Guthrie Church Records and the DNA Story That Rewrites Family Origins

Looking outside the box for clues is often necessary to track down missing ancestors. Many Guthrie men and women took direct routes from Scotland to their new colonial homelands, but others settled in temporary or generational locales before moving to their final destinations. While you may immediately think of Ireland or France, the Scottish enclave in Rotterdam during the 1600s was a place of business and refuge for Guthries of the era.

Rotterdam: From Dam to Major Seaport

Today, the Rotterdam-The Hague metroplex is the 10th largest in the European Union. Its history extends back to 1270 when a dam was constructed in the Rotte, a river in the Rhine-Maas delta in what is now the Netherlands. Rotterdam is a major logistics and economic center as well as Europe’s largest seaport.

Because of Scotland’s difficult terrain, there was often limited trade within certain areas of the country. Most settlements depended upon locally produced wares. During the Middle Ages, Scots merchants began to export raw materials and import scarce resources and luxury goods through international trade. The success or failure of their trading efforts often depended upon other geopolitical events.

The Scottish Staple System

The Scottish Staple was a medieval and early modern trading system requiring Scottish merchants to conduct foreign trades, especially with goods such as wool and hides. This process regulated commerce and secured royal revenues. During the 15th century, Bruges (Dutch / West Flanders) was the primary port, but the mercantile business eventually moved northward to the Dutch ports of Middelburg and Veere. Eventually, its main focus was in Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

In general, the early seventeenth century was a time of economic prosperity. Various Scottish burghs held prominence at one time or another, but Edinburgh grew its business into a virtual monopoly over international trade. That prosperity was bottlenecked in the 1630s with the onset of the Bishop’s Wars (1639-40) and Civil Wars (1642-51). _(Wikipedia)

Religious Turmoil and Refuge in the Netherlands

Scottish merchants were already in long-term relationships with the Dutch tradesmen when Charles I, King of England, Scotland, and Ireland (reign 1625-1649) acceded to the throne. His religious policies alienated both the English Puritans and the Scottish Covenanters as he attempted to force the Church of Scotland to adopt high Anglican practices. The resulting antipathy toward their monarch and his perceived tyranny against them led to his own downfall, but not before many trials and tribulations for the Scots.

Rotterdam became home to many Scots during these times—not only due to business ventures, but as a place of refuge while in exile. Prior to 1640, Scottish Presbyterians had no official clergyman in Rotterdam. They were in part attached to the Dutch Reformed Communion, which was similar to the Church of Scotland. The magistrates assisted a recently formed congregation of Scots in finding a pastor. The States of Holland quickly approved the proposition in 1642 (operational by 1643), allowing a church for the Scottish nation at Rotterdam with a pastor paid out of the public funds for the sum of five hundred and fifty guilders. _{(Steven’s History of the Scottish Church, Rotterdam)}

The Scottish Church in Rotterdam:

Established in 1642 (with its first minister, Rev. Alexander Petrie, inducted in 1643), the church served as a crucial Presbyterian hub for Scottish merchants, soldiers, and refugees in the Netherlands. Documented by William Steven in 1833, it operated under the Dutch Reformed Church, overcoming early 17th-century struggles to become a significant religious institution.

Key historical points from The History of the Scottish Church, Rotterdam (1833) include:

• Establishment: The church was established in 1642 to accommodate the growing number of Scots settling in Rotterdam.
• Early Leadership: The first minister, Rev. Alexander Petrie, was inducted in 1643.
• Role and Conflict: The church functioned as a “haven” for Scottish Presbyterians, including those fleeing religious persecution, and faced pressure from the British government in the late 17th century.
• Development: In 1675, it became a collegiate charge, with the Rev. Robert MacWard appointed as the second minister.
• Significance: The church was a vital link in the religious life between Scotland and the Dutch Republic, maintaining Presbyterian traditions abroad. 

William Steven’s account provides a detailed, comprehensive history, including information on other British churches in the Netherlands and the Dutch ecclesiastical structure of the time. 

