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PRESS RELEASE

HOLD FOR PUBLICATION UNTIL 1 JUNE 2015

JAMES MONROE – SCOTLAND’S FIRST PRESIDENT

DNA research has shown that the American forefathers of the 5th President of the USA, James Monroe (1758-1831), were descendants of Robert Munro of Foulis, 16th century chief of the Scottish Clan.

The new findings are reported in the newsletter of Clan Munro USA. Mark Monroe of Texas, who tracked down a relative of President Monroe for DNA testing, explained: “President Monroe’s line has been claimed to descend from an Andrew Monroe, from a branch of the family who farmed at Katewell in Ross-shire, Scotland. He is said to have been banished to Virginia in 1648, but his identity has been disputed.

“We have now proved that a descendant of President Monroe’s great grandfather carries the uncommon Y-chromosome DNA signature characteristic of the Munro chiefs, confirming he is related in the male line.”

Margaret Bardin of Clan Munro USA, who administers the Munro DNA Project, added: “DNA studies show that despite having surnames in common, in reality every Scottish clan includes multiple paternal lines. My Munro forefathers, who farmed near Inverary, Argyllshire, belong to a different line.

“However, we believe that many living Munros, in Britain and around the world, will carry signature DNA showing they are related to President Monroe, and we hope to prove this by studying more of them.”

Hector Munro of Foulis, the present chief, commented: “The clan is proud of the achievements of many distinguished men and women who bear the name, however they might choose to spell it, but it is pleasing to know that one of the founding fathers of the United States was descended from our ancient Ross-shire family.”

Contacts for more information:

Margaret Bardin (USA)

mbardin731@comcast.net

Colin Munro (Scotland)

munco2015@icloud.com

NOTES FOR EDITOR

• James Monroe (1758-1831) was from a family of Virginia planters. He fought and was wounded in the American Revolution. Later he trained in law, and was a delegate to the Continental Congress. He served as Governor of Virginia, then Ambassador to France, where he helped to negotiate the purchase of Louisiana from France in 1803.  Monroe served as Secretary of State and Secretary for War under James Madison before succeeding him as President (1817-1825), the last of the founding fathers to hold this post. He is now best known for the Monroe Doctrine, which called for an end to European interference in the Americas.

• Clan Munro traditionally dates from one Donald Munro, said to have come from Ireland to serve King Malcolm II of Scotland in the 11th century. Robert Munro, the 17th chief, died leading his troops against the English at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh (1547), part of the English “rough wooing” of Mary Queen of Scots as a potential wife for Edward VI. Andrew Monroe of Katewell, a great grandson of this Robert Munro, fought for Mary’s grandson Charles I’s cause in the English Civil War. He was exiled to Virginia after the Royalists were defeated in the Battle of Preston (1648). However some scholars suggest that another unidentified Andrew Monroe was the President’s ancestor.

• The Y chromosome is passed from father to son with only minor changes and its DNA can thus be used to follow male-line inheritance. This is useful for genealogy in societies with patrilineal inheritance of surnames. The Munros of Foulis, the family of the clan chiefs, have an exceptionally complete collection of family records since the 14th century. DNA studies comparing documented family members show they have carried the same uncommon Y-chromosome haplotype (DNA pattern), called I2a, for over 650 years, and probably since the family’s foundation 1000 years ago.

• DNA testing for the Munro DNA Project is carried out by Family Tree DNA, Inc. of Houston, Texas. Project administrators are volunteers on behalf of Clan Munro USA and all testing was paid for by participants themselves, or by members of Clan Munro USA.

DNA project, www.familytreedna.com/groups/munro-dna/about