James Millar of Grahamston

[Lemon Nelly]

No problem Falkyrn and if I can assist in any way I am at your service, and anyone else who may need Falkirk help. 

[SMOOTHIE]

Just to say a very belated big thanks for everyones help and advice. I hadn't realised that there had been replies to my posts. My great grandfather James Millar was in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders before WW1. He then left Scotland and fought in WW1 in he Northumberland fusiliers.  We do not know when or why he left Scotland and I have not been able to get to London to look for any military records. I thought with him being in the Argyll and Sutherland highlanders it was more likely that he came from Stirling. However, I am just guessing. Lemon Nelly- any ideas about how I can search for his records in your area? I just know the year of his birth and his father’s name, which is common- George Millar. I don't even know if he had any siblings

[Lemon Nelly]

Hi Smoothie, his military records should be on Ancestry, I would have looked it up for you but I let my membership lapse at Christmas.   Not sure if you have used Scotlands people to find the birth cert?   Falkirk archives are very helpful, but if he left to live in England it is probably going to be minimal the help you would get there, though if you have anything specific you feel they can help with I can go there.  The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders base is at Stirling castle, but people from a wide area including Falkirk would have joined them.
If the Grahamston you are looking for is indeed in Falkirk it is a small area, but I think untill you find the right birth cert you will always be unsure

[SMOOTHIE]

Thanks Lemon Nelly. The story goes that I got his Dads name from his marriage certificate. My brother (many years ago) sent off for his birth certificate. I can't remember how many years either side they searched but they said they could not find any match. I waited until the 1901 census came out and found out he was from Grahamston. I then found out there was two Grahamston’s and other members on this site said there are more than two. I went on Scotland’s people but couldn't find anything. You seemed to have to know the district, which he lived in, but I don't. I can find some James Millars but I can’t tie the record to him.

I couldn't find any matching records on the ancestory military search. Lots of James Millar’s in the regiment but the ages don’t match.  I can see they have updated some records, but I am no longer a member so will have to ask someone to search again. When I contacted his regiment in Scotland they said I would need to go to London to look up the records. So frustrating. I have pictures of him in his Northumberland uniform and lots of other stuff but I just can’t find out where he came from or who his family is! He still remains a mystery after years of searching.

[SMOOTHIE]

Lemon Nelly. Here is one topic that you and the any kind others can help me with. I looked up the people porn in 1883 called James Millar and there are 23. One was born in SLAMANNAN/STIRLING and the other HAGGS/STIRLING. Should I be expecting to see Grahamston/STIRLING or is Grahamston a district of a place such as HAGGS? Neither is him btw.  I don't want to start paying for the Glasgow records until I can clear up the district issue. I can't find any reference to Grahamston.

[DDJJake]

This may be your James ...

James Miller - [N.B. Millar on his Medal Card]
Birth Place and Residence - Wallsend-On-Tyne
Died - 1 Jul 1916
Rank - Private Regiment: Northumberland Fusiliers
Battalion - 21st Battalion (Tyneside Scottish).
Number - 21/152 Type of Casualty: Killed in action
Theatre of War-  'Aldershot' e.g. France

If this is your James, I can send you the image of his WWI Medal Card after we exchange e-mail addresses.
DDJ

[DDJJake]

More possibilities if your James was killed in action ...

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Register
Name - MILLAR , J 
Rank - Private
Service No. 21/152
Death Date -  01/07/1916 
Age Unknown
Regiment - Northumberland Fusiliers
Nationality - United Kingdom
Grave/Memorial Ref. - VII. A. 7.
OVILLERS MILITARY CEMETERY


***********************************************

Possible:

GEORGE LIDDELL MILLER married  MARJORY REID FOREST 
on 10 MAY 1870   Duddingston, Midlothian, Scotland
OPR
1881 British Census 
George L. MILLER   Head   M   Male   38   Scotland   Bookseller     
Margery MILLER   Wife   M   Female   38   Scotland       
William MILLER   Son      Male   9   Alnwick, Northumberland, England   Scholar     
Thomas MILLER   Son      Male   8   Alnwick, Northumberland, England   Scholar     
Jessie MILLER   Daur      Female   5   Alnwick, Northumberland, England   Scholar     
James MILLER   Son      Male   1   Alnmouth, Northumberland, England       
Dwelling   35 Marygate
Place Berwick Upon Tweed, Northumberland, England

[SMOOTHIE]

Thanks so much DDJJake but its not him. He wasn't killed in action but lived until the 1940s and died at home (I have the date somewhere). I know he went to Ypres and I have several photographs of him with his regiment. One with about a hundred men and some others in Small groups. The numbers are not on it but it is definitely the Northumberland fusiliers. I have his wedding certificate, death certificate, he is on the 1901 census living with my g grandmother and yet to have children, and I know he was in one regiment and pretty certain he was in another. I know the town he was from but its not certain if this was in Sterling or somewhere else. Despite all this I can't find a birth record, military record or tie him to any census when he is single (ever though I know his fathers name is George). So annoying!!!!

[DDJJake]

Hi Smoothie ..
It is galling to me as well because I lived in Alma Street, Grahamston, Falkirk, Stirling County in the 1940s and most of my Great x 'n'  Grandparents in my mother's Telfer and Walker families lived there from about 1845 onwards ... all involved either directly or indirectly with Carron and other Ironworks.
I'll keep looking ... I have two images for a James Miller and a James Aitken Miller b.c. 1883 of Falkirk already indexed and ready to buy and download from GRO  ... but I'll do that tomorrow. I don't like being beaten ... but this one is tricky ... and some!
Aye
DDJJAKE