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Eric Frasure at 2026 Masters World Highland Games Congratulations to CFSNA member Eric Frasure for his second World Title win. Eric is the 2026 World Highland Games Champion in his division, having won the Masters Worlds title for the second consecutive year. Eric represented the United States and the Fraser and Graham families of Scotland at the 2026 Masters World Highland Games Championships in Driewegen, Netherlands in September of 2026. He competed over two days against t

Image of DNA Sequence Courtesy of Wix By Charlie Fraser, CFSNA® Northeast Regional Commissioner and Board Member How many of our want-to-be genealogists have ever run into a brick wall where there seems to be an end to all that hard work accomplished into your diligent research only to find no light at the end of the tunnel? We need to thank science for their relentless work to officially complete the human genome project in April 2003. The 13-year project into international

Society of Antiquaries proposed building The Society of Antiquaries of Scotland is hosting a special online event with Dr Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon King of Arms, on 1 October, 5pm UK Time. In this 45-minute talk, Dr Morrow will explore Scotland’s heraldic tradition and its relevance today, including how heraldry and genealogy can tell powerful stories and help people across the world connect with Scotland’s past. Diana Murray CBE, President of the Society, will then introduce

This chart shows the most common and verified sept names of Clan Fraser. If you find a surname in your family tree that is similar to one of these but not exact, please reach out to us to ask whether the surname in your family tree might also be a sept of Clan Fraser. Once you find one of these surnames, you want to trace it to see if your ancestor was indeed a member of a Clan Fraser sept. To do that, begin with the earliest ancestor that you've confirmed, then make a note o

Many congratulations to the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Pipe Band for the award of World Champions at the World Pipe Bank Championships in Glasgow, Scotland in August of 2026. It is the first time since 2010 that a bank from outside the United Kingdom won the World Championship, when the SFU band last won the title. The ‘Worlds,’ renowned as the pinnacle of the global piping calendar, brought together the best pipers and drummers on the planet, 211 bands from 14 countries,

The Break of Dawn – Chasing a Frazier Revolutionary War Ancestor Article written by Sherry L. Erickson More often than not, parents naming children are either creatively challenged or extremely focused on passing down legacies. Both situations greatly impact ancestry research and the Frazier family line did not break free of those constraints, at least where John Fraser was concerned. Twenty-five years ago, I began a sporadic quest to discover more about my family ancestry re

Below you will find the most recent Bylaws for Clan Fraser Society of North America, a 501(c)(7) nonprofit organized under the laws of the State of North Carolina.

From the Editor: In this edition, we have reports on several Scottish games, Bruce Simpson’s column on the “Influence of Still Size and Scotch Malt Whisky”, Cheryl Morrison on the famous Forfar Bridies in her cooking column, some Scottish and Fraser history, lots of Clansmen notes (your response to the call for input was superb!), and a piece on the origins of our clan name (it’s long but I have highlighted “Fraser” so you can skip to that portion if you wish). But we start o

Below you will find archived editions of The Nessie for the years 2025 and 2026 plus the index for editions from 2014 through Summer of 2026.

Below you will find archived editions of The Nessie for the years 2023 and 2024 plus the index for editions from 2014 through Summer of 2026.

Below you will find archived editions of The Nessie for the years 2021 and 2022 plus the index for editions from 2014 through Summer of 2026.

Below you will find archived editions of The Nessie for the years 2019 and 2020 plus the index for editions from 2014 through Summer of 2026.

Below you will find archived editions of The Nessie for the years 2017 and 2018 plus the index for editions from 2014 through Summer of 2026.

Here you will find archived editions of The Nessie from the years 2014 (when The Nessie started) through 2016. You will also find the index from issues 2014 through Summer of 2026.

Tracing your Scottish roots can often feel like navigating a Highland mist. Many of our new members ask how to accurately trace their lineage if their surname isn't directly "Fraser." This week, our Society Genealogist breaks down the historical septs connected to Clan Fraser. Whether you are a Bisset, a Tweedie, or a MacShimi, we outline the best practices for utilizing our restricted member databases to uncover the hidden branches of your family tree. A sept was typically a

Since our founding at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in 1975, the Clan Fraser Society of North America has grown beyond our wildest expectations. This past season, our Regional Commissioners reported record attendance at hospitality tents from Canada to the US East Coast. As we continue to expand our digital archives, I want to personally thank every member whose annual dues make the preservation of our shared heritage possible.

For centuries, Beauly Priory has stood as a silent witness to the history of the Frasers of Lovat. Acquired by our ancestors deep in the heart of Inverness-shire, these sacred grounds hold the stories of our early chiefs. In this month's deep dive, we explore newly digitized historical records from the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, shedding light on the architectural and cultural impact the Frasers had on this magnificent Highland sanctuary. Beauly Priory is one of thre