Back in Scotland, just 19 years after the Rotterdam Scots formed their church, Rev. James Guthrie, Minister of Stirling, was martyred at the Cross of Edinburgh on 1 June 1661. His widow, Mrs Jane Guthrie, and their daughter Sophia, were later taken prisoner when their home had been searched for potential Covenanters in hiding. A banned book was discovered amongst their possessions, which led to both mother and daughter being brought before the Privy Council on 8 Feb 1666. Their guilt and banishment to the Shetland Islands was also noted, but in March they petitioned the court for an alternate location in Holland, which was a typical place for religious dissidents to be banished. Their final destination was not noted in the records.

Church records (baptisms/doop, marriages/trouw, and some membership or consistory notes) survive from the founding onward and are a key resource for tracing Scottish diaspora families. These are not held in Scotland but primarily in the Rotterdam City Archives (Stadsarchief Rotterdam):

• Main collection: Archives of the Scots Church Rotterdam (Schotse Kerk), archive 962-01 (includes dedicated baptism and other registers).
• Also integrated into the broader DTB collection (Doop-, Trouw- en Begraafregisters / Baptisms, Marriages, Burials), archive 1-02.

Many entries are indexed and often digitized (with scans viewable) on the aggregator site OpenArchieven.nl, which pulls from Dutch archives. A historical transcription index of baptisms, marriages, and members (1643–1899) was once hosted on the church’s own site (scotsintchurch.com/sicarchives), but current access routes primarily go through the municipal archives. The 1833 book The History of the Scottish Church, Rotterdam by William Steven discusses the church’s history, ministers, and consistory (including an appendix listing elders and deacons), but it contains no references to Guthrie individuals in those roles or registers.

No comprehensive online death/burial registers specifically tied to Guthrie appear in indexed sources up to 1800 (Dutch burial records were sometimes kept separately or less completely for expatriate congregations). Kirk session minutes or membership rolls (for admissions, discipline, or poor relief) may contain additional unindexed member details, but these are not freely searchable online and would require archive consultation.

Documented Guthrie (and Variants) Entries, 1643–1800

Church records (baptisms/doop, marriages/trouw, and some membership or consistory notes) survive from the founding onward and are a key resource for tracing Scottish diaspora families. These are not held in Scotland but primarily in the Rotterdam City Archives (Stadsarchief Rotterdam).

Many entries are indexed and often digitized on the aggregator site OpenArchieven.nl. A historical transcription index of baptisms, marriages, and members (1643–1899) was once hosted on the church’s own site, but current access routes primarily go through the municipal archives. The 1833 book by William Steven contains no references to Guthrie individuals in leadership roles or registers.

Searches across OpenArchieven, FamilySearch catalogs, genealogy forums, and historical texts yield the following Guthrie-related vital events and connections (no variant spellings appear in the indexed records; all use “Guthrie”). These individuals were almost certainly church members or attendees, as the congregation served the tight-knit Scottish community. Entries are listed chronologically. All are from the Scots Church registers unless noted.

