Welcome to The Phillip E. Forbes Family Tree and it's various  Branches,Twigs and Leafs. This is a continuous work in progress, daunting at times, but none-the-less, a true labor of love. It is a pleasure to honor my many ancestors, descendants and relatives by making sure that their names are not forgotten. Although very time consuming, a wonderful feeling overcomes me as I list each and every one of my known relatives, past and present, distant and near.
  
 I feel a great respect and closer kinship just knowing that they have all walked this land before me. I wonder what it must have been like to have lived during their various eras and to have experienced life as they knew it. I have a feeling that they are watching over my  shoulder as I enter their names, along with that of their parents, siblings, spouses, children, birth places and various other data.

This journey brings me closer to them all and the experience is far greater than I could have ever imagined. I will be updating this site as often as possible to make sure that everyone listed in it has a  voice. I consider this project to be part of my legacy that I will  be able to proudly leave one day to my many descendants and other relatives. It is dedicated in loving memory to my wonderful parents, Kelly Ewell Forbes (1912-1972) and Velda Mary (Casey) Forbes Allen (1912-2002) and to my sweet, little sister, Carole Jane Forbes (1942-2012).

FORBES CLAN History

Clan Chief:Major Nigel Ivan Forges, 22nd Lord Forbes

Origin of Name:Placename, Aberdeenshire

Gaelic Name:Foirbeis

Clan Crest:A stag’s head

Clan Motto:Grace Me Guide

Lands:Aberdeenshire

Clan Forbes, known to be of ancient extraction, originated in the Aberdeenshire lands of  Donside, which lies in the heartland of the Kingdom of the Picts, Scotland’s oldest race of  people. The Clan derives its name from the ancient parish of Forbes, which in turn is said to  have taken its name from the Gaelic "Forba" meaning a field, compounded with the Pictish suffix  "-ais". The traditional origins of the Forbes holds that the founder of the Clan, Oconocher,  slew a bear which lived in the Brae o’ Forbes, and he and his family took up residence there.  The earliest Forbes on record is John of Forbes who held the lands of Forbes in the 13th  century, and his son or grandson, Alexander, was killed while defending Urquhart Castle on Loch  Ness against the English troops of Edward I. The tenure of the Clan Forbes over its lands was  confirmed in a charter of 1271.

Sir John Forbes, known as "John of the Black Lip", lived during the late 14th and early 15th  centuries, and had four sons from whom the four branches of the Clan descend - Forbes of  Pitsligo, Waterton, Fovervan, and Culloden. The eldest of Sir John’s sons, Alexander, was  created Lord Forbes by King James II in 1442, and this title, Scotland’s premier barony, is to  this day retained by the chief of Clan Forbes. The Forbes’ relationship to the Crown of  Scotland was strengthened when Alexander married King Robert III’s granddaughter. However, when  the Gordons became the earls of Huntly, this led to conflict between the two rival Clans,  although this was partially allayed when the 8th Lord Forbes married a daughter of the earl of  Huntly.

Whilst members of Clan Forbes distinguished themselves in many of Scotland’s battles, from the  Battle of Duplin in 1332 to the involvement of some branches of the Clan in the Jacobite  risings of 1715 and 1745, it was during the 2nd Jacobite rising that the Forbes name became  associated with compassion for humanity. Duncan Forbes, Lord Advocate (1725-37) and President  of the Court of Session (1737-47) strove to dissuade a number of Clan chiefs from joining  Bonnie Prince Charlie’s doomed army in the 1745 uprising. After the Battle of Culloden, where  the rebellion collapsed, Forbes pleaded with the government to show mercy to the survivors of  the battle and worked to help the situation of the prisoners.

Clan Forbes were great builders of castles, and many remains, notably Corse Castle (built in  1581) and Craigievar Castle (completed in 1625), still stand as testament to the Forbes’  industry.The present Forbes castle was built in 1815 by the 17th Lord Forbes.This is still  currenty occupied by his great-great-great-grandson Malcolm, the Master of Forbes and his wife  Jinny.

The current Chief of the Clan, is Nigel,the 22nd Lord Forbes K.B.E., and resides at  Balforbes,beside the river Don within the Forbes Estate.

The Forbes Clan crest shows a stag’s head with the proud Forbes clan motto "Grace Me Guide".

Our Scottish Heritage is the common bond that unites our Forbes family name forever.

Septs/Spelling Variations of FORBES CLAN:
 BERRIE of FORBES CLAN    BERRY of FORBES CLAN    BOYES of FORBES CLAN    FORDYCE of FORBES CLAN     MACOWAT of FORBES CLAN    MACQUATTIE of FORBES CLAN    MACWATT of FORBES CLAN    MELDRUM of  FORBES CLAN    MICHIE of FORBES CLAN    WALTER of FORBES CLAN    WALTERS of FORBES CLAN     WATTERS of FORBES CLAN    MCQUATTIE of FORBES CLAN    MCOWAT of FORBES CLAN    MCWATT of FORBES  CLAN

~THE STORY TELLERS~
 (Author unknown)

We are the chosen. There is one in each family who seems called to find the ancestors. To put flesh on their bones and make them live again, to tell the family story and to feel that  somehow they know and approve. To me, doing genealogy is not a cold gathering of facts, but  instead,breathing life into all who have gone before. We are the storytellers of the tribe. All  tribes have one. We have been called, as it were, by our genes. Those who have gone before cry  out to us, “Tell our story!”, so we do.

