The Clan Rattray Database is a compendium that, at the end of February 2006, contained information on about 36,584 individuals with Rattray ancestry and their associated spouses. The database runs with Personal Ancestral File (PAF) software. It is not online due to its large size and as additions are constantly being made. Copies are held by Clan Officers, while the master is in the computer of the volunteer Clan Genealogist Dr. Charles Bird, Box 22, Erskine, Alberta, Canada, T0C 1G0 (cdbird@xplornet.com). 

Contact the above to make additions, request a search or have a report made of your own Rattray line. No charge is made for the work that is done, but everyone should be aware that the Genealogist has numerous other projects on the go and that it may take a while before he can respond. That being said, he is pleased to assist individuals, where he can, to learn more about their Rattray ancestry and relatives.

The Database

The Clan Rattray originated in Perthshire, Scotland, in the vicinity of Rattray and Blairgowrie. Genealogically, the line can be traced back nearly a thousand years. Summarized information can be found in Burke’s “A Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain”, Cokayne’s “The Complete Peerage”, and Douglas’s “The Peerage of Scotland”.

Those attempting to trace their lineage will soon become aware that names were often written differently in the early times. It may be hard to believe, but 40 different spellings have been found for “RATTRAY”. Similarly, there have been many different spellings for given names like John, Mary and Elizabeth.

The database information has been gathered from a great many sources, but especially from Parish Records, books, census records and individuals. The International Genealogical Index (IGI), which may be studied at Church of Latter Day Saints Family History Centres and accessed through that Church’s FamilySearch web site (http://www.familysearch.org/), has been an important source. In Scotland, records of birth, baptism/christening, marriage and death were kept in Parish Registers until 1855 when Civil Registration commenced.

Much effort has been made to record the source of each fact that has been entered into the database. This enables individuals to know where information came from and to be able to know where to start when making searches. 

All those using information from the database should be aware that errors may have crept in and that certain reasonably logical assumptions have been made. Anyone discovering an inaccuracy should notify the compiler. In addition, it should be remembered that examination of original Parish Registers and other documents, such as Census data, may yield further information. Read the database information with a critical eye and attempt to ensure it's accuracy.

If information on your line is not currently in the Clan Rattray database, it should be. It would be especially helpful if you would send information on yourself, your family, and how you connect. Please supply, in so far as you know them, dates and places of birth, marriage and death. Details like this may seem superfluous but with the large number of individuals in the database, this information is important. You can be assured that the database is there solely to help individuals like yourself learn more about your Rattray heritage. You are also requested to supply your regular mailing address, so that you may be contacted should new information come up on your line.