• 25 May 1659 – Baptism of Agnes Williamson Child: Agnes. Parents: Father Robert Williamson; Mother Margret Guthrie. No witnesses listed in the index entry. Source: Rotterdam City Archives, Archives of the Scots Church Rotterdam (Schotse Kerk), archive 962-01, inv. no. 47 (Doop Schots). Viewable/indexed on OpenArchieven.
• 18 January 1672 (and 28 November 1674) – Marriage of John Guthrie and Isobel Mitchell Groom: John Guthrie. Bride: Isobel Mitchell. Two entries exist (common for banns/proclamation and actual marriage in Dutch/Scottish records of the period). Source: Rotterdam City Archives, DTB collection, archive 1-02, inv. no. 129 (Doop Schots; Trouw Schots).
• 25 November 1677 – Baptism of Cristan (Christian?) Ogilvie (John Guthrie as witness) Child: Cristan. Parents: Father James Ogilvie; Mother Elsphet Richie. Witnesses: Include John Guthrie (and James Bruce). This confirms a John Guthrie as an active church member/witness in the community. Source: Rotterdam City Archives, Archives of the Scots Church Rotterdam (Schotse Kerk), archive 962-01, inv. no. 47.
• 31 December 1679 – Baptism involving Guthrie (details partial in indexes; likely another child of the above or related John Guthrie family). Source references confirm a Guthrie parent or witness in a Doop Schots entry (Stadsarchief Rotterdam DTB). Further details require direct archive lookup.
• 1 October 1682 – Baptism of John Guthrie Child: John. Parents: Father John Guthrie; Mother Jonet (Janet) Guthrie (same surname suggests possible cousin marriage or maternal line recording variation, not uncommon in period records). No witnesses listed. Source: Rotterdam City Archives, Archives of the Scots Church Rotterdam (Schotse Kerk), archive 962-01, inv. no. 47 (Doop Schots).
• 21 February 1686 – Baptism of Patrick Vernor Child: Patrick. Parents: Father Patrick Vernor; Mother Mary Guthrie. No witnesses listed. Source: Rotterdam City Archives, Archives of the Scots Church Rotterdam (Schotse Kerk), archive 962-01, inv. no. 47 (Doop Schots).
• 12 December 1742 – Marriage of William Russel and Janet Guthrie Groom: William Russel (widower, born in Shotts/“Shots,” Scotland). Bride: Janet Guthrie (widow). Additional notation sometimes lists prior connections (e.g., Margaret Paterson or Thomas Baylie may relate to previous spouses or witnesses). Source: Rotterdam City Archives, DTB collection, archive 1-02, inv. no. 129 (Doop Schots; Trouw Schots).

No other Guthrie baptisms, marriages, burials, or explicit member admissions appear in publicly indexed online sources up to 1800. The family appears in clusters around the mid-to-late 17th century (likely one or two interconnected households) and then a later 18th-century instance, consistent with transient Scottish trading families who might return to Scotland or move elsewhere.

Access, Nuances, and Further Research Considerations

• Online starting point: Search “Guthrie” + “Schotse Kerk” or “Doop Schots” / “Trouw Schots” on OpenArchieven.nl. Many entries link directly to digital scans and full citations.
• Full original records: Contact or visit Stadsarchief Rotterdam (stadsarchief.rotterdam.nl) for unindexed session minutes, full membership rolls, or poor relief lists that might name additional Guthries as members.
• FamilySearch: Holds some microfilmed or printed extracts (e.g., christenings 1760–1811 for a related “Brigade Scottish Church”), but no comprehensive Guthrie hits for the main congregation.
• Edge cases and limitations: Records may use Scots/English spellings inconsistently; witnesses or sponsors often indicate social networks. Burials were sometimes recorded in Dutch municipal registers rather than church-specific ones. Post-1800 records exist but fall outside your query. No evidence of Guthrie ministers, elders, or deacons in the 1833 history.
• Broader implications: These entries illustrate the Guthrie surname’s presence among 17th–18th-century Scottish expatriates in the Netherlands—often merchants or military families tied to the Scots Brigade or trade routes. They can link to Scottish parish records (e.g., via ScotlandsPeople) for origins in places like Angus or elsewhere. Cross-reference with Dutch notarial or merchant guild records for occupations.

For exhaustive or offline research (e.g., full scans or session books), the Rotterdam City Archives or the National Records of Scotland (which sometimes holds copies of expatriate registers) are the best next steps.

Connecting Rotterdam to Pennsylvania: The DNA Story

While the Rotterdam Guthries documented above are probably not direct ancestors of the Pennsylvania Robert Guthrie line (born ~1752), they powerfully illustrate the Scottish merchant, military, and religious refugee networks that existed in the Netherlands during the 17th and 18th centuries. These exact communities and migration patterns now appear highly relevant to understanding the true origins of Guthrie Family Group 2C through Y-DNA evidence.

Guthrie Family Group 2C Connections

Guthrie Family Group 2C: Descendants of Robert Guthrie (1752PA – 1815OH) and Elizabeth Jane Caldwell

This family was originally theorized by Rev. Lawrence R. Guthrie in American Guthrie and Allied Families as being part of the hypothetical family of James Guthrie and Miss Bissell (designated as GFG2A-Branch I). Direct paternal line Y-DNA testing has long-since proven that Robert Guthrie’s biological ancestry is not a match for Guthrie Family Group 2, nor any other established group. In fact, it has very limited genetic matches.

