Scottish Genealogy Research - Expert Q&A | Findmypast

[@claireandersongrahamkeller2744]

My aunt did 30 years of research in Scotland and wrote our family book, "The Story of Our Family." I have caught the bug and found 3 other lines of my lineage back to 1,000AD Orkney/Norway, and USA 1645, and the founding of Rhode Island. My father was born in Zetland in 1919, his father was the doctor since WWI began, when he was 26 and newly a doctor - 1914 until 1921 or so. Claire Anderson Graham, Other names: Stuart, Stewart, Robert the Bruce, naturally!, etc.

[@johngraham7045]

What information do you have on the Grahams?

[@claireandersongrahamkeller2744]

@@johngraham7045 Endless info on my lines: Grandfather's line goes back 49 gens. Gran's goes back to Norway; Viking Kings, 69 generations cuz they loved their records! Thanks for asking, John. Aloha, Claire Graham Kellerman, if you care to exchange info on Msgr/facbk.

[@arturasstatkus8613]

Thank You,Sir.

[@Helmaron1538]

Firstly, I'm sorry for the verbosity. I haven't mastered the gentle art of summarisation. As soon as you mentioned east coast migrations from Morayshire and etc. to Aberdeenshire I hit my usual source of info and expanded my search to the whole of Scotland and changed the search parameters for the surname to name variants. Thank you! I may have gotten back one more generation to Mortlach near Dufftown He was my Great x8 Grandfather Lewis Stewart, Master Blacksmith and he lived and died in Tullynessle in Aberdeenshire. The only records I could find with regards to him were his children's baptisms and his marriage to one Mary Strachan. I cannot find any reference to his death in the OPRs but I had found a reference to his death in a book of monumental inscriptions. He was buried by his youngest son Lewis and it states that he died in 1803 aged 68 which puts his DOB at around 1745. Couldn't find his birth record and that was my Brick wall. His eldest son, William Stewart was my Great x7 Grandfather. Knowing the Scottish naming tradition I had I had tried to find Lewis with William listed as his father's name. No luck. Until I watched your video. I expanded my search and found the following record. Mortlach Parish of Mortlach April 29th 1744 Stuart Lewis, lawful son of William Stuart & Isobel Anderson in Smaburn was baptised Witnesses Lewis Stuart in Bothyhny (

[@claireandersongrahamkeller2744]

We must be related!

[@Helmaron1538]

@@claireandersongrahamkeller2744 Hi Claire. Do you have Stuart/Stewart ancestry in Aberdeenshire and Banffshire. I have mine on a free tree site if you want to have a look.

[@arlenebishop9489]

Loving your new look Myko!

[@elizabethjones8948]

Just found this wonderful resource - I have been wrestling with ancestors from Killearn Stirlingshire McLay 1600s, 1700s names like Moses, Archibald, John....repeated. I can get back reliably to John McLay 1747 and (Janet Buchanan) but it is unclear which of the many McLay men in that area were the direct ancestors. Can you guide me as to how to trace further? I’d love to see baptismal records rather than transcriptions. Is this possible?

[@totopcat]

Could you post link to Wikipedia chart that you mention at about 37.1 re churches/denominations history please

[@virginiahannay9362]

I have reached a road block doing my husbands family history. His 3rd great grandfather was William Hannay Born Dec. 4, 1793 in Creetown, Kirkudbrightshire, Scotland and Married Mary Murray Born April 1, 1791 in Balmaghie, Kirkudbrightshire,Scotland. They came to Canada in the late 1820’s with seven of their nine children. William died Jan. 7 or 8, 1870 and Mary died Dec. 5, 1869. How do I link William to Scotland without any information on his parents? Can you help me?

[@pengy4792]

On the Index in Scotland's People it says that William Hannay's ( born 4/12/1793) parents are ROBERT HANNAY/ELIZABETH NARIN (parish of Penninghame) . i guess you would need to get the cert to see if there is any other info

[@corablunt-zy2be]

I'm a english pagan and from england from my Dads side of the family name is Irish and from my mum's side is Scottish my grandad is Scottish native from the macdonald clan

[@michaelwhite8031]

Are there any families with the surname Rose other than the Kilravock Rose's ?

[@donnyperry6404]

Do you have any thing further back than Adam debois de co Dickey born 1410 ?

