Hi again Bobi.com,
I've had a little look at the 1851 Census on
www.freecen.org.uk but it's a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack. There are a few candidates for your John but nothing concrete to connect them together
.
To progress with your search I think you really have to focus with John in New Zealand first.
You would need to order or arrange a look-up of (if that can be done in NZ) John Milne's death certificate and hope that there is something recorded on it which furthers your search. As I said already that would depend on the knowledge of the person registering his death.
Also you need to find his marriage to your GGGgrandmother and view the certificate. If parents names were recorded on NZ certificates back in 1875 this info would have been provided by John himself and therefore you would hope it was correct
Unfortunately these two things will incur a fee
. But without more accurate info you would never be sure you were following the correct line in Aberdeenshire.
Even a date of birth would be a great help.
So, of course it's up to you whether you wish to pursue this.
If you wish further help once you have a little more to go on I will be only to willing to help find the family here in Scotland (as will other Rootschatters!!).
Good luck with your research,
Looby