Genealogy. Finding one's MacMillan ancestors.

Unless relatives or ancestors have already done the work or one hires a professional genealogist, searching one's family tree tends to be a time-consuming, but often immensely rewarding exercise. There isn't one approach that works for everyone and many of the variables are based on nationality and region. There are considerations unique to Scottish and Highland ancestry. The genealogy-related content of this site is primarily specific to MacMillans. However, in the sidebar at right are more general resources that might assist in pursuing genealogy research.

Join Clan MacMillan International (CMI) to access more detailed information on our Clan's history and genealogy.

More in-depth information on MacMillan-related genealogy is available in password-access Members' pages including: a Guide to Genealogy, Project MAOL, Clan septs and forenames. Find out how to join CMI.

How history influences MacMillan genealogy.

Clan MacMillan is in some ways unique among Highland clans. This creates some unique considerations in pursuing one's MacMillan ancestry which include a wide range of spellings and septnames and numerous homelands (contrary to the maps commonly sold to tourists, Clan MacMillan had branches situated in both the Highlands, Lowlands and Northern Ireland). See a detailed guide to the genealogy of Clan MacMillan with more in-depth content on the topic. Members of Clan MacMillan International Centre may log in to the Member's pages.

What is, and isn't in a name.

A key consideration in pursuing one's ancestry is spelling, of which there are over 250 MacMillan variants. Spelling wasn't that important an issue to those living before the 20th century. Researchers will frequently find the spelling of a surname changes from one generation to the next. Surnames weren't in use in Western Europe until the 13th century and then only by the elite. Commoners might not have had a surname until the 18th century, often assigned when they emigrated.

There are also customs and issues relating to forenames. Naming customs, nicknames and Gaelic to English spellings all figure into recorded names of Scottish and, in particular, Highland ancestors. Available to CMI members is a page with more details about forenames/given names in the Highlands.

MacMillan-specific archives.

See a page with downloadable PDFs specific to military service, vocation and time periods, this available to CMI members.

Project MAOL. Clan MacMillan's dedicated genealogical database.

Project MAOL is a database specific to MacMillans (of whatever spellings) and septs being compiled and maintained by the Clan Centre. For more information see an introduction to Project MAOL. Members of Clan MacMillan International Centre may log in to the Member's pages to access the archives and contribute their family trees.

Clan MacMillan Y-DNA Project.

MacMillans may participate in the Clan MacMillan Y-DNA Project, this facilitated through FamilyTreeDNA. See a page with an explanation of the benefits and process. Administrators are Gary McMillian, David W. McMillan and Robert McMillan.

Genealogical enquiries through the Clan MacMillan International Centre (CMIC).

CMIC offers the services of Clan historian and genealogist Graeme M. Mackenzie, MA for genealogical research for a fee. Members of Clan MacMillan International Centre and Clan branches (those supporting the Clan Centre through the Conclave Challenge) have a discount available to them.

Above, MacMillan Dress Old tartan. See more about Clan MacMillan tartan.

Any mention of "MacMillan"on this page refers to all spellings and septs unless otherwise indicated.

Graeme Mackenzie, Clan MacMillan's historian and genealogist has an informative website HighlandRoots.net specializing in Scottish Highland genealogy resources.

Cyndi's List Possibly the largest general genealogy resource on the Web.

ScotlandsPeople "The official Scottish genealogy resource".

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, the official archive of Northern Ireland.

Rootsweb. Another free genealogical resource. (not all entries may be reliable).

Find My Past has searchable, vital records covering 90% of North America, with birth, marriage and death records, starting from the early 1700s.

The Mormon Church has sponsored the following three online genealogy services. While they contain a wealth of genuine, original records, all their contributor-provided family trees should be treated with caution unless each person/item/fact is backed up with an original record.

Familysearch.com The largest (and free) genealogical database in the world, sponsored by the Church of Latter-Day Saints. (not all entries may be reliable).

Ancestry.com is a popular online genealogy resource.

Find-a-Grave allows one to search records and photos.

Genealogy for Kids, Building a Family Tree

Indexes of CMI newsletter and magazine archives.
CMI magazines and newsletters are valuable sources of information on Clan-related history and genealogy. These volumes are available as PDFs linked from the Members' section "Archives of CMI Magazines & Newsletters" page. Four indexes have been compiled listing the articles from 1993 to 2019, available as PDFs: 1, 2, 3 and a chronological list. Graeme Mackenzie has compiled printed versions in three volumes. Find more information on the "Books & Publications" page.