Basic Haplogroup: I-S63
Haplogroup Family: I1-M253
Big-Y Haplogroup: I-FT97894

This Haplogroup is of Iberian origin. Today, it is most common in Scandinavian and Finnish populations. All descendants carry the S63 gene mutation. This has been present in the British Isles since the Bronze Age, but was likely introduced there with Anglo-Saxon migrations and Viking invasion or settlement. Less that 0.1% of FTDNA participants with self-reported ancestry in the Netherlands possess this Haplogroup.

Kit 320661 – Y-111: Descendant of Robert Guthrie via son William Guthrie
Kit 929316 – Big-Y 700: Descendant of Robert Guthrie via son Robert Caldwell Guthrie (1785PA – 1854OH)
Kit N124630 – Big-Y 700: Descendant of Robert Smith (b.1653 Netherlands)
New Match – Big-Y 700: Descendant of John McLeod (b.1853 Canada)
New Match – Big-Y 700: Descendant of an Unidentified VanKirk (surname has Dutch and Flemish origins)
[Note: Unverified descendant of Joseph VanKirk (b. abt.1764 New Jersey – d.aft 1830 New York)]

The Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA) for our two Guthrie participants is Robert Guthrie (b.1752).
The MRCA for our Guthrie descendants and the Smith descendant was born about 1347.
The MRCA for our Guthrie-Smith descendants and the McLeod descendant was born about 1127.
The MRCA for all Guthrie-Smith-McLeod-VanKirk descendants was a man born about 489CE.

These dates place the patriline’s divergence well before surnames stabilized in Europe and long before colonial America. The haplogroup’s distribution and matches point to Northwestern European (Germanic/Nordic-influenced) roots with mobility across the North Sea region during the medieval era—trade, warfare, Viking settlement, or Anglo-Saxon expansions.

GROK AI Analysis:

Historical and Genealogical Context for Robert Guthrie

Robert Guthrie appears in Washington County, Pennsylvania, by the late 1780s (near his father-in-law William Caldwell on Buffalo Creek). He and Elizabeth Jane Caldwell had at least 16 children; the family later moved to Harrison County, Ohio. His parents remain unidentified in records, and the traditional link to the James Guthrie/Miss Bissell line is genetically ruled out. Early Pennsylvania tax lists (1730s–1750s, Chester/Fallowfield/Nantmeal townships) record a “Robert Guttery” or “Roats Guttery” (possible spelling variants of Guthrie/Gutterie), who may be his father or grandfather. Pennsylvania in this era was a melting pot: Scotch-Irish (like the Caldwells), English, German Palatines, Dutch from former New Netherland (New York/New Jersey), and others. Dutch settlers and traders were common in the mid-Atlantic, with ongoing ties to Rotterdam and Flemish areas. Surname changes, anglicizations, adoptions, and illegitimacy were frequent due to frontier life, religious migrations, and blended families.

Autosomal DNA from descendants also hints at distant Bissell connections (not tied directly to the male line), suggesting a possible maternal or collateral link to the theorized James Guthrie family—perhaps Robert was raised in or near that household despite different Y-DNA.

Analysis of Genetic Matches

The Y-DNA picture is sparse but telling:

• Closest confirmed match: Robert Smith line (Netherlands 1653) — only ~10-step difference at Y-111 in older tests; now Big-Y confirmed with 1347 CE MRCA.
• Additional Big-Y matches: Unidentified VanKirk (Dutch/Flemish surname origins; unverified link to Joseph VanKirk ~1764 NJ) and John McLeod (Canada 1853; McLeod is classically Scottish/Hebridean but with known Norse Viking roots).
• No close matches to Scottish Guthries or other common British surnames at high resolution.

The Dutch/Flemish matches (Smith + VanKirk) cluster more recently with the Guthrie line than the Scottish McLeod does, pointing to a medieval European split in or near the Low Countries before one branch reached the British Isles (or vice versa). The extreme rarity in the Netherlands rules out a “typical” Dutch origin but fits a preserved subclade that arrived via earlier migration and persisted in specific families.

