The Leslie Global Diaspora Foundation (LGDF) is a member of several organizations both here in the USA and in Scotland and Ireland. From time to time, these organizations host webinars and other presentations which we attend. The information gained enhances our ability to serve our subscribers.
The Leslie Global Diaspora Foundation is taking a long-term approach to its work in the area of genealogy. We have a model to guide us as found here:
https://www.anesfhs.org.uk/databanks/surname-studies/innes-database
For example, on 16 November we attended via Zoom a presentation by Dr. Bruce Durie, a Scottish genealogist of international reputation. The webinar was hosted by the Aberdeen & North-East Scotland Family History Society. The topic was Records of Inheritnce, or, “Who Gets the Land?”
Dr. Durie’s presentation was very informative, especially when he explained that in Scotland there was a distinction between inheriting things that are moveable passed on by way of a will or testament, and things that are immovable like land, which was generally passed on to the oldest child. The land inheritance was recorded in a document called a “retours”.
Following the presentation, just for fun I searched the database of Scotlandspeople.gov.uk and limited my search to Leslie. I limited my search to 1553 – 1700. In the Old Parish Records database there were 949 Leslies births listed many with DOB and parish information. There were 411 marriages recorded. In the Wills and Testaments database there were 74 entries. Many of these entries in the database have links to view the records with each view and download requiring 6 to 10 credits to purchase at 25 pence per credit.
In October, I had the pleasure of discussing various topics with Dr. Durie at the Scotland County Highland Games in Laurinburg, NC. As it turns out, Dr. Durie is a friend of Dr. Marjory Harper, professor of history and an expert in the Scottish Diaspora at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. These noted professors are valuable resources to the LGDF.
Dr. Durie’s website: http://www.brucedurie.co.uk/