Projects per year
Personal profile
Personal Statement
Alasdair is a Teaching Fellow and Lead Tutor in the Strathclyde Institute for Genealogical Studies within the Centre for Lifelong Learning. He has been involved in family history research for over 40 years and has a particular interest in the Scottish Highlands. He completed his MSc on Scottish baronies. He was previously employed for many years within the defense and aerospace industry.
His research interests focus on the use of DNA in genealogical research. He is currently researching the origin and linkage of male lineages in the British Isles using Y-chromosomal DNA. He also specializes in Scottish land records and palaeography. Alasdair is one of the administrator of the Scottish DNA Project.
Academic / Professional qualifications
Alasdair is a Fellow of The Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Teaching Interests
- Genetic genealogy
- Lineage research
- Medieval and early modern genealogy
- Scottish Clans and Families
- Other genealogical topics for the English speaking world would be considered
Education/Academic qualification
Fellow of The Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Award Date: 16 Sept 2015
Master in Science, Genealogical Studies
Award Date: 18 Nov 2011
External positions
Director Birthlink
25 Nov 2015 → 25 Aug 2025
Keywords
- Genealogy
- Family history
- DNA for genealogy
- History
- Genetic genealogy
- Research methodology
Fingerprint
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- 1 Similar Profiles
Projects
- 2 Active
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Declaration of Arbroath Family History Project
Holton, G. (Principal Investigator) & Macdonald, A. F. (Principal Investigator)
12/10/18 → …
Project: Research
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Battle of Bannockburn Family History Project
Macdonald, A. F. (Principal Investigator) & Holton, G. (Principal Investigator)
2/09/13 → …
Project: Non-funded project
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What can Y-DNA analysis reveal about the Scottish Hay noble lineage?
Stead, P., Haddrill, P. R. & Macdonald, A. F., 19 Nov 2025, In: Genealogy. 9, 4, 21 p., 132.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure) -
DNA: A Guide for Family Historians
Holton, G. S. (Editor), Cleary, J., Leonard, M., McDonald, I. & Macdonald, A. F., 7 Apr 2025, Barnsley. 280 p. (Tracing Your Ancestors)Research output: Book/Report › Book
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Advancing Genetic Genealogy
Holton, G. (Speaker) & Macdonald, A. F. (Speaker)
7 Jun 2024Activity: Presenting or Organising an Event › Participation in conference
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"Humble and devout sons" – the men of the Declaration of Arbroath and their families: the role of documentary and genetic genealogy research in medieval genealogy
Holton, G. (Speaker) & Macdonald, A. F. (Speaker)
2 Sept 2022Activity: Talk or Presentation › Invited talk