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McCreary Heritage Quiz

Test your knowledge of McCreary family history! This quiz covers Scottish, Irish, and American history related to the Scotch-Irish migration. Each question has four options - choose the best answer.

Basic Background Questions

1. Who were the McCreary families?

  1. Irish Catholic families who never left Ireland
  2. Scottish families who later moved to Ireland and then to North America
  3. English families who settled in New England
  4. Welsh coal miners who came to Pennsylvania
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The McCrearys were Scottish families who later moved to Ireland and then to North America. They were part of a larger group called the Scotch-Irish (also known as Ulster Scots).

2. What does the name "McCreary" mean?

  1. "Son of the blacksmith"
  2. "From the green valley"
  3. "Son of Rory" (meaning "red king")
  4. "Warrior of the highlands"
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. McCreary comes from the Scottish Gaelic "Mac Ruaidhri," which means "son of Rory." The name Rory means "red king," probably referring to red hair.

3. Which of these is NOT a common spelling variation of McCreary?

  1. McCrory
  2. MacRory
  3. McDonald
  4. McCreery
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. McDonald is a completely different surname. Common McCreary variations include McCrary, MacCreary, McCreery, McCrory, MacRory, and Magrory.

4. Why are there so many different spellings of McCreary?

  1. Each family chose a unique spelling to stand out
  2. Before standardized spelling, people wrote names as they sounded, and clerks often made errors
  3. Different spellings indicated different social classes
  4. The government required families to change spellings when immigrating
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Before standardized spelling, people wrote names as they sounded. Also, clerks and immigration officials often spelled names phonetically or made errors when recording them.

5. When did the main McCreary migrations happen?

  1. All in the 1900s during World War I
  2. Scotland to Ireland (1600s), Ireland to America (1700s-1800s), westward expansion (1800s)
  3. Only from Scotland directly to America in the 1500s
  4. Ireland to Scotland in the 1400s, then to America in the 1600s
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The main migrations occurred in three waves: Scotland to Ireland (1600s), Ireland to America (1700s-1800s), and westward expansion across America (1800s).

Geography Questions

6. Where did the McCreary families originally come from?

  1. The Highlands of northern Scotland
  2. Western regions and lowland areas of Scotland like Ayrshire and Galloway
  3. Eastern Scotland near Edinburgh
  4. The Orkney Islands
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. They originally came from Scotland, particularly the western regions and lowland areas like Ayrshire and Galloway.

7. What part of Ireland did McCreary families move to?

  1. The southern province of Munster
  2. The western province of Connacht
  3. Ulster, the northern province
  4. The eastern coast near Dublin
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. They moved to Ulster, the northern province of Ireland. Counties like Antrim, Down, Donegal, and Tyrone had many McCreary families.

8. How far is Scotland from Ireland at the narrowest point?

  1. 100 miles
  2. 50 miles
  3. 13 miles
  4. 200 miles
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. At the narrowest point (between Scotland and County Antrim), it's only 13 miles across the North Channel. You can see Scotland from Ireland on a clear day.

9. Where did most McCrearys first settle in America?

  1. Boston, Massachusetts
  2. New York City
  3. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  4. Charleston, South Carolina
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. Most landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From there, many moved to the Cumberland Valley in Pennsylvania.

10. Which states were major McCreary settlement areas?

  1. Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire
  2. Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky
  3. California, Oregon, and Washington
  4. Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Virginia (especially the Shenandoah Valley), North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky were major settlement areas.

11. Why did Scotch-Irish families settle in mountain and frontier areas?

  1. They preferred cold climates
  2. The British government assigned them to those areas
  3. The best coastal land was already taken, and frontier land was cheaper
  4. They were searching for gold
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. The best coastal land was already taken. Also, frontier land was cheaper, and Scotch-Irish families had farming experience in rugged terrain.

12. What was the Great Wagon Road?

  1. A railroad built in the 1800s
  2. A major route from Pennsylvania south through Virginia and into the Carolinas
  3. A road connecting Boston to New York
  4. A trail used only for hauling goods to market
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The Great Wagon Road was a major route that ran from Pennsylvania south through Virginia and into the Carolinas. Thousands of Scotch-Irish families traveled this road seeking land.