In finding them we somehow find ourselves. How many graves have I stood before now and cried? I  have lost count. How many times have I walked up to a grave and felt somehow, there was love there for me? I cannot say. It goes beyond just documenting facts. It goes to who I am and  asks, “Why do I do the things I do?” It is about seeing a cemetery about to be lost forever to  weeds and indifference and saying, “I can’t let this happen.” The bones here are flesh of my  flesh. It means doing something about it. It is about pride in what our ancestors were able to  accomplish. How they contributed to what we are today. It is about respecting their hardships  and losses, their never giving in or giving up, their resoluteness to go on and build a life  for their family. It is about deep pride that they fought to make and keep us a Nation. It is  about a deep and immense understanding that they were doing it for us – that we might be born  who we are, that we might remember them, so we do.

With love, caring and scribing each fact of their existence, because we are they and they are  us.Therefore, as a scribe called, I tell the story of my family. It is up to that one called in  the next generation to answer the call and take their place in the long line of family  storytellers. That is why I do my family genealogy, and that is what calls those young and old  to step up and put flesh on the bones.



"When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure." (Author unknown) 

"Death, in its silent, sure march is fast gathering those who I have longest loved, so that when he shall knock at my door, I will more willingly follow." (Robert E. Lee, 1869)

"Remembering you is easy, we do it everyday but there's an ache within  our heart that will never go away." (Author unknown)

"For we know that when this tent we live in now is taken down - when we die and leave these  bodies - we will have wonderful new bodies in heaven, homes that will be ours forevermore, made  for us by God himself, and not by human hands." (2 Corinthians 5:1 TLB)

"Death - the last sleep? No, it is the final awakening" (Sir Walter Scott)

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." (Thomas Campbell)

"The toils of the road will seem nothing, when I get to the end of the way." (Charles D.  Tillman)

We're all infinite spiritual beings having a temporary human experience.(Author unknown)

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened." (Dr. Seuss)  
 "Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first." (Ernestine Ulmer)

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.   (From a headstone in Ireland)

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give". (Sir Winston Churchill)

"Don't go where the path may lead, go instead where there is not path...and leave a trail." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

May those who love us, love us; and those who don't love us, may God turn their hearts; and if  He doesn't turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles so we'll know them by their limping. (Irish Blessings)

The best exercise in the world is to bend down and help someone up. (Dear Abby)

~OUR FAMILY CHAIN IS BROKEN~
 (by Ron Tranmer)

We little knew the day that God
 was going to call your name.
 In life we loved you dearly,
 in death we do the same.

It broke our hearts to lose you.
 You did not go alone,
 For part of us went with you
 The day God called you home.

You left us peaceful memories.
 Your love is still our guide,
 And though we cannot see you
 You are always at our side.

Our family chain is broken
 and nothing seems the same,
 but as God calls us one by one
 the chain will link again.

~HE MAKETH NO MISTAKE~
 (by A.M. Overton)

“My Father's way may twist and turn,
 My heart may throb and ache.
 But in my soul I'm glad I know,
 He maketh no mistake.
 My cherished plans may go astray.
 My hopes may fade away,
 But still I'll trust my Lord to lead,
 For He doth know the way.
 Tho' night be dark and it may seem,
 That day will never break;
 I'll pin my faith, my all in Him,
 He maketh no mistake.
 There's so much now I cannot see,
 My eyesight far too dim;
 But come what may I'll simply trust,
 And leave it all to Him.
 For by and by the mist will lift,
 And plain it all He'll make,
 Through all the way, tho' dark to me,
 He made not one mistake.”

~HOW BLEST ARE THEY WHO TRUST IN CHRIST~
 (by Fred Pratt Green)

How blest are they who trust in Christ
 When we and those we love must part:
 We yield them up, for go they must,
 But do not lose them from our heart.

In ripened age, their harvest reaped,
 Or gone from us in youth or prime,
 In Christ they have eternal life,
 Released from all the bonds of time.

In Christ, who tasted death for us,
 We rise above our natural grief,
 And witness to a stricken world
 The strength and splendour of belief.

~BEATITUDES FOR THE AGED~
 (by Ester Mary Walker)

Blessed are they
 Who understand
 My faltering step
 And palsied hand.

Blessed are they
 Who know today
 My ears must strain
 To catch what they say.

Blessed are they
 Who seem to know
 My eyes are dim
 And my wits are slow.

Blessed are they
 That looked away
 When coffee spilled
 At the table today.

Blessed are they
 With a cheery smile
 Who stop to chat
 For a little while.

Blessed are they
 Who never say,
 "You've told me that story
 Twice today."

Blessed are they
 Who know the ways
 To bring back memories
 Of yesterdays.

