Over 5 years since I first posted about my blooming Mary Ann Brown, I've moved countries 3 times since then and will do that a fourth time during this year, he, he, and in between I have scoured the web for clues about Mary Ann BROWN and her Dad and STILL I am no further forward, but I live in hope :-)
I have found another 'straw' to clutch at.
Very tenuous but I have found a baptism in 1806 at The Dissenters Meeting House, Bank Side, North Shields which has caught my interest.
1806
Patrick son of John BROWN, tailor, North Shields by his wife Jane was born 2nd Febry and baptised the 8th June
The father was born in the parish of Belford, the mother in the Parish of Bamborough both in the Cty of N. & her maiden name was [WEDDEL/RIDDEL/ ??]
Witnesses present Mark & Mary HEWIT both of N Shields
This is the first straw I have found for a John BROWN, tailor, in about the right timeframe who has a link to the right area where Mary Ann was supposedly born.
I can't yet find any further children of this couple, nor can I yet find a marriage for them,but I thought I'd add the snippet to this thread on the off chance that someday I may eventually solve this puzzle.
If anyone has access to ancestry and can help decipher the mother's maiden name, the image can be found here:
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01eho/2nd entry down, right hand side of page. Though the record says his mother is Jane, ancestry (as only they can) have transcribed that as Susannah - go figure 'that' one :-)
Boo