That “young miner named Miles” in the 1880 report is a brilliant discovery, Gem. It’s the key piece of evidence which confirms that Adrienne’s great grandfather Robert Kelly b 1860 was definitely the Robert K Mills in the 1861 census, illegitimate son of Elizabeth Kelly b 1837. The normal Manx custom was to baptise illegit babies with the mother’s surname ---- then the child might grow up being called by this name, or he could be known by his father’s surname.

I wonder if Robert had always referred to himself as Robert Kelly and was only known as Robert Mills by others in an official capacity. Perhaps he had a low opinion of the mysterious Mr Mills/Miles and didn’t want any connection to him.

Jean C