13. What is the Cumberland Gap?

  1. A valley in Pennsylvania
  2. A river crossing in Virginia
  3. A natural pass through the Appalachian Mountains
  4. A fort on the frontier
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. The Cumberland Gap is a natural pass through the Appalachian Mountains that allowed settlers to reach Kentucky and Tennessee from Virginia and North Carolina.

14. What place in Kentucky was named after a McCreary?

  1. Louisville
  2. Lexington
  3. McCreary County
  4. Frankfort
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. McCreary County in Kentucky was named for Governor James B. McCreary in 1912.

15. Can you visit McCreary heritage sites today?

  1. No, all the sites have been destroyed
  2. Only in America, not in Scotland or Ireland
  3. Yes, there are heritage sites in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and across American states
  4. Only in museums, not actual locations
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. Yes, there are heritage sites in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and across the American states where McCrearys settled.

Timeline & Historical Events

16. When did the McCrearys live in Scotland?

  1. Only in the 1800s
  2. From ancient times through the 1600s (some families never left)
  3. Only during the 1500s
  4. They never lived in Scotland
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. From ancient times through the 1600s. Some Scottish McCrearys never left, so the family still exists in Scotland today.

17. What was happening in Scotland in the 1500s-1600s?

  1. Scotland experienced religious conflict, wars with England, and economic hardship
  2. Scotland was the wealthiest nation in Europe
  3. Scotland was peacefully unified with France
  4. Scotland had no major conflicts during this period
Show Answer

The correct answer is A. Scotland experienced religious conflict (the Reformation), wars with England, and economic hardship that pushed people to seek opportunities elsewhere.

18. What was the Ulster Plantation?

  1. A large farm owned by one family
  2. A British plan starting in 1609 to settle Protestant Scottish and English families in northern Ireland
  3. A type of tree common in Ireland
  4. A naval base established by Spain
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The Ulster Plantation was a British government plan starting in 1609 to settle Protestant Scottish and English families in northern Ireland to control the region.

19. Why did the British want Scots to move to Ireland?

  1. To teach the Irish new farming techniques
  2. To establish loyal Protestant communities and prevent Irish rebellions
  3. Because Scotland was overpopulated
  4. To find gold and silver in Ireland
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The British wanted to establish loyal Protestant communities in Catholic Ireland and prevent Irish rebellions against English rule.

20. When did most McCrearys move to Ireland?

  1. Between 1400-1500
  2. Between 1800-1900
  3. Between 1609-1700, during and after the Ulster Plantation
  4. Between 1200-1300
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. Most moved mainly between 1609-1700, during and after the Ulster Plantation period.

21. How long did McCreary families typically live in Ireland before emigrating?

  1. Less than 10 years
  2. About 50-100 years (2-4 generations)
  3. Over 300 years
  4. They never left Ireland
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Usually 2-4 generations (about 50-100 years) before most emigrated to America in the 1700s.

22. What was the Irish Rebellion of 1641?

  1. A peaceful protest movement
  2. A violent uprising where Irish Catholics attacked Protestant settlers
  3. A rebellion against the Pope
  4. A workers' strike in Dublin
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. It was a violent uprising where Irish Catholics attacked Protestant settlers who had taken their land. Thousands died, creating lasting fear and tension.

23. What happened during the Siege of Derry?

  1. The city surrendered immediately
  2. Protestant defenders refused to surrender to Catholic forces for 105 days, even while starving
  3. The city was destroyed by an earthquake
  4. French forces captured the city
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. During the famous 105-day siege in 1689, Protestant defenders refused to surrender to Catholic forces, even while starving. "No Surrender" became their motto.

24. What was the Battle of the Boyne?

  1. A battle where Protestant King William defeated Catholic King James II in 1690
  2. A naval battle between Spain and England
  3. A minor skirmish with no historical importance
  4. A battle that established Catholic rule in Ireland
Show Answer

The correct answer is A. The Battle of the Boyne was fought in 1690 where Protestant King William defeated Catholic King James II, securing Protestant rule in Ireland and Britain.

