Douglas family of Dallas and Elgin, Moray, Scotland

[Lorelle Brown]

My Douglas of Moray ancestors that I have confirmed records for began with Robert Douglas (c1702-1767, lived at Ardoch of Dallas) and Jean Anderson (1705 - 1764).  Robert was a well-known farmer and gardener who worked for the Gordonstoun Estate in the mid 1700s.  They had 5 children, Jean, Robert, Helen, Alexander, Hugh. 

These are all names in earlier Douglas families which give a clue to their ancestors, but to date no confirmed records that I have found.  Robert could have come from the Douglas family of Inverlochty, or Pittendreich, or further afield. 

There was a Robert Douglas born 19 March 1704 in Elgin to Alexander Douglas (the name of Robert and Jean's fourth child) but again, this does not confirm Robert's parentage.

The Gordonstoun Estate might hold records from the 1700s re garden and landscaping works and possibly employees of the Estate.

My Douglas line continues through their daughter, Helen, who married Thomas Buie/Bowie, then their daughter Jane/Jean Buie who married Donald McPherson (a member of the Inverness-shire Militia).  They all remained in the Dallas/Elgin area.

Many early family members (Douglas, Buie, McPherson, Leslie, Findlay, McManus) are buried in Dallas churchyard and Elgin Cathedral churchyard.

I would be happy to share my research into the Douglas family of Moray with anyone who is also researching this branch of the Douglas family.

[Ronald Drysdale]

Hi Lorelle & welcome,

Some info from the Scotlandspeople and Familysearch websites - don't know whether it's of any use.

As far as I'm aware, Scottish family naming conventions were not universally applied and I would doubt whether recurring christian names could be considered to prove or disprove parentage or offspring - at best they are a tentative indicator only (I know there is a section on the Scotlandspeople website about this).

Good luck with your research:

Best regards