"Artistic skills seem the norm in this branch of the family - also a spy!
Frances Dorothy Beresford Maule Kerr - Great grand-daughter of Sir William Drysdale
Dorothy B. M.…"
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
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.
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.
Groups
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Report an issue
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
George Cochrane Kerr - another noteworthy artist & a descendent in the 'Fife Drysdales' family line
A grandson of Sir William Drysdale of Pittenchar"George Cochrane Kerr was a marine painter in oil and watercolour of coastal and shipping scenes, who lived in London and variously in Kent at Ramsgate, Gillingham and Rochester. His work was exhibited…See More
Trove Scotland, a digital gateway to Scotland’s historic environment
Trove Scotland is a digital gateway to Scotland’s historic environment, bringing together a rich tapestry of archives, images, and records from across the country. It’s part of Historic Environment Scotland’s initiative to make cultural heritage…See More
"Welcome to our community forum, Nigel.
You will find others from Fiji here: https://douglashistory.ning.com/group/the-douglas-family-in-fiji
I am hoping to find someone who would write up an article of the Douglases of Fiji. Past and…"
"Perhaps iiy join the Ireland group, ou may find kindred thre?https://douglashistory.ning.com/group/douglasfamiliesinireland ;"
"Welcome to our forum, Tracie.
I was immediaely drawn to looking for your ancestor in Perthshire. I don't know why, but I found this:https://www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/Documents/AlexanderDouglas-Shoemaker.pdf Wrong generation, I know,…"
Forum
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 1 Like
Dear all,I recently came across a parish entry for a 'Private marriage' in Edinburgh.This surprised me as I thought that…Continue
Spam from Ronald Morris
Started by Don in General. Last reply by William Douglas May 14. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Spam from Ronald Morris adding you as a friend on the Douglas Archives.Continue
Blog Posts
Trove Scotland, a digital gateway to Scotland’s historic environment
Posted by William Douglas on July 12, 2025 at 10:13 0 Comments 0 Likes
Trove Scotland is a digital gateway to Scotland’s historic environment, bringing together a rich tapestry of archives, images, and records from across the country. It’s part of Historic Environment Scotland’s initiative to make cultural heritage more accessible and engaging.
🔍 What You’ll Find on Trove.Scot
- Over 1.2 million images from national archives
- More than 335,000 records of places…
Bye bye
Posted by Bruce Stewart Morton on June 28, 2025 at 18:22 4 Comments 1 Like
The use of Google, Facebook, Twitter etc has caused me to re-think my membership. I can't join the DNA group because it requires a "social media" login.
After 40 years in IT I refuse to use social media to continue my research.
Norman Douglas - portrait for sale
Posted by William Douglas on June 25, 2025 at 9:24 0 Comments 1 Like
This pencil drawing is one of at least two known versions of Michael Ayrton’s portrait of the sitter, Norman Douglas (1868–1952). Douglas, Ayrton's sitter was best known for his 1917 novel South Wind and various other travel books. The 1948 version of his portrait by Michael Ayrton titled 'Norman on Capri' is from the estate of…
Block Wall - William Douglas, Longford Tasmania
Posted by Rhonda on June 20, 2025 at 2:47 0 Comments 0 Likes
Thank you for allowing me to join your group. I have hit a brick wall not far into my search of 'my' William Douglas who lived in Longford Tasmania and dies at the age of 40 in 1878. He married Eliza Mathewson.
I can find no birth records. Marriage record does include parentage etc....there is another tasmanian William Douglas with parentage but the dates don't marry up. My journey keeps going.
I can find no birth records. Marriage record does include parentage etc....there is another tasmanian William Douglas with parentage but the dates don't marry up. My journey keeps going.
Photos
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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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