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William Douglas
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William Douglas's Discussions

Mapping

Started this discussion. Last reply by Jackie Stoddard May 30, 2018. 1 Reply

Douglas of Burnbrae

Started this discussion. Last reply by William Douglas Dec 7, 2020. 1 Reply

Clan Gathering 2014

Started this discussion. Last reply by William Douglas May 1, 2013. 2 Replies

 

William Douglas's Page

Latest Activity

William Douglas liked Ronald Drysdale's discussion Execution of Drysdale sisters for murder - York 1647
18 hours ago
William Douglas left a comment for Margaret (Peg) Douglas Perry
"Thank you for the update. Are you a member of the Ireland group?"
18 hours ago
William Douglas commented on William Douglas's group Douglas families in Ireland
"It is hard work searching here, but it might prove useful. Let us know of any successes! Catholic Parish registers: https://registers.nli.ie/?locale=en ;"
Monday
William Douglas commented on Flavia Douglas's group The Douglas Family In Fiji
"Choylin Yim Douglas has been appointed (May 2024) as Minister for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism for the Solomon Islands. Is there a connection between the families?"
Sunday
William Douglas posted a blog post

Freskin the Fleming - then and now

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 Tweed. The name…See More
Saturday
John Marksbury left a comment for William Douglas
"Thanks for the tip. I have established a Marksbury/Marksberry tree with factual evidence tied to Samuel Marksbury of Virginia/Kentucky who served in the militia or army in the American Revolution but who his parents are remains unverified. It is a…"
Oct 30
Nicole Mathers joined William Douglas's group
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Australian immigrants

We are looking for the ancestry of early immigrants to Australia.
Oct 30
Nicole Mathers joined William Douglas's group
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Douglas families in Ireland

Researching members of the Douglas family in Ireland is notoriously difficult.  So many records have been destroyed, and the families often moved on to America, or elsewhere.This group is for those tracing their ancestors in Ireland.See More
Oct 30

Profile Information

Which Douglas line are you researching? Dates and places help making connections.
All areas of Douglas history and genealogy are of interest to me.

I am keen to track back family lines that are considered 'brick walls', and hope to be able to do this through the networking opportunities that arise through media such as this.
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Scotland,worldwide,history,genealogy
dna haplotype
R1b1b2
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http://www.douglashistory.co.uk

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Freskin the Fleming - then and now

Posted on November 2, 2024 at 12:24 0 Comments

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…

Continue

Douglas de Fenzi

Posted on October 14, 2024 at 10:28 0 Comments

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:…

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Sons and Daughters of the Regiment - a Douglas dynasty

Posted on October 11, 2024 at 9:30 1 Comment

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…

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Tartan coat worn by Sir John James Scott-Douglas, c.1822

Posted on September 3, 2024 at 14:00 0 Comments

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…

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9 days in Scotland

Posted on August 5, 2024 at 15:30 0 Comments

I am often asked about travel tips.

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

Just finished a 9-day adventure in Scotland all by myself and it was thrilling and empowering.…

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Comment Wall (474 comments)

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At 16:43 on October 30, 2024, John Marksbury said…

Thanks for the tip. I have established a Marksbury/Marksberry tree with factual evidence tied to Samuel Marksbury of Virginia/Kentucky who served in the militia or army in the American Revolution but who his parents are remains unverified. It is a pleasant thought there may be a family tie to the distinguished Douglas clan but so far what is out there comes from research based on hearsay as far as I can tell. Time for a an advanced DNA test!

At 1:48 on October 30, 2024, Nicole Mathers said…

Hi William, I am still working on confirming my research but what I do know so far is that John and James Douglas arrived in Australia on the Great Britain in 1864.  They resided in Laanecoorie and Woodstock in Victoria.

John Douglas is my great great grandfather who resided in Lannecoorie.  There are some references and photos of his family home and him in the below links.

https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/5d44d45721ea673c5848dddb

https://victoriancollections.net.au/items/5d44ded821ea673c5854aaaf

http://www.tarnagulla.com/photogallery/gallery3/index.php/District-Towns/Laanecoorie/DSC_0790

There is also a book available in the State Library of Victoria, "Douglas, a family history 1843 - 1981" which gives a full history of James Douglas.

