Why have I chosen a dissertation into Genealogy?

I began thinking about research into genealogy through my academic reading, however I have come to realise that my situation is probably similar to many people who take up genealogy seriously.

In my family, there has been a great deal of research carried out into my mother's relatives. She is a Matheson from the West Coast of Scotland and her family have all the regalia that is associated with a Scottish clan, such as a clan chief, tartan, crest, etc. What is most interesting from my research perspective is the fact that the person with the passion for genealogy is my mother's cousin in New Zealand who is probably the furthest distant from the area where the clan was traditionally based!

The image shows Eilean Donan Castle, in the village of Dornie, Ross and Cromarty where my mother grew up.

There has been less interest in my father's side of the family, perhaps because they moved around more, or perhaps becasue there is not the same romanticism associated with ancestors from Doncaster or Manchester! There is certainly not a readily existing heritage to tap into, as there is in Scotland with the clan system.

The image of Doncaster is slightly less picturesque!

I suspect my situation is not uncommon, gathering from the tone of books and websites encouraging people from the UK and much further afield to find their Scottish roots. I am also aware that the very existence of the Internet changes the experience that people have of finding out about their ancestors. People no longer necessarily have to travel to carry out research or pay others to do it for them.