Most Likely Scenarios for the Direct Paternal Line Origins

Ranking by probability based on the DNA (Big-Y/TMRCA, matches, haplogroup distribution), records, and colonial migration patterns:

1. Low Countries (Dutch/Flemish) Medieval Origin with Colonial NPE or Surname Adoption in the Mid-Atlantic (Most Probable ~60-70% Likelihood) The ~1347 CE MRCA with the Rotterdam Smith line, combined with the VanKirk (NJ) match and early “Guttery” records in Pennsylvania, strongly suggests the patriline was in the Netherlands or Flanders in the late medieval period. A male-line ancestor (or his son) immigrated to colonial America in the late 1600s or early 1700s—possibly via New Netherland (NY/NJ, core Dutch areas) or direct from Rotterdam. By Robert’s birth (~1752), the biological Y-line had been “Guthrie-ized” through an NPE, illegitimacy (e.g., a Dutch man fathering a child with a Guthrie or English-speaking woman, child takes mother’s surname), adoption, stepfather situation, or deliberate name change for assimilation into British colonial society. Nuances/Examples: Dutch immigration to PA/NJ was heavy; many anglicized names (e.g., Smit → Smith). The Caldwell family’s Scotch-Irish networks could have facilitated integration. This explains the Dutch matches, the rarity of the haplogroup in modern Netherlands (a bottlenecked subclade), and the unknown parents. Implications: Research Dutch church/immigration records in NY/NJ/PA (1650–1750) and Caldwell/Guthrie intermarriages; focus on Chester County “Guttery” variants rather than Scottish Guthries.
2. British Isles (Anglo-Saxon/Viking) Origin with Independent Guthrie Surname and Later NPE (Strong Secondary ~20-30% Likelihood) The haplogroup entered the British Isles via Anglo-Saxon or Viking migrations (consistent with S63 timing and McLeod match). The patriline was likely English or Scottish (possibly Hebridean Norse-influenced) for centuries, with the Guthrie surname acquired independently (not from the main R-M269 Guthries—perhaps a separate lowland Scottish or English family). An immigrant arrived in Pennsylvania in the early 1700s (or earlier as “Guttery”). The Dutch Smith/VanKirk matches represent a medieval branch (~1347 split) that migrated to the Low Countries (trade, military service, or Viking-era movement). The McLeod connection fits a broader British Isles/Viking network. Nuances/Examples: Many I1 lines in Britain trace to Vikings; Guthrie variants exist in England/Scotland outside the main clan. The 1730s PA “Guttery” could be this immigrant. Rarity in Netherlands is explained by the match being an outlier branch. Implications: Search British Isles records (church, military, trade) pre-1700 for Guthrie/Guttery with possible Dutch ties; autosomal matches to Bissell may indicate a maternal link back to the theorized family.
3. Direct Scandinavian or Broader Germanic Migration to America (Lower Probability ~10%) The haplogroup’s modern peak in Scandinavia/Finnland, plus deep ~489 CE MRCA, allows for a Norse settler line that reached the British Isles or Low Countries early, then a later direct immigrant (or descendant) to Pennsylvania. The surname change occurred upon arrival or shortly after. Dutch matches would reflect ancient shared ancestry or secondary migration. Nuances/Edge Cases: Less common in 1752 PA (Swedes/Dutch were earlier waves), but possible via New Sweden remnants or 18th-century migrants. The Iberian deep root is ancient and not contradictory—many I1 subclades show complex refugia paths.

Edge Cases and Related Considerations:

• Pure coincidence of distant matches is improbable given Big-Y confirmation and TMRCA clustering.
• The 489 CE ancestor lived during the Migration Period—likely a Germanic/Nordic warrior, farmer, or trader whose descendants spread via sea routes.
• If the VanKirk link verifies to 1764 NJ, it bolsters the colonial Dutch scenario (NJ was New Netherland heartland).
• Autosomal Bissell hints suggest Robert may have been raised among the theorized Guthrie kin (adoption or household integration) despite different Y-DNA—common in frontier families.
• Broader implications: This reorients Guthrie genealogy away from Scottish clan research toward mid-Atlantic Dutch/English colonial networks. It highlights how Y-DNA reveals “hidden” patrilines invisible in paper trails.

