Fergusson of Keir Parish, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland and descendants

Ferguson Family Tree

The line of descent beginning with John Fergusone, shoemaker, of Nether Keir, Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland

1 John Fergusone (1720-1769)
2 Samuel Dunkell Ferguson (1748-1810)
3 Robert Ferguson (1804-1884)
4 Robert Washington Ferguson (1841-1916)
5 Charles Grant Ferguson (1871-1968)
6 Grace M Ferguson (1901-1950)

Origins: Keir Parish, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland

Keir, where the progenitor, John Fergusone, lived is now a civil parish in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland in the western part of the Southern Uplands. Keir is less than a 2 hour drive from Edinburgh. Dumfries shares a border with England to the South.

The land is mostly agricultural and rural. The Fergusone (Ferguson) family lived on the farm of Nether Keir since at least the early 1700s, possibly longer. The land is still being successfully farmed to this day, however, Ferguson descendants no longer own or live on the farm.

Shown below is a photo taken of the Nether Keir farm about 17 years ago [credit to © Copyright Derek menzies]. The word Nether means lower (as in lowland) and Keir means fort in the old Scots language. So the farm was named for the lowland beneath the ancient fort.

Chapter 1: John Fergusone (1720-1769) – shoemaker

John Fergusone was born in Keir, Dumfrieshire, Scotland on August 4, 1720.

Like other boys of the time, John Fergusone may have been apprenticed to a master tradesman while in his early teens. His apprenticeship with a master shoemaker would have lasted about 5 years. He would have been required to pass a test of his workmanship. After passing that test he could ask to join a guild and would then be allowed to become a freeman of the burgh. With additional time and experience in the trade he could become a master craftsman with his own shop. As a master shoemaker, John Fergusone would most likely have joined the Dumfries Seven Trades Guild, which had been established during the Middle Ages. This Guild continued in existence until 1846. At that time the government decided that Guilds restricted free trade and so they abolished all Guilds.

John Fergusone was twenty-three when he married 19 year old Agnes Carsone Harkness Dunkell (1724-1769), daughter of Agnes Carsone and James Dunkell (ca. 1696-1768), in nearby Lochmaben, Dumfries, on February 1, 1743. Scotland. Source: “Scotland Marriages, 1561-1910”, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XTG9-4NR : 22 December 2023).

Over the next 22 years, Agnes and John Fergusone had at least 7 children together. Their first child, John Dunkell Ferguson, was born in 1744. He was followed by Samuel Dunkell Ferguson (1748-1810), Hellen Ferguson (b. 1749), Souzan Fergusone (b. 1755), Grizall Dunkell Ferguson (b. 1758), Joseph Fergusson (1761-1834), and lastly Jean Dunkell Ferguson (b. 1766).

Note: some online family trees include an Andrew Anthony Dunkell Ferguson in this family who supposedly emigrated to Virginia, however the “evidence” seems flimsy at best. So he is not included in this report as being a son of John and Agnes Fergusone.

John Fergusone was just 48 years old when died on January 14, 1769. His oldest child was 25 and his youngest was 3 years old. The following image is the record of his death published in the Parish Registers of Keir Parish (Source: ScotlandsPeople.org). Fifth entry on the page reads “John Fergusone, shoemaker, in Nether Keir, died January 14, 1769″.

The Old Parish Death Register provides the only source found for John Fergusone’s death date & place. His wife’s death record has not been located. Additionally, neither his nor his wife’s burial location has been identified. As the church in Keir wasn’t built until 1814, most likely they were buried on their farm or in a different church graveyard.

It was helpful in researching this family that five of the eight children were given the mother’s maiden name Dunkell as a second name.

The next chapter will be about Samuel Dunkell Ferguson (ca. 1748-1810), who like his father was probably born in Keir parish and also became a shoemaker.

Other than establishing their parentage no effort has been made by this researcher to find additional biographical information regarding Samuel Dunkell Ferguson’s siblings. Some speculation online suggests that a brother named Andrew Anthony Dunkell Ferguson emigrated to Viriginia, but no conclusive evidence has been found to support the theory that it is him and not someone else.

