The book marks the first volume in a series of records pertaining to the inhabitants of Scottish towns and cities in the 17th and 18th centuries, any number of whom or whose progeny ultimately made contact with the New World. As such, Dr. David Dobson offers it as an aid to local historians and genealogists. The volumes in this series are based overwhelmingly on primary sources, such as the records of the High Court of the Admiralty of Scotland, the Commissary Court of Brechin, the Customs and Excise, the Services of Heirs, monumental inscriptions, and so on. Many, though not all, of the individuals named in this work were merchants or tradesmen. Although they do not comprise a complete list of Dundee inhabitants during these two centuries, these burghers are nonetheless representative of the city's population elements and of the town sources available to family historians for Dundee.