William Douglas's Blog (611)

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:

Congratulations to  Richard Philip DOUGLAS CB on whom was conferred a Knighthood in The King's Birthday Honours.

Sir Richard Philip Douglas CB (born 20 November 1956 in York, Yorkshire) is a British former senior civil servant and influential health leader. He previously served as Director General for Finance, Strategy and the NHS at the Department of Health.

His knighthood is in recognition of services to the National Health Service (Rainham, Kent)…

I think the answer is 'Rejected'.

In May 1857, the Indian subcontinent erupted into violence as, what the British call, the Indian Mutiny began its bloody struggle. This pivotal event, also known as the Sepoy Rebellion or the First War of Indian Independence, marked a significant turning point in India’s colonial history.

Among the early casualties was Captain Charles Robert George Douglas, 32nd Bengal Native Infantry, the Assistant Resident, and commandant of the Palace Guard, was murdered by mutineers at…

The Mary, Queen of Scots Casket stands as one of Scotland's most revered and enigmatic treasures. Its allure lies not only in its exquisite craftsmanship but also in its enduring connection to the controversial queen herself.



For over 300 years, a handwritten letter telling the casket’s history has been stored within it. This note records…

We are probably all familiar with this depiction of Sir Archibald Douglas.  Until now, I was unaware that it is taken from of 'The Book of the Medieval Knight' published by Cassel PLC. It was published in the 20th century, so not the book of more recent origin.



Can anyone help me identify a seller of this publication?



Sir…

One of the notable Douglas families is that of the descendants of Rev. Robert Douglas, long-serving minister in Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, Scotland.

Son of Robert Douglas of Barloch, Rev. Robert Douglas served as a pillar of Kilbarchan for over four decades. Following in the footsteps of Patrick Maxwell, he took the mantle of minister…

Carmen, the daughter of Mrs James Douglas, was presented at court in 1925. 

A debutante presentation at court is a formal ceremony where young women of high social standing are introduced to the monarch or head of state. It marks their official entry into society and is often seen as a rite of passage.

The presentation is not…

Until 1794, the Royal Artillery hired civilian horses and drivers to haul its guns. In that year, the Corps of Captains' Commissaries and Drivers was formed to provide these services. This was reformed as the Corps of Gunner Drivers in 1801. In 1806 these became the Royal Artillery Drivers. In 1822 these were disbanded and from that date all men…

As you know, there has been much discussion on the Douglas Scotti of Italy in this forum.  This has generated many articles on the extended family.

I have been restructuring the pages on Italy in an attempt to bring some cohesion. It will take time for the search engines to catch up.

Here is the main page: https://www.douglashistory.co.uk/history/italy_home.html you should be able to find everything else…

Here at Castledykes, with the rivers Nith and Criffle visible, can be seen Robert Bruce raising his standard at the Castle of Dumfries, freshly seized from its English garrison. Sir Roger Kirkpatrick of Closeburn with sword in hand, and Sir John Lindsay acclaim their leader.

Earlier on the same day, February the 10th 13O6, and at the other end of Dumfries within the Greyfriars' Monastery, Bruce had imperiously stabbed Sir John Comyn of Dalswinton, his rival claimant of the…

Lord James Douglas was supposedly given Otterburn Hall in 1870 as recompense for the death of Lord James Douglas, who fought at the Battle of Otterburn, and was killed near Otterburn Tower (originally a castle), itself founded in 1086, and rebuilt in 1830.

The house, now in a state of disrepair is for sale.

But who is this 'Lord James Douglas'?

Read more>>>…

A three-bedroom apartment in Palazzo Scotti in Castelbosco Marazzani is offered for sale by Sothebys International.



Palazzo Scotti in Castelbosco Marazzani is a historic building dating back to the first half of the 1700s. During the second half of the 18th century, the Romagna architect Cosimo Morelli intervened to redesign the atrium portal and the colonnaded courtyard, while an architectural firm from Piacenza oversaw the renovation of the private home. Inside the Palace, which…