At 14:19 on October 1, 2024, Robin J Douglas said…

Hi William,

Just noticed the photo and that is definitely him. He had four children made up of two gentleman's families. Two sets of a boy and a girl born in Scotland and Ireland. Walter and Isabella born in Scotland. Robert and Agnes born in Ireland.

Apparently, this John Scott Douglas was from a family ancestry of many Douglas's bearing the John Scott Christian names and from the Hawick, Jedburgh, Peebles areas. Even my late father wasa John Scott Douglas. Correctly or incorrectly, we have always regarded the family ancestry to have come from the Cavers estates. My grandfather Robert Domingo Douglas 1894-1977[third child born in Cork,Ireland]. He did extensive research in the 1960's. He went to a house which I feel was in the center of Peebles with steps up into it. He wished to talk to a lady who I vaguely recall as an auntie Madge who may have been Margaret. She answered the door but he was shunned at the door. My grandfather Robert Domingo Douglas then later discovered a family secret. He then one day threw the whole family tree research papers in to the fireplace and the whole lot went up in smoke. We have never gotten to the bottom of what was the issue, but needless to say rumors have been rife over the years. Were we related to the famous Dr John Scott Douglas and MP?? There was some infidelity some where that in the 1960's was better left in the past. Things were so bad that nobody in our immediate Scottish Douglas family wanted the family heirloom of the grandfather clock that bears that heart emblem of the Douglas family. Being the eldest my Grand Uncle Walter Douglas was offered the clock and took it. He got the clock cased and imported it from Scotland by sea in the 1950's or 60's. He ultimately gave it to my grandfather as it required major restoration works. Anyway our history remains a mystery. God bless all. Robin

At 9:58 on August 16, 2024, Evan J Andriopoulos said…

Hi folks, Not a descendent of the Douglas Family but in the arly 2000s  I purchased a ruin of a house in New London, Conn´s downtown waterfront historic district. Planned for demolition in 1974 and forgotten about I fell in the love with the house and this small piece of late 18th c and early 19th c New London. Restored the house, spent years (still not done) researching the builder and his family and have made contact with fantastic people all across the world related to the family or the house itself.  Built by Richard Douglass (1746-1828) . I will post info on the appropriate boards. Thanks! 

At 18:03 on July 30, 2024, Michael Douglas Brewer said…

Greetings William Douglas! My name is Michael Douglas Brewer. My 9th generation Great Grandfather was Colonel John Douglas (1636-1678) who immigrated to Maryland from Glasgow, Scotland in 1655. He was the son of Sir Robert of Blackerston & Blythswood (1602-1669). I am a direct descendant of the Douglas Lords of Mains from Nicholas Douglas (1340-1406) to Alexander Douglas (1563-1628). I am a descendant of Sir Andrew, Lord of Hermiston (1225-1277), a direct descendant of Sir Archibald Douglas (1178-1240) and a 13 generations-2nd cousin, 7 times removed to The Good Sir James Douglas (1275-1330). I have been to Scotland and traced the steps of my Douglas Ancestors and to St. Bride's Church in the village of Douglas and the remains of the Douglas Castle. I am very proud of my Douglas Ancestors and to be a part of the Douglas Clan. I live in Columbia, Missouri with my wife Cheryl.

At 16:15 on June 22, 2024, Douglas Scott Coley said…

oops, I was too wordy... Here are the records that I mentioned.

Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s

Record Details

Name John Douglas

Arrival Year      1799

Arrival Place    South Carolina

Primary Immigrant     Douglas, John

 

Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950

Record Details

Name: John Douglas

Gender Male

Baptism Date 4 Jul 1749

Baptism Place Nigg, Kincardine, Scotland

Father James Douglas

Mother Christian Stronach

 

Name:  John Douglas

Record Type    Marriage

Marriage Date 20 Oct 1789

Marriage Place Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland

Father Charles Lyon

Spouse Mary

Scotland, Select Marriages, 1561-1910

Record Details

Name:  James Douglas

Gender Male

Marriage Date 8 Jul 1745

Marriage Place Nigg, Kincardine, Scotland

Spouse:  Christian Stronach

At 16:09 on June 22, 2024, Douglas Scott Coley said…

Thank you for your message and information. I became interested in my Douglas genealogy after my recent trip to Hogmanay in Edinburgh. Most of my family research has centered on patriots of the American Revolution. I was a founder and first registrar for my local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. I knew much about my Douglas line in America and that my immigrant ancestors came to America directly after the American Revolution.

When I was recently in Scotland, I was not researching my Douglas family. Still, when I saw the painting of James Douglas EM at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, he looked just like my brother in a period outfit… So, after I got home, I did some research and purchased an engraving of James Douglas EM for my home mainly because he looks like my red-headed brother, who has now passed.  Unfortunately, the silver signet ring has been "worn proudly" for generations. When I inherited it, the back of the ring was worn so thin it broke. The crest projected outward for stamping documents and was worn down to a blob in the shape of a shield. The ring was passed down as a connection to something important, so it was always worn. I will attach John Douglas's citizenship document, which I have hanging in my house. It states that John Douglas became a citizen of the US on November 4, 1806. His citizenship document from Marlboro County, SC, also states that he was about 57 years old, giving him a berth year of 1749. Also, the document states that he resided in the US between June 18, 1798, and April 14, 1802. According to the Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, from the 1500s to the 1900s, John Douglas arrived in South Carolina in 1799, and based on the date and location, I believe this is my John Douglas.

I descend from his son Duncan Douglas, and another family member recently told me that our family Douglas surname died out from her research as a last name. Still, it has been continually used in my line and several others because it has always been considered one of our most prominent family names. My line goes John Douglas to Duncan Douglas to Elizabeth Douglas, who married Dr. Alfred Hamer, then to Dr. Douglas Hamer Sr. to Dr. Douglas Hamer Jr. to Patricia Douglas Hamer Coley, then me, Douglas Scott Coley, and my son Douglas Hamer Coley.  John Douglas had many successful descendants, probably the most successful being the line of John's daughter Christian Douglas McColl, who married Hugh McColl, another local planter family who started a bank. Their direct descendent, Hugh McColl Jr., was the founder and first CEO of Bank of America, the second-largest Bank in the United States.

John Douglas's Will was probated on April 13, 1826; in this will, he lists his wife, Mary, and children. I need to visit family in Marlboro County, SC, and do local records research to see if I can locate his original land deed; I also need to transcribe his will.  Thank you in advance for reading this message and again for your message. Here are a few records I have located on Ancestry.com that seem promising to me, but I would love to know your thoughts. The mother's name, Christian, stood out to me because John Douglas named his eldest daughter Christian Douglas, who married Hugh McCall.Doxie%201450.jpg

Best regards.

 

Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s

Record Details

Name John Douglas

Arrival Year      1799

Arrival Place    South Carolina

Primary Immigrant     Douglas, John

Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950

Record Details

Name: John Douglas

Gender Male

Baptism Date 4 Jul 1749

Baptism Place Nigg, Ki

At 6:43 on June 14, 2024, Peter Stanley Hurford said…

Yes that's correct, due to the mystery parentage I'm not even sure he was a Douglas, neither was Henry who searched for his whole life ... the secret is only known by Staffords and Lord family 

At 18:31 on June 12, 2024, Leslie N Bright said…

Hi William!

I replied via an email;  if you didn't get it, let me know, and I can try again, or post it here.    

Best,   -L

At 14:20 on May 24, 2024, Aoife McCaul said…

We do have a bit of information about him, it's been well summarized here by someone along the family branch, quite an interesting life story: 

Hosea Dugliss (1793-1867) - Find a Grave Memorial

We've been going through family documents recently and came across an original property deed signed by John Jacob Astor from when Hosea Dugliss bought his house on Park Row in Manhattan from the Astor family, which was a great find. Also some documents relating to operations at his mirror making shop. It would be great to find out more about our roots in Scotland as I myself currently live here! 

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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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