William Douglas's Blog (638)

14 October 2014 - "The Grandfather Clock Connection"

 Our talk on 14 October was given by Mrs Irene Hopkins and had the intriguing title of “The Grandfather Clock Connection".   Like many of us on retirement, she became immersed in family history, particularly that of her husband, Alec, who has a long family association with Darvel where they still live.

 Some…

Clan Douglas Society of North America at Scottish Fest Orange County CA. Costa Mesa California, on May 23 and May 24, 2015

A recurring theme here in the Douglas Archives is the tale of Isabella Douglas, who married Benjamin Fortner.

Who she was remains a mystery, though there are several theories

Did she run away from a stern father? Did her lover fail to join her on the voyage to America? Was the ship boarded by pirates? Was she sold to the highest bidder?

Are you a descendant of one of her 12 children?

Can anyone throw light on…

For many American museums, the Harlem Renaissance painter Aaron Douglas (1898-1979) is an almost Vermeer-like figure, whose shadowy, graphically powerful depictions of African-American themes appear so rarely on the market that when canvases surface, curators pounce. And that is exactly what the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art in Washington did…

Identifying all the Douglas clock and watchmaker members of the family is still proving a difficult task. Details of results to date can be found here: http://www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/Businesses/clock_and_watch_makers.htm

There are also some blogs in this community forum.

Most recently, we have been working to identify a William Douglas who was making clocks in the early 19th…

Rob Douglas of Vineyard Haven defended his 2014 Sosh Cup title and won the 2015 trophy at the Mondial du Vent, a speed-sailing competition held in Leucate, France, between April 18 and 23. Currently the fastest sailor in American history, Mr. Douglas scored three firsts and one second at the Sosh Cup, held on the Mediterranean Sea, with winds averaging between 18 and 28…

I have received an interesting inquiry:

I am descended from a man named Henry Downs, of England, whose wife was named Jane Douglas. They were born in the late 1600s. Jane was said to be from Castle Douglas, Scotland. Family lore states that Jane may have been banished from the family for marrying Downs. I am looking for information about this couple, and would…

Teenager Rachel Douglas was among 1,800 millworkers from Ferguslie Thread Mills, which was owned by JP Coats, travelled from Paisley to Portpatrick, Wigtonshire, on July 3, 1909 to enjoy a Sma' Shot Day trip. The workers went on 3 trains from Paisley Canal railway station to get to Dunskey Estate in the village for picnics and sports but Rachel, who had travelled with her…

I am attempting to identify William Douglass.  He is described as a Scotchman, and the nephew of Francis Jerdone, He married Mary, daughter of William Christian and Susan Browne.

Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser (Nicolson),

Richmond, January 11, 1787.

Ten Guineas Reward. RUNAWAY from Providence Forge in New Kent county JIM or JAMES, a light coloured mulatto, a blacksmith by trade, about 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, bow legged, a likely well made fellow, has lost…

Political historian Dr Amy Blakeway explores the dangers and challenges facing those who acted as regent during the minority of a king or queen in sixteenth-century Scotland.

When we think of the sixteenth century, most of us immediately remember the famous monarchs who ruled throughout Europe: in Scotland, the Stewarts, and, further afield, their English cousins the Tudors and French relations the Valois.

The reality was somewhat different. For fifty years of the sixteenth…

Congratulation to Elijah Douglas, who took firsts in the long jump (22 feet, 2.75 inches), 110-meter hurdles (14.61 seconds) and 300 hurdles (39.07), where he edged Lockport's Jake Porter (39.12) in Chicago at the weekend.

The Douglas Archives now exceed 8,000 files. The genealogy database exceeds 170,000 entries.  Moving to a more modern format has become even more difficult!

Attempting to trace Douglases who lived in New Deer, Aberdeenshire, I came across the following:

In Oct 1977, The Glasgow Herald reported that Mr James Charleson Douglas, 20 Back Road. Dailly, an 83-year old Ayrshire man, who was married on March 2, 1928 was granted a divorce from Mrs Janet Douglas, address unknown. At the time of the marriage, Mr Douglas was serving with the palestine police. They lived together for a year.

For sale on eBay April 2015:

Pair of Medals with…

Cora E. Douglas, age 101, of LaFollette passed away Monday, March 23, 2015. Oldest member of East LaFollette Baptist Church. Preceded in death by husband, Rev. H. R Douglas; parents, Horace M. & Martha Manervia Marsee Moyers; children, Mary Ruth Summers, Lora June England, Joyce Ann Douglas; several brothers and sisters.

Survivors:

Daughters: Georgia…

Banished is a British drama television serial created by Jimmy McGovern. The seven-part serial first aired on 5 March 2015 on BBC Two and was inspired by events in the eighteenth century when Britain established a penal colony in Australia.

Set in the first penal colony founded by the British in New South Wales, Australia, in the year 1788; in which the British convicts live alongside…

Walter Douglas, a member of the Essex Scottish Regiment, 2nd Division out of Windsor, was awarded France's highest award of distinction.

The National Order of the Legion of Honour was given to Canadian veterans who fought for the liberation of France on D-Day and in the battle of Normandy to acknowledge the 70th anniversary of the campaign in 2014.

Can…

Emily Louisa Jane Douglas (1867-1960) 93

Emily Louisa Jane Douglas was born 3 September 1867 in Yass, New South Wales, Australia to David Douglas (1832-1887) and Margaret Duffy (1832-1919) and died 2 July 1960 in Bondi, New South Wales, Australia of unspecified causes. She married Harry Hinton Baglin (1866-1915) 1 January 1890 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Sholto George Douglas, 19th Earl of Morton (1844-1935) 91

Sholto George Douglas…

The epitaph below throws up some interesting issues.

It is normally thought that the Baillie was born in 1612, the year of the death of his presumed father, Sir James Douglas, 8th of Cavers. Here, it appears that he was born c1616.

The second matter is that there is no reference to a family - no wife and children mentioned. Yet is thought to be the ancestor of the Douglas family of Yarm.

I have not been able to trace his cousin, Richard Douglas, one of his heirs…