Chapter 2: Samuel Dunkell Ferguson (ca. 1748 – 1810) – shoemaker

Samuel Dunkell Ferguson was born about 1748 in Keir, Dumfrieshire based on his given age on his death record. No baptism or birth record has been located, therefore it cannot be proven that he is the son of John Fergusone and Agnes Carsone Harkness Dunkell. However given that he and several of his brothers and sisters had been given Dunkell as their second name, it is highly likely that they are his parents. Furthermore, Samuel Dunkell Ferguson followed John Fergusone in his trade of shoemaker and lived in the same place.

Samuel Dunkell Ferguson was about 30 years old when he married Margaret McMichael on September 6, 1778. The fact of their marriage was written down in the old parish registers, seen here on the first line of the page.

His wife Margaret McMichael was born on August 4, 1753/4 in Penpont, Dumfrieshire. Her parents were James McMichael and Margaret Gibson. Source: “Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950”, database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XBT9-25H : 16 September 2021), Margret McMichael, 1754.

Samuel and Margaret Ferguson had eight children born between 1779 and 1794. No attempt is being made here to further research their children, other than John McMichael Ferguson.

John McMichael Ferguson (1779-1858) is the subject of the next chapter.
James Ferguson (1780-1841)
William Ferguson (b. 1782 – ?)
Margaret Ferguson (1785-1759)
Jane Ferguson (1787-1859)
Joseph Ferguson (1789-1864)
Grissel Fergusson (1792-1864)
Robert Ferguson (1794-1877)

The first census of Scotland took place in 1801 and then every ten years, so Samuel would have been counted in the 1801, however, the records are not searchable by name until the 1841 census.

Samuel Dunkell Ferguson died at the age of 62 on April 23, 1810. His wife Margaret died the same year at the age of 56 on November 25 at Nether Keir farm. They are buried together at Keir Cemetery. The tombstone inscription (no image found) reads:

“In memory of Samuel FERGUSON Nether Keir who died April 1810 aged 62 years And Margaret MCMICHAEL his wife who died 25th Nov 1810 aged 53 years”. Source: Scotland Monumental Inscriptions, Parish Burials, FindMyPast.com downloaded 1 June 2024.

3 John McMichael Ferguson (1779 – 1858) – lime burner at Donkins Lime Works

John McMichael Ferguson was born to Samuel Dunkell Ferguson and Margaret McMichael at Nether Keir. He was baptized in Keir parish on June 17, 1779. His birth notice is seen on the last line on Page 54 of 176 of Old Parish Registers, seen below. It reads “Samuel Ferguson & Margt _^McMichael had a son baptized Jun 17 1779 called John.” Source: Scotlandspeople.gov.uk, record accessed 21 June 2025.

John McMichael Ferguson was almost 20 when he married Margaret Graham (the sixth child of John Graham and Agnes Little) at Dalton, Dumfries-shire on March 22, 1799. Margaret was born on either the 24th or 26th of June 1775 in Lochmaben, Dumfrieshire. She was named after a sister of the same name who died in infancy the previous year.

John McMichael Ferguson and Margaret Graham moved a few times. The first four children, including John Ferguson (b. 1801), Mary Ferguson (b. 1802), Margaret Ferguson (b. 1803), and Robert Ferguson (1804-1884), were born in Dalton, Dumfriesshire. The next three were born in Ruthwell, Dumfriesshire: Agnes (b. 1806), Janette Ferguson (1810-1861), and James Ferguson (Sr) (1811-1889). Their last child, Joseph Ferguson, was born in Kirkmahoe, Dumfriesshire (b.1812).

Margaret (née McMichael) Ferguson presumably died between 1812 and 1818. John Ferguson remarried Elspeth Campbell and they had three children: Charles Ferguson was born in Keir circa 1818. He was a forester. He died in Barjarg, Keir in 1887. William Ferguson was born about 1828. He worked at the lime works where his father worked.

Of John and Margaret Ferguson’s children, three emigrated to America. They were Robert, Janette, and James.

The first Census of Scotland was conducted in 1841, however, in a search for Fergusson heads of households in Dumfries prior to that year I found some possibilities which were listed in the “Rolls of Male Heads of Families“.

