Ellen Hamilton
Not many people, apart from historians and enthusiasts, know what Alexandria, Virginia looked like in the early 19th century. Not many people are Ellen Hamilton.
Hamilton is a designer and history-buff-turned-filmmaker. Her documentary, "Why They Left," explores early Scottish migration to the United States. It follows the life of William Gregory, a native of Kilmarnock, through his journey from the Scottish Lowlands to Alexandria, where he arrived in the 1800s at the age of 18.
Hamilton's most recent role combines her passion for Alexandria's past with a curiosity of her own. Hamilton was involved in the Alexandria Archeology Commission (AAC) for six years. Her studio, Yellow Dot Designs, has been producing videos, printed materials, and websites for local businesses and associations for 10 years.
When we spoke, Hamilton's enthusiasm for the film was infectious.
"So, let me get started with: I married a Scot," she said, with a sense of mixed pride and humor, adding, "I am of Scottish descent, but I had never given it much thought until we married 17 years ago." Their marriage and travels to Glasgow later informed Hamilton's artistic vision for her first film, "Why They Left: A Scottish Migration."
After years of extensive research and interviews, Hamilton found her main subject, Gregory, by chance. Gregory had been mentioned in an article in the Alexandria Times section, Out Of The Attic, where his home, purchased in 1833 on 329 N. Washington St., was described in detail.
"That was my big ‘aha!’ moment." said Hamilton. From there, the story began to unfold organically.
Hamilton was inspired to document Gregory's story because she felt that it echoed the accounts of many Scottish-American families – Accounts of lost lineage and culture, of where their ancestors came from and why they left, details lost over the generations.
In her documentary, Hamilton attempts to answer why these stories were never passed down.
For the greater half of three years, Hamilton had never seen a photograph of William Gregory. She had been in touch with amateur historians, librarians, and family members who happily sent her troves of documents and letters written by Gregory as well as portraits of his second wife and children, but never of Gregory himself. That was, until this fall.
“It was so exciting! I put a newsletter out about it, I said ‘Hey everybody, look! Here’s William! Here’s what he looks like!’ I made a big deal about it,” said Hamilton of seeing Gregory's face for the first time.
Hamilton is acting as the screenwriter, producer, and videographer on the documentary. "It came naturally. I’m the only one I think that could have done it," she said.
In one teaser clip for the film, Hamilton can be seen on a hill overlooking the Clyde River Valley, the second-longest river in Scotland and a crucial port in the 1700s. The river also happens to be located across from Hamilton's in-laws. "They always say, when you make a film, make a film about something you know, which is why I felt that I was uniquely positioned to do this film because I know that part of Scotland better than most Americans.” She continued, “It has felt like the film came to me. One thing has led to another in a really energizing way."
To follow Gregory's story (and perhaps your own), visit scottishmigration-film.com.
