Dr. John Henderson of Fordell, Chief of the Name and Arms of Henderson, authorized a small group to raise the clan in North American in September 1986. In July 1988, Hendersons and their descendants held the first general meeting at Grandfather Mountain and organized our Scottish heritage society. Today, under the leadership of an elected president, the eleven regional commissioners are gathering the clan throughout North America.
At an international gathering of the clan at the Stone Mountain Games in 1991, the Chief appointed Claude A. Henderson as High Commissioner and Chieftain for North America.
Commissioners are responsible for the organization and membership of Clan Henderson within their region and are charged with brining the benefits of the Clan to the local level. Local convenors gather their kin at Henderson events of all type not just games and festivals. As you become involved in learning about the family, you may be asked to participate in activities where you will meet your kin; take a willing and active part. If there is no one to follow in your area, contact your commissioner and volunteer to lead--it's your clan and you make it fun by being involved.
The Youth Commissioner seeks out our young members and encourages their involvement in Scottish cultural activities. Through personal contact and a column in the newsletter, they become aware of the importance of keeping our heritage alive through learning history and geography, arts, and music, and the language and sport of our ancestors.
The Historian conducts and coordinates research into clan history including study of ancestral homelands, the migrations, and our lives in the present. In conjunction with the genealogist, the historian leads the modern study of Clan Henderson, provides materials for regular publication through An Canach, and develops displays for the clan tents at games and festivals.
The Genealogist receives, catalogs, and maintains genealogical records on member families, encourages and provides assistance for individual genealogical research, and writes a regular column in the newsletter. The computerized database of Henderson branch families enumerates single family pedigrees and is the source of many connections between these pedigrees. As new data is found it is recorded and then placed in the Clan Henderson archives in the Odom Library.
Since June 1990, these archives have been the official repository of our genealogical records and other historical items. The Odom Library is available for individual and group research. Their newsletter, "the Family Tree," is provided to all Clan Henderson Society members.
The Chaplain serves the spiritual needs of the clan Henderson as a focal point relative to sacred matters, provides comfort directly to our kin, and provides for inspiration through the newsletter. Clan ministry extends through personal contact and correspondence.
Any member of the Clan may contact the Chaplain directly. In as much as one of our purposes is to insure the wellness of the family, a convenor can also pass along information about king--their joys and their sorrows.
The Piper coordinates piping activities of Clan Henderson, maintains a roster of clan pipers; promotes interest and education in playing the pipes; supports Clan Henderson gatherings and ceilidhs.
Raised for the 1991 international gathering, the Henderson Pipes & Drums offer the members the opportunity to support the Clan musically and to improve their own proficiency. "The Hendersons are Gathering" was a tune written by clan piper Kyle Henderson with words by clan bard Neil Henderson and presented at our first international gathering.
Another band closely allied with the society, the Louisville Pipe Band wears the ancient Henderson tartan in honor of Richard Henderson, the founder of Kentucky.
The Bard provides a strong sense of our Scottish cultural heritage through poetry and prose. We are enlivened by regular articles in the newsletter, a poetry contest, and regular Burns presentations.
The Head of the Bodyguard holds a position of responsibility to the chief reminiscent of the position held by the MacEanruigs of Glencoe. The bodyguard provides ceremonial support for the convenor of clan gatherings. The bodyguard organizes parades and ceremonies and is well known outside of the clan for our clan walkabouts at Scottish gatherings.
The Editor of An Canach, the clan Henderson newsletter, serves as the public affairs officer, keeps the membership informed, maintains liaison with other publications and clan societies, and oversees all clan publications. An Canach, is published quarterly in the Unites States, Australia and the United Kingdom to provide information about clan members, Scottish culture, attire, music, foods, upcoming events, activities and genealogy.
Now in its seventh year of publication, An Canach has provided many fledgling as well as experience writers the opportunity to have their work published in an award-winning, international publication.
The Tartan is a predominately green patter with wide alternating blue and black bands highlighted by alternating fine yellow and white facing stripes.
The Clan Henderson Plant Badge is the Cottongrass or, as it is known in Gaelic, An Canach.
Information on this page was provided by the Clan Henderson Society of the United States and Canada. [an error occurred while processing this directive]