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Dr. Bruce Durie

Bonus webinars Methodology and Skills Heraldry Miscellaneous Places and Ethnicities Scotland Webtember

Dr. Bruce Durie is considered one of Scotland’s top genealogists, with an international reputation. He is perhaps best known for his eight-year BBC radio series, “Digging Up Your Roots” and “A House with A Past”, and he has authored over 30 books, including the best-selling “Scottish Genealogy” now in its 4th edition. His background is in medicine and neuropharmacology, as well as holding a doctoral degree in history and education. Bruce founded, delivered and ran the much-acclaimed Postgraduate Program in Genealogical Studies at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, including a full-time, online, one-year Masters Genealogical Studies programme. He is well known for speaking, lecturing and presenting workshops on various aspects of Scottish genealogy, heraldry, history and culture worldwide but particularly in the UK, USA and Canada.

His latest books are “Your Scottish-American Ancestry” and “Ordinary of Arms vol III” (all Coats of Arms issued by the Lord Lyon between 1971 and 2017) (see www.brucedurie.co.uk/books.html)

He lives and works in Scotland.

Other honours and awards:

  • Shennachie (Genealogist and Historian) to the Chief of Durie
  • Elected to the prestigious Académie Internationale de Généalogie (the only member from Scotland)
  • Founding Member of the Register of Qualified Genealogists (www.qualifiedgenealogists.org)
  • Founding Member of the Editorial Board of two scholarly, peer-reviewed journals, Genealogy (www.mdpi.com/journal/genealogy) and The Journal of Genealogy and Family History (www.qualifiedgenealogists.org/ojs)
  • Fulbright Senior Scottish Studies Scholar 2016, spending eight months researching “Scottish Migration into Colonial America” at St Andrews University, Laurinburg, North Carolina, USA
  • Right of Audience at the Court of the Lord Lyon

More info at: www.brucedurie.co.uk

Dr.'s Webinars (19)