25. When did McCrearys start coming to America?

  1. Around 1500
  2. Around 1900
  3. Around 1718, continuing through the 1700s and 1800s
  4. Around 1400
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. The first major wave was around 1718. Migration continued heavily through the 1700s and into the 1800s.

26. Why did Scotch-Irish families leave Ireland for America?

  1. They wanted adventure
  2. High rents, religious discrimination, limited opportunities, and promise of land in America
  3. Ireland had too many people
  4. The British government forced them to leave
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. They left due to high rents, religious discrimination against Presbyterians, limited economic opportunities, and the promise of free or cheap land in America.

27. How long did the ocean voyage to America typically take?

  1. 2-3 days
  2. 2-3 weeks
  3. 6-8 weeks
  4. 6-8 months
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. The voyage usually took 6-8 weeks crossing the Atlantic. Conditions were often dangerous, with storms, disease, and crowded ships.

28. What role did Scotch-Irish play in the American Revolution?

  1. They remained loyal to Britain
  2. They stayed neutral
  3. Many fought for American independence, especially in frontier battles
  4. They moved back to Ireland during the war
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. Many Scotch-Irish, including McCrearys, fought for American independence. They were particularly important in frontier battles like Kings Mountain.

29. What was the Battle of Kings Mountain?

  1. A 1780 battle where Scotch-Irish "Overmountain Men" defeated British forces in South Carolina
  2. A battle that the British won decisively
  3. A naval battle on the Atlantic Ocean
  4. A battle fought in Pennsylvania
Show Answer

The correct answer is A. The Battle of Kings Mountain was a 1780 Revolutionary War battle where Scotch-Irish "Overmountain Men" defeated British forces in South Carolina, helping win the war.

30. When did westward expansion into Kentucky and Tennessee happen?

  1. Before the American Revolution
  2. After the Revolution (1780s-1800s)
  3. During the Civil War
  4. In the 1900s
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. After the Revolution (1780s-1800s), families moved west into Kentucky, Tennessee, and eventually across the Mississippi River.

Religion Questions

31. What religion were most McCreary families?

  1. Catholic
  2. Baptist
  3. Presbyterian
  4. Methodist
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. Almost all McCreary families were Presbyterian, a type of Protestant Christianity.

32. What is Presbyterian?

  1. A Protestant denomination with democratic church governance by elders
  2. Another name for Catholic
  3. A form of government
  4. A type of farming
Show Answer

The correct answer is A. Presbyterian is a Protestant denomination that emphasizes democratic church governance by elders (presbyters) rather than bishops, and believes in individual Bible reading.

33. How is Presbyterian different from Catholic?

  1. Presbyterians have more elaborate ceremonies
  2. Presbyterians reject the Pope's authority, don't pray to saints, and have married ministers
  3. There is no difference
  4. Presbyterians believe in multiple gods
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Presbyterians reject the Pope's authority, don't pray to saints, have married ministers, emphasize personal Bible study, and use simpler worship services.

34. What is the difference between Presbyterian and Anglican?

  1. There is no difference
  2. Anglicans have bishops leading the church, while Presbyterians have councils of elders
  3. Presbyterians are Catholic while Anglicans are Protestant
  4. Anglicans don't believe in God
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Anglicans (Church of England) have bishops leading the church, while Presbyterians have councils of elders. Presbyterians also have simpler worship.

35. Who was John Knox?

  1. An English king
  2. The Scottish minister who led the Reformation in Scotland and established Presbyterianism
  3. A Catholic bishop
  4. An American president
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. John Knox was the Scottish minister who led the Protestant Reformation in Scotland in 1560 and established Presbyterianism as Scotland's main religion.

36. What was the Reformation?

  1. A farming technique
  2. A religious revolution starting in 1517 that created Protestant Christianity
  3. A military campaign
  4. A trade agreement
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The Reformation was a religious revolution starting in 1517 that created Protestant Christianity as a split from the Catholic Church.

37. Why was religion so important to identity in this period?

  1. It was only important for church attendance
  2. Religion determined where you could live, work, vote, own property, and educate children
  3. It wasn't important at all
  4. It only mattered on Sundays
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Religion determined where you could live, work, vote, and own property. It also affected who you could marry and where your children went to school.