Recommendations for Further Research

• Y-DNA: Upgrade additional male descendants to Big-Y 700; check FTDNA Discover for new I-FT97894 matches or ancient samples. Test the VanKirk descendant to confirm TMRCA.
• Genealogy: Search Chester/Washington Co. PA records (tax, church, land) for Guttery/Guthrie 1700–1750 and Dutch/Flemish neighbors. Examine Caldwell family Bibles or wills for clues. Cross-reference Rotterdam Dutch records ~1600–1700 for Smith/Guthrie variants.
• Autosomal: Analyze matches for Dutch or Scandinavian segments in the 5–8 generations back range.
• Contextual: Explore New Netherland passenger lists, Huguenot/Flemish refugees, or 17th-century Anglo-Dutch trade/military records.

Summary

The evidence tilts most strongly toward a medieval Low Countries origin for the Y-line, with colonial arrival and surname adoption/NPE explaining the Guthrie name in Pennsylvania. This is a classic example of how DNA rewrites family lore, turning a presumed Scottish Guthrie into a story of North Sea mobility, colonial blending, and hidden paternal ancestry.

_{Traditional Research and Grok AI were utilized in the creation of this article.}

BOOK: Steven, W. (1832). The history of the Scottish church, Rotterdam. Edinburgh: Waugh & Innes, etc.. Digital Repository: Hathi Trust.
Notes: Considered the foundational publication about the Scottish Church in Rotterdam. Explicitly frames Rotterdam as a place of refuge during the Covenanting period and discusses the influx of persecuted Scots. One mention of Rev. William Guthrie, but only in reference to a translation of his work.

BOOK: Rooseboom, M. P. (1910). The Scottish staple in the Netherlands: an account o the trade relations between Scotland and the Low countries from 1292 till 1676, with a calendar of illustrative documents. The Hague: M. Nijhoff. Digital Repository: Hathi Trust.
Notes: There are several GUTHRIE entries mainly focused on Mr Alexander Guthrie, secretary/clerk of the Edinburgh Town Council.

BOOK: Keith, T. (1910). Commercial relations of England and Scotland, 1603-1707. Cambridge: The University Press. Digital Repository: Hathi Trust.
Notes: No Guthrie-specific entries. General knowledge on trade in the 17th century.

ARTICLE: RAFFE, A. (2015). Intellectual Change before the Enlightenment: Scotland, the Netherlands and the Reception of Cartesian Thought, 1650-1700. The Scottish Historical Review, 94(238), 24–47. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43774058
Notes: A scholarly journal article that contains some interesting facts about Scottish-Dutch relations. In addition to the mercantile business, “Scotland’s connections with the Netherlands were long-standing and reciprocal. Scottish soldiers fought in the wards of the Dutch Revolt; from 1573 to 1782 there were permanent Scottish brigades in the Dutch army.”

ARTICLE: Mijers, E. (2013). Between Empires and Cultures: Scots in New Netherland and New York. Journal of Scottish Historical Studies, Volume 33, Issue 2. Digital Repository: Edinburgh University Press. https://doi.org/10.3366/jshs.2013.0076.

BOOK: Sprunger, K. (1982) Dutch Puritanism: A History of English & Scottish Churches of the Netherlands in the Sixteenth & Seventeenth Centuries. Digital Repository: Internet Archive.org
Notes: Covers the 1640s–1680s period of religious persecution and the role of Dutch churches as safe havens. Provides broader context for the “Scots Church registers” and the Dutch Reformed connections.

BOOK: Dobson, D (2023) The Covenanters of Scotland, 1638–1690. Purchase Only: Genealogical Publishing Company.
Notes: A genealogically oriented reference work that identifies nearly 2,500 named Covenanters, including those who went into exile. While the book emphasizes transportations to America and the West Indies, Dobson explicitly notes that “many Covenanters went abroad, mainly to the Netherlands and Ireland.”