The Red Book of Scotland project is only one aspect of my overall research activities. I have over thirty years continual experience as a Record Searcher and over that time I have dealt with an extensive range of historical material from within a wide variety of sources. I have also;

  1. appeared as an expert witness in court hearings of a genealogical nature and have also supplied certified evidence for such;
  2. worked for lawyers to locate, transcribe and inventory evidence for client's legal cases and;
  3. worked with various TV production companies to supply information for their documentaries.

I offer a full range of research services which include;

  1. Standard genealogical research to track down and identify illusive ancestors;
  2. Research and reporting for petitions to the Lyon Court for claims to dormant arms and titles;
  3. Property searches to establish ownership, extent of ownership, rights etc, and supply such evidence and transcriptions as are required;
  4. Name studies: comprising a thorough investigation within primary sources to gather extant information to piece together accurate and fully-referenced genealogical accounts of specific families. Such studies to-date include those on behalf of the Clan Donnachaidh Society and the Clan Wood Society;
  5. Research on behalf of authors who require focused investigations into families, individuals and their land, financial and personal interests.

In addition to research, I also continually undertake transcription and translation work from documents ranging in date from 12th century to the present day. As well as that I regularly am commissioned to inventory collections of historical papers. Such work as this commonly ranges from an entire collection to single items, including single hard to read entries from OPR registers and Testaments.

Costs: As each case is unique there is no standard fee. For further information please complete the form below and we will get in touch with you to discuss further.

Customer's comments include:

“Gordon MacGregor has been of tremendous help to me regarding seventeenth and eighteenth century Scottish family members. When I reached a dead end in my research, Mr. MacGregor was able to locate documents that elucidated what I wanted to know. His endeavors exceeded my expectations. I’ve also found his Red Book an invaluable resource in making genealogical connections among numerous families. Any serious researcher would be well advised to consult with Mr. MacGregor to enhance his/her research.” John Altobello, Ph.D., M.A., B.A. Architect, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.

“Gordon has done extensive work for the Clan Donnachaidh Society. He succeeded in proving the descent of the Robertsons of Struan from the Celtic earls of Atholl for the first time, which earlier researchers had thought impossible, as well as showing how the cadet families of the clan are linked to the chief. Similarly he demonstrated the lines of descent from the Earl of Buchan for several of the Stewart lairds of Atholl, a discovery that many earlier genealogists had failed to detect. I know of nobody else in Scotland with his expertise and skill in genealogy.” James Irvine Robertson, Author, Journalist and Broadcaster.

“Gordon MacGregor was commissioned in 2014 by the Clan Wood Society to conduct research into the accuracy or otherwise of our knowledge of the chiefly family, the Woods of Largo, Fife. He achieved his brief over a period of just over 12 months, during which he found and connected some missing dots in the succession picture and removed some misleading 17th and 19th century guesswork that had been obscuring the facts. He did so not by indulging in short-cutting speculation but by seeking only consistent primary evidence that can be relied on by the Court of Lord Lyon, chroniclers and researchers in the future. We would have no hesitation in recommending his services to any enquiring organisation or individual." Nick Wood, (Secretary, Clan Wood Society).

"We first contacted Gordon MacGregor in 2013 about a Campbell line that had led us to a brick wall and had defeated a registered Researcher. Gordon took over. He combined our information and family traditions with the primary sources and found we were descended from the Campbells of Inverveich and Edinample, both of the Campbells of Glenorchy. We received this extensive information clearly set out in table form with all the primary sources listed below. Gordon also gave us extra relevant information, photos and the names of books and papers that he had found while researching. In 2017 we contacted Gordon MacGregor again to research a MacDonald line. The primary sources found to date have exceeded our expectations. He has also transcribed some difficult archaic documents, translated a Latin one for us and answered many questions. He is courteous and his work is very thorough and professional. I have no hesitation in recommending Gordon MacGregor for any research.” Carol McKay, author, New Zealand.

 

UPDATES:

  1. Inglis of Nether Cramond Baronetcy: I am extremely pleased to announce news of Lord Lyon's Interlocutor of 28th January 2019, allowing my client's successful petition to the Inglis of Nether Cramond Baronetcy. The Baronetcy was created in favour of Sir James Inglis of Nether Cramond on 22 March 1687 and fell into a state of dormancy on the death of Sir Patrick Inglis, 5th Baronet, on 24 November 1817. My research and report proved a number of points of genealogy including (1) the client/petitioner to be heir male of the last baronet and (2) their shared descent in the male line from an ancestor who had died in 1602. Lord Lyon's summary of proceedings and his "Findings and Reasons" can be viewed here
  2. Clan Pringle Chiefship: I am also pleased to now be able to report on the petition of Sir Norman Murray Archibald MacGregor Pringle of that Ilk and of Stichill, Baronet, to be recognised as the succeeding Chief of the Name and Arms of the Clan Pringle, which has remained dormant since the death of John Hoppringill of that Ilk in 1737. I was commissioned by Sir Murray to conduct the required research and supply the necessary written reports with accompanying evidence which went to hearing on 27th June 2019 at which I was the witness. UPDATE: I am extremely pleased to report that on 18th February 2020, Lord Lyon upheld this Petition and allowed Sir Murray to succeeded as Chief of the Name and Arms of Pringle. Pringle Findings and Reasons.
  3. Carruthers Chiefship; I was commissioned by the Petitioner to locate evidence to prove that the destination of the Chiefship of Carruthers was not limited to heirs male but, instead, that it opened up to "heirs  whatsoever." This done, Lord Lyon decided in favour of the Petitioner, Peter Carruthers of Holmains, by decision of 19th September 2019.
  4. Oliphant of Newton Baronetcy: research complete, updates to follow;
  5. Wood of Largo: I am very pleased to be acting as agent to the late Chief, Timothy Wood of Largo's children to settle succession upon the next heir. Further details will be forthcoming. UPDATE: Petition upheld by Lord Lyon's Interlocutor dated April 2022. Congratulations to Oonagh Wood on her succession!
  6. Clan Blair Chiefship: updates to follow;
  7. Livingston Chiefship; details to follow;
  8. Oliphant of Bachilton; details to follow;
  9. Burnett of Leys Baronetcy, research and report completed - details to follow.
  10. MacDonnell of the Glens Chiefship, details to follow.
  11. MacDonald of Glencoe Chiefship, research and report complete. Details to follow.
  12. Report identifying the heir male of MacKinnon of Strathordale. Research nearing completion. Further details to follow.
  13. Earldom of Glencairn, updates to follow.
  14. Burnett of Leys Baronetcy, report completed and further details to follow.
  15. Livingstone of Dunipace Baronetcy, details to follow.
  16. & others which are in various stages of preparation.

Whatever your research needs may be, I am sure to be able to help.  Drop me a line and I look forward to helping you in your own research activities.

Gordon MacGregor