William Douglas's Blog (620)

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:

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…