Qualified Genealogist · Software Engineer
Bridging traditional genealogical scholarship and modern technology. Specialising in Scottish, English, Irish and Welsh family history, DNA analysis, and palaeography.
Originally from Paisley and now based in Wantage, Oxfordshire, Hugh Douglas is a Pre-Sales and Solutions Architect with over 25 years of experience in the software industry, working predominantly with start-up companies across business intelligence, data analytics, and enterprise software.
Driven by a long-standing passion for family history, Hugh undertook postgraduate studies in Genealogical, Palaeographic and Heraldic Studies at the University of Strathclyde, completing his Postgraduate Diploma and earning registration as a Student Member of the Register of Qualified Genealogists (RQG). He is continuing towards an M.Sc.
His combination of software engineering expertise and rigorous genealogical training enables him to approach family history research with both analytical precision and scholarly depth — applying modern data techniques to historical records.
Professional genealogical research conducted to the standards of the Register of Qualified Genealogists. Located close to London with direct access to the National Archives, British Library, and Metropolitan Archives.
Comprehensive research using Old Parish Registers, statutory records, census returns, and the National Records of Scotland. Specialist knowledge of Scottish naming conventions, clan history, and Scots law.
Research across parish records, civil registration, census returns, wills and probate, and manorial records. Coverage from medieval periods to the present day using archives across England and Wales.
Navigating Ireland's complex record landscape including surviving civil and church records, Griffith's Valuation, Tithe Applotment Books, and estate papers held in Dublin and Belfast.
Interpretation of autosomal, Y-DNA and mtDNA test results. Chromosome mapping, identifying unknown relatives, and integrating genetic evidence with documentary research to resolve brick walls.
Palaeographic expertise in reading and transcribing historical documents including secretary hand and court hand from the 16th century onwards. Ideal for wills, deeds, and court records.
Research into family heraldry, coats of arms, and armorial bearings. Guidance on legitimate entitlement to heraldic devices under the laws of Scotland, England, and Ireland.
Research can be undertaken wholly by Hugh or in an advisory capacity, according to your needs.
Enquire About ServicesSoftware engineering projects with a focus on business intelligence, data analytics, and applying technology to real-world problems.
Desktop application bridging SAP Business Data Cloud — Datasphere and SAC — with Silwood Safyr, an enterprise metadata governance tool with no native BDC connector. Unified three distinct API surfaces (OData XML, REST JSON, and the Datasphere CLI) into a single normalised schema written to an Access .accdb database in Safyr's exact format. Ships as a self-contained Windows executable with a GUI for non-technical users.
Python wrapper for the SAP Analytics Cloud OData Export API, demonstrating programmatic export of metadata and underlying data from SAC across multiple namespaces.
View on GitHubCompanion code repository for the Packt publication on SAP Analytics Cloud, covering practical implementation of analytics and BI workflows on the SAP platform.
View on GitHubInterested in genealogy services or discussing a technical project? I’d be glad to hear from you.