Is David Dobson a reliable source for Scottish records?

Question

I am trying to figure out which William Frazer (Fraser, Frazier) is my 4G grandfather. He would have been born possibly between 1750 and 1771, possibly in Scotland.  I want to look at any records for a William Fraser coming over of that age.. or of his father or grandfather. In other words I want to track the different stories and try to document them. David Dobson has many books on the market with lists of various Scottish emigration. Are his books reliable sources of information?

Comments

H

Some of these might be helpful

http://www.glasgowfamilyhistory.org.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

https://www.bunkerfamilyassn.org/

http://www.ajhs.org/

https://www.sag.org.au/

http://hsp.org/

https://www.anesfhs.org.uk/publications/anesfhs-titles?task=publications

http://www.ffhs.org.uk/

http://www.archivescanada.ca/

https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/?gclid=CJXIotPovcoCFQw6GwodEWECyQ&dclid=CK2WttPovcoCFVemFgodGjcAEw

https://www.freecen.org.uk/

http://www.freeukgenealogy.org.uk/about/links/

http://www.genuki.org.uk/

https://www.freereg.org.uk/

http://genealogy.az.gov/

http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/

http://www.nmarchive.com/

http://www.mawer.clara.net/intro.html

http://www.ellenterryarchive.hull.ac.uk/star

http://www.blacksheepancestors.com/

WikiTree profile: JD Snyder

 

 

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Thank you, JD!

Answer 1

I work in an archive which collects information regarding the Highlands and particular areas of Scotland.  I use Dobson frequently in my work concerning emigrant ships and his research is second to none.  He is highly regarded and his work forms the basis of much further research.  It should be remembered that not all the manuscripts and records from this time are as accurate as we, or even Dobson, would wish. Dobson goes to primary sources.

Comments

Finally, after 2 years I get a good answer to my question. Thank you!

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Edie, I have 3 of David Dobson's books: Scottish Emigration to Colonial America 1607-1785; Scots of the Chesapeake 1621-1776; and Mariners of Kirkcaldy, St. Andrews & Fife 1600-1800. Let me know if you'd like any look-ups.

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I may take you up on that. I am the manager of the Frazier Name Study and one of our goals is to track emigrants from the British Isles to the New World. My particular goal is to try to figure out which Frazier/Fraser family line I am descended from and where they came from. Unfortunately I am having to put my search on a shelf because of work, but when I get a lead I may enlist your aid.

Answer 2

Given that he is an honorary fellow of the School of History at the University of St. Andrews, I would assume his books were fairly reliable.

https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/history/staff/daviddobson.html

Comments

I had read that. I have just not seen his books used as sources.