"The McClintock’s are descendants of the ancient people who occupied western Scotland before the beginning of recorded history. They are believed to be descended from the Dalridians, a branch of the Irish Celtic Tribes who established the Kingdom of Dalrida in the highland region of western Scotland. They were the true Scottish Highlanders and were descended from the early Irish Tribal Kings . . ." (ancestry.com)
The true Scottish Highlands--not only can I not verify that this is true, I don't care, because it's awesome. McClintock may be my "pen" name, but I pulled it off one of the Scottish branches of my family tree for three reasons: it works well with my initials, it fits with all the historical settings in which I write, and most importantly, it's Scottish. The history of this surname and clan is another ancient name of fascinating origins, all of which I don't yet know, but I am learning.
I enjoy genealogy work, and though I don't spend as much time with it as I should, delving into my family history has been a rewarding experience. It may sound strange, but it's also helped me to become more in touch with my "inner author." I love my "borrowed" name, and I'm grateful that generations back, a young Scottish lass decided to fall in love with an Englishman, much like Rhona falls in love with Charles in Blackwood Crossing.
Unrelated fact time! One of my ancestors who bore the name McClintock, had the given name of Eliza, which is why I chose that name for the Gallagher sister. Now if only I had a Gallagher in the family (still looking) . . .
