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.

Today, we”l take a look at the second of David Dobson’s three newly published books in 2026.

For those who are unfamiliar with David Dobson’s work, he has compiled massive amounts of facts about Scots and the individual records about them uncovered in original resources, including archives, newspapers, etc.

Scottish Soldiers and Prisoners of War 1638-1652 The Wars of the Three Kingdoms is especially significant because the wars in Britain from 1638-1652 brought about many life changes, particularly for those on the losing side who were punished with transportation far from today’s United Kingdom.

There are also numerous entries about Scots in the military

Given that this book is a compilation of names, Dobson’s method of presenting the facts in alpha-order of surnames, there is no need for an index and it is easy to open the book and look for possible information about the researcher’s possible Scottish ancestor.

Scottish Soldiers does have an introduction, providing a brief overview of the war/s involving King Charles I and describing the penal transportation system.

There are also a few locale illustrations and a list of the abbreviations for the sources of details about each person named i nthe book.

Examples of Entries:

Darling, George, captured at the Battle of Worcester, on 2 September 1651, was transported via London aboard the John and Sarah of London, master John Greene, landed at Boston, New England, on 13 February 1652

Naismith, William, a chaplain of Montgomery’s Regiment in 1645

Kidd, William, possibly a prisoner of war who was transported to Barbados, a militiaman there in 1679

Rodger, Captain, was hanged at the Mercat Cross of Edinburgh on 26 April 1654

The lengthier entries are similar to that of George Darling, above, identifying battle participation and what became of them.

David Dobson’s books are absolutely fabulous guides to the movement of Scots around the world. Scottish Soldiers and Prisoners of War 1638-1652 will be especially helpful in identifying early American colonial ancestors of Scottish origins.

Ancestors found in this book who settled in the American colonies have sources cited explaining how and why they ended up in the New World and it wasn’t by their own choice.

Scottish Soldiers and Prisoners of War 1638-1652 The Wars of the Three Kingdoms is another book that needs to be on the shelf of every genealogical library and on the book shelf of those with many 17th century Scottish connections in colonial America.

The book can be purchased from Genealogical Publishing Company for $30.50.