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'McCain the Bruce' Claims are Baloney

Genealogists ridicule senator's alleged links to Scottish king

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 21, 2008 6:46 AM CDT
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(Newser) – John McCain might be a sure thing to be crowned the GOP nominee, but experts say claims that his family is related to a Scottish king are pure fiction. McCain wrote in a 1999 memoir that his great-aunt was descended from Robert the Bruce, who reclaimed Scottish independence in 1314. Medieval experts looked through records and concluded the claim was "a load of baloney," as one genealogist told the Guardian.

The Scottish experts couldn't find any links between McCain and Bruce, although one historian noted that the Scottish warrior-king had a dozen children with up to 200 million distant descendants. "In that sense McCain probably is descended from Bruce. So am I. So are you. So is everyone," he said. McCain's memoir also claims a family connection to Charlemagne.

A statue of Robert the Bruce at Scotland's Stirling castle. Experts have trashed John McCain's claims that his family is related to the Scottish warrior-king.
A statue of Robert the Bruce at Scotland's Stirling castle. Experts have trashed John McCain's claims that his family is related to the Scottish warrior-king.   ((c) Dave602)
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks to employees at Savvis, Inc. during a campaign stop in St. Louis, Mo., Tuesday, March 11, 2008.
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks to employees at Savvis, Inc. during a campaign stop in St. Louis, Mo., Tuesday, March 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Genealogists have dismissed John McCain's claim that he is descended from the Scottish warrior Robert the Bruce.
Genealogists have dismissed John McCain's claim that he is descended from the Scottish warrior Robert the Bruce.   (Getty Images)
An actor dressed as Robert the Bruce re-enacts the singing of the Declaration of Arbroath in Scotland. Experts have dismissed claims John McCain is descended from the Scottish king as hogwash.
An actor dressed as Robert the Bruce re-enacts the singing of the Declaration of Arbroath in Scotland. Experts have dismissed claims John McCain is descended from the Scottish king as hogwash.   (Getty Images)
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