50:03
Places and Ethnicities
Scottish costume – The Kilt: fact, fiction and pure fantasy
Dr. Bruce Durie
355 views
CC
Scottish costume – The Kilt: fact, fiction and pure fantasy
There is so much emotional and heritage capital invested in the Scottish kilt and tartans. But these are not as ancient, and not so uniformly Scottish, as often thought. How much of this is historical fact and how much a modern creation? Dr Bruce Durie sifts the reality from the myth.
Places and Ethnicities
Scottish costume – The Kilt: fact, fiction and pure fantasy
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
355 views
There is so much emotional and heritage capital invested in the Scottish kilt and tartans. But these are not as ancient, and not so uniformly Scottish, as often thought. How much of this is historical fact and how much a modern creation? Dr Bruce Durie sifts the reality from the myth.
Fri, April 4 2025: 8:00 UTC
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50:47
Places and Ethnicities
Scottish Genealogy – Are we a Clan or a Family? And can we have a Chief?
Dr. Bruce Durie
943 views
CC
Scottish Genealogy – Are we a Clan or a Family? And can we have a Chief?
Not every Scottish surname is a Clan, despite what your "Clan Society" says. Are there really "Septs"? And how do we go about getting a Chief?
Places and Ethnicities
Scottish Genealogy – Are we a Clan or a Family? And can we have a Chief?
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
943 views
Not every Scottish surname is a Clan, despite what your "Clan Society" says. Are there really "Septs"? And how do we go about getting a Chief?
Fri, April 12 2024: 11:00 UTC
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48:34
Methodology and SkillsPlaces and Ethnicities
Can Americans get a legal Coat of Arms from Scotland?
Dr. Bruce Durie
197 views
CC
Free
Can Americans get a legal Coat of Arms from Scotland?
Can an American get a legal Coat of Arms in Scotland? It is possible, and many have, but it's not necessarily straightforward or simple. Dr Bruce Durie addresses the How and the Why of Scottish Heraldry.
Methodology and SkillsPlaces and Ethnicities
Can Americans get a legal Coat of Arms from Scotland?
CC
Free
Dr. Bruce Durie
197 views
Can an American get a legal Coat of Arms in Scotland? It is possible, and many have, but it's not necessarily straightforward or simple. Dr Bruce Durie addresses the How and the Why of Scottish Heraldry.
Fri, September 16 2022: 10:00 UTC
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46:52
Places and Ethnicities
Clans and Families in Scotland
Dr. Bruce Durie
564 views
CC
Clans and Families in Scotland
Everyone from Scotland is in a Clan, right? Wrong. The Clan was a phenomenon of only certain parts of Scotland, and not the majority. Is your surname associated with a Highland or Borders Clan or a Lowlands Family? If so, what can you do about it?
Places and Ethnicities
Clans and Families in Scotland
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
564 views
Everyone from Scotland is in a Clan, right? Wrong. The Clan was a phenomenon of only certain parts of Scotland, and not the majority. Is your surname associated with a Highland or Borders Clan or a Lowlands Family? If so, what can you do about it?
Fri, April 8 2022: 8:00 UTC
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37:12
Places and EthnicitiesWebtember
How Can I Get a Legal Coat of Arms in Scotland?
Dr. Bruce Durie
194 views
CC
How Can I Get a Legal Coat of Arms in Scotland?
There is no such thing as a “Family Coat of Arms” and a Crest is not the same as Arms. Then there are Laws… Then there’s Procedure… But it IS possible!
Places and EthnicitiesWebtember
How Can I Get a Legal Coat of Arms in Scotland?
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
194 views
There is no such thing as a “Family Coat of Arms” and a Crest is not the same as Arms. Then there are Laws… Then there’s Procedure… But it IS possible!
Fri, September 3 2021: 7:00 UTC
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1:22:07
Miscellaneous
Mistrust Transcriptions: And Here's Why
Dr. Bruce Durie
6.3K views
CC
Mistrust Transcriptions: And Here's Why
I think we’ve all been there...we find a transcribed Birth/Baptism, Marriage, Death/Burial or Census entry, and it either 1) looks completely wrong, 2) looks too good to be true, 3) has no supporting citation or source information. So, how do we know 1) where it came from? 2) whether it’s…
Miscellaneous
Mistrust Transcriptions: And Here's Why
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
6.3K views
I think we’ve all been there...we find a transcribed Birth/Baptism, Marriage, Death/Burial or Census entry, and it either 1) looks completely wrong, 2) looks too good to be true, 3) has no supporting citation or source information. So, how do we know 1) where it came from? 2) whether it’s…
Wed, May 27 2020: 0:00 UTC
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48:47
Places and Ethnicities
“My Ancestors were Normans” – Oh really? Prove it!
Dr. Bruce Durie
6.1K views
CC
“My Ancestors were Normans” – Oh really? Prove it!
Join Dr Bruce Durie on a canter through the genealogy of Norman ancestors.
Places and Ethnicities
“My Ancestors were Normans” – Oh really? Prove it!
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
6.1K views
Join Dr Bruce Durie on a canter through the genealogy of Norman ancestors.
Fri, March 13 2020: 0:00 UTC
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1:12:34