These Rolls are provided on the Old Scottish Genealogy and Family History website and are explained as: “In 1834, the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland passed the Veto Act, removing the absolute right of landowners to appoint ministers to their parish. The Act gave male heads of families who were communicants with the parish the right to veto the appointment of a new minister if a majority of them objected. To this end, the Assembly instructed kirk sessions to draw up rolls of the male heads of families in each parish. We have transcribed the surviving rolls, and are publishing them here. They are significant as they pre-date the earliest nominal census, which took place in 1841.”

In 1834, five Fergussons were listed as male heads of households in Keir Parish. No town locations were provided that year. Source: Keir Male Heads of families 1834 (NRS Reference: CH2/1206/1 pp. 2-4). They were: James Ferguson, John Fergusson, Joseph Fergusson, John Fergusson, and James Ferguson.

In 1835, six Fergusson male heads of household and locations are report in Keir Parish. Source: Male Heads of families 1835 (NRS Reference: CH2/1206/1 pp. 17-23). The original five were John, Joseph, and Jas. Fergusson of Barjarg; Jas. Fergusson of Hillend, John Fergusson of Ronistson.

In 1836, we again find six Fergusson heads of household within Keir Parish. John and Joseph are still located in Barjarg, John is still in Roniston, James in Hillend, and Samuel in Steelhead, but James is not in Barjarg. A James is living in Brownhill but it is impossible to know if it is the same person. Source: Male Heads of families 1836 (NRS Reference: CH2/1206/1 pp. 29-32)

In 1837 only 5 male Fergusson heads of household are enumerated in Keir parish. John is still in Barjarg, Jas. in Hillend, John in Roniston, James in Brownhill, but Joseph (same or different person than prior year?) is in Hopefield. Source: Male Heads of families 1837 (NRS Reference: CH2/1206/1 pp. 42-44)

Prior to 1838 the Rolls rarely include occupations, exception being schoolmaster. Now the occupation of the heads of household occupation are noted for most. So find out that John Fergusson of Barjarg and Joseph Fergusson of Hopefield are laborers, Jas. Fergusson of Hillend is a farmer, Jas. Fergusson of Brownhill is a pensioner, and John Fergusson of Roniston is a shoemaker. Source: Male Heads of families 1838 (NRS Reference: CH2/1206/1 pp. 52-55)

John McMichael Ferguson was not found in a search of the 1841 or 1851 Census of Scotland index.

John McMichael Ferguson died on January 19, 1858 (at 2:30 pm) at Donkins in the Regional District of Middlebie. He was 78-1/2 years old. His occupation was lime burner. He was married at the time. His parents were Samuel Ferguson, a deceased shoemaker, and Margaret Ferguson neé McMichael, also deceased. He died from apoplexy (a stroke). His condition lasting 16 hours and cause of death was certified by William Young, Surgeon. William Ferguson certified that his father, John McMichael Ferguson, was buried at Pennersaughs Graveyard. Source: Scotlandspeople.gov.uk death record 1858 Ref #841/2.

In Middlebie Parish, there are five graveyards. Thankfully his burial location is noted on his death record. A search has not been made to determine if his first and/or second wives are buried there also.

Source: https://dgfhs.org.uk/graveyard-locations/ the cemeteries in Middlebie Parish are listed below. This list may come in handy in searching for other Fergusson family gravestones.

County	Parish	Graveyard	National Grid Ref	GPS Location	Status	Photos
DFS	Middlebie	Albie Graveyard	NY 24622 77454	55.085833, -3.182500	UNK	Yes
DFS	Middlebie	Carruthers Burial Ground	NY 25756 80196	55.110556, -3.165278	Open
DFS	Middlebie	Cemetery	NY 21711 75767	55.070278, -3.227500	Open
DFS	Middlebie	Parish Churchyard	NY 21422 76151	55.073611, -3.232222	Closed	Yes
DFS	Middlebie	Pennersaughs Graveyard	NY 20740 74369	55.057500, -3.242222	Closed	Yes

4 Robert Ferguson (1804- 1884)- farmer& immigrant

John McMichael Fergusson and Margaret Graham’s fourth child, Robert Ferguson, was born December 20, 1804 in Dalton, Dumfrieshire, Scotland. On the image below, his birth/baptism is on the row just above 1805. Whatever was originally written for the father’s name, the superimposed name is definitely John Ferguson. The mother’s name is abbreviated Margt Graham. The family residence was noted as “Up Amagill, Dalton” probably meaning Upper Amagill. Their is a notation of 6 + 6 = 12 after Robert’s name but I don’t know what that means.