38. What were the Penal Laws?

  1. Criminal punishment laws
  2. Harsh Irish laws (1691-1760) that took away rights from Catholics and some Presbyterians
  3. Laws protecting religious freedom
  4. Tax laws
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The Penal Laws were harsh Irish laws (1691-1760) that took away rights from Catholics. Some provisions also discriminated against Presbyterians.

39. What was "double discrimination"?

  1. Being taxed twice
  2. Ulster Scots faced discrimination from both Catholics and Anglicans
  3. Having to pay two rents
  4. Working two jobs
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Ulster Scots faced discrimination from both Catholics (who saw them as invaders) and Anglicans (who saw them as religious dissenters).

40. What is a kirk?

  1. A type of boat
  2. The Scottish word for church, especially the Presbyterian Church of Scotland
  3. A Scottish food
  4. A musical instrument
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Kirk is the Scottish word for church. "The Kirk" refers to the Presbyterian Church of Scotland.

41. Did some McCrearys join other religions in America?

  1. No, they all remained Presbyterian forever
  2. Yes, some later generations joined Methodist or Baptist churches
  3. They all became Catholic
  4. They gave up religion entirely
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Some later generations joined Methodist or Baptist churches, especially on the frontier where Presbyterian churches weren't available.

42. What role did churches play in frontier communities?

  1. Only religious services on Sunday
  2. Centers of worship, education, social life, and community decisions
  3. No role at all
  4. Only baptisms and weddings
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Presbyterian churches were centers of worship, education, social life, and community decisions. They often ran schools and helped new settlers.

43. What is covenant theology?

  1. A belief that all agreements must be written down
  2. A Presbyterian belief that relationships are based on contracts; if rulers break the contract, people can resist
  3. A belief in following kings without question
  4. A type of church building
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Covenant theology is a Presbyterian belief that relationships between God and people, and between rulers and people, are based on contracts. If rulers break the contract, people can resist.

44. How did Presbyterian religion influence American politics?

  1. It had no influence
  2. Presbyterian ideas about covenants and resistance to unjust authority helped inspire the American Revolution
  3. It made people support the British king
  4. It prevented people from voting
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Presbyterian ideas about covenants and resistance to unjust authority helped inspire the American Revolution.

45. What is Celtic Christianity?

  1. Christianity practiced in modern Celtic music concerts
  2. An early form of Christianity in Ireland and Scotland (400s-600s CE)
  3. A form of Catholicism from Italy
  4. A Protestant denomination from Germany
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Celtic Christianity was an early form of Christianity practiced in Ireland and Scotland (400s-600s CE) before it aligned with Roman Catholic practices.

Culture & Traditions

46. What language did McCrearys originally speak?

  1. French
  2. Spanish
  3. Scottish Gaelic, later Scots or English
  4. Latin
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. Originally they spoke Scottish Gaelic, but by the time they moved to Ulster, most spoke Scots (similar to English) or English.

47. What is Gaelic?

  1. A type of music
  2. A Celtic language spoken in Scotland and Ireland
  3. A form of government
  4. A religious belief
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Gaelic is a Celtic language spoken in Scotland and Ireland. Scottish Gaelic and Irish Gaelic are related but different languages.

48. What were Scottish clans?

  1. Extended family groups that controlled territories and provided mutual protection
  2. Religious organizations
  3. Trading companies
  4. Military regiments in the British Army
Show Answer

The correct answer is A. Clans were extended family groups that controlled territories, had their own leaders (chiefs), and provided mutual protection and support.

49. Were McCrearys part of a clan?

  1. No, they avoided all clan systems
  2. Yes, they were connected to clan systems in Scotland
  3. Only in America, not in Scotland
  4. Clans didn't exist during their time
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Yes, they were connected to clan systems in Scotland, though the exact clan affiliations are sometimes unclear due to the complexity of Scottish clan relationships.

50. What is tartan?

  1. A type of food
  2. A plaid pattern associated with Scottish clans
  3. A Scottish weapon
  4. A form of government
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Tartan is a plaid pattern associated with Scottish clans. Different clans traditionally had different tartan patterns.

