Theory: William was the son of Robert, b1588

[William Douglas]

The following has been contributed:
Robert may have been an illigitimate son of Archibald Douglas, (2nd son William Douglas of Whittingham), and who died in London about after 1602. He was Scottish Ambassador to Eliz 1. Robert was born after the death of Jane Hepburn or perhaps the cause of her death -but she did not go to London with him. Perhaps Robert joined Arhcibald in London or was born there to an unknown mistress. Since William is from Ringstead Robert would probably be a politically displaced Scot.
Robert may have been born to Alexander Douglas son of Archibald of Kilspindie. (The popular genealogy sites link Robert to an Alexander) This Archibald spent much time in London but it seems his son Alexander inherited and sold property in Scotland. It doesn't seem likely to me he would move back. No other Archibald, Alexander or Robert I can find have any business in England - or -their birth time doesn't fit - or their offspring are known to stay in Scotland.

[Edward Fenner Douglass III]

William,

Please provide additional identification information for Archibald Douglas and William Douglas of Whittingham mentioned in your post. I can't find them in your database without additional information.

It appears that you are developing a third theory of the ancestry of William, b. 1610. The other two theories were developed by Bob Green where the father of Robert b. 1588 is either Archibald Douglas of Pittendreich (mother: Elizabeth Sutherland) or Alexander Douglas, the Provost of Elgin (mother: Agnes Leslie).

Best regards,

Ed Douglass
yDNA kit No. 78870

[William Douglas]

Not my theory, Edward, but one provided by a contributor, who will, I hope, put their name to it when they are ready.

Here is the link to William and his son Archibald: http://www.douglashistory.co.uk/famgen/getperson.php?personID=I3294...

I think Bob Green's theory comes from an old family bible that tells the Mayflower 2nd voyage story? Here is a reference to it: http://www.ancestorhunt.com/genealogy_douglas.htm

Just been interupted, so may come back to this!

William