Joanne Nina Stevenson-Zolnierek

 

I live in Southeastern Pennsylvania along with my hubby, Steven, and several Wee Beasties of Mystic Grove (www.mysticgrove.org)

 

I first became interested in Genealogy research when my Scottish

Grandmother, Nina MacNaughton-Hess, Stonehaven, Scotland,

would tell me the history behind our family.  It wasn't until recently that I started doing more in depth research on my fathers, (the Stevenson's) side of family.  Much to my amazement and with the wonderful help from my "cousins" around the world, I found out why I am a VERY independent, yet family oriented gal. I discovered my first cousin, 5 x removed, 'Captain Elizabeth "Betsy" Miller'. That is one person that I would really love to have a conversation with.

 

I was always told by my parents, "that I talk too much, think too much and do too much!" I say, "That is NOT a bad thing! " If Captain Betsy Miller didn't take action when she did her entire family would have gone down the tubes!

 

When I came across an extensive genealogy report about the Millers, thanks to my "cousins" Betty Stafford and Sir Michael Carlisle, I was VERY intrigued by Captain Betsy Miller. I immediately Googled her name and discovered the Betsy Miller site and of course I got in touch with Ed and Linda.

 

I was THRILLED to know that she was going to be put in her rightful place in the Scottish/World History Books!

 

Joanne Nina Stevenson-Zolnierek.

 

 

 

Sir Michael Carlisle DL 

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A working career as Chairman & Managing Director of a marine/mechanical engineering company, Lockwood & Carlisle Ltd. Also non executive director of several other companies.

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Thirty years involvement with the NHS, at all levels, including former Chairmanship of Sheffield (1974-92) and Trent Regional Health Authority (1982-94). Chairman of Regional Chairmen (1991-92).  Member of Council, Medical Research Council 

(1991-95 ).

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Pro-Chancellor (1996-2006), Member of Council (1990-2006) and Court,  University of York. Member Hull-York Medical School Board (2002- 2006)

Chairman, Scarborough & NE Yorkshire Healthcare Trust (2007- )

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My connection with the Miller family is rather distant, I'm afraid. My GGGrandfather, Charles George Carlisle, had 8 children, and they all became the original shareholders in a family business called Lockwood & Carlisle Ltd, Sheffield, that was an offshoot of the family business of ivory merchants, serving the local cutlery industry.  

 

L &C were engaged in supplying piston rings for large marine engines, and supplied many Scottish marine engine builders, and shipowners. They even had products in S/S Titanic!  Also every Liberty and Victory ship in the 1939-45 war. I was in the RN for a couple of years and was at sea in a coastal minesweeper of the Fishery Protection Squadron and visited Arran.

 


One of the sons of C G Carlisle was Charles Lawton Carlisle who married a formidable lady Maggie Neill. Her parents were George Neill and Janet Miller from Ardrossan (1832-1887). Her parents were John Miller 1793-1876 who married Margaret Barclay. I am sure you can connect from there. I know the Neill family as they made hacksaws (Eclipse) and other hand tools and were a very successful Sheffield Company, and so it was interesting to follow this up to find Betsy etc.


I think that you are doing a wonderful job to ensure that the Betsy Miller story is accurately made part of the local history scene, and it is stories like this that encourage others to find family and local history so interesting. In my diverse pursuit of a wide range of 'family' members I have discovered several fascinating tales of the past that make the people and times come alive.  

 

 

Sir Michael Carlisle DL

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The Stevenson Family

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This amazing photograph was sent to us by Joanne Nina Stevenson-Zolnierek and features the descendents of Betsy Miller's Grandparents, Hugh Miller and Hannah Thompson. Thanks to Joanne's painstaking genealogy research we are able to see the continuity of part of Betsy's family line, which is just wonderful!

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Hugh Miller & Hannah Thompson  (Betsy Miller's Grandparents)

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Children:

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1)   Robert Miller

2)   Hugh Miller & Agnes Craig  (The Stevenson Family Line)

3)   Thomas Miller

4)   John Miller & Margaret Barclay (Sir Michael Carlisle's Line)

5)   James Miller

6)   Archibald Miller

7)   William Miller & Mary Garrett (Betsy Miller's Parents)  

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* (Hugh Miller & William Miller, brothers)

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Our grateful thanks to Joanne for all her hard work.

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Music ~ 'First Kiss',  Composed/Performed by Ed Walker