James MILLER

                   NAME:
    James Millar is listed with surname Miller on his marriage record, according to the PR Printout.  His first seven children are given the surname Miller, and his surname is also listed as Miller.  With the birth of Moncreiff MIllar in 1795, we see the first usage of this "Millar" spelling in this family, and the next two children are also listed "Millar."  The spelling "Millar" was used in the parish much earlier than this family, but there seems to have been no standardized differentiation between Miller and Millar.  In earlier usage in Clackmannan, the same family would have children with surnames spelled borth ways.  Due to the lack of reading or writing abilities amongst the commoners at this time, it is likely that the surname was spelled however the priest chose to record it, with no significance between either spelling.

RESEARCH NOTE:
    While family records have listed Sauchie as the birthplace for the Millar children, they were all christened in Clackmannan parish.  Sauchie is located adjacent to Alloa, and one would suppose the children would have been christened there rather than Clackmannan.  Further research in both parished might yeild new results on the Millar/Miller line.

RESEARCH NOTE:
    The only James christened in Clackmannan who would have been old enough to be this ancestral James was christened 8 Jul 1749.  He is the son of James Miller and Isobel Foster.  This is significant because James and Mary have a daughter named Isobel.  Further research will be necessary to prove this possible connection.