John Millar - Stevenston author

[Hughie]

I've been contacted by a Chicago based Lithuanian journalist who is interested in making contact with John Millar. He wishes to interview him about his book, "The Lithuanians of Scotland". He's had no reply from the publishers. If you can help drop me an e-mail hugh.mccallum@gmail.com

Lithuanians in Stevenston
From: "Hugh McCallum" <hewmac@xx.com.au>
To: <threetowners@topica.com>
Sent: Monday, May 29, 2000
Subject: [3T] Lithuanians in Stevenston

John Miller the compiler of the Landsborough Census is originally from Stevenston. For those of you who are interested John also wrote a book. His parents were Lithuanian refugees, The book which should be in local libraries (published two years ago) is about the Lithuanian refugees lost history, culture, customs, how it affected John personally ie name calling at school in Stevenston, how the families changed their name to `fit in`. How their customs are now lost.

A few Lithuanians must have come to the area - we have a family connection on my wife's side to Lithuanians who came to Stevenston and changed their name.

Details:

"The Lithuanians in Scotland: a personal view" by John Millar. 1998. Published by House of Lochar, Isle of Colonsay, Argyll, PA61 7YR. paperback with 166 pages.
John Millar is a Scot born of parents who left Lithuania before the Great War to escape persecution and find employment in industrial central Scotland. Through a selection of reminiscences from members of the Lithuanian community in Scotland and his own detailed research he traces their struggle for survival in an alien world."

Hugh McCallum

[little plum]

Hughie, had a chat with John at the Stevenston Higher Grade reunion, unfortunately it was about the past and not the present so cant help in that sense. Many years back he was a journalist with the Daily Record specialising on the entertainment business. Is it possible that someone there keeps in contact with him, or might know his whereabouts.

[Hughie]

Hi Neil,
Thanks for that, I remember you mentioning it at the time. It might have been you who also told me he'd retired to Largs. I also seem to remember he was active in the local historical society, or it might have been the genealogical society there. Anyway, I found a reference to him in the Largs Library from last year where he was signing his book 'In the Shadow of the Dynamite'.

[Meg]

Many years back he was a journalist with the Daily Record specialising on the entertainment business. Is it possible that someone there keeps in contact with him, or might know his whereabouts.

Just realised the Miller you were talking about - I last saw him when I came up on a flight from London with John about 4 or 5 years ago - and as far as I know he is still working for the Daily Record -writing a cinema column - think he lives in Newton Mearns - or somewhere in the outskirts of Glasgow.

Meg

[sparralegs]

Hi I spoke to John a few months ago ( could have been a year ago) in the Vennel Local Family History Centre, before the move to the museum in Manse street now known as the 'Ayrshire Heritage Centre. He lived within walking distance of the Vennel Centre. although I passed it a few times I don't know the address.

[George Ardrossan]

I think folk may be writing here about two John Millars. In The Shadow Of The Dynamite was written by John Millar who might be the father of John Millar, the Daily Record and Sunday Mail journalist.

George

[sparralegs]

George I think your spot on, John Miller i know is aged about 85, I knew he had a son that was a reporter but couldn't remember his first name. John sen; did a lot of research for the local history department in Ardrossan where I met him regular and he was still doing it at the Vennel, as far as i know it was mostly the A&S herald he reseached. A fantastic memory If I needed to know anything John could always help if he couldn't help there and then he would find out for me.

Jean

[Meg]

George I think your spot on, John Miller i know is aged about 85, I knew he had a son that was a reporter but couldn't remember his first name. John sen; did a lot of research for the local history department in Ardrossan where I met him regular and he was still doing it at the Vennel, as far as i know it was mostly the A&S herald he reseached. A fantastic memory If I needed to know anything John could always help if he couldn't help there and then he would find out for me.

Jean

Ah, right - the John Miller I know is around 60 ish - so the younger I think!

Meg

[geomacintyre]

Meg, I was just going to say that John- who was my first chief reporter when I joined the A&S Herald - wouldn't thank you for saying he was 60ish and then I realised how time flies and that we are no longer teenagers ourselves. John and I met up for the first time in many years on a trip to Norway about four years ago and I could have sworn that he - at least - didn't look a day older.

[Meg]

George - I still get a fright when I catch sight of myself in a shop window, or mirror - I always think "OMG, that old woman looks like my mother" - then I realise it's me! Inside you still think you're 18 - well at least until you have to get down on your knees and then get back up - then I think I must have gained another 40 years whilst I was kneeling down

Meg

[morag]

George - I still get a fright when I catch sight of myself in a shop window, or mirror - I always think "OMG, that old woman looks like my mother" - then I realise it's me! Inside you still think you're 18 - well at least until you have to get down on your knees and then get back up - then I think I must have gained another 40 years whilst I was kneeling down

Meg

, couldn't have put it better, Meg!..in my case it was those horrible close circuit monitors in electrical sales aisles..'that poor soul needs a makeover'.. then I noticed my daughter was walking with her!

[abla43]

Hughie, If you still require to contact John Miller (Snr) .the "dynamite author, let me know, I might be able to help. Hopefully you've already contacted him, but if not------------ Cheers, Alex.