Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book for the purposes of review and I have received other books from Genealogical Publishing Company, also for review. However, my opinions are my own and not influenced by outside sources.
Scottish expert and author/compiler David Dobson turned his sights to the oceans in his latest newly published (2026) book, Scottish Seafarers at Home and Abroad 1550-1850 and each time I review his books, I wish I had more concrete information about my own handful of Scots ancestors.
This book follows the usual format of Dobson’s many other publications. Entries are in alphabetical order by name with a key to abbreviations of sources provided along with several illustrations.
Although most entries are from the 1700s and 1800s, there are quite a few from the 1600s and there are a very few from the 1500s. Entries are short, but factual.
Examples:
Small, John, clerk of the Clynkbells of Dundee arrived in Dundee in 1580.
Simpson, John, master of CHANCE, sailed from Port Royal in Jamaica in a convoy, included in the CUPID, the GREENWICH, the NABOB bound for the River Clyde in November 1778, however, the CHANCE became detached from the convoy and on 14 December 1778 was captured by the sloop PROVIDENCE master Patrick Rathbone and a prize crew was put on board, but on 1 January 1779 they retook the ship and took it to Scotland.
Kerr, John, born 1784, a shipmaster, died on 22 January 1848 (Greenock)
Boyd, Robert, a sailor in Cork, son and heir of John Boyd a shipmaster in Irvine, Ayreshire, in 1741.
Millar, Captain D.C., of the barque MARINER OF LONDON son of Francis Millar in Glasgow, died at Taboo, Yawney Bay, Africa on 6 January 1849.
The entries, as the reader can see, are varied and pertain to local history, the American Revolution and ports of departure and arrival.
The information is often unique, not to be found elsewhere so may be invaluable to a researcher with Scottish mariners in the family line.
Like Dobson’s other historical compilations, this book should be on the reference shelf of all genealogical libraries and, as mentioned, if there are mariners in the Scottish family tree, it should be on those book shelves as well.
Scottish Seafarers at Home and Abroad 1550-1850 by David Dobson can be purchased from Genealogical Publishing Company for $32.50.