Places and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 7 of 12: Using ScotlandsPlaces for People in Land and Tax Records
Dr. Bruce Durie
4.5K views
CC
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 7 of 12: Using ScotlandsPlaces for People in Land and Tax Records
ScotlandsPlaces sounds like it is only about geography, right? In fact there is a great deal of information about people in this large, comprehensive and completely free-to-use resource. Tax and Land Records, Ordnance Survey Name Books, Reports, Publications and Burgh Records, Archaeological Records, Maps, Surveys, Plans, Drawings and Photographs and...
Places and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 7 of 12: Using ScotlandsPlaces for People in Land and Tax Records
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
4.5K views
ScotlandsPlaces sounds like it is only about geography, right? In fact there is a great deal of information about people in this large, comprehensive and completely free-to-use resource. Tax and Land Records, Ordnance Survey Name Books, Reports, Publications and Burgh Records, Archaeological Records, Maps, Surveys, Plans, Drawings and Photographs and...
Fri, June 7 2019: 0:00 UTC
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23:59
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 10 of 12: Other Scottish Records and Sources – NRS, NRAS, SCAN
Dr. Bruce Durie
729 views
CC
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 10 of 12: Other Scottish Records and Sources – NRS, NRAS, SCAN
Almost every document ever produced in Scotland has been catalogued, if it has survived. Many of them are of genealogical significance. Here is how to find them, using the free resources of the National Records of Scotland (the equivalent of America’s NARA) and others.
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 10 of 12: Other Scottish Records and Sources – NRS, NRAS, SCAN
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
729 views
Almost every document ever produced in Scotland has been catalogued, if it has survived. Many of them are of genealogical significance. Here is how to find them, using the free resources of the National Records of Scotland (the equivalent of America’s NARA) and others.
Fri, June 7 2019: 0:00 UTC
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1:05:16
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 12 of 12: Emigration from Scotland
Dr. Bruce Durie
1.6K views
CC
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 12 of 12: Emigration from Scotland
Where did they go, and why? What were the “Push” and “Pull” factors involved? What welcome did they receive? And why is it historically and culturally mistaken to call anyone “Scots-Irish”?
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 12 of 12: Emigration from Scotland
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
1.6K views
Where did they go, and why? What were the “Push” and “Pull” factors involved? What welcome did they receive? And why is it historically and culturally mistaken to call anyone “Scots-Irish”?
Fri, June 7 2019: 0:00 UTC
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1:00:23
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 11 of 12: Myths, Stories and Pitfalls in Scottish Genealogy
Dr. Bruce Durie
962 views
CC
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 11 of 12: Myths, Stories and Pitfalls in Scottish Genealogy
There are many myths, stories and pitfalls in Scottish Genealogy, and quite a few of them revolve around the distinctions between Clans and Families. So what should you wear – indeed, what MAY you wear – at your next Scottish Games and Gathering?
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 11 of 12: Myths, Stories and Pitfalls in Scottish Genealogy
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
962 views
There are many myths, stories and pitfalls in Scottish Genealogy, and quite a few of them revolve around the distinctions between Clans and Families. So what should you wear – indeed, what MAY you wear – at your next Scottish Games and Gathering?
Fri, June 7 2019: 0:00 UTC
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55:19
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 9 of 12: Scots Heraldry and Coats of Arms
Dr. Bruce Durie
955 views
CC
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 9 of 12: Scots Heraldry and Coats of Arms
So… How does Heraldry work? All those strange words – Sable, on a chevron Or betwixt three cross crosslets fitchée Argent as many roses Proper and a chief of the second – what do they mean?
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 9 of 12: Scots Heraldry and Coats of Arms
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
955 views
So… How does Heraldry work? All those strange words – Sable, on a chevron Or betwixt three cross crosslets fitchée Argent as many roses Proper and a chief of the second – what do they mean?
Fri, June 7 2019: 0:00 UTC
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58:20
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 8 of 12: Numbers, Dates, Calendars, Money and Measure in Scotland
Dr. Bruce Durie
1.2K views
CC
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 8 of 12: Numbers, Dates, Calendars, Money and Measure in Scotland
What date, exactly, was IV Kalends Februarii MDCVIII in Scotland and in England? And why do the Scots celebrate Hogmanay (New Year) more than Christmas? The answers are not obvious!
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 8 of 12: Numbers, Dates, Calendars, Money and Measure in Scotland
