William Douglas's Blog – August 2012 Archive (7)

Historical documents, including Ordnance Survey (OS) Name Books and Scotland’s Servant and Hearth Tax rolls dating back some 300 years, are now available online on the ScotlandsPlaces website.

The records are among new additions to a treasure trove of historical information held on the site, which brings together…

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I have just come across this useful list of research tools, from Appalachian American Genealogy:

William Douglas (died 1791) was a Scottish ship captain and maritime fur trader during the late 18th century. He worked with the British trader and Captain John Meares, commanding the ship Iphigenia Nubiana. He was involved in the Nootka Crisis of 1789, which brought Britain and Spain to the brink of war. A few years later he was captain of the American ship Grace. In 1791 he partnered with Captain John Kendrick in an attempt to open trade with Japan.

Iphigenia Bay, in Alaska, is…

Seven brothers migrated to Jamaica and settled in the parish of St. Ann and St. Elizabeth. The Eldest Brother, William 'Captain' Douglas settled in River Wood on land which he purchased from Lord Sutton Brown . He renamed the place Douglas Castle.

As a part of its wealthy history, the story is told of how the Community of Douglas Castle was settled. In the 18th…

Mr Douglas,

I am writing on behalf of the National Records of Scotland who are very interested in obtaining up-to-date contact details in relation to the Sandilands of Eastbarns Writs deposited some time ago by W. S. Douglas of Dundarrach.

I would be very grteful if you could get back to me at kirsty.martin@nas.gov.uk at your earliest convenience.

Thank you and best wishes,

Kirsty Martin

Congratulations to Gabrielle Douglas, one of the USA gymnastic team who won gold at the London Olympics.