[@larryjernigan2947]

Is there a registry of the citizens who left Scotland to migrate to the U.S., giving surnames, dates and ships they sailed on? Have not been able to connect to my immigrant Scottish ancestors. I know that his surname was McBride, but do not know when he left Scotland for America. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

[@gayleheafield7619]

I have been searching my father's family for some time now with the help of my brother. My maiden name was CLELAND, as far as we know great grandfather was James Cleland born 14 July 1835 Airdrie Scotland and he married Mary GITSHAM: his father was also James Cleland married to Mary Bell. We have not been able to get actual prove of these facts, my brother did visit the village of Cleland but was unlucky in that the records had been shifted only a matter of days before.

[@davidmacdonald4568]

I'm from the USA from my research I have found a Patrick MacDonald/McDonald who is likely my 6th Great Grandfather. I was told that he was born in 1728 in North Uist, Inverness Shire, Scotland. He later moved to County Down, Ireland and married Elizabeth McLean in 1762. I have no proof of his birth or Clan but was told he was from the "MacDonald's of Glencoe". Any ide where I could find information on Him?

[@8kreeves]

My great Grandmother's name was Margaret Mcglaughlin Todd, from Crieff, Scotland. I don't know the parish, I think her parents were Robert Cameron Todd and Agnes Todd (not sure maiden name) How can I research more information. I am planning a trip to Scotland and Ireland in 2024 and would love to research while there.

[@harryhoran7398]

if u don't have ancestry then get it, ancestry has so much information i couldn't find anywhere else and it has helped me research a lot more

[@pengy4792]

There are a couple of Margaret Mcglaughlin Todd, from Crieff, Scotland in Scotlands people - One born to a single mother in 1884 and another born 1908 to James and Euphemia. I don't know if those dates match up at all but worth looking at?

[@Helmaron1538]

Hi Myko. I finally got around to finishing your video. I was particularly interested in your Beith brick wall. Would you be able to have a look at the Monumental Inscriptions for your known ancestor. It's possible to glean information from them and If your lucky nearby graves may be have the same surname. That is where I found the information to put a tiny crack in my brick wall which your video helped me to smash right through.

[@karieaustin7239]

Do you know of the methvin castle , or it’s family history

[@conniefleming5358]

Hello my name is Connie Fleming, maiden name "Miller" and live in Pennsylvania, U.S.A. I have traced my origin to Scotland. I know that my Miller ancestor was a weaver which leads me to Paisley. Not sure if DNA testing is as popular in Scotland as it is in the United States. If anyone can suggest where I might begin my journey would you please be so kind to respond to me. Thank you so much.

[@Sabhail_ar_Alba]

Try Scotland's people. Fleming is a Scottish name originating in Eastern Scotland ( via Flanders).

[@arturasstatkus8613]

Im from Lithuania now,my las name Statkus,but Im find in Scotland Last names Statka,so maybe?

[@orsonrogers580]

I am trying to find info on Shearman that migrated to St . Vincent, West Indies 1880-1890

[@EzlynDubois]

my great great grandfather is Richard Theophilus Dean

[@elvacantu7821]

My mother's biological father was Scottish she was giving away at birth. She was told that her biological father's surname was Falla, is that surname Scottish?

[@judyendresenworthy]

Trying to find the parents of David Francis Spence, born 5 June 1831 in Scotland, possibly Haddingon, East Lothian. He came to Canada with his parents when he was about 2 years old. Many people think his father was Alexander Spence and his mother was Ann Afleck, but they show up in a census with a David who was 10 years old in Scotland, so this can't be the right family. How do I get through this brick wall?

[@adamspence23]

Hi. There is a David Spence born/christened 25th December 1831 at Dundee, father Alexander Spence and mother Ann Affleck.

[@SuperArline123]

My grandfather Waynard B Hunter and greats were Scottish according to Ancestry.com DNA my and my tree the Hunter crest is the Belt with gold buckle and hound with a crown abound the neck . Can I get a crest with Ancestry.com putting this on record. Seems my surnames were Scottish as well with Brown young,Wilson ,Douglas and more.Any advice appreciated .Love being part of the Scottish clans.

