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Research in Other Countries => Canada => Topic started by: Francesanne on Saturday 02 October 10 17:28 BST (UK)
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Hi, I'm desperately trying to confirm my Great Grandfathers parents but have been unable to locate a birth certificate for him. His name was James Gilchrist and he was born in Saint John, New Brunswick circa 1847/8. I'm confident his parents were James Gilchrist (born 1809 Rothes,Scotland) and serving in the 1st of Foot regiment at the time of his only sons birth AND Ann Burns (born Dublin). They also had 3 daughters, Margaret, Catherine & Ann. None of the daughters were born in Canada.
Any help or advice would be most welcome & appreciated.
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hi francesanne
not what you asked but do you have james gilchrists army record
trevor
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Hi Trevor,
I invested in some credits with findmypast and I've got all his army records.
I've gathered so much free information from familysearch (pilot) and that's been a fantastic help & especially from the time he spent in India. I'm just desperate to locate a copy of his birth certifcate or confirmation of his parents names. Both Gilchrist's served in The Royal Scots.
All the best.
Francesanne
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hi francesanne
have you seen these 2 records
james gilchrist bpt 2 dec 1809 rothes scotland parents
john gilchrist
jean riach
1881 canadian cen
james gilchrist born scotland age 72
marthier gilchrist born ireland age 48
address shawville & clarendon south pontiac quebec
found them on familysearch !!
trevor
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Hi Trevor,
Really your efforts to help me. I know about John Gilchrist & Jean Riach. If my assumptions are correct they are my Great Grandfathers grand parents but without confirmation of his parents or more importantly his mother. I can't be 100% certain. I know for certain from the church marriage record of his 1st marriage to Jane McCully that his father was listed as James Gilchrist.Just need that final piece of the jigsaw to link it all together.
The 2nd entry is no connection unfortunately.
Many thanks once again.
Francesanne.
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Well, here's Margaret:
Date September 2 1848
County Saint John
Place Saint John
Newspaper New Brunswick Courier
d. Monday 28th ult., her brother's residence, Queens Square (St. John) age 33, Margaret F. GILCHRIST second d/o James GILCHRIST, Gilford, Scotland.
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Here's all the Gilchrists in the New Brunswick papers:
http://archives.gnb.ca/APPS/NewspaperVitalStats/NameIndexResults.aspx?culture=en-CA&name=wLY+9wLioJ/89fXlymzOT+O6l1Rn2xYvsu6Tk9aiuQA=
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Unfortunately you won't find a birth certificate...there were no civil records in NB until the mid 1880s. I have the same problem.
Can't find anything in the 1851 census so far, but will keep looking. Automated's down at the moment.
Cheers,
China
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Come to think of it, that Margaret is a bit old to be James' sister...if she was 33 when she died in 1848 she'd have been born in 1815. Maybe the sister of James the elder??
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Hi China,
Thanks so much for all the trouble you've taken to check out my James Gilchrist. Unfortunately, he's not amongst them. I think I might have to accept defeat regarding his birth certificate. His parents were back in Scotland in 1850 and they appear on the 1851 Scottish census. James Senior was discharged from the army in 1850. Appears the army life & the cold climate of North America were too much for him.
Warnest wishes,
Francesanne.
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Well, Automated's back up now and I checked the 1851 for New Brunswick but they aren't there. If they were back in Scotland that will explain it ;D
I phoned the Provincial Archives people last year in hopes of finding my own ancestors...the very helpful lady told me my only chance would be to contact the church where he may have been christened.
If the family was Presbyterian you might try these:
Saint Columba
1454 Manawagonish Road
Saint John NB
E2M 3Y3
Phone: (506) 672-6280
E-mail: korban@nb.sympatico.ca
Grace, Saint John
101 Cobourg Street
Saint John NB
E2L 3J8
Phone: (506) 634-7765
Fax: (506) 693-3223
E-mail: church.sjss@nb.aibn.com
Website: http://www.gracepresbyterianchurch.ca (doesn't work)
Somebody at these churches will likely know more about it than I do.
Good luck!
Cheers,
China
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China, you're a star! thank you once again for all your help. I will send a few emails tomorrow. They were Presbyterians, so it's worth a shot.
Warmest wishes.
Francesanne