William Douglas's Blog (625)

Continuing my research into the arrival of the Douglas families into southern and mid American states.

Among the waves of settlers shaping the interior of South Carolina, the Douglas families stood as part of a larger Scots-Irish migration. Driven by the promise of affordable land and a fresh start, they journeyed southward from Virginia and…

The wind whispers through the heathered hills, carrying echoes of battles fought and loyalties sworn. Here, in the very soil of Scotland, lie the bones of our bone, the flesh of our flesh. To trace the lineage of the Douglas Clan is not merely an academic exercise; it is a visceral connection to the very essence of who we are. It ignites a profound pride in…

Gilbert Douglas, a West India merchant from Glasgow, left a legacy that intertwines the complexities of colonial enterprise, familial bonds, and acts of liberation. Born on May 28, 1749, Douglas played a prominent role in the transatlantic economy as the owner of multiple plantations, including the Mount Pleasant sugar plantation in St. Vincent and the Fairfield cotton plantation in Demerara. Though remembered for his wealth and social standing, a significant chapter of his life unfolded in…

In a newsletter in July 2022 (See link below), we exlored the possibility that the Douglases were decended from ancient Egypt. This was not the first time that the story had surfaced, but as I was then researching the Douglases in Italy, and the story also surfaced there, it seemed appropriate to investigate.

Of course, this is many centuries ago, and although the Egyptians have records going back that far in time, the Europeans do not, so the story has passed verbally from generation…

Around three centuries ago, a significant endeavor was undertaken in parts of Ulster by a remarkable gentleman named [Thomas] Raven. His task was nothing short of extraordinary—a meticulous and comprehensive survey of the lands granted by King James [I] to his loyal subject and planter, James Hamilton.

According to Mr. John Stevenson, Hamilton "lives on in the portrait preserved at Castle Ward, and, fortunately, Raven's surveys of his extensive estates from 1625, as the land became…

My father claimed Ghengis Khan as an ancestor.  After a long conversation with Jackie Stoddard today, I decided to investigate.

Human history weaves a rich tapestry of interconnected lineages and shared legacies, from the ancient migrations of Haplogroup R-M269 to the towering influence of Genghis Khan and the proud heritage of Clan Douglas. When we know that members of Clan…

Someone has very kindly sent me a copy of The Heraldry of the Douglases.

But I have no idea who I should be thanking.  Please get in touch so that I can respons appropriately.

This is beyond my budget:…

An old friend died recently, and as I was researching our family connections, as I do, I came across the following story.

A Legacy of Loyalty and Honor: The Jardine Family's Complex History

The Jardine family, hailing from the picturesque town of Applegarthtown in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, has a rich and complex history that spans centuries. At the heart of this tale is Alexander Jardine of Applegirth, a Scottish landowner and soldier who played…

Genealogy holds significant value in modern family life for several reasons:

Connecting with Roots: Discovering family history provides a sense of identity and belonging. Knowing where you come from can strengthen family ties and create a sense of pride in your heritage.

Understanding Health Risks: Tracing family medical history can reveal patterns of inherited health conditions. This information can be crucial for preventative healthcare and making informed medical…

When you think about it, family truly is everything. When times are good, we want to celebrate with those who mean the most to us. When the daily grind is over, it's family that we come home to. If times are tough, it’s the comforting support of family that we crave. And at the end, it’s family we wish to have by our side. So much of who we are and what we achieve stems from our ancestors; it's natural to turn to family because it's simply in our nature.

Preserving…

As some will know, I have been struggling with my webhost for a few months to provide an efficent service for all Douglas history and genealogy researchers. The site will be moving to a new host, so there will be some loss of service in the meantime.

Clan is Scotland's oldest and largest online Scottish heritage store, offering a range of traditional Scottish goods. Their collection includes tartans and custom-made kilts, luxurious cashmere and tweed items, homeware, gifts, children's wear, and accessories. Clan provides free worldwide shipping for orders over a certain amount and regularly features seasonal collections and sales. Their dedication to Scottish heritage is evident in every product they offer. 10% is automatically…

As many will know, one theory on the origins of the Douglas family is that we are descended from Freskin the Fleming.  Looking for early connections between the Douglases and the Freskins, I have been rooting around in the Freskin one name study.

However, there is not much there to help.  Indeed, the study is looking for someone to take over the project as it seems to have stalled.

The Friskens/Freskins are a Scottish family, heavily based around the Borderlands and the River…

Researching the Douglas of Garvald family, I encountered the Douglas de Fenzi family

Confusing press reports - Douglas of Garvald - The Douglas Archives (ning.com)

Returning to that research, I found a South African army officer with an interesting background.

A gravemarker records the following:…

Nancy Visima, née Aitken, living in Ontario, Canada, is a mother of two and grandmother of two. She been researching her family history for nearly 30 years.

Her roots are entirely British — her father’s family hailed from Northeast Scotland, primarily Aberdeenshire, and her mother’s heritage was a mix of English, Scottish and Irish.

Nancy's 3G-grandfather was William James Douglas who enlisted in the 10th Regiment of Foot in Ireland in 1822. He and Mary Augusta…

https://www.nms.ac.uk/discover-catalogue/three-tartan-coats-from-the-georgian-period

Sir John James, 3rd Baronet , was the son of Sir George Douglas 2nd Baronet of Springwood. .

Douglas (1792-1836) joined the 15th Light…

I am often asked about travel tips.

Nothing here for a Douglas, but a nice contribution from Gretchen Butts, noetheless: