan MacTavish/Thompson and (our commercial enterprise) My Clan Tartans.

· September 12, 2007 – Dunardry Heritage Association was formally changed to Clan MacTavish International, Inc and chartered in the State of Tennessee as a not for profit corporation. The association represented the separate surnames MacTavish and Thomson.

· October 22, 2007 -  Dunardry Heritage Association was registered as an assumed corporate name.

· January 8, 2008 - Following a unanimous vote of the directors and members, Clan MacTavish International, Inc. was legally changed to Clan Thompson International, Inc.

· March 4, 2008 – Clan Thompson Society was registered as the assumed corporate name of Clan Thompson International, Inc.

    If, in your opinion, Clan Thompson International, Inc. might indeed qualify for arms, subject to supporting documentation, I will submit a report to the directors and members asking for their approval to submit a formal Petition for arms to Lyon Court.

Thank you for your consideration and time,

Tom Thompson

Clan Thom(p)son Society

Clan Thompson International, Inc.

Office of the President

1665 Rickman Monterey Hwy

Rickman, TN 38580