[@roxyie1122]

I'm hoping DNA can help me solve a brick wall problem. I have immigration records of an ancestor coming from Scottish highlands to the United States, following the Cromwelian era, around mid-1600s. However, I have learned my ancestor changed or modified his name, possibly for security reasons, and so now I'm unable to obtain or verify records before that period, nor am I certain of surnames. It's been confusing. The name used in the United States is Peter Crary, Sr. It is believed he left Scotland with another brother, John, and possibly 2 more. I'm trying to find his parents, and confirm the original name. Peter was a teen, as were all the boys, and very adamant about maintaining security, so I believe DNA to be the only recourse. I'm also curious as to whether there were any girls born in the family. I'm not optimistic of confirmed results because of both the security measures taken, as well as the movements of southwestern Scotland, perhaps even Ulva and Mull area.

[@MtnSnowflake]

If anyone reads this, I've lost my pride and am asking for help with my Canadian born Scottish great grandfather William Livingstone born May 1865. I have no idea who his parents were and have been at a brick wall with him for over 30 years.

[@findmypast]

Hi, there may be some community members in our Facebook Forum who might be able to help you :) facebook.com/groups/findmypastofficial/

[@bridgethaynes8448]

My mum was born in Scotland her and her brother were taken in to care because of neglect I wish I had listened to her more and found out where she was brought up her name was kelt her parents went on to have four more children and never tried to get her or her brother back any ideas

[@thomasfinlay7615]

I have, for some time, been searching for information regarding the Army Service of my father, Thomas White Finlay, born in Carriden, WLN, on 4th June 1898. I have in my possession a photograph of my father dressed in a cavalry uniform with a distinctive Skull and Crossbones cap badge. My mother said that he was a "fireside soldier" serving in Ireland. At the time I did not enquire further into his army background, and I am now trying to trace when, where , and with whom he served. I wrote to the M.O.D. in 1993 and received a reply in 1994 regretting that no records could be traced relating to the military service of a Thomas White Finlay during the First World War and stating that a large number of the records of soldiers serving during 1914 - 1920 were totally destroyed by enemy air action in 1940. It was suggested that if the the Unit were known, details might be found in the Commanders' War diaries which are held by the P.R.O., Ruskin Avenue, Kew , under WO95, or further information regarding a Regiment might be obtained from the Imperial War Museum. My own research has revealed that the Skull & Crossbones cap badge was peculiar to the 17th (Duke of Cambridgeshire's Own) Lancers which amalgamated in 1922 with the 21st (Empress of India's) Lancers to form the 17th/21st Lancers. I also have arecollection of my father referring to the17th/21st Lancers as his regiment. I have yet to establish when my father served in the Army. His 18th birthday was in June 1916. He may have been a coal miner at that time. He did not get any medals and so possibly did not serve during the Great War. After the war, the 17th Lancers formed part of the 17th Infantry Brigade within the 6th Division on Co. Cork, Ireland . In june 1920 there were 178 O.Rs. stationed at Buttevant, and 353 at Baelincollig. Unfortunately I have been unable to travel to to Kew or the I.W.M. tosee if there are any records that would help me there. Can you help?

[@donnyperry6404]

In lanarkshire

[@CindyMarie4211]

I’m from the USA and according to AncestryDNA I’m 50% Scottish and 23andMe says I’m 95.7% British and Irish, which of course includes Scotland. I just wish they’d separate England from Scotland. Anyway, 23andMe also says, that I had a parent or grandparent who was 100% British and Irish . I’m pretty sure it’s not one of my parents, but I do know it’s from my mother’s side. I just don’t know how to research it because I don’t know where to start. There were “rumors” that my grandfather’s dad wasn’t his biological father, but I also don’t know if that’s true or not. I guess I’ll never find my Scottish ancestors ☹️☹️

[@brianguite597]

I've been searching for my mother in law I'm beginning think she didn't exist lol it's impossible

[@victoriaeng9937]

My Great Grandfather was from Cairnie by Huntley Aberdeenshire Scotland. His name is William Cayley Taylor born May 18, 1828. I am on WIKI. Would like information on my ancestors. He immigrated to Canada and married Jennette Lowe. My Grandfather was his son born in Chesley Ontario, Canada.

[@pengy4792]

He is in the OPR births register in Scotlands People born in Cairnie 18 of May - parents James Taylor and Janet Patterson

[@jerryadkins5418]

I knew that we had Scottish in us but my dna showed 31%.

[@erniemarr6698]

I've recently found out my last name (marr) is Scottish. Having zero knowledge of my own family history I'm searching for anything

[@keithlordofalbascotland3371]

Aberdeenshire name

[@DoubleAboveChaos]

My Family were the Munro Clan