To Preserve "Whate'er is left to us of ancient heritage." T.E. Brown

Search for info in all Manx Societies

There are Manx Societies all over the world, and we share many common interests. There is now a "Search All Manx Societies" link at the top of this page, which searches all the publicly accessable pages on this site as well as those of varous Manx societies in: Dubai, Austrailia, London, and those on the Isle of Man.

NAMA Youth Facebook group formed

Mim Kelly and Matt Blower formed a Facebook group for under-21s with an interest in, or connection to, the Isle of Man. The aim is to swap news and views about the Isle of Man and its culture and how it affects us here. We hope this group will connect Manx youth and American Manx and Canadian Manx.
click here for the article that appeared in Isle of Man Today

Manx Identity Study seeking volunteers

Dr. Cheryl Cheek of Penn State University is conducting a study of Manx Identity. There is a 4 page survey, which isn't too hard or too personal. She needs to get 300 responses to make her survey valid. The only qualifications to be part of this study are to be over 18 years of age and NOT currently living on the Isle of Man. You may take part in this study whether or not you were born Manx.
click here for survey

North American Manx Convention Success in Minnesota

The 49th biennial convention was a huge success in Minneapolis with members from all over the States attending along with several guests from the Island. Convention chair and the new President, Sally Dahlquist, was delighted with the event and organised a varied programme including Manx dancing, sword display, Manx bingo and Manx/Minnesota Viking comedian.

The convention included a fascinating visit to the University of Minnesota where they have a special exhibit "Beyond the Irish Sea". Celebrating Manx immigrants to Minnesota state with an interesting selection of artefacts and displays.

The Manx American Youth award went to Rebecca Billman aged 13, originally from San Diego and now living in Minnetonka. She gave a comprehensive presentation and visual display on the "Legacy of Tynwald". Rebecca made the display herself that included items from the Island when her parents and grandparents had visited. The idea came from when she was asked at school to make a presentation on "Conflict and Compromise" and decided upon Tynwald as she heard how it stood constant throughout the troubled history of the Isle of Man. The Department of Education sponsors this award that is a spectacular Pooil Vaaish triangular stone with the 3 legs in the centre.

A special lifetime award was made to Robert Kelly from Chicago who has been attending these conventions since 1930 and is the honourary President of NAMA. He showed member's pictures of his first trip to the Island on that same year, 1930, with Florence Abinatti who is the mother of Brad Prendergast, past-president of NAMA.

Eddie Lowey, MLC was the keynote speaker at the gala banquet and an old friend of the local society. He gave an interesting presentation of the vibrant Manx economy today and quality of life on the Island. Wooing members with stories of Hollywood in Mann.

At the general meeting it was unanimously voted to have a Homecoming next year, 2009. Members are already looking forward to celebrating with locals during national week around the Island.

The next convention will be 2010 in Denver where the Rocky Mountain Manx Society and vice-president, Jim Corlett, will host the event.

About the North American Manx Association

The North American Manx Association (NAMA) is a non- profit, ethnic and cultural heritage institution founded in 1928, as a successor organization to Mona's Relief Society of Cleveland, Ohio. NAMA is a group of Americans and Canadians dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of the Manx culture. Most of NAMA's 850 active members are second and third-generation North American. In the U.S., there are chapters in Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland, Ohio; Rocky Mountain; Galva, Illinois; the Greater Washington, D.C. area; Minnesota; Nebraska; Northern California; Utah, San Diego, California; and Wisconsin.

In Canada, you will find Manx groups in Ontario; and in Vancouver, British Columbia. NAMA is interested in helping Manx in all areas get in touch with local chapters or assisting those who want to start new chapters.

NAMA publishes the quarterly NAMA Bulletin, sent to each of its enrolled members.

For those interested in their Manx forebears, NAMA has Lucy Q. Peterson as a resident genealogist. She serves as an archivist and information- dispenser. Please contact her to find out how to submit your research findings so we can build a greater Manx family tree. Please do not contact her to do genealogical research for there are just too many of us. But she will point you in the right direction.

For more Manx genealogy, there is the Isle of Man Family History Society (IOMFHS). Since they are not a part of NAMA, you should join both organizations.

© 2008 North American Manx Association