March 2014 Blog Posts (13)

I missed this yesterday!

When we think of Illinois politicians today we are reminded of those who are currently serving prison sentences — 4 of the last 7 Governors were residents of the old graybar hotel. And too many of those who aren’t in jail are flitting about in ecstatic confusion doing errands for Wall Street.

But there was a day not so very long ago when…

William Carney’s brave actions were honored when he was bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor. An affidavit from Lewis Douglas retells Carney’s actions.

The actions of Sgt. William Carney of the Fifty-fourth Massachusetts Colored Regiment at the assault on Fort Wagner, South Carolina, on July 18, 1863, are perhaps the best-known example of an…

I have been working on the Douglas-Pennant branch, filling in some of the gaps.

Along the way, I have been asked to identify where Sheila Douglas-Pennant fits into the line.  The 1937 American (Florida) press cutting below suggests that she was the BBC's first television compere (Not commerce!) and is the daughter of the Speaker of the House of Commons.…

March 22, 2014 Mark & Cora Peterson-- Kern County Scottish Games, Bakersfield, CA



April 5, 2014 Chuck Mirabile-- Colorado Tartan Day, McIlovoy Park0Old Town, Arvada, CO



April 5, 2014 Diana Kay Stell-- Louisiana Tartan Festival, Minden, LA



April 5-6, 2014 Phil & Loretta Morton-- San Antonio Scottish Highland Games, Helotes, TX



April 11-13, 2014 Diana Kay Stell-- Arkansas Scottish Festival,…

My family research has always been slow. I hit brick walls, I'm sure everyone knows about those, then I hit that brick wall with my head till I have to stop. I take breaks simply because everyone so often I need a break. Still I always come back to it. Why? Well I love to find things out about where I come from. My background is mainly a mix of Scots/Irish and German/Norwegian so it presents problems. Still sometimes you find that once piece that opens up a whole avenue of places and people…

Henrietta Edwards contributes "My father, John Lang, was born in 1907 in New Trows, about quarter of a mile from Auchlochan. He often spoke of the Douglas family and their kindness to his family. At the age of 12 he was 'post boy' for them. This meant he took their pony and trap each weekday evening, to Lesmahagow to meet the 6pm train and collect their mail. He was rewarded by being allowed to present himself at the kitchen door, where the cook would give him a scone and a drink of milk.…

Almost 600 people have already signed a petition to stop the destruction of Douglas Support grounds.

Sandra Dolan said "No-one knew that this was going to happen until it happened. They must have started on Monday afternoon because nothing was happening on Monday…

Carver Richard Douglas, Poet Kathleen Jamie and Battle of Bannockburn Project Director David McAllister at final line of poem-inscription at Rotunda monument

The last word of new, commemorative poem has been inscribed into the round beam crowning the 1960s monument at the Bannockburn heritage site near Stirling.

The poem was written by…

Hal Douglas, who has died aged 90, was the “titan of trailers” - a voice actor whose gravel-toned decrees whetted audiences’ appetites for more than 1,000 forthcoming feature films, teasing out the explosive action, maudlin melodrama and intergalactic showdowns coming to a screen near them soon.

Read his obituary: …

A chest of drawers is being sold on ebay.  With three drawers, it is covered in leather.

Does anyone recognise Andrew Martin Douglas, the maker?

Can you trace your lineage to any of the Earls of Angus, barons of Drumlanrig or the Earls of Morton?

Do you have strong links going back to around 1600?

The Douglas DNA project has accumulated some funds in the 'kitty' to help those who might otherwise be bale to afford testing of their DNA to help prove lines back to early Douglases.

You can read more about the group here: …

Sally Douglas has kindly supplied me with yet more details of Douglas clock and watchmakers.  I am continually astonished at how many there were.

These are collected together as lists, and no attempt has yet been made to link the page together as narrative. As a result, if you are seeking a clock or watch maker, you will need to use the search function…

Read more: http://j.mp/1jNRX2G

Sir Russell Drysdale was inspired to paint his work West Wyalong in 1949 after going for a drink at the Tattersall's Hotel on the main street of the town that gave the work its…