Hello Frances,
My grandmothers family have a long association with Malew and Santon. She married my grandfather in Bradden. Manx surmames in my family tree include Hudson, Sansbury, Gilmour, Bridson, Watterson, Rumney, Currie, Gelling, Sayle.

I can only speculate that when his mother Jane Dunderdale Miller died someone took care of the three young boys aged three, two and one so his father (also Alexander) could work. From information I have Alexander senior was a master bricklayer and built all sorts of decorative structures including archways.

Possibly Alexander junior had an attachment to the caregiver and was adopted, fostered. As far as I can ascertain the Gilmour family were living in Douglas in 1891 my great grandmother Louis Hudson Gilmour married Henry Sayle. My grandmother was also living at the address of her mother.

My grandparents married on 10 September 1893 , the union produced John Millar in 1895 – the first of five more boys.

Your question what was Alexander doing in Derbyhaven relates to my original search. He may have undergone his army training in Aldershot and went on leave. Then he made his way to Liverpool, onto Douglas and intended to take te ship on to Belfast. Why Derbyhaven ? Maybe to visit and stay with someone, it seems Derbyhaven was familiar to him – but thats pure conjecture

Regards
Frank Millar