Robert Ferguson emigrated to America prior to 1837, when his first child is supposed to have been born in New York. His passenger and immigration records have not been located.

As noted above, two of Robert Ferguson’s siblings also emigrated to America. At times they lived near each other in Massachusetts, but for the most part of their lives together Robert Ferguson lived in New York State.

Jannette Ferguson was married to a James Scott (no further information about him). Their marriage record has not been located. She died on March 4, 1861 in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts at the age of 50. Fortunately, both of her parents names are listed on her death record, and while she is identified as Jannette Scott on the record her husband’s name is not noted. Perhaps they were separated or he had predeceased her.
James Ferguson (Sr), may have immigrated through the Port of New York in 1832. He married Annie Maria Herder on March 12, 1836 in Taunton, Massachusetts. James Ferguson Sr. died on December 1, 1889 in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts at the age of 78.

Getting back to Robert Ferguson, he is believed to have married Anna (aka Emily) Robinson in New York State where their first child was born. Emily Robinson was born in Northern Ireland in July 1817. Their marriage record has not been found.

Robert and Emily had about 10 children. They ones who could positively be identified include:

Mary Eliza Ferguson, born in 1837 in New York State. She died November 28, 1920 at the age of 83.
Robert Washington Ferguson, born April 14, 1841 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts (subject of the next chapter).
James Howard Ferguson, born February 8, 1845 in Bethel, Sullivan County, New York. He married Margaret M. Edson on November 18, 1869 in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Massachusetts. He died at the age of 80 in the same place on April 13, 1925.
John F. Ferguson, born December 1845 most likely in Bethel, Sullivan County, New York. Died in 1901 and is buried in Cloverdale, Sonoma County, California.
Joseph S. Ferguson, born June 10, 1846 in Bethel, Sullivan County, New York. He died July 26, 1910 in Stark County, Ohio at the age of 64.
Franklin Ferguson, born about 1849 in New York State. Death date unknown, buried in Sullivan County, NY.
Martha “Jane” Ferguson, born 1852 in New York State. No further information.
Anne “Emma” Ferguson, born July 1854 in New York State. No further information.
Louis Kossuth Ferguson, born September 1, 1859 in Hurd Settlement, Sulllivan, New York. Died May 12, 1950 in Bethel, Sullivan County, New York at the age of 90.
Rosetta Ferguson, born 1860 in Bethel, Sullivan County, New York. No further information.

While Robert and Emily Ferguson probably lived in New York State for at least a few years before the 1840 U.S. Federal Census was taken, that year Robert Ferguson is enumerated as a head of household in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts. Robert is between the age of 20 and 30 as is his wife (only head of household is named in this census). Living in his household are two boys and one girl under the age of 5. His brother James is enumerated on the same page. In James’s household along with himself and his wife (both between the ages of 20 and 30) are one boy under the age of 5 and two girls aged between 5 and 10.

By the time the 1850 U.S. Federal Census is taken on the 9th of September, Robert & family have moved to Bethel, Sullivan County, New York. The census record shows he is of Scottish birth, aged 40. His wife Emily, a native of Ireland, is age 32. His occupation is farmer and his real estate has a value of $1200. His daughter Mary is 13 and the record states she was born in New York. His son Robert, age 10, was born in Massachusetts. Four other children had been born by this time, all in New York State, they were James (age 6), John (age 4), Joseph (age 3), and Franklin (age 1). With James being 6 years old it puts the family in Bethel Sullivan County New York at or before 1844.

Five years later in the 1855 New York State Census on the 9th day of June, we find some new details about the family. Robert is now a naturalized citizen and voter. His wife is listed as an alien. They now had two more children who were all born in Sullivan County, Martha who is 4 and Emma who is 3. The other children enumerated in this census are James (10), John (8), and Joseph (6). Franklin is not mentioned so we might have assumed he died prior to 1855 however he turns up again in the 1860 census.

