Research Family History and Discover Your Scottish Roots
The parish of Lonmay has recently attracted world wide interest since Allan Morrison, a Scottish writer, discovered that Elvis Presley's ancestors originate from Fraserburgh. His research revealed that Elvis was a direct descendant of blacksmith Andrew Presley and Elspeth Leg whose son, also named Andrew, left Scotland in 1745 to settle in North Carolina. Andrew and Elspeth were married at Lonmay Church in 1713. Little remains of the original church except a rather attractive archway with a stone cross - these are overlooked by one of the double bedrooms [Rattray] at Lonmay Old Manse.
Over the centuries many Scots left this region to start new lives in every corner of the globe. Lonmay Old Manse is a useful base for investigating Scottish roots and family histories.
If you are carrying out some preliminary research into your family history or Scottish roots, these links might be helpful:
- Peterhead Family Heritage
Has notes produced by the Peterhead Tourism Initiative [PTI] to help with some initial lines of research and background detail of the Peterhead area. The content has been compiled to provide an indication of the depth and breadth of significant historical information that exists in and around the town. There is also a message board for those seeking or wanting to exchange information about local families. - Scotland's People Database
Containing nearly 40 million records, the database is one of the world's largest resources of genealogical information and one of the largest single information resources on the internet. - The Aberdeen and North East Family Society
Run by expert volunteers who give some handy hints on how to research family trees and ancestry. The society produces a number of publications for use by people researching the area of north east Scotland. - The Scottish Association of Family History Societies
Founded on 4 October 1986 to enable individual societies to communicate with one another. Membership includes all established family history societies in Scotland, as well as several national and regional bodies throughout the world. - BMD Certificates
This is a team of expert researchers specialising in acquiring replacement birth, marriage and death certificates from government sources for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.