The Douglas Archives

A collection of historical and genalogical records

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 century, Captain William Douglas, a sailor from Scotland and his wife Jestina Downes with their six sons and two daughters, were searching for fertile land to settle on like many others living in the parish. It was a period of great migration as individuals moved across the wood lands in search of water. The family finally found a spring in an area known as Bud Hole. The area was owned by Benal Burgh, Captain Douglas and his family claimed the area which is now known as Douglas Castle, and settled there. The Douglas family was the first to settlein the area. Edward Douglas, the ninth of ten children was born to Captain William Douglas and Jestina Downes in June 1902, was the first to be born in the district.

Agriculture has been the economic mainstay of the community for decades and Douglas Castle district in particular has been called the "bread basket" for the parish, well known for its production and supply of food produce, especially vegetables across the island.

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Comment by William Douglas on August 19, 2016 at 17:51

In the 18th century, Captain William Douglas, a sailor from Scotland and his wife Jestina Downes with their six sons and two daughters...

Edward Douglas, the ninth of ten children was born to Captain William Douglas and Jestina Downes in June 1902

There is something wrong here.

When was Edward born?  1802?

Comment by Dionne M. Douglas on August 14, 2012 at 21:17

I just uncovered this re: above comment - I just got this info from the Douglas Facebook page:
Children of william and Justina Edward Douglas ( uncle eddie). Burris Douglas ( dogwood father). Sonny Douglas ( u

ncle son). Clifford Douglas ( mass Fud) David Douglas ( mass papa, bark wood father) John Douglas ( booty, mass webby father). Missy douglas ( mass cucho and miss minnet mother). Samuel Douglas ( uncle mike father). Matilda Douglas There were 9 children one set of twins.
Comment by Dionne M. Douglas on August 14, 2012 at 17:47

This is absolutely amazing. Thank you so much for this - I appreciate it very much - You have no idea.
I was born in Canada but my family is from Douglas Castle in Jamaica. My grand-father's name is Stanley Douglas. I heard that his father's name is Finadatlar Douglas who married my great grandmother of German ancestry - her name maiden name is Mary Dietrich (aka mimi) but after time - she became Mary Braham.
I heard that she had 3 Douglas children Stanley Douglas, Solin Douglas and Wilford Douglas (aka healthy).

I've also heard of a George Douglas (91 Yrs) of Douglas Castle, St. Ann, Jamaica who is the Grand-son of William "Captain" Douglas - The William "Captain" douglas who was born in Scotland and migrated to Jamaica. I'm not sure how I fit in to that connection.
I would love to be able to trace how I am realated to William "Captain" Douglas of Scotland but I heard my great-grandfather died very early so nobody I know has any information.

Theres a Douglas Castle website  http://www.douglascastle.org/ and Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/121694477954425/ (called Douglas Worldwide and Jamaica connections).
I hope I can get some answers from this site.

Making conections

The more information you can give about the people you mention, the more chance there is of someone else connecting with your family.

Dates and places of births, deaths and marriages all help to place families.

Professions also help.

'My great-grandmother mother was a Douglas from Montrose' does not give many clues to follow up! But a bit of flesh on the bones makes further research possible. But if we are told who she married, what his profession was and where the children were baptised, then we can get to work.

Maybe it is time to update the information in your profile?


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