In the 1860 U. S. Federal Census, taken on the 20th day of September, the family has been living in Bethel for at least 16 years. The Post Office for them is Forestburgh, New York. Robert’s real estate is valued at $2,000 and his personal property at $500. He is 50 and Emily is 43. They can both read and write. Their daughter Mary (age 23) is living with them. Her occupation is Domestic. Their son Robert is age 20 and his occupation is Farm Laborer as is James who is 16. John (14) and Joseph (13) are attending school. The younger children Martha (8), Ann (6), Franklin (4), and Kossuth (2) are not attending school.

In the 1870 U. S. Federal Census, they are still in Bethel but the Post Office for them is now located at Cochecton Center, NY. Robert is 63 and Emily is 50. The value of their real estate is $2500 and the personal property is $1200. He is a citizen, Emily’s status is not noted. Their daughter Martha (18), now called Jane, is a teacher. Ann who is 16 is not in school and does not have an occupation. Kossuth is 10 and he is attending school.

Robert and Emily Ferguson are still living in the same place at the time of the 1875 New York State Census. Their home is a frame house with the value of $2000. Robert (70) is a voter and a naturalized citizen and owns the property. Emily is 57 (again, no mention of citizenship). His occupation is farmer. Two children are living at home, Joseph (27) works as a farm laborer. Kossuth at 16 has no declared occupation. Both sons are single.

In the 1880 U. S. Federal Census, Robert is 77 and is still a farmer and Emily is 60 keeping house. Only Kossuth (age 21) is living with them. He still has no listed occupation. They have a servant living with them named Barbra Banggar (age 20) who was born in Switzerland as were both of her parents. Barbara is listed as disabled (described as either maimed, crippled, or bedridden).

Robert Ferguson died in 1884 in Bethel, Sullivan County, New York at the age of 79. His wife Emily died on December 16, 1905 in Monticello, Sullivan County, New York at the age of 88. They are buried in Stewart Cemetery, Bethel, Sullivan County, New York, which is located at the intersection of Old Tacy Road and Horseshoe Lake Road.

5 Robert Washington Ferguson – civil war soldier and machinist

The second son of Robert Ferguson and his wife Emily Robinson was Robert Washington Ferguson. He was born April 14, 1841 in Taunton, Bristol County, Massachusetts but grew up on the family farm in Bethel, New York. If the reader is interested in learning more about the town of Bethel, the town of Bethel has a wonderful town history section on its website. Bethel is more recently famous for the 1969 Woodstock Festival.

In the 1850 US Federal Census, Robert Washington Ferguson was enumerated with his parents and siblings, listed as a ten year old, attending school, in Bethel, Sullivan County, New York. Five years later, he is enumerated with them in the State Census. By 1860, he is 20 years old, single, living with his parents and working as a farm laborer. Two years later he enlisted in military service along with other young men from his town.

Robert Washington Ferguson volunteered for military service at the age of 21, enlisting on October 8, 1862 in Bethel, Sullivan Co., NY. The record notes that although living in Sullivan County, he was born in Massachusetts. He assumed the rank of Private in the New York 143rd Regiment Infantry. This unit was nicknamed The Sullivan County Regiment. It was mustered in on October 8, 1862 and mustered out on July 20, 1865. Source: New York, U.S., Registers of Officers and Enlisted Men Mustered into Federal Service, 1861-1865. Vol 3: Volunteers Now In Service, Rensselaer – Yates Counties

Robert Washington Ferguson served dutifully in the Civil War with his unit as noted in the following excerpt describing the battles of his regiment. Source: U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, Ancestry.com excerpt downloaded 25 July 2025.

