My name is James. This is a genealogy blog.
Here are my stories, my frustrations, my triumphs, my odd moments of discovery. I admit I am writing this mostly for myself, to have a record of my progress in the study of my own history.
You can join me if you like…company on a journey is always welcome.
The marriage of my great-great-great-great-great grandparents, George Miller and Ann McGirdie, on the 30th of January, 1795 in Glasgow, Scotland.
They that go down to the sea. 
Amy- I recently got hooked on Ancestry.com too. It truly is addictive. I have a rather large pile of printout of the census documents in a file now! My Mom’s Mother did extensive geneolgy on her family, and Mom is going to give it to me when I’m home at Christmas this year. Her parents came over from Finland, and I couldn’t get too much on Ancestry.com without paying for the worldwide subscription. Your blog looks great & is fun reading. Valerie
By: Valerie on November 28, 2008
at 3:38 pm
I am on ancestry.com as well, and am a world membership holder. I would be glad to seek out specific documents for you, if you like. I’m an addict, I admit, so you’re just enabling my geneology habit, but rest assured I would be spending hours in this pursuit even without your joining in. Let me know what you’re looking for!
p.s. I’m finding some very well-written blogs here, but this one happens to be one of the best I’ve seen. Just my opinion 🙂
By: Clinton on May 26, 2010
at 1:16 pm
Of course! That’s right! You do genealogy, too! I remember us talking about that beautiful heirloom trunk you had in your house in Boston, Val. It’s funny, just the other night I was reading a book called “The Children’s Blizzard” and the author makes mention of those same kinds of wedding trunks, and I thought of you!
By: downtothesea on November 28, 2008
at 5:30 pm
Amy. I find your recollection of family happenings to be just terrific. You’re right about me being fascinated with family history that I never followed or understood. And now, to learn about it, because of your work, is more than I would ever have done on my own. Anyhow, it’s nice to know that “Clock Miller” is still ticking after a long and difficult journey from Scotland to Canada to Niagara Falls, NY to Rochester, NY to Hamilton, MA. Is CM working its way back across the pond?
By: Bill Tanzer on December 3, 2008
at 8:57 pm
Hey Dad!
I’m glad to hear you are enjoying the posts and the genealogy…what an awesome family we have, huh? Thank you for reminding me about Clock Miller–I have to post on him soon, I think. And heck, if I ever move to Scotland in my old age, you bet I’ll be bringing ole’ C. M.; maybe I’ll even buy him a first class seat on the plane…he deserves it!
By: downtothesea on December 4, 2008
at 7:12 pm
I’ve just found your blog. I’m fairly new to the game, too.
I’ve subscribed to your blog.
Why not pop along to mine some time (I need some hits – any idea how to improve this?):
By: stbaldock on December 15, 2008
at 8:56 am
ive been searching for my grandmothers family since 1973. She was mary jane andrew and born in lawrence mass.usa. dont know why but by 1881 she was back in the uk, then married my g.grandad joseph morris she was then 20/21. cannt find any trace of her except census 1881 where it says she was a “british subject” born in usa. can anyone give me an idea what i can do to find her birth cert. many thanks mara
By: maria on February 23, 2009
at 10:12 am
Hi Maria,
I learned that Massachusetts required vital records to be filed with the Commonwealth since 1841, so there’s a good chance you’ll be able to locate at least some sort of record of Mary Jane Andrew’s birth by contacting the Massachusetts State Archives. Here’s the link: Mass. State Archives. In the center of the archives homepage is a clickable link to “Vital Records.” Give them a try!
-Amy
By: downtothesea on February 23, 2009
at 10:36 am
[…] is an interested blog. Well worth a visit. The author has several Irish lines so have a look. See https://downtothesea.wordpress.com/about/ to read the about […]
By: ReidyWorld on July 13, 2009
at 11:08 am
Great blog! I keep hoping to find someone who links to my family. I’ve only been doing research for going on 40 years and it took me thirty of those years to link to my own mother… and I’m not even adopted!
Thanks for all you do. I’ll be back to learn more. By the way, how do I follow you?
~ Just Joany
Red Wagon Flights
By: Just Joany on January 31, 2010
at 12:17 am
Very well written, a fun read! I’ll be here often, I think. 🙂
Clinton
By: Clinton on May 26, 2010
at 1:17 pm