A collection of historical and genalogical records
The Douglas Archives is a mix of historical records and biographies and also a genealogy database with details of 190,500+ individuals.
Searching the Douglas Archives
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To reduce the volume of fraudulent sign ups, I am making the process more difficult. I apologise to genuine prospective members.
The more information you give about your ancestors, the greater the chance that others might see someone they recognise and tie in to your tree. Dates and places definitely help!
Welcome to the Douglas Archives Network
The first Douglas to stride across the stage of Scottish history was Sir William Douglas who fought and died for William Wallace. His son, Sir James Douglas was a supporter and lifelong friend of Robert the Bruce. "Good Sir James" died taking Bruce's heart on a crusade to the Holy Land. The 2nd Earl of Douglas died at the Battle of Otterburn in 1388 as his army defeated an English force led by Prince Henry "Hotspur". In 1402 the 4th Earl was defeated by the same Henry Hotspur at the Battle of Homildon Hill.
Few of their successors died in their beds! Our website charts the history of this famous family, both in its native Scotland, and as family members spread across the world.
The main site is divided into two sections: Douglas history and Douglas genealogy. These have been joined by the Douglas DNA Project and a Games section.
In this networking area, we hope that all those with Douglas connections will feel able to contribute and debate their Douglas heritage.
If you are new to the site, please visit our Welcome message.
Latest Activity
captain william drysdale of london
Forum
Old maps of the British Isles - 1631
Started by Ronald Drysdale in Genealogy Aug 4. 0 Replies 0 Likes
The theatre of the empire of Great Britain, presenting an exact geography of England, Scotland, Ireland, etc. ... 1631A very nice publication with heraldic shields, pics & lots of old maps of all parts of the British isles:…Continue
DNA
Started by Bob Douglas in Genealogy. Last reply by Bob Douglas Jul 1. 7 Replies 2 Likes
I can’t call this post DNA progress, as this has beeen limited.originally I took DNA test at Ancestry, I also uploaded to My Heritage, Gedmatch, and Family Tree DNA.I hen also took a test at 23 and me who don’t allow uploads.After a few years, there…Continue
James Douglas, 7th of Drumlanrig
Started by Ronald Drysdale in Genealogy. Last reply by William Douglas Jun 29. 7 Replies 0 Likes
Hi. has anyone ever had the 1581 Will & testament of Sir James Douglas, 7th of Drumlanrig transcribed?He apparently fathered a lot of children, maybe this will could reveal some interesting factual stuff.Copy of relevant Scotlandspeople webpage…Continue
Difficulty finding a Scottish Parish marriage record? Maybe there isn't one & never was!
Started by Ronald Drysdale in Genealogy. Last reply by William Douglas Jun 26. 1 Reply 2 Likes
Dear all,I recently came across a parish entry for a 'Private marriage' in Edinburgh.This surprised me as I thought that…Continue
Blog Posts
The migration of a Douglass family
Posted by William Douglas on August 19, 2025 at 12:43 1 Comment 1 Like
Buried deep in the Archives, I came across a history of this particular family, which I share:
The Douglass family of North America can trace its origins to James Douglass, who was christened in Coldingham, Scotland, in 1755. A blacksmith by trade, he and his wife, Mary Wallace, had eight children. One of their sons, also named James,…
Methven armorial
Posted by William Douglas on August 13, 2025 at 13:09 0 Comments 0 Likes
A member of the Methven family recently shared their family crest.
I was not aware of a familial linkage so have done some research, which may or may not be accurate as the heart in this image is not 'flaming'.
Here's what I found:
The Methven coat of arms does not traditionally include a heart. While some Smith families (who are…
ContinueRev JOHN DRYSDALE AND HIS DESCENDANTS
Posted by William Douglas on August 6, 2025 at 15:00 3 Comments 0 Likes
Rev JOHN DRYSDALE AND HIS DESCENDANTS, 1681-1991 by D C L Drysdale, is
the story of Rev John Drysdale (1681-1726), Minister at Kirkcaldy from 1712-1726, and
his famous descendants, by his wife, Anne Ferguson, daughter of William Ferguson,
Provost of Kirkcaldy. His third son, Rev John Drysdale (1718-1788), minister in
Edinburgh, was twice elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of
Scotland. Another son, William Drysdale (1717-1757), was merchant and…
ADAM DRYSDALE (1806-1886) OF MONTREAL
Posted by William Douglas on August 5, 2025 at 15:28 0 Comments 0 Likes
ADAM DRYSDALE (1806-1886) OF MONTREAL, His Ancestors, Descendants and
Related Families (1987) by Alpin Ogilvie Drysdale, can really be sub-titled The
Drysdales of Dunfermline, Montreal, and Newfoundland, for the families were all
connected. The families can be traced back to Dunfermline to the Thomas Drysdale
who married Janet Walker. They had 3 children: Adam (b 1738), who married Margaret
Thomson in Inverkeithing in 1762; William (b 1740), who married…
Photos
Videos
Top Content
| 1 |
Caledonia Douglas's Nova ScotiaPosted by Connor Douglas on September 6, 2017 |
| 2 |
The Good Sir James sails for JerusalemAdded by William Douglas on July 11, 2017 |
| 3 |
Douglas / OLIPHANT/ Smith / Sinclair lines finally sortedPosted by Jackie Stoddard on September 2, 2017 |
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