“Fought on 15 Feb 1863. Fought on 15 Jul 1863 at Aldie, VA. Fought on 31 Aug 1863 at Fort Worth, VA. Fought on 14 Sep 1863. Fought on 27 Oct 1863 at Bridgeport, AL. Fought on 29 Oct 1863 at Wauhatchie, TN. Fought on 29 Oct 1863 at Lookout Valley, TN. Fought on 30 Oct 1863 at Lookout Valley, TN. Fought on 25 Nov 1863 at Missionary Ridge, TN. Fought on 14 May 1864 at Resaca, GA. Fought on 15 May 1864 at Resaca, GA. Fought on 25 May 1864 at Dallas, GA. Fought on 16 Jun 1864 at Golgotha, GA. Fought on 20 Jun 1864 at Noses Creek, GA. Fought on 26 Jun 1864 at Chattanooga, TN. Fought on 20 Jul 1864 at Peach Tree Creek, GA. Fought on 23 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA. Fought on 30 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA. Fought on 31 Jul 1864 at Atlanta, GA. Fought on 8 Aug 1864 at Atlanta, GA. Fought on 19 Nov 1864 at Social Circle, GA. Fought on 21 Feb 1865. Fought on 6 Mar 1865 at Natural Bridge, FL. Fought on 16 Mar 1865 at Averysboro, NC. Fought on 19 Mar 1865 at Bentonville, NC. Fought on 27 Mar 1865 at Goldsboro, NC. Fought on 14 Apr 1865 at Raleigh, NC. Fought on 14 Apr 1865. The regiment was mustered out July 20, 1856 near Washington, D.C.

Two hundred and twenty-one men from the Sullivan County Regiment lost their lives during the war. Robert Washington Ferguson was lucky to be among the survivors.

Robert Washington Ferguson married Margarite Ann Verite (1844-1932) circa 1867 (married 33 years per 1900 census). While another researcher provided an exact marriage date and place on a family tree, on investigation that record was for a different person named Margareth née Ferguson. Since their first son was born in Manhasset, Long Island in 1871, they may have been married there or nearby. According to the 1900 census record Margarite was born in August 1844 in New York. (Her parents, whose names are not known at this time, were also born in New York.)

Their children were Charles Grant Ferguson (1871-1968), Roscoe Fredrik Ferguson (1875-1948), Robert Freeman Ferguson (1878-1961), and Grace Annie May Ferguson (1883-1956). Another child was born to them but had died prior to the 1900 census.

In the 1892 Census of New York State, which provides very little information, they were living on Leonard Street, Brooklyn, Kings Co., New York.

Robert W. Ferguson filed for an Army pension on January 2, 1897 (see pension record below). On June 29, 1916 his wife Margaret A. Ferguson filed for widow’s benefits.

In 1900, according to the Federal Census they were living in Flushing, Queens, where he was enumerated as being 59, a machinist foreman, married 33 years, five children born with four living.

In 1910 Robert and Margaret are living on Hamburg Avenue (renamed Wilson Avenue in 1919), Brooklyn, Kings, New York. He is reported to be 69 and she is 65. His occupation is machinist.

Robert Washington Ferguson died on April 2, 1916 of cerebral apoplexy at 2045 Gates Avenue, Queens, New York. He was a machinist, 74 years old and had living in New York City for 50 years. His parents were identified as Robert Ferguson (born in Scotland) and Anna Robinson (born in Ireland). He was to be buried at National Cemetery on April 5, 1916. Source: New York City Death Record D-Q-1916-0001496.

He is buried at Section 2 Site 7488 Cypress Hills National Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York, which is located at 625 Jamaica Avenue Brooklyn , NY 11208.

Margarite A. Ferguson died on February 21, 1932 in Hemstead, Long Island, New York. (New York State Death Index, certificate #111174. She is buried with her husband at Cypress Hills National Cemetery.

6 Charles Grant Ferguson

Charles Grant Ferguson was born July 20, 1871 in Manhasset, Nassau County, New York. While his birth record has not been located, this is the date and location provided on various other records, including his Social Security records.

Charles was obviously proud of his Scottish heritage and posed in full regalia for this photograph (credit to the source) where ever and when ever this photo was taken.

7 Grace M. Ferguson

DNA EVIDENCE WANTED

If you are a male Ferguson descendant, please consider taking a Y-DNA test at FamilyTreeDNA and joining the Fergusson project. The FamilyTreeDNA Fergusson project is found at https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/ferguson/about/news?srsltid=AfmBOopJQ-l933uyQ7uIuRK_eHrnOWYwVIQchnyznoCnVGf0pWH_2vs1

Do you think you are a male direct descendant of the 14th Laird of Craigdarroch? DNA research regarding the descendants of the Lairds of Craigdarroch can be found at http://dna.cfsna.net/GEN/Scotland/Dumfries/Craigdarroch-Lairds.htm.