Trying to Trace Through My Douglass line of Ancestors.

[Matthew Raymond Smith]

I recently turned 40 and chose to honor the occasion by taking a lengthy vacation to the UK. I've always wanted to visit, and I know it plays a significant role in my ancestry. I took a DNA test with Ancestry around a year ago. Unexpectedly, I discovered that I am a whooping 31% Scottish! My wife started creating a tree for me on Ancestry because she loves that kind of thing.

I had hoped to learn more about my ancestry on the trip. Sadly, we spent so much time sightseeing that we didn't have time to visit the villages and cemeteries where my family may have been buried. Additionally, I should have done more genealogy study before the trip. Standing in Scotland, surrounded by the towns, structures, and legends, I could feel my Scottish patriotism growing. I was even more intrigued by this after seeing the clan badges, literature, and tartans. I'm kicking myself so hard for putting off finishing the homework.

Your grandmother's maiden name was Douglass, my wife informed me. On your tree, we have identified at least six generations of Douglasses. Dougas is your clan. But they are? I couldn't help but wonder. Is it really so easy? That can't be so easy.

Last Saturday, we arrived home from our trip. I haven't been able to shake it off since. I discovered this amazing website while using Google. I'm hoping that these discussion boards, blogs, and the rest of you lovely people can aid me in discovering who I am.

Douglass comes from my maternal grandmother Helen Grace Douglass born 1922 Mosby, MO, died 2001 in Denver, CO from Kansas City, MO. Now, I don't know how to list out family tree's properly so bear with me.

Her father was John Douglass born 1873 Ray Co., Missouri, died 1940 Kansas City, MO

His father was William Andrew Douglass 1841 Ritchie Co. W Virginia, died 1919 Denison, Kansas

His father was John Douglass Jr. born 1806 Chevoit Hills, Southerland, Scotland, died 1888 Denison, Kansas

I was hoping that if I were to post this on the archives, perhaps others might have details to fill out or continue the story.

[William Douglas]

Mattew, I hope you enjoy this journey though your family history.  I just want to pick up on one line:
 John Douglass Jr. born 1806 Chevoit Hills, Southerland, Scotland, died 1888 Denison, Kansas

The Cheviot Hills or sometimes The Cheviots, are a range of uplands straddling the Anglo-Scottish border between Northumberland and the Scottish Borders.; Sutherland is a county in northern Scotland.

There is an interesting connection here because Cheviot farmers were brought to Sutherland to look after the sheep following the clearances. There is a Cheviot breed of sheep.

This rather widens the scope of your search, I am sorry to say.

Yours aye,

William

PS  I think you should have a look at Kathryn Pegelow's amazing site: http://www.thetintypeshop.com/ ;
I think that she researched the Douglas family in Denison