51. What kind of music did Scotch-Irish families bring to America?

  1. Classical opera
  2. Scottish and Irish folk music that evolved into bluegrass and country
  3. Jazz
  4. Rock and roll
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. They brought Scottish and Irish folk music, including fiddle tunes, ballads, and psalms. This evolved into American bluegrass and country music.

52. What instruments did Scotch-Irish families play?

  1. Only pianos
  2. Fiddles, bagpipes, and later banjos, guitars, and dulcimers
  3. Electric guitars
  4. Trumpets and saxophones
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. They played fiddles, bagpipes (in Scotland), and later in America, banjos, guitars, and dulcimers.

53. What foods were traditional in Scotch-Irish culture?

  1. Pizza and pasta
  2. Oatmeal, potatoes, cabbage, turnips, and mutton; in America they added corn and beans
  3. Only seafood
  4. Rice and curry
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Traditional foods included oatmeal, potatoes, cabbage, turnips, barley, and mutton (sheep meat). In America, they added corn, beans, and squash.

54. What were Scotch-Irish houses like in America?

  1. Always brick mansions
  2. Log cabins on the frontier, later frame houses
  3. Adobe structures
  4. Teepees
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. In Scotland and Ireland they had small stone or thatch cottages. In America they built log cabins on the frontier, and later frame houses.

55. What kind of work did most Scotch-Irish do?

  1. Banking and finance
  2. Mainly farming, with some weavers, blacksmiths, millers, and shopkeepers
  3. Only factory work
  4. Mining exclusively
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Most did farming (growing crops and raising livestock). Some were weavers, blacksmiths, millers, or shopkeepers.

56. How important was education to Scotch-Irish culture?

  1. Education was discouraged
  2. Presbyterian culture strongly valued education and established schools
  3. Only boys were educated
  4. Education was only for the wealthy
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Presbyterian culture strongly valued education. Most communities established schools, often connected to churches.

57. What is a "Scotch-Irish" person?

  1. Someone of Scottish descent who lived in Ireland, then often emigrated to America
  2. Someone who is half Scottish and half Irish
  3. A Native American tribe
  4. An English settler in Ireland
Show Answer

The correct answer is A. A Scotch-Irish person is someone of Scottish descent who lived in Ireland for several generations, then often emigrated to America. Also called "Ulster Scots."

58. Is "Scotch-Irish" the same as Irish?

  1. Yes, they're exactly the same
  2. No, Scotch-Irish refers to Protestant Scottish families in Ulster, while "Irish" usually refers to Catholic native Irish
  3. Scotch-Irish is a type of whiskey
  4. Irish is another word for Scottish
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. No. Scotch-Irish refers to Protestant Scottish families who lived in Ulster, while "Irish" usually refers to Catholic native Irish families.

59. What values were important to Scotch-Irish culture?

  1. Dependence on government and submission to authority
  2. Independence, self-reliance, education, Presbyterian faith, and resistance to outside authority
  3. Urban living and factory work
  4. Avoiding education and family
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Important values included independence, self-reliance, education, Presbyterian faith, family loyalty, and resistance to outside authority.

60. How did Scotch-Irish families influence American culture?

  1. They had no influence on American culture
  2. They shaped frontier culture, American music, attitudes toward government, and Appalachian settlement
  3. They only influenced fashion
  4. They prevented westward expansion
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. They shaped frontier culture, American music (bluegrass/country), attitudes toward government, and settlement patterns in Appalachia and the South.

Genealogy & Research Questions

  1. Just guess based on your last name
  2. Start with your family tree, working backward, using genealogy databases
  3. You can't find out
  4. Only by traveling to Scotland
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Start with your family tree, working backward from what you know. Use genealogy databases like FamilySearch.org or Ancestry.com.

62. Why is it hard to trace McCreary ancestors before 1800?

  1. It's actually very easy
  2. Many Irish and Scottish records were lost, destroyed, or never existed
  3. All records are in secret locations
  4. McCrearys didn't exist before 1800
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Many Irish and Scottish records before 1800 were lost, destroyed, or never existed. Also, name variations make searching difficult.