Blessed are they
 Who make it known
 That I'm loved, respected,
 And not alone.

Blessed are they
 Who know I'm at a loss
 To find the strength
 To carry the cross.

Blessed are they
 Who ease the days
 On my journey Home
 In loving ways.

~DEAR ANCESTOR~ 
 (Author unknown)

Your tombstone stands among the rest,
 neglected and alone.
 The name and date all chiseled out on polished, marbled stone. It reaches out to all who care,
 it is too late to mourn,
 you did not know that I exist,
 you died and I was born.
 Yet each of us are cells of you, in flesh, in blood, in bone. Our blood contracts, and beats a pulse,
 entirely not our own.
 Dear Ancestor, the place you filled one hundred years ago,
 spreads out among the ones you left,
 who would have loved you so.
 I wonder if you lived and loved,I wonder if you knew,
 that someday I would find this spot,
 and come to visit you.

~THE DASH~
 (by Linda Ellis)

I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He referred to the dates on her tombstone from the beginning  to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth and spoke of the following date with tears, but he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on earth, and now only those who loved her know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own; the cars, the house, the cash. What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard. Are there things you'd like to change? For you never know how much time is left. You could be at "dash mid-range".

If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real, and always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more,
 and love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile, remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you spent your dash?

~REASSURANCE~
 (by Betty Banner)

Dear Lord:
 Could You spare some Guardian Angels
 To give me peace of mind
 As my children wander from me
 And stretch the ties that bind?
 You have heavenly legions, Father.
 Could You send me just a few
 To guide my eager youngsters
 As I give them, Lord, to You?
 Oh thank You, thank You, Father,
 And, oh my glad heart sings.
 I'm certain that just now I heard
 The swish of passing wings!

~THERE'S A BETTER PLACE~
 (Author unknown)

There's a place I've never seen, beyond this world we know, a place I've only heard of but someday hope to go.
 It's not on any map and there are no roads to take me there, but it's a place of perfect peace, where hearts are free from care. And though I understand some may be saddened when I leave,
 one day, we all will meet again - that's what I believe.
 When it's time to travel there, I think I'll wear a smile. I'll say good-bye to those I love, but only for a while,
 knowing there are others who have traveled there alone,
 who cannot wait to greet me and to whisper "welcome home."

~THE LAST TIME~
 (Author Unknown)

If I knew it would be the last time
 That I’d see you fall asleep,
 I would tuck you in more tightly
 and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
 that I see you walk out the door,
 I would give you a hug and kiss
 and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
 I’d hear your voice lifted up in praise,
 I would video tape each action and word,
 so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
 I could spare an extra minute or two
 to stop and say “I love you,”
 instead of assuming you would know I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
 I would be there to share your day,
 well I’m sure you’ll have so many more,
 so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there’s always tomorrow
 to make up for an oversight,
 and we always get a second chance
 to make everything right.

There will always be another day
 to say our “I love you’s,”
 And certainly there’s another chance
 to say our “Anything I can do’s?”

But just in case I might be wrong,
 and today is all I get,
 I’d like to say how much I love you
 and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
 young or old alike,
 And today may be the last chance
 you get to hold your loved one tight

So if you’re waiting for tomorrow,
 why not do it today?
 For if tomorrow never comes,
 you’ll surely regret the day,

That you didn’t take that extra time
 for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
 and you were too busy to grant someone,
 what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
 and whisper in their ear,
 Tell them how much you love them
 and that you’ll always hold them dear

Take time to say “I’m sorry,” “Please forgive me,”
 “Thank you,” or “It’s okay.”
 And if tomorrow never comes,
 you’ll have no regrets about today.

~WHEN I COME HOME TO HEAVEN~
 (By Betty Stuckworth)

When I come home to heaven,
 How joyful it will be!
 For on that day at last
 My risen Lord I'll see.
 No greater happiness than
 To see Him face to face.
 To see the love in His eyes
 And feel His warm embrace.
 I've done nothing to deserve
 That perfect home above.
 It was given freely through
 The grace of Jesus' love.
 Then why should earthly cares
 Weigh down upon me so?
 They'll be a distant memory
 When home at last I go.

~I THOUGHT OF YOU~
 (Author Unknown)

I thought of you today, but that is nothing new.
 I thought about you yesterday and days before that too.
 I think of you in silence, I often speak your name.
 All I have are memories, and your picture in a frame.
 Your memory is a keepsake from which I'll never part.
 God has you in His arms, I have you in my heart.

~I’M FREE~
 (Author Unknown)

Don’t grieve for me for now I’m free,
 I’m following the path God laid for me.
 I took His hand when I heard Him call,
 I turned my back and left it all.
 I could not stay another day,
 To laugh, to love, to work or play.
 Tasks left undone must stay that way,
 I found that peace at the close of the day.
 If my parting has left a void,
 Then fill it with remembered joy.
 A friendship shared, a laugh a kiss,
 Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
 Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
 I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
 My life’s been full, I savored much,
 Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
 Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
 Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
 Lift up your heart and share with me,
 God wanted me now, He set me free.