David W
Webster FSA Scot
David W
Webster was born in Tynemouth near Newcastle-upon-Tyne of Scottish parents,
so can lay claim to dual nationality as a Geordie and a Scot, although
he would regard himself as an 'Honest Man', - that's a challenge to
readers' knowledge of Burns!
After graduating
with a first class honours B.Sc. in chemical engineering from the Royal
College of Science and Technology in Glasgow he worked in England and
Sweden before returning to Scotland and catching the genealogy bug.
In addition
to his professional career, David has developed a substantial reputation
over the last 20 years as a professional genealogical researcher in
the Scottish records, as well as related records in terms of Scottish
emigrants not only to North America and Australia and New Zealand, but
also England, Ireland, and Europe.
David has
written a number of books and booklets on aspects of genealogical research
in Scotland, as well as regularly contributing articles to the journals
of a number of Scottish family history societies.
In conjunction
with Scottish Genealogy Society, he has recently published a booklet
on the history of the names of the Scottish regiments.
David has an established a reputation as a contributor to genealogical
journals in the UK and North America.
He is also
working closely with ScotlandOnLine, the company behind the recent successor
site to Scots Origins, - 'ScotlandsPeople' and is an active member of
the ScotlandsPeople Users Group.
He was
invited to be the instructor for the Scottish course held by the British
Institute of the International Society for British Genealogy and Family
History (ISBGFH) in Salt Lake City in October both in 2001 and 2003.
On various
trips to the USA since 2001, David has run very successful day long
seminars at Denver Public Library, the St Andrews Society of Illinois
Genealogy Group in Chicago (twice), and Minnesota Genealogical Society,
and a half day seminar for BIGWILL (British Interest Group Wisconsin
and Illinois) in Richmond, IL, as well as being the invited lecturer
for the Scottish Family History Symposium held annually in conjunction
with the Texas Scottish Festival and Highland Games in Arlington TX
in early June 2004.
In June
2005 he was the invited, overseas, keynote speaker for the New Zealand
Society of Genealogists' annual conference in June 2005, followed by
a 4-week lecture tour of NZ. In 2006 he was an overseas keynote speaker
at the 11th Genealogy & Heraldry Congress in Darwin in Australia,
followed, in September by being the invited keynote speaker at the British
Isles FHS of Greater Ottawa annual conference.
From 2002
to 2006 David was the instructor for the Ancestry online Scottish research
training course.
David's
article on "Mobility and Myths in Scotland", mentioned in
the GenClass April 2008 Newsletter can
be downloaded from this link.
Testimonials:
David Webster is a genealogy genius. While researching
my Scottish ancestors David discovered the information given to me by
another researcher to be the wrong family. David then linked me with
my true ancestors. He is the best at what he does.
-- DLE, USA
With only my Grandfather's name and Great-Grandmother's first name and
the rumour that they were from Scotland, I was at a standstill with
my research until I took one of David's classes and e-mailed him for
help. In a few days, with his help, I traced my ancestry back over five
generations into the 1700s. I would highly recommend David to anyone
who needs help with their research
-- GA, Georgia, USA
David Webster's genealogical research is second to none. His attention
to detail in solving my "brick wall" and finding my lost ancestors
was greatly appreciated.
-- FZ, Australia
When I met David Webster, I knew only that my grandfather had come from
Scotland. With David's expertise as a genealogist, instructor and lecturer
my roots in Scotland are well documented into the 1700s. I encourage
everyone with Scottish interests to avail themselves of David's services.
-- EH, Maryland.
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