All Blog Posts (900)

Another former Douglas property has come onto the market.

Strathenry House was built for Robert Douglas Esq. local landowner, and is described in the New Statistical Account as "a very handsome building, in the style of the old English manor house of Queen Elizabeth's time".

Strathendry Castle, now superseded by the modern mansion, is a…

I have been rooting around in the French Ministry of Culture's database (I know, I know) and found a photograph of the tomb of Jean-Louis Désiré, Baron of Bois-David, and his wife Christine-Hélène Jeanne of Douglas, which is in St. Martin Parish Churchyard, Wilwisheim, Bas-Rhin, Alsace - presumably their burial place.

I now know that Thede Boisdavid…

I have included this article on the strength of his marriage - and because I like his portrait.



John Stewart, Earl of Buchan (c. 1381 – 17 August 1424) was a Scottish nobleman and soldier who fought alongside Scotland's French allies during the Hundred Years War. In 1419 he was sent to France by his father the Duke of Albany, Regent of Scotland, with…

Our congratulations go to Steven Douglas. Group chief executive Officer Altair. For services to the Housing Industry. (London) who has been appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in HM The Queen's 2019 birthday…

https://canmore.org.uk/site/35644/kellie-castle

https://canmore.org.uk/event/691366…

Hello readers,

Well, after years of research and frustrating roadblocks I have finally pieced together my first article documenting my branch of the Douglas family. This is only part 1, I'm sure in time I'll add more to the story and what I'm documenting here has been a remarkable personal journey. 

I hope for the reader you may find some take away advice if you're currently or planning to do research into your own family history. I am not a genealogical researcher by any…

Presented as the ultimate ‘off grid’ residential and forestry estate in the south of Scotland, Blackhouse Estate, which lies in the Tweedsmuir Hills on the northern edge of the Yarrow valley, in the ancient Ettrick Forest, is for sale.

The Ettrick Forest or the 'Forest' as it was known has long connection with the earlier Scottish kings as a hunting area. The Douglas family were seen as the keepers of this area and it is after this family that the Douglas Burn is named. As…

Hi All- I’m trying to find the archives that house the personal and professional papers of Captain Sir Charles Douglas, RN for the years 1776-1778. I’m particularly interested in the correspondence between Sir Charles and the Naval officers under his command. It is possible they may be archived with those of his son, General Sir Howard Douglas. (Does anyone know if that is correct?) Do any of you know where either the Sir Charles Douglas or Sir Howard Douglas papers are archived? If so,…

THE BANKRUPTCY ACT, 1861. ORDER OF DISCHARGE. In the County Court of Glamorganshire, holden at Swansea. TN the Matter of THOMAS TWIDLE DRYSDALE, of J_ Swansea, in the county of Glamorgan, Ship-owner, Dealer, and Chapman: and lately a Partner in the firm of Drysdale and Bergh, of Swansea aforesaid, Ship Chandlers and Sail Makers, a Bankrupt: Whereas at a Public Sitting of the Court held this day the Court granted an Order of Discharge to the said Bankrupt, Notice is hereby given, that an…

The Balliol Roll, the earliest roll of arms for Scotland. It contains thirty-five shields of Scottish noblemen arranged beneath the arms of Sir Edward Balliol, king of Scots (c. 1282-1364), and was almost certainly composed for that ruler. Edward Balliol, the last of the Anglo-Scots, was the son of John de Balliol (King John of Scotland) and Isabella de…

How the MacKenzie-Douglas line came about

The Daughter of Sir Robert 6th Baronet of…

Chevalier Douglas, Alexandre-Pierre de Mackensie-Douglas, baron de Kildin, was a Scottish Jacobite in French service He was sent on a secret mission to Russia where he was to meet Empress Elizabeth and conspire with the pro-French faction against the Habsburg monarchy.

He was to be accompanied by a young woman, his 'neice', to provide cover for his…

Looking for a connection between the three Douglass, Thomas, William, and James, who in 1503 changed their surname to Drysdale to escape persecution, and James Drysdale, below.

My family tree shows a James Drysdale married to a Christine Curry (no dates) having five children, Henry, George, Janet, Agnes, and James Keith Drysdale. James Keith died 11/11/1917, and was married twice, first to Margaret Browne, then Mary Pearce. From the marriage with Mary Pearce,  they had three children,…

From time to time, the Douglas gypsy connection is raised.

Best known was Charlie Douglas (best known to me, anyway) who revelled in the title "King of the Gypsies", but there are other families.

Thomas Douglas, Tinker, thief. Resident of. Bannockburn, Stirlingshire was transported to America in…

On the 29th January in 1856, the Victoria Cross was instituted by H.M. Queen Victoria. The medal is the highest award for bravery that a British and Commonwealth serviceman can be presented. At the time of its institution it was written that the…

Contributed by Ben Moses (Pictured):  In 1964 Charlie Douglas was still working under his real name, Doug China, and was in management or sales at WINZ Radio in Miami when I started to work there as a part time DJ. I was in the Army at the…

Our congratulations go to:

• Susan DOUGLAS-SCOTT Chair, Independent Living Fund Scotland,  who was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to Human Rights, Disability and LGBT Issues. (Prestwick, Ayrshire and Arran)

• David DOUGLAS, who was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for public and political service 

But can't you Douglas help defend it from encroachment of industrialization by wind turbines, since you were overseeing it as Earls of Angus?

Do not think much of James V, he had a James Elwald which feel is one of my relatives hung. Of course today people call him James Elliot, and Douglas historians accuse him of killing a Cessford, likely I feel because the Douglas at this period of time where loosing power to the Bauld Buccleuch and the Ker of Cessford. 

James V also had Gilnockie hung which included his gallant company and among the  Eliot (ie Ellot Elwald).…