Catching Butterflies

When invited to a potluck, you likely bring a dish to share with others. The joy of a potluck lies in the sharing of your special dish and tasting the contributions of others. It's always a bit embarrassing when everyone prefers another dish over your special family recipe. It's also disappointing when multiple people bring the same dish.

Recently, we invited our neighbours for a picnic and suggested they bring a dish. While no one brought a picnic, they arrived with sharing platters, filling the table with food. Unfortunately, there were more desserts than savory dishes. I missed out on the savory items as they were gone before I could grab one.

A more balanced approach would be to create a list of needed dishes and have guests pick from that list. This made me think about filling the gaps in my family tree. I aim to trace back ten generations and create a 360-degree chart to visualize missing generations. This helps target specific lines and find relatives who might be working on the same part of their tree.

Some people are better at this than others. Some rely on serendipity, while others dig into online resources to find help. Collaborative projects like the DouglasDNA Project and Find-a-Grave are useful. The Douglas Archives Community Network, also known as 'the Ning site,' connects those researching Douglas family history. This network allows sharing of discoveries, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates. Members can set up their own pages, post in forums or blogs, and add photos.

My plea is to report back any progress made off-site, so others can learn from it. This way, researchers can save time and focus on breaking their own 'brick walls.' Providing a detailed picture when seeking help is crucial. For instance, sharing your Douglas ancestor's mother's maiden name might connect you with someone who has the detail you need.


One active network is the DouglasDNA project, where around 300 men have submitted DNA samples. If you are a male Douglas descendant, get tested! If not, find a direct line descendant, like a cousin or uncle, and get them tested. Register the results with the Douglas DNA project to find your lineage.

On Find a Grave, contributors work together to create a virtual cemetery, making it easy to learn about final resting places worldwide. Adding ancestors' graves, creating virtual memorials, or adding photos and notes can help others with their research.

Next time you attend a family reunion or clan gathering, take a copy of your family tree and a list of questions. Be ready to share your experiences and contact details with others.

A Douglas Archives Open Source Article - 17th April 2025
Based on an article by Jan Shaw