Wherever in the world people can be found who carry the name of Anderson, the possibility is likely that their ancestry could be traced back to the system of ‘patronymic’ surnames extensively used in the British Isles.

The “ANDERSON ASSOCIATION”
was formed on St Andrew’s Day, 1993, in response to the growing interest in family history of many people of the name.  Among the objectives of the Association, is the principal aim of encouraging, promoting and co-ordinating genealogical activities and providing a focal point to encourage sound and consummate research in the name and it’s variants.  In the longer term, it is hoped to be able to collate relevant family histories in a central archive for the benefit of members and for the facilitation of research.  If you bear the name Anderson, McAndrew, Gillanders, or perhaps one of the derivatives, or you are descended from such individuals, you are warmly invited to share fully in the pride we are all entitled to feel.  

DIASPORA
from the British Isles (comprising England, Scotland, Ireland & Wales) has over the centuries, been perhaps the greatest export that has carried the name Anderson to far flung corners of the globe.  That the name is still highly prevalent within these shores is not surprising and with the growth of interest in ancestral research, there is a considerable thirst for knowledge of who we are.  Quite naturally, Peoples of many a nation take great pride in their genus and Andersons are no exception.  However, It pays to know one’s history before such pride can be genuinely acknowledged.  In the encouragement and support of sound, ethical and consummate research, the Association hopes to enhance the opportunity to better understand our ancestral legacy and therefore, bring a clearer understanding of the roots of our common name.  Such a journey also brings many opportunities to develop social, learned and fraternal friendship, forming the mortar that binds us together in our common interest.