"Drysdale - that is very interesting, particularly the possible link back to 1503.
Burns - Wow! That was well spotted, given the spelling. That too is particularly interesting as it links my mother's Bwrn [Burns] ancestors to my…"
A collection of historical and genalogical records
The Douglas Archives is a mix of historical records and biographies and also a genealogy database with details of 190,500+ individuals.
Searching the Douglas Archives
Looking for a Douglas ancestor in the Douglas Archives requires two searches - one in the history section, and another in the genealogy section.
There is a way around this, by using Google (and other search engines) site search facilities.
We can see succesful outcomes of Google searches, but not the unsuccesful ones.
If you cannot find what you are looking for, please ask the question through the Comunity Network - or just drop us a line.
There is a way around this, by using Google (and other search engines) site search facilities.
We can see succesful outcomes of Google searches, but not the unsuccesful ones.
If you cannot find what you are looking for, please ask the question through the Comunity Network - or just drop us a line.
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To reduce the volume of fraudulent sign ups, I am making the process more difficult. I apologise to genuine prospective members.
The more information you give about your ancestors, the greater the chance that others might see someone they recognise and tie in to your tree. Dates and places definitely help!
Welcome to the Douglas Archives Network
The first Douglas to stride across the stage of Scottish history was Sir William Douglas who fought and died for William Wallace. His son, Sir James Douglas was a supporter and lifelong friend of Robert the Bruce. "Good Sir James" died taking Bruce's heart on a crusade to the Holy Land. The 2nd Earl of Douglas died at the Battle of Otterburn in 1388 as his army defeated an English force led by Prince Henry "Hotspur". In 1402 the 4th Earl was defeated by the same Henry Hotspur at the Battle of Homildon Hill.
Few of their successors died in their beds! Our website charts the history of this famous family, both in its native Scotland, and as family members spread across the world.
The main site is divided into two sections: Douglas history and Douglas genealogy. These have been joined by the Douglas DNA Project and a Games section.
In this networking area, we hope that all those with Douglas connections will feel able to contribute and debate their Douglas heritage.
If you are new to the site, please visit our Welcome message.
Latest Activity
"Well done Ronald !"
"Extending the legend of the 1503 Douglas/Drysdale story to William Drusdale in Cloughton, Yorkshire and introducing yet another name change (to Halywell)
Ref: Regality of Dunfermline court book,…"
"Hi William,
Difficult questions to answer when there are virtually no official records from those times, more so when you don't have any links to ancestral nobility.
In previous posts I had speculated that these outpost scatterings of Drysdale…"
Transfer of Mosshouse - but who held it?
Grant by way of transfer of mortgage by King James I to John of St Michael (Johann de Sanctomichaele) scutifer of rights in…See More
"Were the Yorkshire Drysdales 'leftovers' from the cross border raids?
Were they migrants fleeing persecution?
Were they in the train of James Vi and I when he went to London, liked what they saw and stayed?"
Early Drysdale families in Yorkshire
As previously mentioned there were a contingent of Drysdale families in Yorkshire (Kirkleatham, Stokesley & Scarborough) from the mid 1500s onwards:…See More
Forum
Bad hyper-links on Douglas Archives
Started by Ronald Drysdale in Genealogy. Last reply by William Douglas Nov 14. 1 Reply 1 Like
Sometimes when a link is posted, ning automatically adds some garbage to the end of the hyper-link address and this corrupts the link - for example:…Continue
80 Drysdale men counted at 1541 weapon show
Started by Russell Lynn Drysdale in History. Last reply by Russell Lynn Drysdale Oct 31. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Encyclopedia BritannicaWAPENSHAW (M.E. for “weapon-show”), a periodical muster or review of troops formerly held in every district in Scotland, the object having been to satisfy the military chiefs that the arms of their retainers were in good…Continue
Tags: Drumlanrig, 1541, Annandale, of, Douglas
A Tribute to Reverend Jack Douglas, C.P. The Man Who Gave My Family Its Past
Started by Nicole Henderson in Genealogy Oct 17. 0 Replies 3 Likes
Today I would like to pay tribute to Reverend Jack Douglas, C.P. Author of my family’s Douglas history page. "I am a Roman Catholic priest of the Passionist Order. I will give my family no children, so I am giving it its past. I have been working on…Continue
Passports of Southeastern Pioneers 1770-1823
Started by Russell Lynn Drysdale in History. Last reply by Ronald Drysdale Oct 1. 5 Replies 4 Likes
A very interesting book a friend turned me on to .... named '' Passports of Southeastern Pioneers 1770-1823: Indian, Spanish and other Land Passports for Tennessee, Kentucky,…Continue
Blog Posts
Transfer of Mosshouse - but who held it?
Posted by William Douglas on December 6, 2025 at 21:30 0 Comments 0 Likes
Grant by way of transfer of mortgage by King James I to John of St Michael (Johann de Sanctomichaele) scutifer of rights in lands of Mosshouses (Moshous, Moshouse, Mosehous) within the barony of Melville (Malewing) within sherrifdom of Edinburgh which had been surrendered to king by reason of mortgage by Henry Douglas of Lugton (Henry de douglas…
ContinueThe many faces of Sholto Douglas
Posted by William Douglas on November 21, 2025 at 17:30 0 Comments 0 Likes
Wondering why so many visits to the site were being sent from a particular blog, I found this:
I’ve enjoyed following content by Anthropic AI researcher Sholto Douglas, but kept noticing his name in unusual places. Upon further investigation, it looks like in 767 AD, a particularly skilled Scottish warrior got the nickname “Sholto Douglas”, and for…
Douglas of Pittendeich
Posted by William Douglas on November 11, 2025 at 14:30 0 Comments 1 Like
Mary Ames Mitchell has provided the Douglas Archives with an amazing family tree/chart of the Pittendreich family descendants.
Included are The Earls of Douglas and Angus; the Good Sir James; the Kilspindie and Glennbervie families; the Bishops of Moray; and many more.
This is much more than just a tree, as the chart records histories,…
ContinueProvosts of Kirkcudbright - and their lamp
Posted by William Douglas on November 4, 2025 at 15:57 0 Comments 0 Likes
THE PROVOST'S LAMP
A Provost was the chief magistrate of a Scottish burgh or town. In the nineteenth century the responsibility for lighting the streets and maintaining public order lay with the local council and the Provost was held responsible for the safety and security of the burgh. He was a prominent and honourable figure…
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Top Content
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Caledonia Douglas's Nova ScotiaPosted by Connor Douglas on September 6, 2017 |
| 2 |
The Good Sir James sails for JerusalemAdded by William Douglas on July 11, 2017 |
| 3 |
Douglas / OLIPHANT/ Smith / Sinclair lines finally sortedPosted by Jackie Stoddard on September 2, 2017 |
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