63. What important records were destroyed in Ireland?

  1. The 1922 fire at the Irish Public Record Office destroyed census records, parish registers, and wills
  2. All Irish records still exist
  3. Only military records were destroyed
  4. Records were destroyed in the 1700s
Show Answer

The correct answer is A. The 1922 fire at the Irish Public Record Office in Dublin destroyed census records, parish registers, wills, and other vital documents.

64. Where can you find McCreary genealogy records?

  1. Only in Scotland
  2. FamilySearch.org (free), Ancestry.com (paid), Irish and Scottish archives
  3. Records don't exist anywhere
  4. Only in American libraries
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Try FamilySearch.org (free), Ancestry.com (paid), Irish archives (PRONI in Belfast, National Archives in Dublin), and Scottish records (ScotlandsPeople).

65. What is a "brick wall" in genealogy?

  1. A physical barrier at an archive
  2. A point where you can't find records to go further back in your family tree
  3. A type of house your ancestors lived in
  4. A genealogy software program
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. A "brick wall" is a point where you can't find records to go further back in your family tree. This is common with Scotch-Irish research before 1800.

66. Can DNA tests help with genealogy research?

  1. No, DNA tests are useless for genealogy
  2. Yes, DNA tests can connect you with living cousins researching the same family lines
  3. DNA tests only work for medical purposes
  4. DNA tests are illegal
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Yes! DNA tests can connect you with living cousins who are researching the same family lines, helping break through brick walls.

67. What DNA test is best for finding cousins and recent ancestry?

  1. Autosomal DNA tests like AncestryDNA, 23andMe, or MyHeritage
  2. Only medical DNA tests
  3. Paternity tests
  4. No DNA test can do this
Show Answer

The correct answer is A. Autosomal DNA tests (AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage) are best for finding cousins and recent ancestry.

  1. Yes, they're all closely related
  2. Not necessarily; multiple unrelated families might have had ancestors named Ruaidhri
  3. Only if they live in the same state
  4. All McCrearys are actually Scottish royalty
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Not necessarily. Multiple unrelated families might have had ancestors named Ruaidhri (Rory), creating separate McCreary lines.

69. What are primary sources in genealogy?

  1. Newspaper articles from last year
  2. Original documents created at the time, like birth certificates and letters
  3. Family stories told today
  4. Television documentaries
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Primary sources are original documents created at the time (birth certificates, letters, diaries). These are the most reliable genealogy sources.

70. What are church records?

  1. Financial records of church expenses
  2. Baptism, marriage, and burial records kept by churches
  3. Lists of church members' addresses
  4. Records of church construction
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Church records include baptism, marriage, and burial records kept by churches. These are often the oldest records available for families.

71. What is Griffith's Valuation?

  1. An Irish property survey from 1847-1864
  2. A Scottish military record
  3. An American census
  4. A DNA testing company
Show Answer

The correct answer is A. Griffith's Valuation is an Irish property survey from 1847-1864. It's free to search and shows who owned or rented land in each Irish townland.

72. What is a townland?

  1. A large city
  2. A small administrative division in Ireland, smaller than a parish
  3. A type of farm
  4. A county
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. A townland is a small administrative division in Ireland, smaller than a parish. Knowing your ancestor's townland helps narrow searches.

73. How much does genealogy research typically cost?

  1. All genealogy research is free
  2. Free resources exist, but paid databases offer more records
  3. It always costs thousands of dollars
  4. Research is illegal
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Free resources exist (FamilySearch.org), but paid databases (Ancestry.com ~$25/month, Roots Ireland ~$18/day) offer more records.

74. Should you trust online family trees without verification?

  1. Yes, they're always 100% accurate
  2. No, use them as clues but verify everything with original sources
  3. Online family trees are all fake
  4. Only trust trees with fewer than 10 people
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Use them as clues, but verify everything with original sources. Many online trees contain errors that get copied repeatedly.

75. What's the best way to start genealogy research?

  1. Start with medieval kings and work forward
  2. Interview living relatives, gather documents, and build your tree backward one generation at a time
  3. Only use DNA tests
  4. Hire someone to do all the work
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Interview living relatives, gather family documents (Bibles, certificates, photos), and build your tree backward one generation at a time.

