Immigration

In the span of just over two years - from August 1923 to October 1925 - the Millers had all left Scotland and immigrated to either the United States or Canada (mostly to the U.S).  And although the father Alexander (b.1870) returned to Glasgow in either late December 1924 or early 1925 because he was gravely ill, the rest of his family never returned to Scotland to live.  Years later when asked by his grandson if he ever went back to Scotland, even just to visit, Alec Miller said, "Nope. I left for a reason."

1923

On 25 August 1923, Alexander Miller (b.1870), age 53, departed from Glasgow for the United States aboard the S.S. California, arriving a week later in Ellis Island, New York on 2 September.  The ship's manifest listed Alexander's occupation as a blacksmith and his final destination as Cambridge MA.  The immigration documents required that each passenger list a point of contact in both the departure and destination countries, so Alexander listed his wife Elspet Miller living at 13 Church Street in Glasgow for Scotland, and his friend Mrs. Mary Kelso living at 47 Hancock Street in Cambridge, MA for the U.S. 

Part of the requirement for gaining entrance into the United States at Ellis Island was undergoing a cursory physical exam.  Although it was determined that the physical and mental health of the 53 year old Alexander Miller was "good" and he was thus allowed to enter, it was noted on the record that he had a "partial loss of an index finger."

Traveling with Alexander on board the SS California was his son-in-law James Kelso, a "motor mechanic" (same occupation as Alexander Miller's son Alec).  The ship's manifest listed James Kelso's two required contacts as his wife Alice (Alexander Miller's daughter) living at 34 Blantyre Road in Glasgow, Scotland, and his mother Jane Kelso living at 47 Hancock Street in Cambridge, MA, which was the same address as for Alexander's contact, Mary Kelso.

Here is a photo and description of the SS California from the Ellis Island Foundation website:

1924

- On 29 November 1924, Alexander Miller (b.1904), age 20, departed from Glasgow for the United States aboard the S.S. Columbia, arriving 10 days later in Ellis Island, New York on December 9th.  The ship manifest notes his final destination as Cambridge MA, and lists his occupation as a "motor mechanic."  Also traveling with Alexander were his sister Christine "Alice" Kelso, age 30, and her two children Elsie Kelso, age 7, and James Kelso, age 3.  All four of these passengers list Elspet Miller living at 13 Church Street in Glasgow as their point of contact in Scotland.

1925

- On 17 October 1925, five months after Alexander Miller (b.1870) died on May 6th at the family residence on 13 Church St in Glasgow, the rest of the Millers arrived at Ellis Island in NewYork aboard the S.S. Tuscania after departing from Glasgow.  On board were Alexander's mother Elspet, age 60; and Alec's siblings Elspet, age 26; Janeann ("Nann"), age 24;  William, age 16; John, age 14; and Andrew, age 10.  Not present was Alexander's older sister Barbara, who according to oral family history had already married and immigrated to Canada.  And this information about Barbara was confirmed when a marriage certificate from Vancouver, Canada was recently discovered for Barbara Miller marrying Andrew Daly on 20 February 1924.