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
1.2K views
What date, exactly, was IV Kalends Februarii MDCVIII in Scotland and in England? And why do the Scots celebrate Hogmanay (New Year) more than Christmas? The answers are not obvious!
Fri, June 7 2019: 0:00 UTC
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1:30:58
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 1 of 12: The Top 3 Resources
Dr. Bruce Durie
13.8K views
CC
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 1 of 12: The Top 3 Resources
Finding your Scottish ancestors is impossible without the vast and essential resources of ScotlandsPeople, ScotlandsPlaces and the National Library of Scotland. This introductory session will show participants how to register for and access these resources, and exactly what is and is not free to search and/or download. This class, an...
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 1 of 12: The Top 3 Resources
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
13.8K views
Finding your Scottish ancestors is impossible without the vast and essential resources of ScotlandsPeople, ScotlandsPlaces and the National Library of Scotland. This introductory session will show participants how to register for and access these resources, and exactly what is and is not free to search and/or download. This class, an...
Fri, May 3 2019: 0:00 UTC
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46:27
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 5 of 12: Using ScotlandsPeople for post-1855 Statutory Records
Dr. Bruce Durie
1.3K views
CC
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 5 of 12: Using ScotlandsPeople for post-1855 Statutory Records
The Victorians – God bless them! - took the responsibility for recording Births, Marriages and Deaths away from the Churches and made it a State responsibility.
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 5 of 12: Using ScotlandsPeople for post-1855 Statutory Records
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
1.3K views
The Victorians – God bless them! - took the responsibility for recording Births, Marriages and Deaths away from the Churches and made it a State responsibility.
Fri, May 3 2019: 0:00 UTC
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1:11:21
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 4 of 12: Using ScotlandsPeople for pre-1855 Old Parish Record
Dr. Bruce Durie
2.3K views
CC
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 4 of 12: Using ScotlandsPeople for pre-1855 Old Parish Record
Records of the three main sacraments - Baptism, Proclamation of Marriage and Burial – were the province of the Church until 1854.
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 4 of 12: Using ScotlandsPeople for pre-1855 Old Parish Record
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
2.3K views
Records of the three main sacraments - Baptism, Proclamation of Marriage and Burial – were the province of the Church until 1854.
Fri, May 3 2019: 0:00 UTC
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43:34
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 3 of 12: Using ScotlandsPeople for Scottish censuses – 1841 and before to 1911
Dr. Bruce Durie
3.2K views
CC
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 3 of 12: Using ScotlandsPeople for Scottish censuses – 1841 and before to 1911
We have genealogically-useful census records for every 10 years from 1841 to 1911 (1921 coming in early 2022 and there are some Census Substitutes for the period before, and the intervening years.
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 3 of 12: Using ScotlandsPeople for Scottish censuses – 1841 and before to 1911
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
3.2K views
We have genealogically-useful census records for every 10 years from 1841 to 1911 (1921 coming in early 2022 and there are some Census Substitutes for the period before, and the intervening years.
Fri, May 3 2019: 0:00 UTC
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39:03
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 2 of 12: Who Are The Scots?
Dr. Bruce Durie
4.6K views
CC
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 2 of 12: Who Are The Scots?
History, Anthropology, DNA The Scots are not a unitary people.
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 2 of 12: Who Are The Scots?
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
4.6K views
History, Anthropology, DNA The Scots are not a unitary people.
Fri, May 3 2019: 0:00 UTC
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1:34:38
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 6 of 12: Scotland has no Probate – Wills and Testaments, Land Inheritance back to 1544
Dr. Bruce Durie
2.1K views
CC
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 6 of 12: Scotland has no Probate – Wills and Testaments, Land Inheritance back to 1544
Scotland has Wills and Testaments – which are not the same thing, although some Testaments may contains Wills. And there is no Probate – Scotland has a system of Confirmation instead.
Bonus webinarsPlaces and Ethnicities
Foundations of Scottish Genealogy 6 of 12: Scotland has no Probate – Wills and Testaments, Land Inheritance back to 1544
CC
Dr. Bruce Durie
2.1K views
Scotland has Wills and Testaments – which are not the same thing, although some Testaments may contains Wills. And there is no Probate – Scotland has a system of Confirmation instead.
Fri, May 3 2019: 0:00 UTC
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