I've just started our Miller family genealogy this year. I've made considerable
progress on my own, now I realize I need help, and I am hoping someone can lend a hand.
Here's what I know.
My g-g-grandfather was James E. Miller, born 1825 in Herkimer Co., NY. He may be the son
of James Miller of Winfield, NY who is listed in the 1850 Federal Census, page 136, for
that area. By the way, we are Yankee and not of German/Palitine descent.
He moved to Jefferson Co., NY sometime before 1860, married Mary D. (maiden name unknown,
but born in Jefferson Co., NY) and had a son, Charles W. Miller, in Jefferson Co., NY
around 1854. They show up there in the 1860 Federal Census for Adams, Jefferson Co., page
550 where the list shows a daughter. The name is hard to read, but it is something like
Keamitt or Kermit, age 16 (I believe she went by "Rose").
They moved again before 1868 to Lee, Berkshire Co., MA when my great grandfather, William
Albert Miller, was born in Lee. They also show up in the 1870 Federal Census for Lee, MA.
By 1872-84 they start showing up in the city directories of Auburn, NY, the 1875 NY State
Census, and the 1880 Federal Census for Auburn.
After this the trail grows cold. I know at some point William (maybe the rest of the
family too) moved to MI, married Anna Luella Green who was born in Williamston, MI and had
my grandfather, Russell William Miller, who was born in Lansing in 1901. They had an
older daughter, Evelyn, who was born in 1896 somewhere, and by 1904 Louise Anna Miller was
born in Coldwater MI. After 1915 and before 1922 the trail picks up again in Los Angeles,
CA (near Highland Park) where William and Anna moved the family and William dies in 1929.
My family has so many unanswered questions, like where are James E. and Mary D. Miller
buried? I haven't found their graves in Auburn. Whatever happened to them, Charles
W. and Rose? Do we have cousins somewhere? What of the MI years? Are there any Green
cousins somewhere? Everyone who whould know is gone. Now I realize how important it is
to ask these questions of your kin before they die. Family is so important, especially
when a part of it moves away. I'm a native Los Angeleno now living in PA. I hope
someone can help me fill in some gaps--gaps that are a continent wide.
Michael J. Miller