Who-o-o-eh! I think your original posting was "Being an american, I would like to know how the Manx view themselves". You get replies and answers, and I should have thought only a Manx person could answer that question, and then you say "Since the majority of the posters here are not from the Isle itself, the allocated term would be appropriate." So I would suggest that the title is indeed wrong for the original question. Calling all Manx would have been better? Huh? Yeh?

So consequently, I too sit back in wonder.

Still, I can't resist a little fun, having come home from a pleasant Isle of Man Family History meeting, which was a members' night, and rather like the 'show and tell' good ole Charlie Brown has at school.

I do know what ophile means. But to support my comment, each race/nationality has likes/dislikes on what they wish to be called. The natives of Scotland do not like to be referred to as Scotch; they are Scots, or Scottish; and most would soon correct you. Perhaps not all Americans are Yanks. And so it goes on. It is so easy to insult.

The title and tone of your question, combined, smacked of a condescending attitude. Fair enough, it was not perhaps your intention. What is it they say about the Americans and the English (as in British English-speaking? One people separated by the language. Something like that, anyway.

We are Manx, and we are British. We are not English, Scottish, Irish or Welsh. We live in the British Isles, not the United Kingdom, nor indeed England. Many of us will happily refer to ourselves as Manxies, and that is a modern concocted term, but we use it. But, not every Manxman would like it, and would certainly disagree with me.

We are from a small nation, and have mixed blood (like everywhere else, really) Hey, in fact we were quite small people. (Those who know me will say some of us still are.) Indeed my genealogy shows Scottish, English and French. My married name is Irish, but the line has been here over 400 years. My English roots come from different parts of England, which in history at some points would have mattered, I guess. However, I can trace some of my Manx lineage as far back as records allow.

My opinion is that people who live in small countries have to have that extra bit of pride, and strength. In fact the country as a whole has that need. Mice and elephants spring to mind. If we can't stand up for what we call ourselves, it's a poor do.

I hope that this has answered your question, at least in part. I have to say my original posting was full of opinions and therefore much longer than this, but I guess I don't want to get caught up, or start, an on-line row, so I deleted it! You responded to my comment. I trust you found the website I suggested, interesing? Oh, may I add, a Canadian relative mentioned that he has no knowledge of any country where so many people have websites. It would seem that every other person has a website. Certainly the photographic and genealogy sites are of quality and in abundance. Maybe that tells you something also? I would like to think it means we are proud. But it could be interpreted as having nothing else to do! (LOL)

If indeed you are a student, good luck. With a little bit of searching, you should find loads of material. What is your interest in the Isle of Man? Which bit of America do you come from? Do you have roots here, or what? This too is a serious question. Honest Injun!