American Frontier & Settlement

76. What was the American frontier?

  1. The Pacific Ocean coastline
  2. The edge of settled territory where Europeans met wilderness and Native lands
  3. The border with Canada
  4. The border with Mexico
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The frontier was the edge of settled territory, where Europeans met wilderness and Native American lands. It moved westward over time.

77. How did frontier families get land?

  1. Only by inheritance
  2. Through purchase, land grants, squatting, or the Homestead Act
  3. Land was free for everyone automatically
  4. They had to win it in competitions
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Families got land through purchase, land grants for military service, squatting (settling unclaimed land), or the Homestead Act (later 1800s).

78. What was frontier life like?

  1. Easy and comfortable with modern conveniences
  2. Difficult and dangerous, with families building homes, growing food, and facing threats
  3. Exactly like city life
  4. Only wealthy people lived on the frontier
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Frontier life was difficult and dangerous. Families built their own houses, grew their own food, made their own clothes, and faced threats from disease and conflicts.

79. Did settlers have conflicts with Native Americans?

  1. No, there were never any conflicts
  2. Yes, as settlers moved onto Native lands, violent conflicts occurred
  3. Native Americans didn't live in these areas
  4. Only peaceful trading occurred
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Yes. As settlers moved onto Native lands, violent conflicts occurred. Many frontier families, including Scotch-Irish, participated in these conflicts.

80. What is a log cabin?

  1. A ship made of logs
  2. A house made from logs notched and stacked
  3. A type of barn
  4. A fort
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. A log cabin is a house made from logs notched and stacked. Scotch-Irish and other settlers built these quickly on the frontier.

81. How did frontier communities typically form?

  1. The government assigned people to random locations
  2. Families from the same region often settled together and built churches, schools, and mills
  3. People always lived completely isolated from each other
  4. Communities formed only in cities
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Families from the same region often settled together. They built churches, schools, and mills to create communities.

82. What did frontier children do?

  1. Only played games all day
  2. Worked on farms, helped with household tasks, and attended school when available
  3. Never worked
  4. Only studied, no chores
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Children worked on farms (planting, harvesting, caring for animals), helped with household tasks, and attended school when available.

83. Were there schools on the frontier?

  1. No schools existed on the frontier
  2. Yes, often one-room schoolhouses run by churches
  3. Only universities, no elementary schools
  4. Schools were illegal on the frontier
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Yes, often one-room schoolhouses run by churches. Presbyterian communities prioritized education.

84. What was a circuit rider?

  1. A traveling minister who visited isolated frontier communities on horseback
  2. A mail carrier
  3. A traveling salesman
  4. A type of horse
Show Answer

The correct answer is A. A circuit rider was a traveling minister who visited isolated frontier communities on horseback, preaching and performing marriages and baptisms.

85. How did frontier families communicate over long distances?

  1. By telephone
  2. By email
  3. Letters carried by travelers, postal riders, or family members
  4. By telegraph exclusively
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. Families communicated through letters carried by travelers, postal riders, or family members. Mail was slow and unreliable.

Historical Challenges & Conflicts

86. What was feudalism?

  1. A type of farming
  2. A medieval system where lords owned land and peasants worked it for protection
  3. A form of democracy
  4. A religious belief
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Feudalism was a medieval system where lords owned land and peasants worked it in exchange for protection. This existed in Scotland before the clan system.

87. Who was William Wallace?

  1. An English king
  2. A Scottish hero who led resistance against English invasion in the 1290s
  3. An Irish rebel
  4. An American president
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. William Wallace was a Scottish hero who led resistance against English invasion in the 1290s, portrayed in the movie "Braveheart."

88. Who was Robert the Bruce?

  1. The Scottish king who defeated England at Bannockburn (1314) and secured independence
  2. An English general
  3. An Irish king
  4. A French explorer
Show Answer

The correct answer is A. Robert the Bruce was the Scottish king who defeated England at the Battle of Bannockburn (1314) and secured Scottish independence.

89. What was the Glorious Revolution?

  1. The American Revolution
  2. The 1688 overthrow of Catholic King James II and replacement by Protestant William
  3. The French Revolution
  4. A peaceful farming improvement
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The Glorious Revolution was the 1688 overthrow of Catholic King James II and his replacement by Protestant William of Orange, securing Protestant rule.

