Past Gatherings | Clan Jack Society

Why the gatherings matter

Family connection, research and careful public history

The gatherings have helped Jack families meet across countries, compare family stories, share research, develop society business and keep a warm public record of the people who have carried the work forward.

The wording here is intentionally careful. It records the society and family group history without overstating formal clan, legal or heraldic status, and treats research leads as leads until source evidence is checked.

Current Gatherings Media Gallery History Research Genealogy & DNA

2009

Castle Menzies, Weem, Scotland

The first known Jack gathering in this modern series was held at Castle Menzies in Weem. It was organised by John Jack, working in communication with David Jack in New Zealand, with the intention of drawing together a global Jack surname family group and exploring whether a wider society could be formed.

Key outcomes

Attendees represented four unrelated Jack families, as far as was then known, from three countries.
The gathering elected early council officers for the developing society, including Chief William Jack, John Jack, David Jack, Sid Jack, Laura Jack, Alan Jack and others recorded in the gathering history.
The meeting established a shared direction: family connection, historical research and future gatherings.

2010

Castle Menzies, Weem, Scotland

The group returned to Castle Menzies in 2010. Much of the practical discussion focused on developing a constitution, clarifying membership and setting the society on firmer footing.

Key outcomes

William "Wee Bill" Jack was elected Chief and Chair for the society/family group.
A five-year subscription of GBP 25 was discussed as a practical way to support basic running costs.
The constitution work begun around this gathering helped shape the group for future years.

2010 Jack family gathering at Castle Menzies, Weem, Scotland.

2011

Fife / Creich Farm House, Scotland

The 2011 gathering was centred in Fife, including Creich Farm House, and was mainly attended by John Jack's family. The smaller scale still kept the gathering thread alive and continued the annual pattern.

Key outcomes

Graham Jack was elected Chief.
The gathering continued the family-led work of maintaining links between Jack branches.

2012

Bakerswell House, Cellardyke, Anstruther, Fife, Scotland

The 2012 gathering at Bakerswell House in Cellardyke continued the practical work of building a visible identity and communication channels for the society.

Key outcomes

Progress on the Jack tartan was reported and discussed.
A Facebook page was created to help members and interested Jack families stay connected.
The group discussed banking and funds so the society could handle money more responsibly.

2012 Jack family gathering at Bakerswell House, Cellardyke, Anstruther, Fife.

2013

No formal gathering recorded

No gathering is recorded for 2013. The year is still important because correspondence with the Court of the Lord Lyon gave useful guidance about formal clan language and the need for care when using terms such as clan without a recognised Chief of Name and Arms.

Key outcomes

The society received guidance that helped shape more careful public wording.
This page therefore uses gathering, society and family group language carefully and does not overstate heraldic or legal status.

2014

Darsie Castle, Fife, Scotland

The 2014 gathering at Darsie Castle marked another substantial Scottish meeting. By this stage the Jack tartan was visible in the group's public story and photographs.

Key outcomes

John Jack was elected Chair and Chief.
The gathering strengthened the society's visible identity around family history, tartan and continuing gatherings.

2015

Scotland

The 2015 gathering appears to have been mainly John Jack's family. It remains part of the gathering record because it kept the annual family connection active between larger meetings.

Key outcomes

The gathering continued the Scottish family-meeting pattern.
Further names, captions and corrections can be added when supplied.

2019

Moness Country Club, Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland

The 2019 gathering at Moness Country Club brought the family group together again in Perthshire. The gathering history records renewed appointments and continued interest in genealogy and DNA research.

Key outcomes

John Jack was appointed Chief again.
Mary Ann Jack was appointed Membership Secretary.
There was reported DNA research interest around a possible Elgin link; this remains a research lead requiring source and DNA evidence checking, not proof.

2019 Jack family gathering at Moness Country Club, Aberfeldy, Perthshire.

2024

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, North Carolina, USA

The 2024 gathering at Grandfather Mountain connected the society's Scottish heritage with a major Highland Games setting in the United States.

Key outcomes

Members represented the Jack family and society at the Highland Games.
The photographs from 2024 remain part of the migrated public gallery record.

2024 Clan Jack gathering at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games.

Clan Jack members at the 2024 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games.

2026

Scotland gathering feature

The 2026 Scotland gathering record is still developing. One early feature records Chief John Jack being presented with the Clan Jack Coat of Arms developed by Lisa Jack.

Key outcomes

The Coat of Arms presentation brought together family, design, heritage and shared identity.
This entry can be expanded after the gathering with more photographs, captions and approved notes.

Chief John Jack with Lisa Jack, Kim Jack and Jill Memmott Olsen holding the Clan Jack Coat of Arms at the 2026 Clan Jack Gathering in Scotland.

Clan Jack Coat of Arms artwork by Lisa Jack.

Help improve this history

If you have photographs, captions, corrections, or notes from a past Clan Jack gathering, please contact us so this page can be improved.