The Douglas Archives

A collection of historical and genalogical records

Members

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

Looking for a Douglas ancestor in the Douglas Archives requires two searches - one in the history section, and another in the genealogy section.

There is a way around this, by using Google (and other search engines) site search facilities.

We can see succesful outcomes of Google searches, but not the unsuccesful ones.

If you cannot find what you are looking for, please ask the question through the Comunity Network - or just drop us a line.

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If you receive a message that you suspect is spam, please do not respond, but do report it

 

Registration

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

Ronald Drysdale left a comment for daphne bogart
"Hi again Daphne, I don't know what sources you have, I'm just going on what I see on the  Familysearch website.  You say that you have confirmed his mother and father - that is a good and positive step, As far as I can see…"
7 hours ago
daphne bogart left a comment for Ronald Drysdale
"Thank you for your help/info Ronald.  I feel I keep going down the wrong rabbit hole in my searches.  I did not have the 1920 census for William Dayton Douglas, so that was helpful and was able to follow some other leads.  However, I…"
8 hours ago
Ronald Drysdale left a comment for daphne bogart
"Hi Daphne, There is an entry on the FamilySearch website for your relative: William Dayton Douglas 1858–1926    Familysearch ID 9WM9-246 However, the ancestors indicated in the FS family line for William appear to be erroneous. In…"
19 hours ago
Profile IconCassidy Wilson, Martin Lyons and daphne bogart joined The Douglas Archives
yesterday
Mark Stephen Elliott commented on Mark Stephen Elliott's blog post Onward Brave Heart, Ælfwald I of Northumbria
yesterday
Ronald Drysdale replied to Ronald Drysdale's discussion Scots living in Holland in 17th & 18th Centuries in the group Drysdale - a Douglas sept
"The record seems to be just a few scribbles on a bit of paper - in Dutch The website notes that go with the bit of paper:  Zoelen religious communityZoelen Description: Church village near Tiel with an almost entirely Protestant…"
yesterday
William Douglas replied to Ronald Drysdale's discussion Scots living in Holland in 17th & 18th Centuries in the group Drysdale - a Douglas sept
"Isabella Benjamin Douglas seems to have a connection withe the Reformed Church.  Perhaps baptised there?"
yesterday
daphne bogart posted a status
"Hi William, That's a different William Dayton Douglas...my great grandfather worked for the railroad. But thank you. Daphne"
yesterday

Forum

James Douglas, 7th of Drumlanrig

Started by Ronald Drysdale in Genealogy. Last reply by Ronald Drysdale Mar 16. 3 Replies

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

Douglas family Inverness1

Started by Harold Dixon Douglas in Genealogy. Last reply by William Douglas Feb 21. 30 Replies

I was brought up in the highland orphanage Inverness now closed,is there anybody out there know of this place  Continue

George Douglas of Accomack County, Virginia

Started by Henry Barraud Hunt, Jr. in Genealogy. Last reply by Ronald Drysdale Feb 20. 5 Replies

Thank you William. I have found my computer to be stubborn. For the past couple of years I have become dependent upon secondary sources as travel for any distance is difficult. I make use of a book by Marshall who has abstracted the early wills and…Continue

Douglas of Friarshaw from Douglas of Cavers

Started by Lori Murphy in Genealogy. Last reply by Lori Murphy Feb 17. 3 Replies

HelloI am researching the Douglas from Friarshaws.On the top of the page, it indicates that they originate from the Douglas of Cavers. However, I cannot seem to find the Ancestor that links the lines!Can anyone tell me who the Decendant from Wm…Continue

Blog Posts

Mapping Ulster

Posted by William Douglas on March 26, 2025 at 14:41 0 Comments

Around three centuries ago, a significant endeavor was undertaken in parts of Ulster by a remarkable gentleman named [Thomas] Raven. His task was nothing short of extraordinary—a meticulous and comprehensive survey of the lands granted by King James [I] to his loyal subject and planter, James Hamilton.

According to Mr. John Stevenson, Hamilton "lives on in the portrait preserved at Castle Ward, and, fortunately, Raven's surveys of his extensive estates from 1625, as the land became…

Continue

Tracing the Threads of History: Haplogroup R-M269, Genghis Khan, and Clan Douglas

Posted by William Douglas on March 14, 2025 at 12:14 0 Comments

My father claimed Ghengis Khan as an ancestor.  After a long conversation with Jackie Stoddard today, I decided to investigate.

Human history weaves a rich tapestry of interconnected lineages and shared legacies, from the ancient migrations of Haplogroup R-M269 to the towering influence of Genghis Khan and the proud heritage of Clan Douglas. When we know that members of Clan…

Continue

Who is the kind donor?

Posted by William Douglas on March 1, 2025 at 11:00 0 Comments

Someone has very kindly sent me a copy of The Heraldry of the Douglases.

But I have no idea who I should be thanking.  Please get in touch so that I can respons appropriately.

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Making conections

The more information you can give about the people you mention, the more chance there is of someone else connecting with your family.

Dates and places of births, deaths and marriages all help to place families.

Professions also help.

'My great-grandmother mother was a Douglas from Montrose' does not give many clues to follow up! But a bit of flesh on the bones makes further research possible. But if we are told who she married, what his profession was and where the children were baptised, then we can get to work.

Maybe it is time to update the information in your profile?


Notes

About our community

Created by William Douglas Jun 22, 2009 at 5:40pm. Last updated by William Douglas Jun 16, 2018.

Cookies

Created by William Douglas Oct 25, 2012 at 5:21pm. Last updated by William Douglas Oct 25, 2012.

Why use our Community Network?

Created by William Douglas Jan 17, 2012 at 1:50pm. Last updated by William Douglas Jan 17, 2012.

William Douglas, b1610

Created by William Douglas Nov 11, 2011 at 11:03am. Last updated by William Douglas Nov 11, 2011.

Welcome!

Created by William Douglas Jan 24, 2010 at 6:35pm. Last updated by William Douglas Jul 23, 2010.

Clan Douglas Associations

Created by William Douglas Jun 23, 2009 at 10:50am. Last updated by William Douglas Jun 23, 2009.

Notes Home

Created by William Douglas Jun 12, 2009 at 6:16pm. Last updated by William Douglas Jun 12, 2009.

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