90. What were the Test Acts?

  1. School examinations
  2. Laws requiring government officials to be Anglican, preventing Presbyterians from holding office
  3. Military training requirements
  4. Trade regulations
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The Test Acts were laws requiring government officials to be Anglican. This prevented Presbyterians from holding office in Ireland.

91. Why did Presbyterians face discrimination in Ireland?

  1. They were too wealthy
  2. The Anglican Church was the official church; both Catholics and Presbyterians faced restrictions
  3. They spoke a different language
  4. They didn't face any discrimination
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The Anglican Church was the official church. Both Catholics and Presbyterian dissenters faced restrictions on rights and opportunities.

92. What was Cromwell's Conquest?

  1. A peaceful negotiation
  2. Oliver Cromwell's brutal 1649-1653 military campaign that crushed Irish resistance
  3. A victory for Irish independence
  4. A religious conversion campaign
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Cromwell's Conquest was Oliver Cromwell's brutal 1649-1653 military campaign that crushed Irish resistance, with massacres at Drogheda and Wexford.

93. What was the Treaty of Paris (1783)?

  1. A treaty between France and Spain
  2. The treaty ending the American Revolution, giving America all land east of the Mississippi
  3. A trade agreement
  4. A peace treaty ending World War I
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The Treaty of Paris (1783) ended the American Revolution, giving America all land east of the Mississippi River.

94. What opened Kentucky and Tennessee for American settlement?

  1. The Treaty of Paris and later treaties with Native tribes
  2. A gold rush
  3. European wars
  4. Natural disasters
Show Answer

The correct answer is A. The Treaty of Paris and later treaties with Native tribes opened these territories for settlement in the 1780s-1800s.

95. What was the Mississippi River's significance after 1783?

  1. It had no significance
  2. It was America's western boundary; crossing it represented a new phase of expansion
  3. It was only important for fishing
  4. It belonged to France
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. The Mississippi River was America's western boundary after 1783. Crossing it represented a new phase of westward expansion.

Modern Questions

96. Do McCreary families still exist today?

  1. No, the family died out
  2. Yes, McCrearys live throughout America, Scotland, Ireland, and other countries
  3. Only in Scotland
  4. Only in museums
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Yes! McCrearys live throughout America, Scotland, Ireland, and other countries where descendants settled.

97. Are there McCreary family reunions?

  1. Family reunions are illegal
  2. Some branches organize reunions; check genealogy websites and DNA groups
  3. There has never been a McCreary reunion
  4. Only in Scotland
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Some branches organize reunions. Check genealogy websites and DNA project groups for connections.

98. Can you visit ancestral McCreary homes today?

  1. All ancestral homes have been destroyed
  2. Some old homes and areas still exist in Scotland and Ulster
  3. Only in America
  4. Visiting ancestral sites is not allowed
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Some old homes and areas still exist in Scotland and Ulster, though specific family properties may be hard to identify without detailed records.

99. How is Scotch-Irish history taught in schools?

  1. It's never taught
  2. Scotch-Irish migration is part of American history courses on colonial settlement and westward expansion
  3. Only in Ireland
  4. Only in graduate school
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Scotch-Irish migration is part of American history courses covering colonial settlement, westward expansion, and cultural development.

100. Why should you care about McCreary family history?

  1. You shouldn't care about history
  2. Understanding where your family came from helps you know who you are and connects you to larger historical movements
  3. It's only important for professional historians
  4. History has no relevance to modern life
Show Answer

The correct answer is B. Understanding where your family came from helps you know who you are. It connects you to larger historical movements and shows how ordinary people shaped history through their choices and courage.

Scoring Your Quiz

  • 90-100 correct: Excellent! You have a strong understanding of McCreary heritage and Scotch-Irish history.
  • 75-89 correct: Very good! You know most of the important facts about this history.
  • 60-74 correct: Good! You have a solid foundation. Review the areas where you missed questions.
  • 45-59 correct: Fair. Consider reviewing the FAQ and content sections to strengthen your knowledge.
  • Below 45: Keep learning! This is complex history. Start with the Introduction and Timeline sections.

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